Alexis Ohanian

“As an entrepreneur, I poured everything into the companies I founded. Yet once I became a father, there was no question where my priorities lay. For the first few months of my daughter’s life, I needed to be with her and my wife. Unfortunately, many adults in this country are not afforded this ‘privilege,’ whether they need to care for a new child, a spouse following surgery, or an aging parent in their final days. My own experience taking leave has influenced my business leadership: Reddit and Initialized Capital offer 16 weeks of fully paid parental leave, and we encourage the companies we invest in to be generous with their own policies. This is more than just about doing the right thing — it’s a smart business decision. Whether you’re in the C-suite or just starting out, you should be able to prioritize your family when they need you. With all the benefits that I’ve seen personally and professionally, it’s disappointing to know just how far behind the U.S. is on this issue. If we truly believe the family is the bedrock of our country, it’s time lawmakers start acting like it and institute national paid family and medical leave.”