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Meet the women changing the face of the workforce for parents
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Tracy Gunn and Michelle O’Keefe, founders of Platform55, aim to support one million people through life’s defining moments by 2030. Here’s how they’re going about it…
Two women who had been balancing senior leadership roles with raising young families, Tracy Gunn and Michelle O’Keefe, saw a clear gap in how workplaces supported parents. They knew something had to change. And so the seeds for what would go on to become Platform55 were sown.
They established Platform55 as a platform for change. They partner with organisations to build fair and future-ready workplaces – helping businesses attract and keep employees by supporting them to balance work and family life. Since launching in 2021, it has become a multi-award-winning partner for organisations that care about inclusion, equality and performance.
Today’s reality
Over half of the workforce are parents, and three-quarters have caring responsibilities. However, many feel they’re paying a price for it: 95% say they feel constantly overwhelmed, and one in two believe being a parent or carer isn’t compatible with reaching senior levels.
“Every day, we hear about mandatory back-to-office initiatives. For those with caring responsibilities, these return-to-office demands not only add stress, they’re a barrier to staying and growing in their careers, with women feeling the impact most,” says Tracy and Michelle.
“Progress on closing the gender pay gap is happening, but slowly, with 80% of the gap attributed to the ‘Motherhood Penalty’. From Platform55’s research, eight in 10 managers said they don’t feel confident having conversations about sensitive topics like miscarriage, menopause or fertility, and fewer than 10% of dads take their full family leave.”
Platform55’s vision
Aiming to support one million people through life’s defining moments while helping organisations move the dial on equality, leadership and engagement by 2030, Platform55 wants to help working parents and carers thrive both professionally and personally.
Helping individuals feel confident, capable and ready to thrive through moments that shape their lives, these innovative entrepreneurs’ vision may be bold, but it’s also deeply human.
“Platform55 stands for something different,” adds the founders. “A workplace where caring and ambition can thrive together. Where leaders are equipped to lead with empathy, where policies come alive in everyday practice, and where inclusion isn’t just a box to tick – it’s a culture to build. This is about unlocking talent, creating fairness, and driving meaningful, measurable change that benefits everyone. That’s the future Platform55 is here to make real.”
Not only does Platform55 support people, but they measure impact, improving results in engagement, culture and performance.
So, how does it work?
Platform55 helps organisations build fair, future-ready workplaces by supporting people through key life stages. Life doesn’t pause when we’re at work. Parenthood, menopause, burnout – these experiences shape how people show up every day.
With a blend of live events and on-demand resources, Platform55 builds capability across the organisation so people feel supported and confident, enabling them to perform at their best. Delivered through expert-led workshops, coaching and webinars, backed by always-on digital resources, Platform55 is simple to implement, instantly accessible to every employee.
For organisations, they remove endless hours of administration, planning, research and facilitation, making life simpler for HR by providing ready-to-implement, scalable support that brings policies to life and delivers results. Their wide range of supports includes:
- Support for individuals before, during and after maternity or paternity leave, including pre-leave modules, return to work workshops, career coaching and re-onboarding guides
- Equipping managers with the skills and confidence to lead with empathy and build fair, inclusive teams through their CPD-accredited masterclasses, coaching and on-demand resources
- Expert advice and guidance through key life moments that create friction between work and home, from fertility to mental health and menopause
- Helping HR bring policies to life, close gender pay gaps, and build organisations that are fair, inclusive and future-ready
Platform55 helps businesses thrive by providing crucial supports for employees, explains Tracy and Michelle. “Because when people are supported, they show up better, they lead better, and businesses perform better.”
If you’d like to find out more about the work Platform55, do get in touch with the team by visiting www.platform55.com or emailing info@platform55.com.
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