Working Mom Spotlight: Stephanie Farley

Meet Stephanie! A wife, director of consulting services executive for a major health care IT company and a Restored mom.

Number of kids: 2

Favorite candy bar: Toblerone

Restored: Tell us about your family and your childcare solution.

 Stephanie: I am married to John Farley, my handy husband of 14 years and level II medical information specialist for PPD. He is a homebody who has always been supportive of the wanderlust I have for exploring the world. I manage a team of more than 90 associates who deploy electronic medical record software for Cerner's Federal sector. We have two active boys that love bike riding, swimming and soccer. Walker is seven-years-old and will start second grade. William is five-years-old and will start kindergarten. We are currently still figuring out our 2020 childcare plan. Pre-COVID, we had a combination of daycare, before- and after-school programs and track out camps. We appreciate support from our parents for “grandkid camp” for special treats for the kids. 

 Restored: Where do you work, and what is a typical workday for you? 

 Stephanie: I work for Cerner Corporation. Lately, I work exclusively from home. But traditionally, I work from my home, our Arlington office, our Kansas City office and occasional client trips. I have traveled for work for 19 years, but travel changed with children…and with COVID, but I expect to resume travel this fall in a limited capacity, pending a resurgence in COVID cases. A typical workday fluctuates if I am on the road or at home. At home, I try to run three to six miles a day and walk with my lifeline of neighbors before dropping the kids off at school and starting work. The day is often a series of operational meetings, contracting calls, one-on-one meetings, interviews, a few unexpected fire drills and staffing activities. My favorite weeks are the weeks I host our strategists for collaboration and planning sessions, the weeks I teach a leadership course, and the weeks I visit our hospitals/clients. A day in the Arlington office may start by walking to the office with a colleague, a coffee connect, a strategic whiteboard meeting to plan the next quarter and a working session to outline a new solution offering. After work may include either run club on the National Mall, dinner with my sister and her family or work happy hour. I always try to FaceTime the family when I am on the road, and sometimes that means on the way home from work or mid-run! On the road, I use apps to connect with the boys’ teachers and keep up with their day at school. 

 Restored: What are some of your goals – personal or professional?

 Stephanie: In my work, I contribute to a connected health care network for our nation. I aspire to help create an inclusive work culture that inspires innovation, achievement and growth for the industry. I aim to make health care easier to navigate and more effective for our nation's military, U.S. Coast Guard and veterans. I am a lifelong learner and would like to earn additional certificates or pursue higher education as my kids get more independent. I want to grow the next generation of leaders at home, in the community and in the health care IT industry. I would also like to publish an industry periodical. I hope to support women leaders in fiercely pursuing and achieving their goals. I aspire to be a great wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend. 

Restored: What motivates you to work? 

Stephanie: My family, faith and the mission motivate me to give 100 percent every day.  The software we create helps clinicians have more information at hand to support clinical decision making for improved patient outcomes.  My family are both patients and clinicians.  Software that supports clinicians to more efficiently and effectively do their jobs provides clinicians with a tool that can support the noble services that they provide.  Patient care has evolving needs and technology that can be both reflective on past patient history and predictive in analytics of patient results can support improved outcomes.  Serving veterans and those who serve is a commitment and a privilege.  I feel blessed that God helped me connect to a career that helps me contribute to a better world.

Restored: How do you like to relax?

 Stephanie: Hmm. Does a mom of boys relax? I like to run at dawn and dusk when the world is still, and one can commune with nature. I enjoy swimming, cooking and being active. I prioritize massage/self-care on monthly basis (well, pre-COVID). I try to read, although it is hard to find the time for anything besides chapter books. Family movie night, bonfires, wine nights and good friends help to bring some peace to the pace of life punctuated with red eye flights, deadlines, evening practices and overlapping schedules. I love dancing and music and a good family dance party. Restored is part of my self-care.

 Restored: What is your favorite part of motherhood? How has it impacted you personally?

 Stephanie: The snuggles and the extreme joy that comes from watching your kids learn something new. I love the privilege of helping the boys grow a relationship with each other, with God and with their community. I love that their favorite days are sticky, messy and usually not at all on a schedule. I love their observations on life. My oldest said yesterday, “Mom, maybe God created COVID to teach us how special family time is.” I relish each stage of their lives, their wonder, their joy, their tears (maybe not all the tears), and I love watching them sleep.

 Restored: What does Restored mean to you? How has it impacted you personally?

Stephanie: Restored has been my energy source and a positive community of friends for me.  The blend of life coaching, faith and community has helped me prioritize differently. It has connected with strong women who are journeying together, imperfect (but inspiring) in their pursuit of faith, family, community, and their work. I enjoy my time with these real women in my community and have made some lasting friendships. It was a bit of a breakthrough for me to take a time out to prioritize me. This investment in faith and community is one of the few items that managed to become a habit in my mom- guilt filled life. I struggled to pull myself away from the boys when I was divided between late work/travel and the kids’ activities.  Restored helped to 'fill my tank' and recharge my battery.   

Restored: What is one of your favorite Restored events to date? Why is it your favorite? 

 Stephanie: One of my favorite Restored events was last year’s Galantine’s event at the Greenhouse Picker Sisters. I loved it because it merged some things so rare in busy mom life—food, fun, shopping, camaraderie and supporting local business. In my life, my shopping is about convenience, and I loved that we had an event that merged good food, good friends and shopping local in one event. I came home refreshed, with a hair makeover and two new outfits! Another favorite event was the September 2019 Restored with Maghon Taylor of All She Wrote Notes. The fall is a time for working moms to feel overwhelmed, overscheduled and burnt out. That session had a powerful speaker and a great table group discussion around how to be more encouraging to each other and to ourselves. It was exactly what I needed to help me through that busy season and to find ways to be encouraging, efficient and positive!

 Restored: Can you share how you overcome challenges related to the “mom chaos” that settles in when you feel pulled in 100 directions? 

 Stephanie: I try to pick a handful of priorities and tackle those instead of boiling the ocean of outstanding work. Getting a few things completed, makes room for new priorities. I often will see if I can delegate or get a hand from my husband or reset my perspective with a friend. I try to get outside and have a moment to be still with God, either close to dawn or after the kids go to bed. God talks to me when I’m walking, running or being appreciative of the beauty He’s created and gives me great ideas how to navigate the toughest situations when I’m alone with my thoughts and prayers. 

 Restored: Besides your faith and family, what are you passionate about? 

 Stephanie: Faith and family come first! I am passionate about health, food, culture, travel and people! I have run two marathons and several other shorter races that help me develop endurance and test my physical and mental strength. I love a life full of music and positive energy. I enjoy hiking and other outdoor activities that connect me to inspirational vistas. At work, I like mentoring and working on culture initiatives that help advance associate engagement, diversity and inclusion.