Lara Blume-McGee

Occupation: CEO, Team Up World; Executive Director, ALS In Wonderland

 

Children:

Leyla (12), 

Leia, Elle and Brison (5) 

 

“The legacy I leave will be filled with passion and gratitude.”

 

Lara Blume-McGee has worked in the nonprofit sector for most of her life. She started off as a young girl volunteering for different organizations with her family. Those activities created a deep sense of responsibility to create change. Through her company, Team Up World, she helps fulfill the needs of entrepreneurs and sports stars in establishing a nonprofit brand that will be sustainable for years to come. Blume-McGee has four children, three of whom are triplets.  

 

Did having children present any obstacles or speed bumps in your career? 

 

Being pregnant at 39 with triplets was such a blessing. Carrying them as long as I could was the goal. I ended up carrying my sweet babies, Leia, Elle and Brison for 35 weeks. They were born in May. May is ALS Awareness Month, and the month of our largest fundraiser — ALS In Wonderland. I was never on bed rest and worked the entire time. I thank my ALS In Wonderland team at the time for supporting me and holding it down to the very last hour. The show must go on! My babies were born four days after our annual fundraiser in 2017.

 

How do you manage your work/life balance?    

 

I am a Libra; therefore, I am balanced. I am determined to find balance everywhere in my life, including but not limited to social justice, friendships, partnerships and family. Family comes first. I often include my children in my philanthropy. Not only do we get to work together, but they also get to actively help someone and make a difference. 

 

What are some of your and your family’s favorite activities?    

 

We love to travel and do so as much as possible. When you travel with your children you are giving them something that can never be taken away — memories, new experiences and exposure to other ways of life. My husband and I have a weekly date night! On that night, we reconnect and talk about our week. It’s a good time to relax, recharge and share.  

 

What advice would you give to new or soon-to-be moms? 

   

There are so many ways of doing things. Every family and every baby is different. Find what works best for you and your family and don’t worry about the rest. Someone somewhere will always judge your choices no matter what, so don’t worry about trying to please anyone except your little family. Remember to relax and trust your instincts. You’ve got this!  

 

What kind of legacy do you hope to leave behind for your children?     

 

First, I want my children to know that I love them with every cell in my body. That I was always committed to being the best mom to them and they were always my priority. The legacy I leave will be filled with passion and gratitude. None of us know how long our lives may be. However, we can all leave a legacy of living like we care and living in a way that honors our creation. People will remember how you lived more than the details of your achievements. Last, ground your purpose for a greater purpose.