Forstadt Quoted in Press Herald Piece About CEO’s Pregnancy Announcement

Leslie Forstadt, a child and family development specialist for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, spoke to the Portland Press Herald for an article about Melissa Smith, the new CEO and president of South Portland-based WEX Inc., announcing her pregnancy to the company’s board of directors and executive leadership team, as well as through a memo to 1,400 employees. Forstadt said men tend not to disclose they are starting families and that as a female CEO, Smith “realized she was bucking the norm.” She added, “It would be great if it wasn’t news that people in positions of power are trying to balance work and family issues, but work and family integration is an ongoing discussion.”