The Founders
Built by Women Who Lived the Problem.
Work& was founded on a simple belief: that workplaces should support the whole person. Abbey and Jules built it from lived experience — as working mothers, as professionals who saw the gap firsthand, and as entrepreneurs who decided to close it.
Women-owned and founded · Houston, TX · Est. 2018
Abbey Donnell
Co-Founder & CEO
Jules Lairson
Co-Founder & COO
Press Highlights
Work& in the News.
Forbes
Women's Health AI Outperforms VC's Own Benchmarks — Yet the Funding Gap Persists
Read Article →
Fast Company
This Startup Is Making Breastfeeding Suites a Standard Office Amenity, Finally
Read Article →
Houston Business Journal
Work & Mother Rebrands to Showcase New Wellness Offerings for Workplaces
Read Article →
Our Mission
The Values That Drive Everything We Build.
01
Empathy and Care
From the start, our work has been guided by a genuine care for others and a deep understanding of their needs. Our selfless approach builds trust, fosters reliability, and creates meaningful connections.
02
Top-Tier Quality
We hold ourselves to the highest standards and never cut corners. Every day we strive to deliver solutions and services that meet and exceed our customers' expectations.
03
Compliance and Expertise
Staying informed about the ever-evolving workplace compliance laws is essential for helping our customers navigate complex rules and regulations with confidence.
04
Innovation and Adaptability
Continuous improvement and innovation are in our DNA. We must listen, learn, and adapt to the needs and wants of our modern audiences — always.
What People Are Saying
The Impact, in Their Own Words.
"
I wouldn't have been able to return to work in the capacity I have if not for Work&. Thinking about going into an office without this space while trying to continue my breastfeeding journey is unimaginable. I feel incredibly supported by my company and Work&.
Employee
Canva
"
At Hines, we are committed to continuously raising the bar for our clients. Having Work& onsite isn't just an amenity, it's a necessity to support mothers and holistic wellness in the workforce.
Whitney Burns
Senior Vice President
Hines
"
We've had so many women on tours who said they would have loved a space like ours when they were nursing. Our leasing team is certainly proud of it and makes an effort to include it on every tour.
Cortney Haney
Property Management
Cushman & Wakefield
"
This is the type of amenity that really draws people to the campus, and it can help our tenants retain and attract new employees.
Skylar Huth
Asset Management Director
Nuveen Real Estate
"
The transition from maternity leave back to the office is very difficult and emotional — so much so that I almost didn't return to work at all. Work& made it not just possible but pleasant.
Employee
SeaOne
"
We ensure the new employees who work in this office are aware of your facility and what you provide. This is a great program and we want our employees to take advantage of it.
HR Manager
Onit
Work& History
From a Missing Link to a National Platform.
2017
A Missing Link in Workplace Wellness
While pursuing her MBA at Rice University, Abbey Donnell identified a common challenge among her colleagues and friends: the lack of adequate support for breastfeeding mothers returning to work. Even in workplaces with supportive cultures, the necessary physical infrastructure was often missing, leaving a critical gap in workplace wellness.
2018
From Idea to Impact
Abbey launched Work&Mother, introducing professional lactation suites designed to meet the needs of working mothers. By collaborating with landlords and employers, Work&Mother helped clients comply with legal requirements and foster a more inclusive and supportive workplace culture.
2020
Jules Lairson Joins as Co-Founder
Jules Lairson joined the company, bringing deep commercial real estate expertise. Together, Abbey and Jules expanded Work& from a single-suite concept into a scalable platform — connecting enterprise employers and top-tier CRE firms with world-class wellness infrastructure.
2022
The PUMP Act Changes Everything
The federal PUMP Act expanded protections to nearly all nursing employees, adding legal urgency to what had always been the right thing to do. Work& was positioned to become the compliance solution for HR teams and facilities managers nationwide.
2025
Work&Mother Becomes Work&
The company rebranded to Work& — reflecting its expanded mission beyond lactation to support every dimension of employee wellbeing: telehealth, meditation, faith, medication management, and more. The platform now serves McKesson, Anthropic, Canva, Vornado, Nuveen, and dozens more coast to coast.
Talk to a Founder Directly
Every Consultation Is with Abbey or Jules — Not a Sales Team.
Because the work we do is too important to hand off to someone who wasn't there when it started. Book a free 20-minute call — no pitch deck, no pressure, just an honest conversation about what your space needs.
Abbey Donnell and Jules Lairson
Co-Founders · Free 20-min consult
Explore Work&
Ready to See What a Real Wellness Room Looks Like?
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See Our Rooms View Pricing Guide Build Your RoomThe information provided on this site does not and is not intended to constitute legal advice. Please consult your attorney for obligations under applicable federal, state, and local laws.