How Susan Wojcicki Balanced Motherhood While Building Google’s $140B Ad Empire

Susan Wojcicki, born in November 1968, is the senior vice president of Google’s advertising business and the CEO of YouTube. She joined Google in 1999 while four months pregnant, becoming the company’s 16th employee and its first employee to take maternity leave.

Known as the "Mother of Google," she helped launch the company from a garage and later led the creation of AdSense, which now generates over $140 billion in annual revenue. She also oversaw the acquisitions of DoubleClick and YouTube, turning them into major revenue streams.

Wojcicki’s department contributed 96% of Google’s income, earning her recognition in Time’s 100 most influential people and Forbes’ list of the most powerful women in tech.

"Opportunity often arrives when you’re not fully prepared," she says, emphasizing the importance of seizing chaotic moments.

She pioneered Google’s first marketing efforts without a budget, embedding the search toolbar in university websites and creating the iconic Google Doodles.

Wojcicki also championed women’s rights at Google, extending paid parental leave from 12 to 18 weeks, establishing mother‑friendly parking, and advocating for flexible work policies. She encourages women to pursue tech careers, stating that motherhood enhances multitasking and management skills.

Balancing her demanding role, she makes it a point to be home for dinner by 6 p.m. and avoids work emails after 9 p.m., promoting a healthy work‑life balance for her team.

Through documentaries like "Code Girl" and public speaking, she continues to inspire women to join the tech industry and break gender biases.