We Don’t Need More ‘Masculine Energy’ in Business

Sarah O’Leary, CEO of femtech brand Willow, is rewriting the rules of leadership by building a business that’s successful, empathetic—and unapologetically human.

When Sarah O’Leary hears people say we need more “masculine energy” in the workplace, she doesn’t just raise an eyebrow—she pushes back. Hard.

“I don’t believe we need more masculine energy,” says the CEO of femtech innovator Willow, the company behind wearable, leak-proof breast pumps and accessories. “I’ve been thinking a lot about leadership models—and what actually works.”

Spoiler alert: it’s not command-and-control. It’s not bravado. And it’s certainly not rigid, performative toughness.

O’Leary leads with something far more radical in corporate America: transparency, empathy, and flexibility.

Trust is the Business Model

Willow is thriving under O’Leary’s guidance. The company recently acquired UK-based femtech peer Elvie, a move projected to increase revenue by 50%. It also announced a groundbreaking partnership with Canopie, a maternal mental health platform, to donate one million hours of maternal mental health support.

But behind these headlines is a deeper shift—one where the success of the company stems directly from how it treats its people.

“If my kids’ elementary school concert is at 10 a.m., I’m going,” O’Leary says. “Then I’ll come back and keep going with my day. That doesn’t make me less productive—it makes me more productive.”

The company has never issued a return-to-office mandate, and employees are trusted to manage their own schedules. This autonomy isn’t just nice-to-have—it’s a core feature of Willow’s culture.

“We don’t lose productivity with flexibility. We gain it,” she explains.

Redefining Power and Presence

As a mother of two and the former Chief Commercial Officer, O’Leary didn’t chase the CEO title out of personal ambition. Instead, she stepped up because she believed in the mission—and knew she was the right person for the job.

“In some sense, [being CEO] has put me in a servant leader kind of role,” she says. “It’s a responsibility as much as it is a cool title.”

That sense of duty—not ego—is what helps her navigate the daily chaos of business leadership: new tariffs, shifting markets, and hard questions from her team. The glamorous image of a CEO is often stripped away.

“It’s challenge after challenge. You’re the first person everyone comes to. It’s about taking responsibility—for the people, the product, and the customers.”

The Future of Leadership Is Feminine—But Not Gendered

O’Leary’s story isn’t just one of business success. It’s a model for a better way to lead—one that’s not about replacing men with women, but about replacing outdated systems with inclusive, values-driven leadership.

Her approach challenges the old narrative that empathy and effectiveness can’t coexist. It proves that you don’t have to choose between being a present parent and a powerhouse CEO. At Willow, you can be both. And the business is better for it.