People stories: Working dads

Meet our Valtech dads, Casper Rasmussen, Group Chief Transformation Officer, Yaya Ndongo, Principal Consultant, Hernan “Puma” Pumar, Principal Delivery, and Nikunj Paradva, Senior Software Developer, who share what fatherhood has taught them about flexibility, balance and belonging.

Parenthood as part of the identity

Fatherhood looks different for everyone, but one thing these dads have in common is the intentionality they bring to both work and family life.

For Casper, fatherhood is rooted in curiosity, support and involvement. A self-described “tinkerer”, he loves experimenting with machines and mechanical assemblies along his kids, embracing their passions and perspectives with an open mind.

Yaya, based in Munich, Germany, describes himself as “present, patient, supportive and proudly imperfect.” After 10 years at Valtech and raising three children, he's learned to embrace the unpredictability that comes with parenting. In his own words, “I’m the official guinea pig for my daughter’s make up experiments and I wear that badge proudly.”

For Nikunj, based in Ahmedabad, India, fatherhood means being playful, caring and affectionate with his four-year-old daughter. Whether it’s dancing, storytelling or bedtime conversations, he values the small moments that make childhood memorable.

“My biggest “feature requests” come from my daughter instead of a project manager, and they are always high priority and absolutely non-negotiable.”

Meanwhile, Puma, based in Buenos Aires, Argentina describes himself as present, committed and constantly learning while raising two sons.

Across every story, fatherhood has strengthened qualities they also bring into the workplace: patience, adaptability, empathy and perspective.

“Very few things are truly urgent” Yaya reflects. “Fatherhood reinforced the importance of flexibility and adaptation.”

Navigating the balance between work and parenting

While every family dynamic is different, creating intentional boundaries and routines plays a major role in helping working parents manage both worlds.

For Casper, success lies less in the structure of the day and more in the transition between work and parenting. “If I don’t follow my transitioning routine, work and parenting bleed into one another, and I’m not successful in either” he says.

Yaya structures his day around family routines like kindergarten drop offs, pickups and after-school activities, while Nikunj balances technical problem-solving with what he jokingly calls “little dad challenges” at home.

For Hernan, who works remotely, balance often means embracing a mix of structure and unpredictability. “It’s a mix of structure and a bit of chaos” he says. “I can focus on work but still be present.”

That intentional shift from work mode to family mode also shapes how these dads “log off.” Whether it’s fully disconnecting from notifications, spending uninterrupted time with family or simply being mentally present at home, each emphasizes the importance of creating separation between professional and personal life.

Creating a culture were working parents can thrive

Beyond their own experiences, these dads also recognize the importance of community and workplace culture in helping parents feel supported.

Many of them became involved in the Working Parents and Caregivers Global Belonging Group to connect with others navigating similar experiences and tensions.

“We all strive to be the best possible parent and colleague” says Casper. “But in reality, those priorities sometimes create tension. We need to be more open about discussing that.”

For Hernan, the community offered something especially meaningful: connection.

“Being far from a traditional support network made me look for a sense of community” he shares. “This group offers that, sharing experiences, learning from others and realizing the day-to-day chaos of parenting is something we all navigate.”

Nikunj echoes the importance of shared experiences and learning from others, while Yaya highlights how these communities expand the definition of belonging at work. “Belonging at work doesn’t stop at job titles or roles. It includes our lives, responsibilities and identities outside of work as well.”

When asked what workplaces can do better to support working fathers, flexibility was a recurring theme. From hybrid work arrangements and adaptable schedules to healthier expectations around overtime and availability, these dads emphasized that flexibility should be normalized rather than treated as an exception.

“Valtech is already doing a lot” says Yaya, “especially by encouraging dads to openly share their experiences and lead by example.”

Lessons, challenges and growth

Being a working parent also comes with challenges, especially the constant balancing act between time, energy and attention.

For Casper, the biggest challenge is simple: time. “Time is the biggest asset for me” he says.

Yaya speaks openly about the challenge of letting go of guilt, whether from work or family life, while Nikunj reflects on the feeling of being stretched between responsibilities. Hernan highlights the difficulty of context switching while working remotely with children nearby.

Their advice to other dads reflects that same mindset: focus on presence over perfection, communicate openly, create healthy boundaries and give yourself permission to ask for help.

“Your presence matters more than perfection” says Yaya.

And for Casper, success comes back to intentional transitions and creating moments that allow you to fully show up in both roles.

“You cannot always structure your way out of work versus family separation. Unexpected things happen on both sides.”

Together, their stories are a reminder that working parenthood is not about perfectly balancing two separate worlds, but about continuously navigating both with empathy, flexibility and support, for themselves and for one another.

Join Valtech

Inspired by our working dads? If you’re looking for a workplace that values authenticity, collaboration and personal growth, Valtech might be the perfect place for you. Check out our open roles and be part of the journey.

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