Who we are
About Us
Welcome to
California Maternity
Leave Consulting
California Maternity Leave Consulting is a boutique parental leave consulting firm, where we are dedicated to bringing transparency and ease to all of State and Employer parental leave benefit programs.
We are founded on the belief that every employee should have access to, and understand how to maximize their parental leave benefits - all without needing a finance or law degree.
We offer personalized maternity leave planning services that are tailored to meet the needs of each individual client - both employees and employers.
We work closely with our clients to create customized maternity leave plans and policies.
work with us
Our services
Include comprehensive maternity leave planning, including guidance on leave policies, benefit eligibility, navigating + maximizing insurance policies and focusing on the financial side of maternity leave benefit application.
We are experienced strategic planning professionals who have helped over 1,000 clients successfully navigate the maternity leave process, State benefits and employer policies. Additionally, we have been brought in house by companies looking to create inclusive and transparent parental leave policies for their employees.
We are committed to providing our clients with the tools and resources they really need to make the most of this precious and priceless time in their lives.
featured
A few of the companies where the women we have worked
Since 2021 we have served all employees and employers from all sectors of employment - from large corporations like Disney, Amazon, Tesla and The Honest Company to public agency employees, doctors, business owners, technology companies, start-ups & non-profits.
Meet the Founder
Diane Gatza, P.E.
Founder + CEO of California Maternity Leave Consulting
I am a California licensed Professional Engineer (PE) and a home birth mom of two, & the CEO and Founder of California Maternity Leave Consulting. As a problem solving engineer at heart, I established California Maternity Leave Consulting after navigating two maternity leaves and experienced firsthand the lack of support, inability to find easy to understand information and realizing it was up to me to figure out how this whole maternity leave thing "works."
With my passion for consciously empowering women and my pragmatic approach to simplifying complex benefit topics, California Maternity Leave Consulting has become the go-to resource for women in California seeking to simply understand and maximize their parental leave benefits.
Since inception in 2021, California Maternity Leave Consulting has now helped over 500 women through its online program, The Maximized Maternity Leave 101, private 1:1 consulting, live workshops and employer policy development work.
In addition to my strategic planning expertise, I draw on my unique life experiences, including being a Hodgkin's Lymphoma cancer survivor, to provide my clients with a more progressive, real-world & an "I totally get it!" approach to health insurance, disability leaves, and employer benefit packages.
About Us
Meet The Team
We are here to assist you in carefully organizing your maternity leave plan.
I have always dreamed of making a difference in people’s lives. In 2011, I pursued a career as a State Probation and Parole Officer. However, at that time, I was working an employee job from home, spending valuable time with my son and stepdaughters. I cherished being able to attend school activities and enjoy family moments that a full-time job wouldn’t allow.
After some soul-searching, I realized I didn’t want to work 50+ hours a week and commute; my family time was priceless. I soon discovered Virtual Assistance and found a new path that allowed me to help others while staying home with my children. I progressed from Virtual Assistant to Certified Online Business Manager, focusing on operations, team, and systems, helping busy entrepreneurs grow their online businesses without sacrificing family time.
When Diane reached out in a Facebook group we are both in and needed support with operations, I was thrilled to help her run and grow California Maternity Leave Consulting. It’s incredibly satisfying to know that the work I do with her helps other families spend more time together during such a crucial period.
In my free time, you can find me binging Netflix with our cat Casper, as a single mom that’s my downtime! Or with my 16-year-old son, enjoying the outdoors, trying new recipes, or exploring new restaurants. We love doing fun activities together and savoring delicious food!
Sara Lingenfelter
Director of Operations
My name is Jojo Sandoval and I’m a soon to be momma of three.
I obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences and have worked many years in the Human Resources and Payroll industry. This experience has made me well-rounded in understanding employer considerations and expectations for expectant mothers venturing into the maternity leave world
One day I came across a Facebook ad that took me to Diane's page and I chose to invest in her services for my second baby. This was the biggest blessing I could have ever asked. For I truly admired Diane’s work in supporting women who are navigating through all the missing pieces of the maternity puzzle. Almost instantly, I gained a deep passion for helping other working women gain control of their maternity leave as did I!
Since joining California Maternity Leave Consulting, I have helped many women across hundreds of different professions obtain the answers & control they seek through our private 1:1 consulting sessions. These private 1:1 consulting sessions allow me to be your dedicated resource throughout your blooming journey.
In addition to all the grind, I enjoy a good time in my cozy home. You’ll almost always catch me surrounded by my little humans, with a fancy mocktail in hand, daydreaming of the next home diy project. What can I say, we carry many hats as mothers and I’m all for rewarding ourselves even in the smallest ways!
Joana “Jojo” Sandoval
Maternity Leave Consultant
I'm an Indianapolis native and military spouse currently living in Phoenix, Arizona.
I'm a mama to our sweet toddler, Miles, and a former special education teacher. Before transitioning into the maternity leave consulting world, I taught all over the United States, and I'm passionate about helping others.
I started working with California Maternity Leave a little over a year ago and quickly became captivated by the significance and impact of this work. Our team has a unique ability to connect with moms-to-be on a personal level, ensuring they feel supported, understood, and receive every benefit they’re entitled to during their leave. Having struggled with advocating for my leave in 2023, I know firsthand just how valuable this support can be.
Working closely with Diane and our business owner clients, I've gained incredible insight into the complexities of navigating and maximizing available benefits as an S Corp business owner, and I absolutely love helping the incredible families we work with navigate all the moving parts of planning their leave, taking control of their time off, and coming back to work in a way that feels right for them.
When I'm not consulting, I love to refurbish old furniture pieces, hike with my family, and experiment with new recipes in the kitchen (usually with Miles slowing me down in all the best ways!)
Sarah Dorsey
Maternity Leave Consultant
My name is Christine Renaud, and I’m a proud mom to my sweet son, Ollie, and furry son, Loki
Originally from the midwest, I made my way to California after college with a suitcase full of dreams and a background rooted in creativity and service. I’ve always thrived in people-centered roles where trust and connection are everything.
Motherhood has always been close to my heart. After experiencing a miscarriage during my first pregnancy, I came to deeply appreciate the power of open, honest conversations with other mommas—the kind that carry you through both the heartbreak and the joy. When I became pregnant again, I was determined to make the most of my maternity leave. That’s when I found Diane and her incredible team at California Maternity Leave Consulting. Thanks to their guidance, I was able to take eight full months of fully paid time off—time that allowed me to bond with my son and soak in every precious moment with my husband and pup during those unforgettable early months!
When I saw that they were hiring, I didn’t hesitate. It felt like the most natural next step was to join the very team that helped me so profoundly. Now I’m honored to pay it forward—helping other moms gain the same clarity, confidence, and peace of mind that I once needed. I truly believe knowledge is one of our greatest strengths, especially when it comes to advocating for ourselves and our families.
When I’m not supporting our amazing clients, you’ll likely find me enjoying cozy family time, experimenting with new recipes, or deep in a DIY project—always with my little guys nearby and music filling the room.
