Community Highlights: Meet Martine Stefanovic of McDonough Moms

Today we’d like to introduce you to Martine Stefanovic.

Hi Martine, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My name is Martine Stefanovic, and I was born and raised in New York City. I’m married and a mom of two amazing kids, and we now live in McDonough, Georgia. I have a bachelor’s degree in media management, a field I’ve worked in for most of my life.

When my children were small, I stepped away from corporate life and moved away from my family. That season taught me in a very real way how essential a village is, especially for mothers. I learned how grounding it feels to be in community with other women, and how isolating it can be when you don’t have that support.

After moving from Wisconsin to Georgia, I made it my mission to not only build a village for my own family, but to help other moms build theirs too. In 2019, I created McDonough Moms with just 50 members. After the pandemic, it evolved into something far beyond what I imagined, and today our community has grown to more than 18,000 local moms.

We do life together, both online and in person. Through events, workshops, play dates, walking groups, and shared daily moments, we’ve built a space where moms can find friendships, connection, and a sense of belonging. This community has changed the way many of us experience motherhood, and I’m grateful to play a part in helping women feel supported, seen, and never alone.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t been a smooth road per se. With McDonough Mom‘s started in 2019 and a few months later the world shut down because of Covid. So meeting in person was no longer an option. However, the community quickly shifted to an online resource that truly helped us get through a scary time. We truly leaned on each other to find resources and information that we couldn’t find anywhere else.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about McDonough Moms?
My business centers on creating spaces where mothers and women guardians/caretakers can feel supported, connected, and understood. I plan and host everything from coffee dates and workshops to large signature events, walking groups, and community drives. These moments give moms opportunities to form friendships, share resources, and feel a little less alone in their motherhood journey.

I specialize in community building and cultivating environments that feel warm, inclusive, and real. I’m known for bringing women together in ways that feel effortless, even though there’s a lot of heart and strategy behind every gathering. I think what sets me apart is my ability to blend creativity, hospitality, and organization, and to do it in a way that still feels personal. I don’t just build events, I help build relationships.

I’m most proud of the impact this community has had on the lives of local moms. Hearing women say that McDonough Moms helped them make their first friend in Georgia, or that they finally feel seen and supported, reminds me why I do this work. Growing this community into a trusted, vibrant part of our county has been one of the most meaningful accomplishments of my life, and it continues to motivate me every single day.

What’s next?
I’m looking ahead with a mix of intention and excitement, both for McDonough Moms and for myself as a leader. One of my biggest goals for next year is securing national sponsorships. I truly believe that partnering on a national level will help catapult our mission, strengthen our resources, and allow us to reach even more moms. It’s the natural next step for the impact we want to make.

At the same time, I’m growing a new lane under my personal brand. I feel called to speak more about the importance of community building, especially for women. Whether that shows up as workshops, courses, or speaking engagements, I want to help more women understand how transformative it is to have a village and to feel supported in motherhood.

Personally, I’m stepping into balance. It might feel elusive at times, but I’m learning to honor what balance looks like for me in this new season of motherhood. I’m giving myself permission to pursue freedom, rest, and alignment without comparing my journey to anyone else’s.

We also have our biggest event of the year coming up on December 12th here in McDonough, our annual Gift Exchange. It’s a night for mothers to pause, reflect, and celebrate themselves. Moms give so much all year long, and this event is a reminder that we deserve moments of joy, connection, and community too. It’s one of the highlights of our year, and I’m looking forward to continuing that tradition in an even deeper way!

Pricing:

• $65 4th Annual Gift Exchange Gala Tickets

Contact Info:

• Website: https://subscribepage.io/mcdonoughmoms
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mcdonoughmoms
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1ZUddsEFoo/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinestefanovic?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios

Image Credits
De’Lace Photography
Synergy Studio Photography