This qualitative interview study explored the experiences of mother administrators in higher education at public 4-year universities in California and how these women navigated their paths to leadership. Guided by a conceptual framework using the theory of gendered organizations and the kaleidoscope career model, this study aimed to illuminate the complexities of mother administrators' leadership experiences as they progressed through their careers. This conceptual framework anchored the study from beginning to end to illustrate a beautiful story of how mother administrators navigated their leadership as they birthed life and lived out their new identities as mother administrators in higher education. The findings revealed three interconnected themes: (a) who can be a leader? (b) always a mother; and (c) strategies for mother administrators. Although all participants' experiences were unique, there were many points of intersection that reinforced the ways participants experienced gendered organizations that created challenges for the participants as they navigated leadership before and after becoming a mother. Importantly, the mother administrators in this study provided a new way to look at how mother administrators lead with authenticity. As a result, through this study I have conceptualized the term "mother administrator agency" to emphasize the strengths motherhood brings to leadership. Additionally, I discovered institutions play a role in the ways they create challenges for mother administrators, but they also have potential for being spaces of support for mother administrators to be leaders in higher education. Finally, I offer recommendations for policy, practice, and future research to address the unique needs of mother administrators so they can be better supported and empowered to "lead like a mother." [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]