In the summer of 2024, I made a bold decision – I retired from a great career in local news. For more than three decades, I was driven by a passion for connecting with people, leading news teams, and relentlessly pursuing truth and trust. I knew it was time for something new, though I didn’t know what. I thought I was stepping away from one life, but it turns out I was stepping into an entirely different one. Retirement and reinvention felt both unexpected and perfectly right.
My personal and professional transition taught me valuable lessons that I now share with my coaching clients. Here’s what a year of becoming looks like.
Prioritizing What Matters
Stepping away from the chaos of deadlines gave me something I hadn’t realized I’d lost: balance. Now, I have the freedom to be present for my family. Together we’ve created memories and celebrated milestones that once felt squeezed in between breaking news events. We’ve traveled and explored with curiosity and delight. I’ve been able to simply exist without the constant pressure of an always-on news cycle.
Finding Purpose in Service
One of the most rewarding parts of retirement and reinvention has been rediscovering what service means to me. I’ve rolled up my sleeves to volunteer with the American Red Cross and the Rotary Club of West U. Service doesn’t retire, and this work brings me joy, opened the door to new friendships, and provided a path for a new type of leadership.
Reinvention with Intention
This year, I also launched my own professional reinvention as a Leadership and Executive Coach. Today, I work with emerging leaders and mid-career executives who are navigating career transitions. Whether they’re starting a new leadership role, embarking on a new career, or feeling the pull toward a more purpose-driven life, I help them feel seen, lead with heart, and own the room.
If you are at a crossroads – feeling lost, wondering what’s next, or just needing a little nudge to go for it, know that you aren’t lost. You’re becoming.