You could have heard a pin drop as our Panel with Maura McGinnity, Rebekah Mitchell and Dianne Eckloff took the stage to tell their stories of how they "took a leap" and made the change from either uninspiring or all-consuming jobs to the work and life that has recaptured their interest and enthusiasm. Their stories were different, yet the same - recognize what you value most and align your work accordingly.
Maura McGinnity, an accomplished marketing, business development and fundraising executive with over 15 years of corporate and university experience had led many successful initiatives in the areas of strategic alliances, international development and marketing. She wanted to remain on that path, but at what cost? While in her last position as Vice President of Strategy for an analytics software company, Maura continued to hear an internal message saying it was time to make a change. The question was, "To what?"
When Maura took action on the "little voice," she was clear that her next move had to fit with her core values: intellectual challenge, family, and balance to name three. As a big believer in possibilities, Maura was unconcerned that being seven months pregnant would be a showstopper. She trusted that by knowing what she valued most, she'd recognize the right work in the right environment when it came her way. And that's exactly what happened. Maura turned her focus back to work she loved and currently is the Director of California Major Gifts at Stanford University. She still occasionally works long hours, but the payoff in having values-aligned work has been immeasurable. She's noticed an increase in her mental, emotional and physical energy and a resurgence of enthusiasm for her work. And she has plenty of energy left over for her family, which includes husband Erik, and two darling children, Aidan (2 and ½ years) and McKenna (11 months).
Pictures courtesy of Michelle Richardson Photography,
www.michellerichardson.net.
After spending 12 years in public relations both within organizations and with a PR agency, Rebekah Mitchell wanted to feel more in control over not only who she worked with but how she worked with them. Rebekah didn't want to change her field; public relations is what she loves. What she wanted to change was who she did it for, when she did it, and how she did it. She wanted to get excited again about her work. "For anyone who's been doing the same thing for a long enough time, the danger is that you narrow your focus and lose sight of what excites you about what you do. I didn't want that to happen to me."
When Rebekah chose to leave the safety and security of her corporate job two years ago, she took a couple of months off to decide what was next. It didn't take her long to see that going on her own was the right choice. "Starting my own firm has reenergized me. I now ask myself, 'Who do I like representing and how do I want to represent them? By doing this, I choose clients who are the best fit for me." Rebekah went on to say that although working for herself has its risks, the rewards have never been greater. "It's my plan, my timing, my clients and my comfort level. I'm excited again about what I'm doing. And I've learned something about my capabilities. If I can do this, I can do anything."
By May of 2005 Dianne Eckloff had been in high tech on and off for 15 years, including eight years at Adobe Systems. She knew she was ready for a big change in her life. With a financial plan in place, she took the leap and voluntarily left her position as Senior Director at Experian so that she could go after her dream. The vision she had was of working part time at a job that she's passionate about that also affords her enough time and money to pursue the things that have real meaning in her life, namely, business missions work across the globe. Only one problem - she didn't know what she wanted to do.
Wisely, instead of hurrying into just anything that looked good, Dianne hoped that by exploring her interests in several areas she'd find the work that stirred her passion. And that's exactly what occurred! After trying a few things that didn't work out, Dianne discovered that the work she's passionate about most has been sitting right under her nose all along, namely, options trading. She'd done it before, she loves it, and what's more, it gives her the income and flexibility she needs to go after the other half of her dream, giving back. For Dianne, living on purpose, her faith, and giving back are primary in her life. Now she's able to fully embrace all three.
Here's what people said about the Gathering.
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"Fantastic! Not to be missed. I left inspired and smiling."
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"The energy and enthusiasm of the variety of women at the event was perfect!"
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"I appreciated meeting other high-powered women with complex lives."
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"It's a great opportunity to schmooze with high-powered women in Silicon Valley and share experience, strength, and dreams."
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"It was worth the time to step out of my work and personal life to meet interesting women and share stories of successfully managing life."
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"It was an opportunity to talk and interact with a wonderful group of women. I am enjoying the fact that there is a good mix of familiar and new faces at these events."
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"It's inspiring to hear other women's accounts of their transitions into their next life chapters."
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