lisa Schmidt
M.Ed., PCC
ON, CAMost retirement planning is about money. What’s missing is the emotional transition — the shift in identity, purpose, and meaning when work is no longer at the centre of life. At my events, audiences gain greater awareness, confidence and clarity as they enter life’s most underestimated transition.
For decades, many professional women have focused on building successful careers, supporting others, leading organizations and achieving meaningful goals. Then retirement arrives.
While financial planning is important, many of us discover (including me!) that retirement is also something else entirely: an identity transition. After years of being the leader, the expert, the trusted colleague, retirement can raise unexpected questions:
- Who am I without my career?
- What gives my life meaning now?
- How do I create purpose and structure in this next chapter?
That's why after decades of working in leadership development and executive coaching, I now work with successful women navigating the emotional and psychological side of retirement—the part few people talk about openly. My coaching focuses on helping women:
- redefine identity beyond work
- process the emotional transition out of a career
- design a meaningful and fulfilling next chapter
- reconnect with purpose, curiosity, and possibility
My background includes a Masters of Adult Education in Organizational Change (UofT), a certificate in Executive Leadership (Rotman School of Business) and a professional coaching certification (PCC from ICF). I have taught creativity and mindfulness at the famed Haliburton School for the Arts, am a published poet and short story writer, and a lifelong fan of the Montreal Canadiens.
For decades, many professional women have focused on building successful careers, supporting others, leading organizations and achieving meaningful goals. Then retirement arrives.
While financial planning is important, many of us discover (including me!) that retirement is also something else entirely: an identity transition. After years of being the leader, the expert, the trusted colleague, retirement can raise unexpected questions:
- Who am I without my career?
- What gives my life meaning now?
- How do I create purpose and structure in this next chapter?
That's why after decades of working in leadership development and executive coaching, I now work with successful women navigating the emotional and psychological side of retirement—the part few people talk about openly. My coaching focuses on helping women:
- redefine identity beyond work
- process the emotional transition out of a career
- design a meaningful and fulfilling next chapter
- reconnect with purpose, curiosity, and possibility
My background includes a Masters of Adult Education in Organizational Change (UofT), a certificate in Executive Leadership (Rotman School of Business) and a professional coaching certification (PCC from ICF). I have taught creativity and mindfulness at the famed Haliburton School for the Arts, am a published poet and short story writer, and a lifelong fan of the Montreal Canadiens.
The Hidden Transition: Redefining Identity and Purpose After Leadership
FORMAT: Keynote or Webinar (45-60 min) :: Workshop (one hour; or up to half-day)
This program is perfect for:
Women in leadership positions considering what life could look life after retirement.
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