Rising Higher: How Stepping Away from the C-Suite Became My New Beginning

When I stepped away from my C-suite position, it felt like my career had ended. The weight of leaving that role pressed down on me, and waves of shame, guilt, and embarrassment washed over as I grappled with a life that was suddenly unstructured, uncertain, and stripped of the identity I had carried with pride. I found myself unemployed, without the security I had spent years building, with no next step in sight. For those first weeks, I wondered if I would ever recover the momentum or the sense of purpose I’d once known.

Yet, in the stillness of what I call my “four-month vacation,” I began to rediscover a part of myself that had been buried under the grind, expectations, and endless task lists. While I had been deeply devoted to my executive responsibilities, I hadn’t realized the personal cost—until I stepped away.

Now, I am healthier and happier, unencumbered by the long hours and high-stakes demands that once defined my days. No, I haven’t returned to a C-suite title, but I have built something far more valuable: a consulting practice that allows me to serve and uplift other women navigating the complex landscapes of leadership. For women aspiring to the C-suite and those currently in senior positions, the journey is often one of isolation and intense pressure. I understand that journey and know how to support those who travel it. My focus is on creating spaces where they can be empowered, find connection, and feel seen.

Today, I am living proof that a career “end” can be a beginning. By aligning my work with my passions and priorities, I’ve risen higher, with a new perspective on success and fulfillment. My story continues to unfold, and I am grateful every day for the opportunity to help others rise as well.