Work With Angie
Retirement by Design.
Retirement is celebrated as a continuous vacation, but the human reality is far more complex. Research shows that after the initial high of the “honeymoon phase” wears off, the sudden loss of structure, authority, and professional identity frequently triggers a profound emotional dip.
For high-achieving leaders, this isn’t just taking time off—it is an existential shift. Without a clear architecture for what comes next, the loss of purpose can manifest as deep grief, anxiety, clinical depression, and serious physical health decline.
As a Certified Executive Leadership Coach who sat in the senior seat as a Superintendent, I have lived through the exact grief, identity crisis, and quiet isolation that follows leaving a career of massive purpose and responsibility. You cannot simply “relax” your way through losing the title that anchored your identity for decades.
There is a better way.
Working together, we don’t just plan your departure—we engineer your retirement. We navigate the grief, protect your mental and physical health, and intentionally construct a dynamic second half of life grounded in purpose, vitality, and authentic legacy.
The 3 Phases of Retirement
Phase 1: Untangling & Identity Readiness (Before)
This stage centers on the pre-work required before stepping away from your career for the last time. Together, we explore the complex emotions, unspoken anxieties, and anticipatory grief surrounding the loss of your role. We work through untangling your personal identity from your professional title, establishing emotional boundaries with your organization, and grounding your self-worth in who you are rather than what you lead.
Phase 2: Navigating the Void & The Shift (During)
This stage focuses on holding space as you transition directly through the immediate drop in speed, noise, and daily structure. We move through the highs of the honeymoon period to the lows of emotional disorientation, isolation, or drop in energy that often follows the initial honeymoon period. Together, we navigate shifting home dynamics, process the loss of daily influence, and create the internal stability needed to sit with the transition without rushing or retreating.
Phase 3: The Purpose Architecture & Renewal (After)
This stage is about forward discovery, visioning, and stepping into a dynamic new way of being. We partner to discover what meaningful engagement looks like on your own terms—exploring new avenues for your executive wisdom, health, and personal legacy. Together, we move from passive retirement into active “rewirement”, designing a lifestyle that balances freedom, structure, and vibrant purpose all on your terms.
Delivery & Investment
Structure & Cadence
- 6-Month Executive Partnership: 12 bi-weekly 1:1 executive coaching sessions (60 minutes each).
- On-Boarding Intensive: One 90-minute Clarity session to establish baseline transition goals and personal drivers.
- Asynchronous Coaching Support: Direct text and audio messaging access between sessions for real-time gut checks during pivotal shift moments.
- Custom Reflection Frameworks: Tailored coaching exercises and life-rhythm tools designed to deepen discovery between conversations.
*to note: timing is flexible with individual needs and may not fully align with the 3 phases as outlined above
ENGAGEMENTS
Work With Angie
Every leadership journey is different. Whether you’re looking for one-on-one guidance, support for your team, or an inspiring keynote, we’ll find the right path forward together.
Retirement by Design.
Retirement is celebrated as a continuous vacation, but the human reality is far more complex. Research shows that after the initial high of the “honeymoon phase” wears off, the sudden loss of structure, authority, and professional identity frequently triggers a profound emotional dip.
Executive Leadership Coaching
The higher you lead, the fewer places you have to think out loud.
Leadership comes with responsibility.
Decisions affect people. Difficult conversations can’t always be avoided. Priorities compete. Expectations increase. And the more senior your role becomes, the harder it can be to find a truly objective place to work through what you’re facing.
School Board Coaching
Leadership can be isolating. It shouldn’t have to be.
Superintendents, principals, vice-principals and system leaders operate in an increasingly complex and highly scrutinized environment.