I decided to retire early to spend more time with my family before my
two children headed off to college. For over two decades, my husband,
Dave and I juggled fulfilling and demanding careers while raising active
children and had become master planners. Astutely anticipating my
temptation to respond to new and different opportunities, Dave declared,
“I have just two requests, don’t commit to anything for 6 months and I
still cook dinner.” My agreement to “not commit” to anything for 6
months was a gift, giving me the time and air cover to reflect, explore
my interests, reconnect with friends and former colleagues, and think
about my next steps. And, lucky for me, Dave is an excellent cook!
In the subsequent months, I had the freedom to attend school events,
enjoy downtime with the family, and travel. I also made time for coffee
with friends, lunch with former colleagues, and professional events. The
conversation often turned to work challenges. As a former Chief Human
Resources Officer in financial services, I love to coach leaders as they
grapple with organizational issues, talent strategies, and employee
engagement. Soon friends began referring others to me for my “pro bono”
guidance, and I found that my expertise was filling a void.
Simultaneously, I had the good fortune to meet Beth Dahle, the former
Executive Director of Compass, at a dinner in Philadelphia. Over
dinner, she shared stories about Compass’ impact in the nonprofit
community, building capacity through pro bono strategic consulting.
Having served on nonprofit boards throughout my career, I had a deep
respect for nonprofits and the significant contributions they make to
our communities. Beth and I continued our conversation over coffee in
the following weeks. Before I knew it, I was a volunteer Project
Manager, leading a team of business professionals on a Board Development
consulting engagement for a local nonprofit. Compass provided the
opportunity to meet and engage with a diverse and dedicated group of
business professionals and talented, passionate nonprofit leaders on
critical topics. Each year, I was introduced to a new team, nonprofit,
and issue area. I was hooked and became a repeat volunteer.
Fast forward, five years later, I have launched my own human capital
consulting firm, and I have joined the staff at Compass as the Program
Manager, overseeing consulting programs in Philadelphia. I often
reflect on the commitment to my husband, and how that led me to explore
options I never considered. It ultimately enabled me to create the next
phase of my career, blending the capabilities I developed in a corporate
environment with my passion for community engagement and solving
strategic issues. I couldn’t be happier.
Compass Volunteer Applications for 2021-22 Classic Projects will open at the end of August. Learn more about Compass and skills-based volunteering.
