From Girl Boss to No Boss

"They have reached the heights of corporate success. Now some women are trying to redefine what ambition looks like. Thoughts?"

This was posted to a group of very successful women and here is my answer.

Walking away from my corporate executive role was a well-thought-out decision, one rooted in clarity, experience, and the realization that it was time to invest in me.

After spending over 25 years at a company where I was proud to leave a lasting mark, I found myself at a crossroads. With an upcoming CEO transition on the horizon, I questioned what the future would hold for the work I cared deeply about health equity, inclusive talent strategies, and the evolving role of Human Resources.

Reinventing yourself time and again in corporate spaces is not just exhausting it can be depleting. The daily act of code-switching and navigating unspoken expectations can wear down your mental and physical well-being. Add to that the pressure of leading through a global pandemic, responding to the racial reckoning of 2020, and managing talent demands in a rapidly shifting workforce with many asking for more without the infrastructure or readiness to support it. I finally said: Enough.

After four decades of leading in technology and HR, the shifting politics and demographics of corporate America had become daunting. Companies were reworking benefits, forcing early retirements, and distancing themselves from the very talent that built their foundations in the '80s and ‘90s, even as that experience remained essential for true transformation.

With a strong retirement nest egg, a community of rich relationships, and a desire to finally bet on myself, I chose to explore the dream I had long deferred: building a lifestyle and hospitality brand that reflects my passions, purpose, and joy.

When my confidence catches up to my ambition, the chapter is mine to write. And I’m just getting started. Follow my journey at www.sippingsense.com.