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This Spring, I had the privilege of moderating a CHCF alumni panel called “Should I Stay or Should I Go?”—and it was one of the most honest, moving, and energizing conversations I’ve been part of in years.
We often hear leadership stories told in one direction: upward—toward bigger titles, larger teams, greater responsibility. But this panel offered something refreshingly different. Alumni colleagues shared openly about stepping down, stepping “sideways,” or even walking away from leadership roles altogether—sometimes because of burnout or health issues, sometimes for family or caregiving needs, and sometimes simply because it was time.
The conversation deepened quickly, with alumni in the audience joining in. One alum spoke of the pain of missing their kids’ growing-up years during her time in the C-Suite. Another asked whether it was worth staying in a leadership job where they were being mistreated. The honesty in the room was palpable, and you could feel the relief at being able to tell the truth about what leadership sometimes costs.
I’ve been on my own journey too, recently stepping away from a C-Suite role to create work and a life more closely aligned with my values. Like many in the room, I found clarity through that process. For me, it came down to three guiding priorities: being present with my family, caring for my health, and meaning in my work. During the panel, we invited participants to name their values and priorities—and the energy that bubbled up when people shared was electric. It was a powerful reminder that when we pause to re-center on what truly matters, and let our personal values (rather than the “shoulds” or external expectations) guide us, we can make choices that lead to happier, more sustainable, and more fulfilling lives.
It’s moments like these that make the CHCF alumni network so powerful. The wisdom, encouragement, and care in this community are constant reminders that we don’t have to navigate leadership or life transitions alone.
And it’s why I’m especially looking forward to the September CHCF alumni meeting: more connection, more honesty, and more space to share whole stories about our whole lives—the journeys we’re each on to ensure that our work on behalf of others also nourishes our own fulfillment and well-being, and to remind ourselves, and each other, to have the courage to change course when it doesn’t.
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