Navigating Career Change at Midlife
Learn How to Pivot with Purpose
Are you feeling stuck in a career that no longer fits? Wondering how to make a change—without sacrificing your income, lifestyle, or sanity?
Whether you’re exploring a new path, navigating a career transition, or already mid-pivot, this powerful roundtable is designed for you. Join us for an honest, tactical conversation with four leaders who’ve successfully made bold career moves in their 30s and 40s—without going back to square one.
Join us for this transformative event and discover how to decide what you want from the next chapter of your career and how to make it your reality without startling over.
Navigating Career Change at Midlife is a high-impact roundtable created for professionals who know they want change—but don’t want to start from scratch. Whether by choice or necessity, each panelist has made bold career moves in midlife: from corporate to entrepreneurship, entrepreneurship back to corporate, or pivots into entirely new industries.
Monday, July 7
1:30 - 3:00 PM EST
Together, they’ll share:
The lessons learned along the way so you can avoid the same mistakes
How they figured out what they really wanted next
The biggest mindset shifts that helped them push through fear and uncertainty
Smart, low-risk strategies to make career moves without upending your finances
Real talk about navigating change when family or life circumstances force your hand
And practical tips to position yourself for new roles—even if your experience says otherwise
Introducing Our Roundtable Speakers:
Lesley Nightingale-Cogan
Head of Corporate Partnerships at the UJA
Seasoned retail leader with 20+ years of experience leading merchandising, planning, and vendor strategy for top brands across Canada and the U.S., including Indigo, Staples, Roots, and CAMP NYC. After years of building and mentoring high-performing teams and launching successful retail strategies, I started my own consulting business, helping retail clients grow through smart, customized merchandising and brand development. While consulting gave me space to reflect, I realized I was craving more purpose, continuous learning, and a way to give back while also raising a family. That led me to lean into the not-for-profit world, and I’m now proud to serve as Head of Corporate Partnerships at UJA of Greater Toronto. The next chapter has begun and it’s deeply meaningful.
Jenn Abbatiello
Cycle Breaker Coach & Parental Well-being Speaker
Jenn Abbatiello is a Certified Master Parent Coach, keynote speaker, cancer survivor, and former marketing executive who helps high-achieving parents break generational cycles and raise emotionally healthy kids. As the founder of Your Transformed Family, Jenn blends science with lived experience to deliver practical, actionable strategies that help parents feel calm, confident, and connected. Known for her relatable storytelling and powerful insights, Jenn leaves audiences inspired to parent with intention—and the tools to make it happen.
Eric Wong
Principal, Org Effectiveness at Adobe
Eric Wong has played many “sports” over the course of his career, each chapter marked by growth, change, and the occasional bold leap. After earning his MBA from Stanford, he spent six years traveling extensively with a Swedish simulation company—during which he got married. He then ran a boutique consulting firm in the San Francisco Bay Area for another six years, where he welcomed two kids and a dog into the family.
Next came a bold pivot: Eric became Chief Commercial Officer at a Canadian AI coaching startup, making the big move from San Francisco to Vancouver. That was followed by a six-month pause—unemployed, turning 40, reading voraciously, getting fit, and figuring out what came next.
Now three years into a role in Organizational Effectiveness at Adobe, Eric is 43 and feeling grounded, energized, and happy with where he’s landed.
Chris de Koos
Co-founder and COO at Little Big Hospitality
Chris de Koos is the Co-Founder & COO of Little Big Hospitality, where he is leading the launch of The Beginning Clubhouse, a first-of-its-kind private members club for families opening in New York. Prior to this, Chris held senior leadership roles across high-growth startups and global companies including Vimeo, Ravelin, and Triptease — where he helped scale go-to-market teams, open international offices, and drive strategic growth initiatives. His career spans travel, hospitality, SaaS, and e-commerce, with a track record of building and managing revenue organizations from early stage through IPO. Originally from Montreal, Chris has worked across London, Singapore, and New York, bringing a global perspective to every venture.
What You’ll Walk Away With
Actionable strategies to explore new roles or industries
Real-world stories that show what’s possible
Insight into how to take the leap, not just why
The inspiration (and information) to move forward with purpose
Monday, July 7
1:30 - 3:00 PM EST
Why This Roundtable Is Tailored for You!
-
Your Career Feels Misaligned
You’ve built a solid career but it no longer feels aligned.
-
Thinking About a Midlife Pivot
You’re curious (or anxious) about making a pivot in your 30s or 40s.
-
Craving Flexibility, Impact, or Meaning
You want more flexibility, impact, or meaning—but don’t know where to start
-
In Transition and Seeking Clarity
You’re in transition and looking for clarity, courage, or next steps
-
You’ve Outgrown Your Current Role
You’ve mastered your job, but it no longer challenges or excites you. You’re ready for something more.
-
Ready to Reinvent Your Career
You believe it’s not too late to reinvent yourself and build a career you love.
Meet the Host:
Christine Farrugia
Christine Farrugia is a passionate leadership coach and esteemed executive. She has 20 years of real world experience leading teams of up to 300 people at major Canadian companies, including Wealthsimple, Loblaws, and KPMG. She has successfully pivoted her career in different industries, functional areas and starting a coaching business by tapping into the work that brings her energy and joy. She has an MBA from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business and is a Certified Khan Method Coach.
Leveraging peak performance coaching, Christine helps her clients gain clarity, build confidence and take action to build a career they love, while staying true to who they are. Christine believes that everyone deserves to feel fulfilled in their career. Through empathetic guidance, she helps people let go of the “shoulds” so they can tap into what they truly want in order to create a career and life that makes them excited to get out of bed every morning.