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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 13 JA N UA R Y 2 7 , 2 0 2 5 F O C U S W E A LT H M A N A G E M E N T / R E T I R E M E N T e couple spent their first week exploring Christchurch and preparing for two months of hiking and backpacking, including a four-day trek along the 37-mile Abel Tasman Coast Track. While menu planning, they discovered that back-country food had come a long way since they had lived in Alaska in the late 1990s. "It's really important for us to take some time, be together outside to rest and recover and see what bubbles up," Fortin says. "I just want to give my heart a chance to speak to me." Career 'pause' "Me" is the leitmotif for several Maine women busi- ness and nonprofit leaders in their 40s and 50s who are pressing pause on their careers to focus on themselves. e five we spoke with are all leaving high-pro- file jobs they have found to be fulfilling yet all-con- suming. Yet "retirement" doesn't quite fit the bill for these trailblazers. Besides Fortin, the first woman to lead Bernstein Shur, a law firm founded in 1915, they include a former school administrator toying with a move into remote work; a nonprofit leader wrap- ping up a personal 10-year plan; a commercial broker who's winding down after 22 years with an agency she's led since October 2022; and the for- mer head of a nonprofit foundation who declined to be quoted. No matter how long their sabbaticals last, they all underscore that they're far from done with their professional lives — they're just taking time to reset and recharge. Joined by a growing number of fellow Gen Xers, they may be at the forefront of a new social movement perhaps best described as a "ME-tirement" to reflect the focus on self and "ME" for Maine. Find a credit union near you at mainecreditunions.org Secure Your Financial Future with a Partner You Can Trust Your journey to financial freedom starts here. Maine Credit Unions are more than just a place to save — we're your trusted partner helping you manage your finances and assisting with your retirement planning. From tailored financial advice to flexible retirement accounts, our personalized services are designed to help you grow, protect, and enjoy your future. With lower fees, better rates, and expert guidance, Maine Credit Unions put your financial well-being first. Debra Boggs This is the generation that's really making career decisions based on what they want. — Debra Boggs D&S Executive Career Management C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E » P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F D & S E X E C U T I V E C A R E E R M A N A G E M E N T

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