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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 6 , 2 0 2 6 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 'Catalysts for meaningful pivots' Similar to rock stars taking breaks from touring and college graduates spending a "gap year" to travel or volunteer, a growing number of busi- ness and nonprofit leaders in their 40s, 50s and 60s are giving them- selves time-outs of a year or more to reset. Motivations vary from health and family reasons to lifestyle goals that came into sharper focus during the pandemic. Besides Miale, Maine "gappers" who have landed on their feet include the co-founder and CEO of a solar energy company who took a year-long unpaid sabbatical to live abroad with his family; a former boarding-school administrator now working for an international nonprofit; and erstwhile law partner leading an economic development organization. While their exit — and return — paths have been different, they've all used self-imposed intermissions to recharge and reassess what matters most in their careers and personal lives. While there's no official data track- ing those who have temporarily taken themselves out of and back into the labor force, career coaches are seeing an uptick in professional pauses. "Prior to the pandemic, employment gaps were heavily scrutinized," says Kyle Elliott, a Santa Barbara, Calif.-based coach to tech-industry senior manag- ers and executives. "Now, executive headhunters and hiring managers are far more accepting of extended gaps making it less risky for senior leaders to step away and reset." Among his clients in their 40s and 50s going through what he calls a "life-stage recalibration," many have reached peak earnings potential and accumulated enough financial run- way to take a pause as they confront big-picture questions about health, longevity and long-term fulfillment, he says. Becoming an "empty nester" when kids leave for college can accel- erate the process. "For many executives, the 'adult gap year' is not about escaping work altogether, it's about intentionally redesigning the back half of their careers with greater flexibility and accountability to fend off burnout," Elliott notes. "ose breaks serve as catalysts for meaningful pivots, with leaders returning to the workforce in roles that prioritize impact, autonomy and work-life integration rather than title or compensation alone." C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E » Peace of Mind Through Estate Planning Services Estate planning is about more than documents. It's about It's about protecting the people and priorities that matter most to protecting the people and priorities that matter most to you. you. Drummond Woodsum's estate planning and administration team helps individuals and families at every stage of life create thoughtful, customized plans. From wills, trusts, and health care directives to tax planning, business succession, and estate and trust administration, we provide clear guidance and practical solutions tailored to your goals. LEARN MORE about what our Estate Planning and Administration Team can do for you. dwmlaw.com | 800.727.1941 Make new connections with the Biddeford business community! PRESEN T ING SP ONSOR REGIONAL SP ONSORS HORS D'OEUVRES / CASH BAR / NETWORKING WITH AREA BUSINESS EXECUTIVES S PACE IS S PACE IS L IMITED L IMITED, BE S URE TO , BE S URE TO R EG IS TER! R EG IS TER! Please register ahead at www.mainebiz.biz/event/otr-biddeford BIDDEFORD W E D N E S D AY, F E B R U A R Y 1 1 / 4 – 6 P M / T H E L I N C O L N H O T E L , B I D D E F O R D

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