MEA Foundations
Career Transitions: Your Clear Path Forward
Is a partial scholarship for you?
We believe in making personal growth and education accessible to everyone, which is why we offer partial scholarships on a needs-aware basis for many of our programs.
These scholarships support individuals facing financial challenges, including — but not limited to — members of underrepresented communities. If financial stress might prevent you from attending a workshop, we encourage you to apply.
Partial scholarships, provided through the Association for Growth and Education, are limited to 2–3 seats per workshop and reviewed in the order received. We recommend applying as soon as possible, as scholarship decisions are typically confirmed 90–120 days before the workshop date.
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Make sense of what’s ending – and choose what comes next
Something about your career no longer feels right.
Maybe your work has come – or is coming – to a natural close. Or maybe it’s changing in ways you didn’t choose.
Or perhaps you’re still deeply involved in your work – outwardly successful, but inwardly restless – but growing increasingly aware that the role, pace, or expectations no longer fit who you are or how you want to live.
Intimate group of 28 people max
Tuition starting at $2,100
World-class accommodations
Partial Scholarship Available
Without a clear path forward, it's easy to get stuck.
You may feel pressure to make a decision quickly – to find the next role, commit to a plan, or come up with answers you don't yet have.
Or you might find yourself defaulting to what's familiar, recreating the same patterns in a new setting because you haven't taken time to understand what truly needs to change.
Meanwhile, the questions won't stop.
If you're still working: Should I stay and try to make this work – or start looking for something different? Or should I wait until I have more clarity about what I actually want?
If you've left or lost your role: Should I jump back in quickly? Take time off? Go back to what I know or try something new?
If you're retired or approaching it: What now? How do I structure my days? Does my life still have purpose without work defining it?
And underneath all of it: How do I know which choice is right?
The truth is, you can't rush clarity in a transition like this.
Career transitions in midlife don't respond to urgency or force. Real clarity requires:
That's where Jill Nykoliation comes in.
Jill spent nearly two decades as CEO of award-winning ad agency Juniper ParkTBWA, leading bold global campaigns and earning recognition as one of Canada's most powerful female CEOs. But what makes her a sought-after guide for career transitions isn't just her boardroom success – it's what she learned navigating her own identity shift beyond that high-powered role.
Jill knows firsthand what it's like to step away from work that defined you, to sit with the disorienting question of "what now?", and to rebuild a life focused on fulfillment rather than external markers of success.
She understands the messy middle, the pull to recreate familiar patterns, and the discipline required to choose intentionally rather than react.
Now Jill helps midlife professionals navigate their own transitions with the same clarity, authenticity, and wisdom she brought to that pivotal moment in her own life. She knows how to ask the right questions, challenge assumptions with heart, and help people see possibility where they once saw limitation.
At MEA's Rising Circle Ranch, Jill will guide you through a transformative approach to career transitions – one that honors the complexity of this passage and helps you move from uncertainty to grounded, intentional forward movement.
Gain the clarity and self-trust to choose your next chapter
During your three days with Jill in an intimate small-group setting, you will…
Clarify what’s truly ending in your career and why, so you don’t unconsciously recreate old patterns in a new role or chapter.
Develop a steadier relationship with uncertainty, learning how to stay with not-knowing long enough for real insight and direction to emerge.
Replace urgency with discernment, so your decisions are guided by alignment rather than pressure, fear, or momentum.
Gain a clearer sense of direction without forcing premature answers, allowing what matters now to shape what comes next.
Redefine your relationship to work – or life beyond it, whether that means continuing to work differently or stepping away altogether.
Build confidence through thoughtful, low-risk next steps, using experimentation rather than big leaps to move forward.
Strengthen your trust in yourself to navigate what’s unfolding, even without a fully defined plan.
This Workshop Is For You If…
Meet
Jill Nykoliation
Former CEO. Executive Coach. Possibility Igniter.
Jill Nykoliation spent nearly two decades as CEO of award-winning ad agency Juniper ParkTBWA, where she led bold global brand campaigns that earned hundreds of global accolades such as Cannes Lion awards, Effie Agency of the Year, and had her named as Top 3 Most Powerful Female CEO in Canada. But what makes Jill a sought-after guide for midlife professionals isn’t just her boardroom success — it’s the razor-sharp clarity, authenticity, and wisdom she brings to what comes after it.
Having navigated her own identity shift beyond a high-powered role into an encore career focused more on fulfillment, Jill now helps others explore their next chapter with clarity and confidence. She knows how to ask the right questions, challenge assumptions with heart, and help people see possibility where they once saw limitation.
Jill facilitates with warmth, humor, and a deep belief in the power of reinvention. She’s here to remind you: your career isn’t over – it’s evolving. And a new version of you is ready to step forward.
Supported By the MEA Team
T'ai Jamar Hanna
Experience Facilitator
Before joining MEA, T’ai spent years dancing between worlds: organizational change management and embodied wisdom, business consultant and community organizer, spreadsheets and bodywork. She’s led international retreats, facilitated yoga teacher trainings, and designe ...
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What you'll gain
Clarity without pressure
A clear understanding of what’s ending, what still matters, and what deserves your energy now — without rushing yourself into premature decisions.
A healthier relationship to work – or life beyond it
Greater ease and confidence in redefining the role work plays in your life, whether that means continuing differently, stepping back, or letting go altogether.
Discernment you can trust
The ability to tell the difference between choices driven by fear, habit, or momentum and those that are genuinely aligned with who you are at this stage of life.
Grounded next steps
A realistic way forward shaped by experimentation, reflection, and self-trust — so you can move ahead without needing to have everything figured out.
Our Agenda at a Glance
Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday:
4:00 PM: Check-In / Welcome
5:30 PM: Welcome Reception & Dinner
7:00 PM: Orientation Session
9:00 PM: Free Time
Friday:
7:30 AM: Mind + Body
8:30 AM: Breakfast
10:00 AM: Classroom Time
1:15 PM: Lunch
2:00 PM: Free Time
3:00 PM: Classroom Time
5:30 PM: Free Time
6:30 PM: Dinner
Saturday:
7:30 AM: Mind + Body
8:30 AM: Breakfast
10:00 AM: Classroom Time
1:15 PM: Lunch
2:00 PM: Free Time
3:00 PM: Classroom Time
5:30 PM: Free Time
6:30 PM: Dinner, Dessert & Graduation
8:00 PM: Evening Gathering
Sunday:
7:30 AM: Breakfast
9:45 AM: Checkout / Departure
*Please note that not all classroom time activities take place in the actual classroom.
*Please note all times are estimates as some activities go longer or shorter depending on the group. This agenda is meant to give you an idea of the general flow of activities.
Step into transformation in the high desert
Rising Circle Ranch | Santa Fe, USA.
Our spectacular Santa Fe campus is located on an upscale regenerative ranch featuring traditional Pueblo architecture and nearly 2,600 acres of wildlife, hiking trails in the arroyo, and awe-inspiring beauty. Close to historic Santa Fe, an artisan’s mecca.
PLUS: Gourmet from-scratch meals, snacks, and drinks featuring locally sourced ingredients, made by our in-house chefs
Explore the ranch
on horseback
Our Rising Circle Ranch spans 2,600 acres of New Mexico high desert, offering guided horseback riding for all experience levels through diverse terrains under the vast Southwest sky
You’ll experience highlights like:
Horseback riding is an optional add-on activity you can book once you arrive on the ranch. Whether you’re seasoned or brand new to horseback adventures, this guided experience lets you discover the ranch’s natural wonders alongside our gentle horses.
Your Workshop Also Includes:
You don't need more time to think about it. You need the right conditions to think clearly.
That's what three days at Rising Circle Ranch with Jill gives you: distance from the pressure, expert guidance through the questions that matter, and the clarity and confidence to move forward without recreating the past.
You'll leave with:
Stop waiting for clarity to arrive on its own. Come to Santa Fe and choose your next chapter with intention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this workshop for?
This workshop is for anyone navigating a significant career shift in midlife – whether you’re approaching retirement, leaving a role that no longer fits, facing organizational change, or feeling increasingly restless in work that once fulfilled you. It’s for people who want to move forward with discernment and self-trust rather than urgency or pressure.
Do I need to know what I want to do next?
Not at all. Many participants come specifically because they don’t have clarity yet. This workshop isn’t about forcing answers or rushing to decisions. It’s about understanding the deeper transition you’re in and creating the conditions for real clarity to emerge – through attention, discernment, and experimentation rather than urgency.
Is this a job search or career coaching workshop?
No. This isn’t about resumes, networking strategies, or finding your next role. It’s about navigating the internal transition that happens when work that once structured your life no longer fits. The focus is on helping you understand what’s ending, what matters now, and how to choose your next chapter with intention – not speed.
What if I’m planning to retire or step away from work entirely?
This workshop fully embraces that possibility. Jill’s approach includes people who are redefining work, moving into lighter forms of contribution, or stepping away from traditional work altogether. The goal is to help you think carefully about purpose, meaning, and how you want to live in this next chapter—whatever form that takes.
What if I’m still working but not sure I want to leave?
You don’t need to have made a decision to attend. Many participants are still working but feel increasingly restless or misaligned. This workshop helps you examine your relationship to work and understand what needs to change – whether that means staying and adjusting, transitioning to something different, or stepping away entirely.
Is this workshop religious or spiritual?
MEA welcomes people from all walks of life, beliefs, and backgrounds. This workshop is grounded in organizational psychology and developmental frameworks, not religious doctrine. It may invite reflection on your personal values, meaning, and what matters most to you at this stage of life.
What’s included in the tuition?
Your tuition includes all programming, three nights of accommodations, chef-prepared meals, snacks, drinks, and access to MEA’s Rising Circle Ranch in Santa Fe. The only additional costs are transportation to the venue and any personal incidentals.
How do I know if I qualify for a partial scholarship?
We offer partial scholarships on a needs-aware basis. Our goal is to make MEA accessible to those who may face financial barriers to attending. If you’re experiencing financial stress that could prevent your participation, we encourage you to apply for assistance.
What if I’m not sure if this workshop is right for me?
We’re happy to help. Book a free call with our team, and we can discuss your current situation, what you’re navigating, and whether this workshop is the right fit for where you are now.
Still deciding or have questions?
Connect with our helpful team of Advisors
Our Advisors are all MEA alumni who can offer genuine insights into our programs. They’re passionate about helping you finding the right fit to make your next chapter the best one.
Daniel Booz
Lucas Erie
Leslie Bartlett