Chip Conley will delve into the transformative concepts from his “Wisdom at Work” and “PEAK” books so you can discover how to embrace the role of a Modern Elder, combining seasoned experience with a beginner’s mindset to foster adaptability and meaningful contributions in today’s multigenerational workplace. Additionally, Chip will explore how applying Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs can enhance organizational performance by effectively addressing the core needs of employees, customers, and investors.
Register now and discover how:
• Cultivating a growth-oriented mindset to navigate and lead through change.
• Implementing Maslow-inspired strategies to boost engagement and satisfaction among key stakeholders.
•Leveraging intergenerational collaboration to drive innovation and success.
If you are a professional seeking to deepen your leadership skills, enhance organizational culture, and drive sustainable success by integrating timeless wisdom with contemporary business practices, then you don’t want to miss this one!
Chip is a three-time TED speaker and the New York Times bestselling author of Wisdom at Work: The Making of a Modern Elder and Learning to Love Midlife: 12 Reasons Why Life Gets Better with Age. As founder of the second largest boutique hotel chain in America and “modern elder” to the young Airbnb founders, Chip is a globally-recognized thought leader on the future of work and the competitive advantages of a multi-generational workplace.
Inspired by his experience of intergenerational mentoring at Airbnb – where his guidance was instrumental to the company’s extraordinary success – Chip founded MEA in 2017 to help other people in midlife find their own meaningful way to keep learning and sharing the wisdom gained from their lived experiences to create fulfilling and exciting second adulthoods. Since then he has dedicated much of his life to reframing the concept of aging and helping people navigate midlife with renewed purpose and possibility.
Derek Gehl is a serial e-commerce entrepreneur, speaker, and author. After spending the first decade of his professional career growing one of world’s first Internet marketing companies to over $30 million in sales, he decided that leading a company of 100 employees in offices in two countries wasn’t for him – so he sold the company to a private equity group and refocused his life on the things he loved most: spending time with his family, pursuing his passions, and building and growing online businesses. In 2024, after doing some consulting for MEA, Derek had his own transformational experience at a Navigating Transitions workshop, which inspired him to join the company as Chief Marketing and Technology Officer and then take on the role as CEO, spearheading our mission to reimagine midlife and build a global pro-aging community that inspires people to thrive in the second half of life.
What if success isn’t about doing more but finally feeling enough?
Blake Mycoskie – entrepreneur, philanthropist, author, and founder of TOMS – joins us for an unfiltered conversation about what happens when chasing achievement stops working.
After building a $600M brand and giving away millions of shoes, Blake hit a wall that success couldn’t fix. What followed was a personal reckoning and a complete rewrite of what it means to live a meaningful life.
In this candid live session with MEA CEO Derek Gehl, Blake shares the hard-won lessons behind his shift from relentless striving to grounded self-worth. You’ll hear how he helps other high performers step off the hamster wheel and reconnect with who they are beyond the résumé.
If you’ve ever asked yourself, Is this it?, this conversation is for you.
What if the parts of you that feel “too much” or “not enough” are actually the truest signals of who you are?
Join author, horse whisperer, and founder of the EQUUS Experience®, Kelly Wendorf, for a live, warm conversation with MEA’s Derek Gehl on reclaiming the voice you muted, the instincts you second-guessed, and the self you edited to fit in.
This is a callback to the wilderness within – a space where ancient earth wisdom meets modern neuroscience, and the animals still know something we’ve forgotten: how to live in full alignment with our nature.
Here’s some of what might rise to the surface:
Come if you’re ready to shed the scripts and step back into the wild wisdom of your true self.
Join us for an intimate talk with Ben Katt, meditation teacher, former minister, and author of The Way Home: Discovering the Hero’s Journey to Wholeness in Midlife, as we explore how ancient wisdom traditions can guide us through the challenging transitions of midlife and beyond.
Hosted by MEA’s Kari Cardinale, this session offers a unique opportunity to learn from Ben, whose compassionate approach has helped countless individuals transform their lives and discover deeper joy, purpose, and meaning.
In this live chat, you can learn how to:
This is more than just a discussion – it’s an invitation to embark on your own Hero’s Journey toward wholeness and fulfillment.
What if purpose isn’t something you chase but something you live, one moment at a time?
World-renowned purpose pioneer Richard Leider joins MEA’s Kari Cardinale for an inspiring conversation about how to move from asking “What’s next?” to “What really matters?”
Drawing from decades of coaching, research, and his own lived experience, Richard shares how everyday choices — what he calls “little p” purpose — can lead to big shifts in how we live, age, and connect. You’ll hear why purpose is essential not just for meaning, but for well-being and longevity, and how to begin reconnecting with it now, no matter your stage of life.
If you’re standing at a crossroads and craving clarity, this conversation is your invitation to start living on purpose.