Women encounter different issues at different stages of their lives, and midlife is no exception. As they approach the later stages of their careers, women tend to face a number of challenges, from health issues to caretaking for children, spouses and parents.
For India Gary-Martin, executive coach, leadership expert and Founder and CEO of Leadership for Execs, helping women navigate these challenges is a particular focus.
“I do a lot of executive coaching with senior women,” she says. “And I find that the things I’m coaching them on are less about their jobs, and more about the things that are happening around them that make their jobs more difficult, such as health concerns, ageing and invisibility.”
Enter ACT3
To help women navigate these complexities, Gary-Martin has founded ACT3, which she describes as “the premier convening for women in midlife.” She adds, “It’s really about creating a space and community for the things that women inevitably face as they start to age. These range from menopause and broader health concerns to empty nesting and caretaking both up and down.”
So what does ‘ACT3’ mean? As Gary-Martin explains, it’s about visualising life as a series of acts. “Act one is our growing up phase, when we’re going to university and having fun. Act two is when you start your career, up to the point at which things start to shift. And act three is when you start to move into the final stage of your career, and what is probably your last formal job.”
The inaugural three-day event, which takes place from 4th-6th June at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC, will include sessions on topics such as caretaking, health and the changing nature of relationships. The sense of invisibility that women often encounter in midlife will be explored in a session on identity and ageing. The event will also delve into the important topic of financial strategies.
Throughout the event, there will be a strong focus on meeting people and building a community, with social environments and a dynamic ‘speed meeting’ session on the first night.
“Our format is a little bit different than a standard conference,” explains Gary-Martin. “All of our sessions have a single stream, because we want people to go on this journey together.” While each session will start with a 15 minute ‘provocation’ – such as a keynote or short panel discussion – she emphasises that the focus is very much on breakouts and conversations that will tap into the “wisdom in the room”.
Longer-term vision
Gary-Martin says the event in June is just the beginning of a longer-term vision. “The idea is this will be an annual convening. It’s also the launch of a community, with resources that will be available after the event. We are planning to facilitate and support those communities as time goes on.”
She reflects that while many people may value independence, they tend to be most empowered when they’re not trying to do everything on their own. “So this is about returning to building communities of support, and a network that can help to get you where you want to be.”
For women who are considering attending the event, Gary-Martin’s message is simple: “Come and join us! This is such an important moment for women, given the state of the world. ACT3 is a multicultural, multigenerational event; it’s a time when women can be together and be vulnerable, and it’s a space where we can lean on each other and be the change we want to see.”
To find out more or register, visit https://www.act3convening.com/
