Women Who Transitioned From Corporate Life To Purpose‑Driven Work 

Career success is traditionally defined as having a stable, professional job, ideally one that comes with a high salary, status, and accolades. For many women, this means climbing the corporate ladder and acquiring big titles with even bigger responsibilities. 

In today’s evolving landscape, however, many women are stepping away from these ideals and reevaluating what success truly means to them. Rising burnout rates, shifting priorities, and lack of personal fulfillment have prompted countless women to seek careers rooted not in profit but in purpose. 

Leaving corporate roles behind to pursue more meaningful paths requires redefining success beyond what we’ve traditionally been taught, moving away from titles and paychecks, and instead focusing on alignment and impact.

Here are four women who took that leap:

Colette had always dreamed of being her own boss. While working as a librarian at a law firm, she began writing cozy murder mysteries in her spare time. 

When her book earnings surpassed her salary, and after setting aside two years’ worth of savings as a cushion, she quit her job. Since then, she has self-published 21 novels.

Writing allows her to set her own schedule and create something she’s proud of, something her audience enjoys. 

“The money is not very lofty, I’m afraid,” she said, “but it pays the bills.”

Although there are challenges, like giving up benefits, work friendships, and the security of a steady paycheck, she wouldn’t trade it for the world. 

“There are very stressful moments and days I tire of it, but if I had to do it over, I would do the same thing in a heartbeat,” she said.

The parts of her tech job that Roriannenjoyed the most were the teaching aspects. She found joy in helping employees understand systems and apps. 

“I liked explaining things, watching people get more confident, and making things easier to understand,” she said. 

Her coworkers noticed, too. When one casually suggested she become a teacher, it only reinforced what she already knew: that she was meant for more impactful work. 

The realization led her to leave her corporate role and become a psychology professor at New York City College of Technology.

“My purpose now is to help people understand themselves and their behavior,” she said.

For those considering a change, Roriann suggested taking stock of the workday and analyzing what parts are most enjoyable. 

“Maybe it’s organizing something, explaining a concept, or brainstorming ideas,” she said.

Then, test the waters.

“Assist with a project, take a course, volunteer, or even just talk to someone in a field you’re curious about,” she said. “You don’t need to have it all figured out. Sometimes, taking one step helps the rest become clearer.”

Kristin Breussbuilt a successful career at Goldman Sachs, one that paid well, allowed flexibility, and gave her purpose. 

After some time, however, all that changed. 

“I felt like I had been climbing a ladder that was leaning against the wrong wall,” she told Business Insider. 

That’s when she decided to resign. She worked with a corporate career coach and, after some soul searching, got ordained as a minister at a Cathedral just down the street from her old office.  

Her new role has taught her the importance of rest, setting boundaries to spend time with her family, and what a higher purpose really looks like. 

Nkem Okocha started her career working in customer service at a bank. However, her true passion was always in entrepreneurship. 

“I knew I wanted to positively impact the lives of other women,” she shared in an interview with Lionesses of Africa. 

Driven by this purpose, she founded Mamamoni, an organization that empowers underserved women through financial inclusion, healthcare, and education. 

Nkem’s mission is personal. As a child, she witnessed her mother’s financial struggles, and while working in the bank, saw many women face similar hardships. 

Her work is both fulfilling and impactful, proving that purpose-driven ventures can create lasting change.