Meet Dori
My Belief
I believe the later years of life hold extraordinary potential for growth, meaning, and intentional living. Retirement is not an ending—it is a new chapter. A time to live with purpose, authenticity, and clarity about what matters most.
Each of us has a unique gift, and this stage of life invites us to discover it, live it, and create a legacy that makes a positive difference for ourselves, others, and our world.
My Story
In my early twenties, strangers saved me from drowning. That experience profoundly shaped how I approach life. Confronting the fragility of life so directly taught me not to take it for granted and to make intentional choices. That philosophy has guided every major transition I’ve faced, including becoming a mother at midlife, navigating aging, and experiencing the complexities of caregiving as health changes over time.
My husband, David, and I have intentionally crafted a non-linear and somewhat unconventional—but deeply meaningful—life path. We’ve balanced work we love with parenting later in life, joy-filled adventures, health challenges, and ongoing conversations about the realities of change as we age. My husband, 13 years older, has just recently fully retired and I still work. Our journey has reinforced a central truth: there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to aging or retirement, and the later life stages bring both challenges and opportunities for growth.
Professionally, I have spent decades as a therapist, coach, author, speaker, and educator, helping individuals and couples navigate the second half of life. I co-authored The Couple’s Retirement Puzzle: The 10 Must-Have Conversations for Creating an Amazing New Life Together and am a contributor to other publications. My work integrates life planning, adult development, positive psychology, and lived experiences as I help people create lives of meaning, connection, and purpose as they age.
My Affiliations
My Promise
I’m committed to building a vibrant community for people redefining the second half of life. My work focuses on:
Reimagining retirement as a time of growth, learning, and purpose
Confronting ageism - both societal and internal
Encouraging honest conversations about caregiving, loss, and legacy
Supporting “realistic optimism” through the joys and challenges of aging
Retirement is a journey, not a destination. I’m here to help you craft a meaningful, intentional next chapter, on your own terms.
Retirement Coaching:
You’re 50–75+ and thinking about what’s next.
You may want to keep working, work differently, or finally fit work into your life instead of the other way around. Maybe you’ve been downsized, pressured to leave, or simply feel a pull inside that it’s time for a change.
Retirement is no longer “the end.”
With longer lives, ages 50–75+ are now more like an extended middle age. A time to rethink how you want to live, work, and contribute.
Some people:
- Don’t want to retire.
- Want flexible or part-time work.
- Can’t afford to stop working.
- Want an encore career that “gives back.”
What matters most is being aware and intentional as you plan your next chapter.
It’s About You
You have wisdom, skills, and energy.
You want freedom, purpose, and work that feels like a true expression of who you are. Work that lights you up, not just fills your time.
Don’t rush into the first option that appears.
Instead, retire the old idea of retirement and design your third stage of life on your own terms.
👉 Contact me to schedule a complimentary retirement coaching session and begin to revolutionize your retirement.