“I was working long hours and racing home to spend whatever free time I had with my family,” said Annalee. “I was missing out on a lot of things, and I needed to start prioritizing myself. Something had to change.”
Embracing the Uncomfortable
Up until this point, Annalee had planned every career move with fine precision, carefully setting goals and laying out a plan for each year. This time, Annalee felt called to take a different approach. One that required her to get comfortable with being uncomfortable.
“I decided I wasn’t going to have a plan,” said Annalee. “I gave two months’ notice and took the summer off with only one thing on my itinerary: giving myself the space and time to do some much-needed soul searching.”
During her summer of reflection, the path forward became clear to Annalee. She was craving more variety in her work and realized she didn’t want to work exclusively for one company.
Connecting on a Shared Purpose
Unsure whether she wanted to set up her own company or join an established consulting firm, Annalee started networking and was introduced to the co-founders of Brillect.
“I was immediately drawn to our shared value of taking care of people,” said Annalee. “I felt this strong sense of partnership with Kelly, Kristine and Erica. Their vision as founders and leaders of a women-owned business really struck a chord with me.”
Feeling aligned with the innovation and agility in Brillect’s business model to better serve consultants and clients, Annalee joined the company in 2023. She became a Principal Advisor with Brillect’s Advisory Services which helps clients accelerate their performance by navigating some of their most complex business challenges.
“I found the mix of business development and consulting opportunities in the Principal Advisor role to be very exciting and intriguing,” said Annalee. “I see Brillect as a real leader and visionary in this space that not a lot of consulting firms offer.”
Joining a Network of Strategic Trusted Advisors
As strategic leaders with decades of industry experience, Principal Advisors like Annalee bring their deep subject matter expertise and leadership to bear in developing practical, sustainable and integrated solutions to help their clients advance outcomes.
Committed to delivering results with impact, Principal Advisors lead the project from start to finish, with access to Brillect’s pool of highly vetted, experienced consultants equipped with the skills and expertise needed for seamless implementation.
“I love being able to own and drive meaningful client work,” said Annalee. “I’m managing my own projects and team, but I’m still connected to a group of like-minded professionals who I can link into for technical questions and expertise. I feel like I’m part of a community.”
Discovering a Bridge to Balance
Annalee’s first role as a Principal Advisor was serving as the CFO at CaringBridge, a non-profit healthcare platform that supports families and caregivers with support while they care for a loved one on a health journey.
Her work is driving positive change for CaringBridge, equipping them with the tools, processes and structure to focus on their mission.
In addition to bringing Annalee professional fulfillment and challenges, her work as a Principal Advisor is affording her the flexibility she needs to re-balance her life.
“I’m working less hours a week, which frees up my time to drop off and pick up my kids from school, coach some of their teams and get in my workouts,” she said. “I finally have time to breathe again.”
Creating Win-Win Partnerships
Annalee says it’s validating to find a company like Brillect that truly wants to find the best fit for employees and consultants. “When I told them I wanted to work part-time, I felt heard and understood. They’re intentional about finding ways to bring people together in a way that resonates for both parties.”
Looking back, Annalee’s only regret is not considering consulting as a career path sooner.
“I would tell anyone, including my 20-something self coming out of public accounting, that consulting is a great place to test out a variety of opportunities before having to commit to a specific path,” she said. “Consulting offers a lot of variety in your work with a lot of backing and support behind you. Elevate (Brillect’s finance and rotational program) would have been perfect for me.”
Finding the Right Fit
Borrowing the advice of coworker Melodie Carlson, Annalee encourages other professionals to start their career search by reflecting on what brings them joy. What makes it feel like the best day ever? What drains you?
“Remember that nothing is permanent,” she advises. “If you’re feeling stuck in a position because you’ve been successful, take the leap of faith that you’ll be successful wherever you go.”
Annalee emphasizes the importance of understanding a company’s culture and the tone of their leadership before making a change.
“Does this like feel like something you’d like to be a part of?” asks Annalee. “For me, fit is everything.”
Reclaiming Joy
Like a glove in hand, Annalee has fit effortlessly into her role as Principal Advisor at Brillect, where she is lending her professional expertise to optimize the finance function at CaringBridge on a schedule that allows her more time with family.
Despite taking a new and intentionally uncomfortable approach in her search for more balance and fulfillment in work and life, Annalee ended up exactly where she was meant to be. And in the process, she has triumphantly reclaimed her joy inside and outside the office.
