Align Your Career With Purpose


A 3-Day Career Transition Retreat for Experienced Women in Education & Philanthropy

Kefalonia Island, Greece | 29 September – 2 October 2026 | Limited to 8 Participants

For Women Who Are Ready to Pivot their Career. Now It's Time to Define Your Own Mission.

You've built a meaningful career in education, philanthropy, or international development. You've managed programs, led teams, created impact. But somewhere along the way, the work that once energized you has started to feel misaligned with your purpose, goals and values.

  • Are you questioning if your current path is what you want for the next 10-20 years?
  • Are you curious about different work paths, such as consulting, portfolio careers, fractional work, but don't know where to start?
  • Are you ready for more strategic work but can't quite articulate what that looks like?

You're at an inflection point, and that is the start of a new path forward.

And you deserve more than circling the same questions alone.

We have created an exclusive space where you can reflect on your own and in a trusted community of peers, finding your individual direction and clarity.

Book here and get your spot now: registration page



What You Will Leave With

✓ Your North Star – A directional career purpose to guide decisions going forward

✓ Pathway clarity – Understanding which model (traditional employment, consulting, portfolio career) aligns with who you are now

✓ Tools to advocate for yourself – Frameworks for owning your expertise and asking for what you deserve

✓ Foundations for your professional voice – Key elements of your unique perspective and first steps for visibility

✓ A 90-day action roadmap – Concrete next steps with brave first moves

✓ A peer network – Connections with 5-7 other women on similar journeys who understand your context


How You Will Feel Differently

After 3 days, women describe feeling:

Lighter – No longer carrying the weight of unanswered questions alone

Grounded – Clear on their direction, even if the path isn't fully mapped

Energized – Ready to take brave first steps instead of circling endlessly

Seen – Witnessed by women who understand their exact trade-offs

Permission – To prioritize what they actually want, not just what they "should" do


The Program

Set at the beautiful, tranquil Rodi Studios boutique hotel on Kefalonia Island, this immersive retreat combines strategic clarity with coaching, peer support with expert guidance, reflection with action planning.

Through a blend of strategic frameworks, guided reflection, peer dialogue and a trusted community, you will move from questioning to clarity, and leave with a grounded action plan as well as a supportive peer community.


Day 0: Arrival Day (Tuesday, 29.9.)

Arrival & Gentle Landing (from 3pm):

Arrive at your own pace, settle into your room, and begin to decompress. Explore the grounds, enjoy the Ionian surroundings, or take quiet time to transition out of your day-to-day responsibilities.

Welcome Gathering & Community Opening (6.30-8.30pm):

Meet your cohort and facilitators over an apéro riche with Greek specialties and a refreshing drink. A guided introductory circle helps build trust, set intentions, and establish the retreat as a confidential, supportive space for the days ahead.

Day 1: Discover Your North Star (Wednesday, 30.9.)

A day dedicated to deep reflection, understanding who you are now, what you carry and what is ready to evolve.

Ikigai: The Foundation (9-10:30am)

You will work with the Ikigai framework to explore four core dimensions: what you love, what you’re excellent at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. Through guided reflection and group dialogue, you’ll identify overlaps, tensions, and untapped potential.

Experience Mapping & Your Career Backpack (11am-12:30pm)

Using a structured career timeline exercise, you will map peaks, valleys, and turning points; identify when you felt most energized vs. depleted; and surface recurring leadership and impact themes.

Unpacking your backpack includes examining beliefs about work and success, distinguishing empowering vs limiting narratives, extracting transferable skills and leadership stories, and practizing articulation and ownership of your expertise.

Integration Space (free afternoon)

Rest by the pool, walk among olive trees, journal your insights, or visit nearby beaches. Spaciousness is intentional, as insight requires integration time.

Evening (7:00-8:30pm): Personal Storytelling Circle

An informal dinner setting where participants share personal career narratives: what they are moving away from and what they sense emerging. Open sharing builds trust and deepens connection within the group.

Day 2: Define Your Compass (Thursday, 1.10.)

From reflection to direction: translating insight into purpose and decision frameworks.

North Star Definition (9-10.30am)

You will synthesize insights from your Ikigai, experience mapping, and belief work to define your directional career purpose. You will clarify your impact focus, how you want to work, your non-negotiables, and your leadership stance. Participants craft and refine their North Star statement through guided reflection and peer exchange.

Building your Decision-Making Compass (11am-12.30pm)

Develop a personalized framework to assess opportunities through a purpose and values lens. Key guiding questions include: Does this move me toward my North Star? What would I gain, and what would I sacrifice? Would this energize or deplete me? Can I authentically stand behind this choice?

This compass becomes your long-term navigation tool for every career decision going forward, from evaluating job offers to pricing consulting work to knowing when to say no.

Integration Space (free afternoon) + Optional Individual Consultations

Process which pathway(s) resonate. Rest, explore, integrate.

Optional 45-minute individual consultations with Nora & Philine (pre-scheduled). These private sessions offer space to process personal clarity, explore pathway decisions, and discuss individual transition questions in greater depth. Participants not in consultations enjoy free reflection time.

Evening Storytelling & Integration Circle (7-8.30pm)

Participants share emerging clarity, pathway reflections, and open questions, deepening peer witnessing and support, followed by a joint dinner.

Day 3: Activate Your Next Chapter (Friday, 2.10.)

Authentic Voice & Professional Visibility (9-10.30am)

You will develop language to express your North Star externally. Focus areas include articulating your professional positioning; embedding purpose into introductions and narratives; LinkedIn thought leadership; and authentic networking approaches.

Practice exercises include owning your expertise with pride, including role-plays on salary and pricing conversations, boundary setting, and explaining career pivots.

Your 90-Day Action Plan (11am-12.30pm)

Participants design a feasible next-step plan aligned with their pathway:

• Employment Track: Positioning, CV/LinkedIn narrative, target mapping

• Consulting Track: Service definition, pricing, first clients

• Portfolio Track: Revenue streams, pilots, pacing

Each participant defines brave first moves, 30-day milestones, and a 90-day roadmap. Accountability partnerships are formed.

Closing Circle & Celebration (12.30-2pm)

Each woman shares her refined North Star, her chosen pathway direction, and one courageous action within 30 days. The retreat closes with collective witnessing, commitment, and celebration.

Throughout the Retreat: Space for Integration

Afternoons are intentionally spacious. Career transitions require time to reflect, integrate, and allow insights to settle, often where the deepest clarity emerges.

Optional Cultural Experiences (book separately with us):

  • Gentle hike on Mount Aenos overlooking the Ionian Sea & Zakynthos
  • Wine tasting at local vineyard
  • Olive oil press tours
  • Organic honey maker visits
  • Excursion to Myrtos Beach (ranked among world's top 10)
  • Cooking classes with local chefs



Your Facilitators

Nora Marketos mentors senior professionals navigating career transitions in education, philanthropy, and international development, particularly women exploring portfolio careers, consulting, or strategic leadership through cohorts or on a 1:1 basis.

Her approach is grounded in 15+ years leading multi-million dollar social impact initiatives across Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. As Director at the Jacobs Foundation, she managed a CHF 30M+ annual portfolio and built strategic alliances across UN agencies, foundations, NGOs, and private sector. She lives what she teaches: splitting her year between consulting, talent work, and managing a boutique hotel in Greece, the portfolio career model she helps you design. She founded PurposePhil Career, serving 630+ professionals in over 100+ countries.

EMBA, MAS in International Development, MA in Social Anthropology | Speaks 5 languages


Philine Zimmerli combines senior leadership in philanthropy and humanitarian work with certified systemic-psychological coaching, supporting professionals through career transitions and organizational change.

She brings 15+ years of leadership experience across international development and humanitarian cooperation, including senior leadership roles managing programs in 10 countries, leading organizational restructuring, and directing advocacy strategies in child and youth development across Europe for the Jacobs Foundation as a Director. From her own leadership journey, she understands how career transitions affect direction, identity, and purpose. Participants value her empathetic presence combined with strategic clarity.

Certified Systemic-Psychological Coach | MAS in Children's Rights | Fully Qualified Lawyer (Germany) | Speaks 3 languages


The Setting: Rodi Studios, Kefalonia Island

Nestled among olive trees with breathtaking views of the Ionian Sea and Mount Aenos, the Rodi Studios boutique hotel offers the tranquil setting essential for transformation.

Why this matters: Career transitions require separation from daily routines. When you're physically removed from your inbox, others' expectations, and routine momentum, you finally have permission to ask: What do I actually want?

What you'll experience:

  • Fully renovated rooms with minimalist design
  • Stunning sea views, large swimming pool and peaceful surroundings with olive trees
  • Multilingual hospitality (English, German, French, Spanish)
  • Minutes' drive from a variety of sandy beaches and traditional tavernas (transport is required and can be organized by us)
  • Family-run boutique hotel with authentic Greek warmth and great pool bar

Register and book your spot now! Registration page



Who This Retreat Is For

You're the right fit if you:

  • Have 10-15+ years in education, philanthropy, development, or MEL
  • Feel misaligned with your current role
  • Are curious about career change and different options, such as fractional work, consulting or portfolio careers
  • Want to develop your authentic professional voice and visibility
  • Are willing to be vulnerable and do deep self-reflection with peers

This retreat is NOT for you if you:

  • Want quick fixes or job placement services
  • Need tactical help (CV review, interview prep) vs. strategic clarity
  • Aren't ready to invest in yourself
  • Don't feel comfortable reflecting in a trusted group

Women-only format: Creates a safe space for conversations about women specific challenges such as daring to imagine a career change aligned with your values, asking for what you deserve, navigating caregiving and career, and designing work that honors both impact and sustainable rhythms.


Why This Investment Is Worth It

You've been thinking about making a change for how long? Six months? A year? Longer?

Every month in misalignment costs you: Sunday night dread, opportunities you don't pursue because you're unclear, the gap between the impact you could have and the impact you are having.

This retreat gives you three days to finally exhale. To ask "What do I actually want?" without your inbox buzzing. To be witnessed by women who understand why you can't just change partners or a MEL framework. To leave feeling lighter, clearer, and ready to move, not stuck in analysis paralysis.

What You Can't Get Elsewhere

Generic career coaches don't understand foundation cultures, MEL pathways, government contracting, or the nonprofit-to-consulting shift. Nora and Philine bring combined 30+ years in your exact sectors. They have navigated these transitions themselves, Nora through building her portfolio career, Philine through organizational restructuring and leadership shifts.

You will spend three days with 5-7 women who understand your trade-offs, speak your language, and are equally invested in change. These connections become collaborators, accountability partners, and sounding boards for years.

The Long View: What you decide in the next 6 months shapes the next 10-20 years. This is the investment in clarity about where your expertise takes you next.


Investment & Logistics

Pricing

Early Bird (book before 31st March 2026): €1,350

Standard Pricing: €1,600

Deposit: €300 (rest to be paid by 29th June 2026)

What Is Included in the Price

✓ All workshop sessions with Nora and Philine (9 hours over 3 days)

✓ Welcome apéro riche with Greek specialties on arrival

✓ 45-min individual consultation/coaching

✓ 3 nights accommodation for your own double room

✓ Daily rich breakfast and dinner (at hotel & local restaurants), as well as fresh fruits throughout the day

✓ Materials, templates, frameworks

✓ Post-retreat resource package

What Is NOT Included in the Price

  • Lunch (pool bar with food options open throughout the day)
  • Optional afternoon cultural activities
  • Travel to/from Kefalonia & airport transer

Cancellation Policy

If you cancel:

  • 90+ days before: 100% refund (deposit non-refundable)
  • Under 90 days: No refund (we'll attempt to fill your spot)

Register and book your spot now! Registration page



Frequently Asked Questions

What if I'm between jobs right now?

This retreat is ideal for transitions, whether you're currently employed and exploring, between roles, or actively job searching. The clarity you gain will inform your next move regardless of your current employment status.

I'm interested in consulting but have no idea where to start. Will this help?

Absolutely. We'll explore consulting as one pathway option, including how to price services, position yourself, and identify your first clients. Several participants have launched consulting practices within 3-5 months after a cohort experience.

I work for a foundation/implementing org. Can my employer pay for this?

Possibly, though it's more common for participants to self-fund. You could position it as leadership development or an outplacement service if your position has been made redundant. We can provide documentation for your employer.

What's the group size?

Limited to 5-8 women for intimate, high-quality experience. You'll have time for individual attention and real peer relationships.

What if I can't attend after booking?

Deposits are non-refundable. Cancellations 90+ days before receive 50% refund. Under 90 days, no refund, though we'll attempt to fill your spot.

Can I arrive before or leave after the retreat dates and stay at the hotel?

Yes, depending on availability of rooms. We do our best to accommodate your travel and stay preferences. Please contact us as early as possible for prices and availability at contact@purposephilcareer.com so that we can reserve your room accordingly.

Will there be other opportunities if I can't make these dates?

Yes! Email contact@purposephilcareer.com to join the waitlist for future retreat dates.

What should I bring?

Comfortable clothes for workshops, swimwear, walking shoes, journal, and an open mind. We'll send a detailed packing list upon registration.

What about meals?

A rich breakfast with locally sourced products and a dinner at the hotel and in selected local tavernas within the area is included daily. We also offer a welcoming apéro riche on arrival day. For lunch, you'll have the flexibility to explore the pool bar with its healthy food and drink options.

How do I get to Kefalonia?

Kefalonia International Airport (EFL) has direct and connecting flights from major European cities such as London, Manchester, Milan, Amsterdam, Munich, Frankfurt, Vienna and Athens. If you have more time you can also come by ferry from Italy and take the bus. We provide detailed travel instructions and can help coordinate shared airport transfers if desired.

Can I pay in rates?

Yes, you can pay a deposit of EUR300 to secure your spot. The remaining amount has to be paid until 29th June 2026. You can register here: registration.