About

Michael's Story

I've spent 30 years in media, marketing, technology, and consulting leadership — including 18 years at Adobe, where I consulted and led teams of 100 or more. I've navigated corporate politics, built and restructured organizations, hired and mentored hundreds of people, and learned something new nearly every day.

I'm also a husband of 21 years and father to four sons. All of those roles — professional and personal — have shaped how I think about leadership, purpose, and what matters.

The Second Half

Somewhere in my late 40s, I started asking different questions. Not "how do I get ahead?" but "what am I building, and for whom?" The first half of my career was about performance and ambition. The second half is about clarity and meaning.

That shift doesn't happen overnight. It takes honest reflection, new frameworks, and the willingness to let go of things that used to define you. I'm still working through it — and I write about it here.

Why Lead & Keep

Lead & Keep exists because the second half of life doesn't come with a playbook. Most leadership advice is written for people climbing the ladder, not for people wondering whether they're on the right one — or building something entirely new.

This is a place for experienced leaders navigating career transitions, retirement, new ventures, and the deeper questions that come with them. No hype. No hustle culture. Just honest writing from someone who's been in the room and is still figuring it out.

What This Is

Lead & Keep is a blog and newsletter. I publish regularly about leadership, transition, identity, and the second half. If you subscribe, you'll get those insights in your inbox — along with a free guide to help you start thinking through what's next.

Connect

Send me a message