Your Next Chapter Is Calling
Retirement isn’t an ending. It’s an opening: to purpose, adventure, and a version of yourself you haven’t fully met yet.
Whether you are decades out or counting down the months, What’s Next? is an energizing, interactive event designed to help you dream boldly, plan intentionally, and get genuinely excited about what comes after your career.
What to Expect
The afternoon begins with a lively panel conversation featuring women who have actually done it — who walked away from long-held careers and found something remarkable on the other side. Each panelist is navigating a different stage of retirement, and together they’ll share the honest truth about discovering purpose, embracing flexibility, and building a life that feels full.
Then it gets personal. You’ll move into guided reflection and small-group conversation led by skilled facilitators. This is a chance to exchange ideas, find fresh inspiration, and start mapping your own possibilities alongside other women on a similar path.
You’ll leave with more than just a plan for the future. You’ll take away clarity, connection, and a vision for the season ahead… and maybe even a couple of new friends!
| Panel Discussion | Guided Reflection | Small-Group Dialogue | Expert Insights |
| Real stories from women at every stage of retirement. | Personal exercises to map your own possibilities. | Intimate conversation with women on the same journey. | Data on aging, purpose and thriving in your third third. |
Event Schedule
3:30 PM | Registration + Networking
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Presentation
- Welcome
- Featured Presenter – Jill Ver Steeg
- Panel Discussion
5:00 PM – 5:40 PM | Personal Reflection + Breakout Group Discussions
5:40 PM – 6:00 PM | Bites + Bubbles (refreshments provided and cash bar open)
Featured Speaker
Jill Ver Steeg
President + CEO, Evergreen Commons
Jill leads a 5,500-member organization in Holland, MI dedicated to helping older adults live with belonging, meaning, and purpose. A sought-after speaker and writer on health span and flourishing, Jill will share research and insights that challenge everything you thought you knew about aging — and reveal why the “third third” of life might just be the best one yet.
Jill holds a Master of Divinity from Western Theological Seminary and a doctorate in organizational leadership from Fuller Theological Seminary. She serves on multiple boards and is passionate about disrupting the way people think about growing older.
Panelists + Moderator
Ann Harten
Retired CHRO, Haworth
Ann spent decades leading global human resources and AI transformation at Haworth before retiring into what she calls a “portfolio career” — one that includes board director roles, an AI advisory practice, global travel, and oil painting. The founder of Hello West Michigan, a regional talent attraction initiative, Ann is proof that strategic planning and lifelong learning make for a retirement every bit as vibrant as the career that came before it.
Deb Minton
Retired Fund Development Professional + Consultant
After 36 years in philanthropy and nonprofit leadership, Deb retired in 2023 and settled full-time in Saugatuck. Saugatuck was a community she and her partner, Terri, chose well before retirement, in part because of their love for the Saugatuck Center for the Arts. Today, Deb thrives by being “on point and on purpose,” choosing the right people, the right work, and the right reasons. She serves on the SCA board, coaches JV Girls Basketball at Saugatuck High School, and is especially passionate about programs that support the development and well-being of women and girls.
Aida Saracevic Tanaka
General Counsel, Shape Corp.
Aida brings a distinct perspective to the panel as someone still in the midst of a high-level executive career — giving attendees a window into how accomplished women think about and prepare for what’s next while still leading at the highest levels. With a background spanning legal counsel, corporate governance, and executive leadership in the automotive industry, Aida offers a thoughtful, forward-looking voice on the transition ahead.
Moderator
Tickets Available Now
Tickets are now on sale for INFORUM and SCA Members. General tickets are available starting April 3. This event is designed for women ages 40–70, but all are welcome to attend.
General Admission Pricing: $50
About the Co-Presenters
INFORUM is a trusted ally for women in the workplace — accelerating professional opportunities, building powerful networks, and partnering with organizations to advance gender diversity and foster inclusive cultures. Through events, talent development programs, and advocacy, INFORUM empowers women to lead and succeed.
The Saugatuck Center for the Arts (SCA) is the cultural and artistic heartbeat of the Saugatuck community, bringing people together through art, creativity, and connection.
