After a long and successful career leading businesses in financial services, Kris Petersen knew it was time to make a change. She had spent decades in high-stress corporate roles at organizations like U.S. Bank and Ameriprise Financial, thriving on the challenge of running “a business inside a business.” But by her mid-forties, the pace and intensity had taken their toll.
“I loved what I did, but I got tired,” Kris shared. “At 45, I decided to retire early. I didn’t know what was next. I just knew I didn’t want to do that anymore.”
From Corporate Leader to Coach
Stepping away from corporate life gave Kris the freedom to rediscover what truly energizes her: helping others reach their potential. With the guidance of a mentor, she started a new chapter as an executive coach, supporting leaders in shifting their mindsets and realizing what they are capable of achieving.
“I realized what I loved most about leading large teams wasn’t the business metrics—it was helping people see what they could become,” she said. “We all limit ourselves based on our past experiences. Once you can let go of that, you have no idea what you can achieve.”
Still, she found herself missing aspects of her corporate career: the strategy, the problem-solving, the sense of building and growing something. That combination of curiosity and unfinished business eventually led her to consider board service.
Learning to Think Differently
Roughly eight years after leaving Ameriprise Financial, Kris turned to Navigate Forward for guidance on how to position herself for a corporate board seat. “I thought I should probably work with someone to get a board bio and to really understand how to think about this differently,” she said. “It’s not like applying for a job. It’s a very different process.”
Her Navigate Forward Executive Consultant Patti O’Leary challenged her to reflect deeply on what made her unique. “She wouldn’t let me off the hook on anything,” Kris laughed. “It’s hard to talk about yourself and identify your ‘special sauce.’ But through that process, I learned how to tell my story in a way that showed what I bring to the table.”
The Value of Starting Early
One of Kris’s biggest learnings from her board journey was realizing she had waited too long to start. “I shouldn’t have waited eight years after I left corporate America,” she admitted. “I should have done it while I was still in corporate. That’s what I tell people now. You don’t have to be done with your job to start preparing. If you wait until after you retire, it’s much harder.”
That perspective has become a message she shares with others, especially women who may hesitate to network or put themselves forward. “You have to tell people what you want,” she said. “That’s not easy for everyone, but that’s what makes the difference.”
When Preparation Met Opportunity
After years of networking and refining her story, Kris nearly gave up on the idea of joining a board. But in early 2025, opportunity came knocking. A friend connected her to a recruiter for Royal Credit Union, and Kris’s preparation paid off.
“I wouldn’t have been ready for it without Navigate Forward,” she said. “They taught me how to tell my story, how to think differently about what I bring, and how to interview again after 20 years of not doing it.”
After an intensive interview process, including panel interviews and time with Royal Credit Union’s CEO and board, Kris was invited to join as one of two new Associate Board Members. The fit was immediate. “They’re very much about values and integrity, and that alignment was really important to me,” she said.
Finding Purpose in a New Chapter
Today, Kris combines her executive coaching practice with her board work, finding deep fulfillment in both. “It’s not the same stress level as corporate life,” she said. “I get to give back through my coaching and my board service.”
At Royal Credit Union, she’s starting to share her perspective on leadership development and customer experience. “I think I can help them think bigger about their client experience,” she said. “The board and executive leadership are very talented and have exceeded my expectations.”
Reflecting on her journey, Kris hopes her experience serves as encouragement, and a gentle caution, for others.
“Start early. Don’t wait until you’ve stepped away from corporate life to think about what’s next. If board service is something you want, begin preparing now. You’ll be glad you did.”
Whether you’re still leading in the corporate world or beginning to imagine what comes next, taking that first step can make all the difference when opportunity arrives. If you’re curious about your own readiness, take our Board Readiness Self-Discovery Assessment to see where you stand today. Or reach out to start a conversation, and begin laying the groundwork for the next meaningful chapter of your career.
