The leap from finance to sustainability – Caroline’s Journey
After 18 years in finance, Caroline left UBS to build a sustainability-focused career. With Seed she launched her consultancy helping others do the same.
Today, I want to share Caroline’s story—a journey that might feel familiar if you’ve ever faced the crossroads of change.
After nearly 20 years in finance, Caroline made a bold pivot. She stepped away from a successful career at UBS to pursue her passion for sustainability. Now, as an IMMA Nurture member, her journey into solopreneurship began in April this year with our Seed program. That decision gave her the clarity and confidence to build a sustainability consultancy on her own terms.
Just recently, Caroline launched Reconnect to Redirect - an 8-week 1:1 program for conscious career shifters seeking clarity in their direction.
Caroline and I sat down to talk about what led her to take this leap—the patience it demanded, and how Seed helped her align her work with her values. Her reflections not only capture her personal story but also offer lessons on navigating career transitions.
If you’d rather read than listen, we’ve highlighted the key points below. Each snippet adds depth to her experience, but the big takeaways are woven into the text.
Before the leap
Caroline’s banking career was rewarding but relentless. As she rose through the ranks, she noticed a pattern every few years—burnout. The intense environment, high stakes, and mounting responsibilities took a toll, and she began to ask herself if there was something more fulfilling waiting beyond finance.
“It was nine months before I actually left UBS that I started to feel those ‘golden handcuffs’ holding me back. I’d been in banking for 18 years, and I realized, as I hit midlife, that it was time to do something I truly cared about.”
As she considered her next steps, Caroline gravitated toward sustainability, driven by a desire to channel her skills into work that felt meaningful. But even after leaving her job, the path wasn’t easy or immediate.
“I thought I’d land a sustainability role in six months, but that didn’t happen. After a period of feeling stuck, I started attending events and meeting others in the field. That opened my eyes to new possibilities and connections in sustainability I hadn’t considered.”
Building from scratch: The importance of patience
Setting up a solo consultancy wasn’t Caroline’s original plan. But as she started meeting people and volunteering, the idea slowly took shape. She realized this path would require patience—and plenty of it.
Eventually, she joined Seed, where she found both structure and a supportive community. The program’s pacing and feedback helped her refine her ideas, develop clarity, and build confidence in her unique approach to sustainability consulting.
“Through Seed, I was able to refine my offering and gain clarity on my next steps. That clarity became the foundation for the confidence I needed to move forward.”
Starting with you: A different kind of entrepreneurship
For many of us, starting a solo business brings a unique challenge. It’s easy to let fear and familiar patterns limit our thinking, especially when we’re used to traditional corporate structures. But building something new often requires starting from within, not from external demands or expectations.
“The shift came when I stopped thinking about what I ‘should’ do or even what I ‘could’ do, and instead asked, ‘What do I want to do?’ That question was a breakthrough moment for me.”
“When you work for yourself, you are your business. It’s about finding that alignment with who you are.”
The Seed experience: structure, community, and clarity
Through Seed, Caroline learned to celebrate clarity as much as progress. When we jump into action too quickly, we risk heading down paths that may not serve us in the long run. Seed encourages reflection, intentionality, and taking the time to ask the right questions, from pricing services to identifying the ideal clients.
“Seed helped me move from having just an idea to actually defining the details of my consultancy—who I’d be working with, how I’d structure it, even the logistics around pricing and offers. And ultimately, the program reminded me that I could shape this into something truly aligned with my goals.”
Beyond the technical aspects, Caroline discovered a wide array of paths she hadn’t considered. From coaching to digital products, she saw how varied and flexible a sustainability career could be.
“Seed opened my eyes to different business models I hadn’t even thought about. It was incredibly liberating to see that there isn’t just one path.”
Opening new doors and new perspectives
Caroline’s journey reminds us that it’s okay to feel uncertain in times of change. With the right support, we can give ourselves permission to explore, adapt, and ultimately find the clarity we need to move forward confidently. Imagine if we normalized seeking guidance as a natural step in career transitions—not just for the practical tools, but for that much-needed outside perspective that helps us see more clearly.
Here’s to new beginnings, supportive communities, and the courage to follow what excites us.
Ready to make your own leap? The next Seed cohort kicks off in January. Learn more and book a 1-to-1 call to see if it’s the right fit for you!
Interesting opportunities for you
We save our members hours by handpicking the best freelance opportunities from 150+ job boards. Here’s a selection of 10.
🧑💻 Participatory Approaches Research Consultant - Amnesty International
💰£300 per day
🤝Contract
🗓️December 4, 2024
🧑💻 Service design Contract Role - Zebra People
💰£700 - £750 per day
🤝Contract
🧑💻 Technical Support Quality Manager - Tetra Tech
📍Remote
💰$500 to $800 USD
🤝Contract
🧑💻 Content Creator - Khan Academy
🤝Contract
🧑💻 Writing and Communications Specialist - The Shared Humanity Project
📍Remote
💰USD $25 - $30 / hour
🤝Part-time
🧑💻 National Centre for Creative Health - National Centre for Creative Health
💰£15,000
🗓️December 6, 2024
🧑💻 Coastal Competitive Grants Program - Illinois Coastal Management Program (CMP)
💰$75,000 - $250,000
🤝RFP/Tender
January 10, 2025
🧑💻 Steven H. Sandell Grant Program – Center for Retirement Research
🤝 RFP/Tender -
🗓️December 31, 2024
🧑💻 Request for Proposals Ukraine Local Pooled Fund inception review - Start Network
💰£20,000 GBP
🤝RFP/Tender
🗓️January 3, 2025
🧑💻 WFP Innovation Challenge
🤝RFP/Tender
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Behind the scenes at IMMA
As we prepare for 2025, we’ve been interviewing our members to learn where to focus and what to let go of. Your feedback shapes how we grow. In January, we’ll re-launch the IMMA Community—just in time for our one-year anniversary!
This month, Tess led a beautiful Space(s) of Being session on abundance, and we released new benchmarks to help you choose the best website tools and newsletter templates. Members have also been sharing wins—new clients, launches, and collaborations inspired by connections made here.
In December, we’re skipping public events to host an intimate Winter Solstice gathering for members and those who’ve journeyed with us in 2024. It’s a time to reflect with gratitude, celebrate the light in the dark, and set intentions for the year ahead.
Looking for clarity, clients, and community in 2025? IMMA offers expert-led sessions, peer support, and practical tools to help you move forward with purpose—together.
Thanks for reading,
Take care,
Lilli
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If you want to work for yourself but not by yourself, consider joining IMMA Collective.
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Thank you for sharing, Lilli! It was a pleasure to talk about the reality of a career shift with you, and all the ups and downs. Very grateful to have found IMMA and the Seed program when I did!