After personal tragedy and professional upheaval, Lori Lawrence turned heartbreak into purpose — founding Next Chapter Career Coaching to help others rediscover their strength. In this deeply moving Spotlight Interview, Lori shares how her brother’s unexpected death during a layoff — and her own layoff — pushed her to ask bigger questions about what matters most.
From loss came a legacy — and Lori’s message is one we all need to hear.
After years as an enterprise account executive, Lori’s world shifted when her brother—devastated after an unexpected layoff—took his own life. That moment became the catalyst for Lori’s own reinvention. When she was laid off months later, she knew returning to business as usual wasn’t an option. Instead, she followed an undeniable calling: to help others navigate career transitions with hope, strategy, and courage.
Drawing on her corporate experience in sales and relationship-building, Lori began coaching professionals who felt stuck or unseen in their work.
Her message is simple yet powerful: “Never be afraid.” Lori reminds us that reinvention isn’t about having a perfect plan—it’s about taking the leap, building supportive relationships, and trusting that every step forward reveals the next.