Episode 819 • December 29, 2025 • 34 min
How to Leave Corporate Security Behind and Reinvent Your Career Featuring Ann Vanino
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Ann Vanino is a career and new directions coach and author whose passion is collaborating with her clients to create the life they want to live. Prior to coaching, Ann enjoyed a 21-year career in the environmental, health, and safety field, including running New York City's 24-hour chemical emergency response team, responding to over 600 emergencies a year. Ann authors a weekly blog, Opening, and a monthly newsletter, Working Happy, guiding readers to work that leaves them happy at the end of the day.
In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn what it takes to reinvent yourself when the path forward isn't clear and how vulnerability builds true resilience.
Ann and I discuss:
- Ann's non-linear career journey from Asian history to environmental studies [02:05]
- How she became the leader of NYC's chemical emergency response team [04:14]
- Navigating male-dominated environments as a young woman [06:17]
- Leading without formal authority when people don't listen [08:29]
- What triggered her transition to entrepreneurship [10:14]
- Hitting the glass ceiling and recognizing it wasn't her fault [11:31]
- Starting Williams and Vanino environmental consulting firm [12:36]
- The rainmaker and operator business partnership dynamic [13:33]
- Taking the leap from security-conscious family to coaching [16:48]
- Joining the founding board of International Coach Federation in LA [20:20]
- Her husband's illness and passing in 2022 [20:35]
- Navigating life alone on two acres in wildfire country [21:56]
- The dramatic wildfire evacuation during her home sale [25:00]
- The connection between vulnerability, community, and resilience [29:13]
- Getting comfortable with change as a key to a fulfilling life [32:34]
Ann authors a weekly blog and a monthly newsletter called Working Happy, guiding readers to work that leaves them happy at the end of the day.
Learn more about Ann at: https://annvanino.com, https://annvaninoauthor.com, and https://www.linkedin.com/in/annvanino/
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About Smashing the Plateau
Smashing the Plateau shares stories and strategies from corporate refugees: mid-career professionals who’ve left corporate life to build something of their own.
Each episode features a candid conversation with someone who has walked this path or supports those who do. Guests offer real strategies to help you build a sustainable, fulfilling business on your terms, with practical insights on positioning, growth, marketing, decision-making, and mindset.
Woven throughout are powerful reminders of how community can accelerate your success.
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