In this episode of Talking TA, host Denise Chaffin reconnects with longtime colleague Meredith Leitch, who transitioned from a 25-year career at Intel into a purpose-driven second act. Meredith shares her journey through Encore Fellowships with The Fedcap Group, where experienced professionals bring corporate expertise to the nonprofit sector.
They explore how retirement is being redefined—not as an ending, but as a chance to find new meaning, give back, and continue learning. Meredith discusses her work in nonprofit capacity building, intergenerational collaboration, and programs like Seniors Helping Seniors that connect generations in powerful ways.
The conversation also dives into the themes of ageism, reskilling, the rise of “people systems” over HR, and the evolving role of talent acquisition professionals in an AI-driven world. Drawing parallels from golf and even movies like The Intern, Meredith and Denise highlight how experience, adaptability, and purpose remain invaluable in today’s workforce.
Key Episode Segments:
• Redefining Retirement – Retirement doesn’t mean stepping away from impact; Encore Fellowships and nonprofit work create new paths for purpose.
• Generational Collaboration – Programs like Seniors Helping Seniors and Fedcap’s Code Generator show the power of combining wisdom with fresh perspectives.
• Ageism & Opportunity – Experienced professionals offer resilience, adaptability, and focus that are critical in high-demand projects.
• Talent Acquisition Shifts – TA roles are evolving from recruiting and sourcing to consultative partnerships, mirroring HR’s transition to business partners.
• AI and Human Skills – AI may change processes, but empathy, intuition, and durable skills remain irreplaceable.