Gillian Leithman, PhD

Gillian Leithman, PhD specializes in soft skills training – that is the people side of business. She has facilitated programs for some of Canada's premiere businesses and organizations such as Bell Canada, TD Canada Trust, Telus, Business Development Canada, SAP, Moody's, the RCMP and Exxon Mobil.

Gillian is passionate about translating scientific research findings into practical everyday skills and strategies that people can use to become more effective, successful and happy humans!

Her expertise and research lie in helping employees’ transition from work to retirement. Both her Master's and PhD focussed on the aging workforce, and the retirement transition. She has extensively interviewed and surveyed pre-retirees and retirees, and has first hand knowledge of their experiences, which led her to create a pre-retirement program for those transitioning out of work and into retirement (don't be fooled she doesn't necessarily think you should retire!). Gillian is also the co-creator of The Certified Professional Retirement Coach Designation, which certifies people to become retirement coaches.

Gillian's groundbreaking pre-retirement programs feature the latest social science research, combined with practical and proven coaching methods to help those nearing or newly retired successfully adjust to a new life phase.

She also works closely with financial advisors to complement their expertise.  While retirement is one of the most anticipated of life’s transitions, it is also quite misunderstood. Many people count down the days to “freedom” only to realize that this milestone event is different than expected, eliciting a host of feelings that include depression, anxiety and guilt – such as why am I not enjoying long days filled with no obligations or responsibilities?

In light of this reality, her objective is to broaden the very concept of retirement planning so as to include the non-financial aspects of retirement life. She does this by partnering with advisors to bring innovative programs to their clientele and writing newsletters about the social and emotional aspects of the retirement transition.

Gillian is an adjunct professor at the John Molson school of business where she teaches in the Executive MBA and the Goodman Institute of Investment Management. Her work and commentary have been featured in Canadian HR Reporter, Forbes, the Conversation Canada, Montreal Gazette, Reader’s Digest and the National Post.

She is the founder of Rewire to Retire™  and Life Skills Toolbox™