A guide to investing in you in 2026

Investing in ourselves is a power move. What better time than a New Year to take action to become the people we want to be?

This is a curated guide to 10 women who can help you grow. Most are accessible from wherever you are!

Five years ago, I was letting my corporate job define who I was. So I made a New Year’s resolution: Change that.

I invested in a coach. Working with Karen gave me the clarity to eventually leave the corporate world, get trained as a coach myself and launch On Leave Experiences, a business built on the belief that conversations and experiences outside our usual routines create real change.

Leading On Leave Experiences has put me in rooms where I’ve built a network of brilliant women meeting specific needs in deeply personal, wildly effective ways. If you feel a pull to invest in yourself in 2026 like I did five years ago, one of us on the list below might be exactly what you need to create a version of yourself you really, truly want to be.

Liz Coffey

Founder, On Leave Experiences

Alex Nabavian Coaching, founded by Alex Nabavian
For those who love being a mom and want to pursue other big dreams too.

Alex is a mom of 4 young kids who gets the pull between loving motherhood and wanting something that’s yours. I follow her on LinkedIn and appreciate her real-talk approach to feeling stretched thin while looking “together” on the outside. Her group coaching program, Soul Systems, starts in February for ambitious moms carrying an invisible load with no place to put it down.

GMarie Wellness, founded by Genevieve Marie
For those who want to fight brain fog and find mental clarity.

When her kids were younger, Genevieve experienced such severe brain fog that she once forgot she left water running, went to Target and flooded her basement. As a speech-language pathologist who specialized in cognitive therapy, she did cognitive therapy on herself, then created a program combining that with integrative nutrition. Her 6-month 1:1 program helps women find mental clarity.

Request a complimentary discovery call at gmariewellness.com.

AI Powered Women, founded by Felicia Newhouse
For those wanting to embrace AI without losing their humanity.

Felicia saw the potential to help women upskill in AI while recognizing that the human side of leadership will always matter (and may matter even more) as we embrace new technology. She hosted an incredibly well-attended conference at MIT in September. Her AI Powered Women Academy offers virtual AI and wellness programming every week. Who says we can’t be tech-savvy AND centered?!

On Leave Experiences, founded by Liz Coffey

For women who are eager to grow and ready to make it happen.

A weekend in Birmingham, Alabama during my own coaching journey showed me that growth happens when we step outside our usual routines with our usual people. That’s why I combine coaching with custom experiences designed to expand your world. (Even in the city you call home!) In 2026, I’m launching The Growth Experience (a 6-month 1:1 program) and continuing to offer virtual Circles connecting thoughtful women. The first 2026 Circles cohort sold out in a week, so I opened a second Sunday evening cohort.

Azad Wellness Collective, founded by Sonia Azad
For those curious about yoga and group retreats.

Sonia is a certified yoga instructor passionate about yoga for everyday people dealing with stiff necks, back pain and trouble sleeping. She’s not expecting you to hold your foot up behind your head with one hand. Her yoga retreat in Zion National Park (October 2026) is close to sold out with shared rooms remaining, perfect if you want to join with a friend. She also offers affordable monthly memberships for online classes.

Sentiment Project, founded by Kerri Soukup
For those ready to process grief that can feel invisible or misunderstood.

After Kerri lost her dad, a creative project in college helped her process her grief. The project stuck with her for years. So she launched Sentiment Project, helping others process grief through creativity (e.g. writing, drawing, even cooking). Kerri recognizes that grief comes from so many places – losing a loved one, losing a job, losing who you used to be. The next cohort of her virtual small-group program, Stigma Sessions, starts in February.

Curious Life of a Childfree Woman podcast, hosted by Emily Paulson
For those seeking thoughtful conversations on topics beyond kids.

Florence and her husband recognized a gap in their own social lives and decided to create space for weekend activities that don’t involve children. They host 8-10 in-person events per month in LA—everything from picnics to book clubs to exclusive wine tastings. They’re expanding to other cities and have already hosted experimental popups in NYC and San Diego. Join their email list and let them know if you want Parallel Social Club in your city.

Fundae, founded by Holly Gerard
For those wanting a burst of joy in the everyday.

Holly had a decades-long media career but kept coming back to happy childhood memories of wearing her mom’s high heels. So she built Fundae. Her sustainable, philanthropic shoes feature “toppings” like ribbons, bows and stones that can be swapped in and out. Sometimes you just need something that makes you smile when you look down. (Did you see the tennis-ball yellow pair I wore to the U.S. Open this year?!)

Purchase shoes at fundae.com.

The MuSic Movement, co-founded by Eileen Ziesemer
For those wanting to contribute to a good cause (and have fun!).

Eileen and a best friend recognized that most events benefiting MS involve activities that people with MS may not be able to enjoy. So they reimagined what a benefit could look like and are hosting an Everclear concert in the Chicago area in February, supporting a meaningful cause while creating an evening everyone can enjoy. I plan to be there and would love to see you there too!

Purchase a ticket at msmusicmovement.com.

Emily runs a brand studio called Electric Collab and launched this podcast as a space for conversations that aren’t about kids. I love her thoughtful guests and the questions she asks. A recent conversation about adult friendships really struck a chord with me. She’s also started a community on Substack for two-way conversation with listeners. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

Learn more at curiouslifeofachildfreewoman.com.

Parallel Social Club, founded by Florence Wlodarski
For childfree adults in Los Angeles (and expanding!) seeking community.