In 1931, philosopher Alfred Korzybski introduced the idea that “the map is not the territory”, a simple but profound reminder that the representations we create of the world (our maps) are not the world itself.
Maps, whether literal or metaphorical, simplify complexity. They offer frameworks, mental models, and guides that help us make sense of what’s inside and around us. But they are never complete. They are shaped by assumptions, biases, and often outdated information, leaving out the messy, nuanced reality beneath.
Nearly 100 years on, we’re living through what will arguably be the most pivotal time in human history, a time where many of the maps we’ve relied on no longer align with the territory. In leadership, life, and business, change is accelerating at a pace that leaves old maps and playbooks struggling to keep up.
The mental models we use to define success, the beliefs about what leadership should look like, even the ways we think about identity, work, and life – these maps are cracking under pressure and offering guidance that no longer feels relevant or effective.
For midlife women leaders (45+), this dissonance is often even sharper. The old maps weren’t designed with our lived experiences in mind. They don’t account for the complexity of leading through the midlife transition, living through the embodied experience of peri/menopause, navigating gendered ageism in the workplace, or balancing personal evolution with professional ambition, let alone the complete unknowns of leading in an age of longevity and AI/human partnership.
In a world without reliable maps, the challenge is clear: how do you navigate when the path ahead is uncertain, and the frameworks you’ve trusted no longer apply?
This is the question at the heart of modern leadership and it’s where the real opportunity begins.
“When the map and the landscape disagree, the map is wrong. It’s time to forge a new path.” Kate Billing
Leadership can be a lonely job and at this time in life we may feel even more isolated. We may find our worlds have become smaller and more constrained. We have less time to invest in the people that matter most, and we’re also neglecting ourselves. The communities and connections that have served us in the past may not be the people and relationships that best support us through this transition of life and leadership.
It’s time to find a new tribe.
Experiencing the belonging, authenticity, safety, and acceptance of being part of a community made up exclusively of midlife female leaders is something truly powerful. At a time when it seems we’re expected to quietly toddle off out of the workforce and fade into the background of life, it’s EVEN MORE important that we band together, support each other, and make our presence seen, heard and felt.
And you’re not alone! With 50+ years on the planet, 16 years in the leadership development space, and now navigating our own midlife transitions, the team at katebilling.com are with you. We believe there’s both a need and an opportunity to do leadership development differently, with the specific needs and experiences of midlife women leaders in mind.
Far from being finished, we’re just getting started!
Recent research by NEXEL (a global collaborative of 25+ leading tertiary education providers) found two primary developmental needs for leaders in midlife:
To ensure you get notified as soon as the details of the Foundation Membership offer go live, please sign up to join the waitlist.
We believe the development of Pathmakers for the complex, uncertain and emerging reality of 21st century life and leadership requires a human-centred approach.
Over the past 16 years, we’ve created, tested and honed a unique, collective development approach that places understanding of our shared common humanity at the centre of leadership and its development.
Along with developing strong skill capabilities, our approach raises awareness of context across multiple dimensions, deliberately grows inter and intra-personal capacity, and cultivates community in order to offer support, expand awareness and access diverse perspectives.
“Kate has a facilitation style that grabs you, keeps you engaged, and completely immersed. She created a safe space for our group to share, learn and grow together. We all took away practical tools that will make a positive difference in our everyday lives and leadership.”
Claire Stuart
DEI Specialist
“Kate is absolutely fantastic. She is not only incredibly knowledgeable but has a real ability to read the room, develop empathy with the people with whom she is working, and get the best out of them. Despite some of the more challenging topics we covered, Kate approached everything with a sense of lightness and humour which I really appreciated.”
Marika Eastwick-Field
Partner
“My growth has surprised me, challenged me, reassured me and given me confidence that what I bring to my home team, my work team, and to my community embraces all my parts. My priorities have been tested and change, I am more deliberate in my actions, and I have a deeper connection my physiological self, my energy, and my presence.”
Maree McKenzie
Manager Resolution Services
The Pathmaker Community is grounded in human-centred fundamentals. Our design principles include:
Small By Design: We are mindful of the human brain’s capacity for social bonding and security, limiting our membership to 150 women, the maximum size of a human group to maintain stable social relationships.
Create Space: Our members lives are full to bursting with commitments and obligations. We provide opportunities for them to create space and prioritise their own needs and development.
In-person First: Something magical happens when people come together in-person. In a post-COVID, ‘digital first’ world of work and social life, people are craving real human connection and time away from devices.
Keep the Love & Learning Alive On-line: We provide a private on-line platform for members to stay connected, accountable, and learning in between in-person gatherings.
Emergent Member-Informed Approach: Rather than a fixed programme with a beginning and end, Pathmakers offers an ever evolving, member-informed curriculum designed to meet the current and emerging needs of our community and shared context of life and leadership.
Pathmakers is an annual membership. A typical year includes:
To ensure you get notified as soon as the details of the Foundation Membership offer go live, please sign up to join the waitlist.
Pathmakers is for midlife women leaders who feel called to use this time of tumult and transition as an opportunity for unprecedent growth and renewal.
They also don’t want to do it alone. Instead they’re seeking a community of same life stage women who want to become better together.
The benefits of being a member of the Pathmaker Community include:
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much”
Helen Keller
Full details of the Pathmaker Community Membership will come out FIRST to those on our waitlist when we launch our Foundation Membership in May 2025.
The Foundation intake will be strictly limited to FIFTY members so that we can build a strong community culture of safety, connection, belonging and growth at our September 2025 Immersion.
“Don’t go where the map may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail for others to follow.”
Muriel Strode, American Poet, 1875-1964
“Kate made me feel important, listened to, heard, valued and comfortable in what were at times uncomfortable and vulnerable moments. I am so grateful for her time and energy and openness.”
Linda Hanson
Analytics & Reporting Manager
“An indescribable journey of self discovery that has impacted my personal leadership beyond compare. Nothing more to say except it has been what I have needed for over 10 years and it has rocked my leadership world. If you get the opportunity, be brave and immerse yourself.”
Edith Sykes
Chief People Officer
“Anyone that has attended workshops facilitated by Kate will know how amazing she is – her openness, genuine interest in understanding what makes people tick and her phenomenal knowledge and passion for her craft put her in a league of her own.”
Abi Cameron
Head of Performance & Insight
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