By Mark Buchanan

When I decided to leave Apple after an incredible 22-year journey to embark on my next chapter, I intentionally didn’t have a plan. I just knew I wanted to enjoy life more and wanted to expand my horizons. It was post-pandemic, and like many others, I had spent time reflecting on what truly mattered in life. I was fortunate and grateful to be part of such an awe-inspiring company, but for the first time in decades, my schedule wasn’t dictated by achieving company goals. I had freedom.

My oldest brother Bill gave me some good advice: “In your first year, don’t plan your next chapter. You need to take in the change and adjust first.” I took that to heart and leaned into all the things I never had time for—traveling and spending time with my husband, enjoying Sunday nights scary-free, and just taking life at a different pace.

So about six months in, I started getting restless. It’s time to do more new things. But I didn’t know exactly where to start.

I started exploring new things on my own and took up golf lessons. I played golf in my 20’s but then gave it up later when I was coming out thinking golf was more of a “straight guy’s” sport. So, I did some fresh research and realized that things have changed and there were quite a few gay retiree golf groups.I realized there could be more opportunity for connections here. Well, I started taking lessons once a week and was excited to re-learn. I would go to the course, practice, practice and practice. Then I would see the Pro and he would give me 10 things to improve on my swing each week. And I would come back the next week and he would say I was improving slightly but I needed to practice more. Eight weeks later, as I was cleaning off my shoes and clubs after a lesson and putting them in the car, I asked myself, “What the hell am I doing?” My heart wasn’t in it, it was too much work for me and it felt like the corporate grind again!

I had assumed that once I stepped away from the corporate world, I would feel nothing but relief. And in some ways, I did. But I also felt untethered. The work relationships I had built over decades felt less relevant. I didn’t miss the grind, but I did miss the sense of being part of a team making great things happen.

THE SHIFT

An old boss right before I left Apple told me: “You were at Apple for a long time, a company with a strong culture and identity. That’s going to be hard for you to shift away from.”

I brushed it off at the time, but 6 months into my post Apple life, I realized he had a point.

He then mentioned a life coach he had worked with—Michele Evans—who was launching a new membership community called NxtWaves. It was designed to help accomplished professionals figure out what came after their corporate careers. I was skeptical. I don’t need a program. I’ll figure this out on my own.

But the idea stuck with me, and at some point, I thought, why not?

Well, I clicked with Michele, I joined the founding cohort, and it turned out to be exactly what I needed. Michele had created a space for a diverse group of people, all navigating different versions of the same transition.

NxtWaves was practical—yet balanced with inspirational and engaging content that expanded my horizons for personal growth. It wasn’t about filling time or finding a quick-fix next step. It was about being intentional – defining what mattered most to me and shaping my life around that. The discussions were engaging, eye opening, and lighthearted at the same time.

Shaping My North Star

Through NxtWaves, I established my Personal Purpose, what I now call my North Star—The core areas that I wanted to focus on that aligned to who I truly was and the values I stood for. It was also a way to filter opportunities and decisions, so they align with what I care deeply about. I also knew that having purpose ensured that I would not sit still and let the grass grow under me…and the secret to a long happy life is to keep moving and growing.

For years, my career gave me a built-in sense of purpose. Stepping away from that meant I had to define purpose for myself, and at first, that was uncomfortable. But after some reflection, I realized my priorities weren’t complicated and were grounded in my life journey.

So I shaped and declared that my North Star is to:

• Help diverse talent unlock their full potential as leaders.
• Give back to the LGBTQ+ community.
• Empower good people to thrive, flourish, and be fulfilled in life.
• Embrace life with lightheartedness, connectedness, and a growth mindset.

It is a high enough level to open myself to discovering new things, but specific enough to filter out the noise and provide clarity for my next chapter.

Reshaping my Next Chapter and leading a “Portfolio Life”

So now two years into this transition, I’ve shaped a life that aligns with those values and continues to be a work in progress. My portfolio is founded on the principles of Ikigai, the intersection of doing what I love, and what my strengths are based on my years of experience and wisdom. 

TODAY’S PORTFOLIO:

• Executive leadership coaching and speaking—helping leaders grow and evolve.
• Life transition coaching—supporting others in navigating the same shifts I went through.
• Board Co-Chair for Openhouse—a non-profit community organization in San Francisco, carrying out the mission of providing LGBTQ+ older adults safe, supportive housing and community programs and services.
• Mentoring LGBTQ+ startup founders through StartOut.
• Engaging with UC Berkeley Haas Business School—sponsoring programs, mentoring students, and giving leadership talks.
• Focused on my health and well-being – Strength/fitness, mindfulness and journaling
• Cultivating relationships that align to my values, passions, and interests.

I can proudly take a step back and see the golden thread in all these that align with my values and my North Star.

And the journey continues to lead to new pursuits. My focus on mentoring and supporting the growth of others, along with cultivating new meaningful relationships, inspired me to co-found a new startup. I am grateful to have developed a friendship and partnership with my co-founder that allows us to help each other with achieving our goals in life. Our experience inspired us to develop a concept which incidentally encompasses the variety of focus areas in my portfolio. Lots more to come on this, stay tuned!

SOME ADVICE FROM MY JOURNEY SO FAR

When I reflect on the journey so far, I am reminded of a quote by the late, great artist, David Bowie:

“Aging is an extraordinary process where you become the person you always should have been.”

This resonates as I think through what is important about the next chapter in life.

Here are a few learnings to share from my journey so far that you may find helpful as you chart your next chapter:

• Invest in yourself. The unknown can feel overwhelming, but surrounding yourself with a community of others going through the same transitions and who hold similar values makes all the difference.
• Don’t underestimate the value of shaping your next chapter. Approach it with curiosity, exploration, and play—it’s a chance to reinvent, not retire.
• Keep editing your life journey. There is so much out there, and it’s easy to get overly ambitious.
• The world needs you. Now, more than ever, your experience, wisdom, and leadership can make an impact. Step into it and make it happen. 
• When you put yourself out there, serendipity does happen that leads to some fun uncharted territory.
• Your legacy matters. The mark you leave isn’t just about past achievements—it’s about how you continue to show up for yourself and others.

This next chapter has been a chance to build a life of meaning, connection, and growth. Programs like NxtWaves helped me clarify my values and shape a path with intentionality that feels truly fulfilling. Investing in relationships, staying curious, and using my experience to support others has made all the difference. The key is to stay engaged, keep learning, and move forward with purpose.