Barbara Guterman
TEACH GIVE INSPIRE FRIDAYS
POTOMAC, MARYLAND
Barbara Guterman had already spent decades building a successful career as a CEO, public speaker and philanthropist when, at 57, she realized something was missing.
She was feeling lonely and disconnected.
She wanted to get beyond the everyday “Hi, how are you?” conversations and find a way to connect more deeply with the women she was meeting.
So she created what she was looking for.
In 2019, Barbara founded Teach Give Inspire Fridays (TGIF), a women’s speaker series designed to bring women together for meaningful conversations, new ideas and connection.
What started with Barbara wanting something more has grown into more than 22 events featuring over 55 speakers and reaching more than 1,700 women.
And those events? They consistently sell out with 150 women in the room.
This is Barbara’s Blooming in Midlife story.
Get to Know Barbara…
What’s your go-to coffee order?
Dunkin’ vanilla coffee.
Go-to cocktail?
Patrón Silver.
Current midlife guilty pleasure?
Taking a nap in the afternoon.
What’s always in your bag?
Lipstick and a hairbrush.
Early bird or night owl?
Somewhere in between.
If you could have dinner with any woman, who would it be?
My mom, who passed away in 2014 at the age of 84 from COPD.
Now Let’s Talk About Barbara’s Midlife Pivot…
What was your “aha” moment?
The aha moment came when I realized that I was feeling lonely and disconnected.
I wanted to get beyond “Hi, how are you?” and engage more deeply with the people I was meeting in hopes of forming more meaningful relationships.
How old were you when you made this pivot?
57
Tell us about Teach Give Inspire Fridays.
TGIF is a dynamic women’s speaker series featuring quarterly conference-style events with thought leaders and industry trailblazers.
It’s designed to inspire creativity, open women up to new possibilities and create a place where women in our community can learn and connect.
Since launching in 2019, TGIF has hosted more than 22 events, welcomed over 55 remarkable speakers and collectively engaged more than 1,700 women.
Each event consistently draws a sold-out crowd of 150 women excited to broaden their horizons.
Creating Deeper Connections
What’s been the best part of your midlife pivot?
The opportunity to work with extraordinary women and help them frame and share their stories in the most impactful ways.
I love the ripple effect that allows our speakers to transform and touch so many women’s lives.
What experiences prepared you for this pivot?
I’m a public speaker and philanthropist as well as a retired CEO.
It’s this combination of 40 years of experience that has allowed me to coach powerful women for impact and engagement with the broader community.
What would you tell yourself right before making this pivot?
Just go for it!
There is nothing standing in your way but you.
The Best Part of This Chapter
What’s your favorite thing about this stage of life that you never expected?
I love the impact I can make unapologetically.
And I’m inspired by creating a profoundly loving and inspiring impact for my grandchildren, now ages 4 and 2.
What have you stopped caring about?
Not being included.
What does success look like now compared with your 20s and 30s?
Success is striving to be my best self every day as me — and not comparing myself to others.
What’s Still Ahead?
What’s on your bucket list?
Moving back to Florida and having the opportunity to play more — with purpose.
Who has been your biggest source of inspiration?
Besides my mom, the women I’ve met along the way over the last seven years.
They’re women who are making a difference in their communities and in the world at large.
How do you celebrate the small wins?
My happy place is Canyon Ranch.
I take myself there — by myself — three or four times a year to recharge and reunite with my love of exercise, cooking, hiking and spirituality.
What’s currently speaking to your soul?
I’m always in the middle of several books at the same time!
Right now: Let Them, Melania, The Little Liar and The Four Agreements.
Wisdom to Share
What advice would you give another woman considering her own midlife pivot?
Don’t fight it.
Find a path that can bring new friendships and joy. I love making new friends at this stage in my life.
Barbara’s story started with something many women experience but don’t always talk about: feeling lonely, even when life looks full from the outside.
Instead of accepting surface-level connection as enough, she created the kind of community she was looking for.
And seven years later, thousands of conversations, new ideas and friendships have grown from that decision.
Maybe one of the best things about midlife is realizing that if something is missing from your life, it’s not always too late to go looking for it.
Sometimes, you might even be the person who creates it. 💗
Ready to go beyond “Hi, how are you?” and see what Barbara has created? Learn more about Teach Give Inspire Fridays [here].