About Us
We, the authors of this book (Marlene and Jill), are both executive and leadership coaches and business owners for over 25 years. We have helped thousands of people to transition into new roles with success. We are both individuals who have chosen to continue to pursue work opportunities as part of a life well lived. Both of us transitioned into our coaching businesses following leadership roles in large organizations in our mid-late 50’s.
Our mission is to encourage and support vital, active people of retirement age who are not ready to hang up their skates.
As life-long learners and dedicated leaders and coaches, we believe that work is a vital part of a life well-lived. We saw the need for support system for other leaders who also are not keen to have a traditional retirement. Hence the book Too Sharp to Shelve and its associated services.
Marlene Durrell, M.Ed, PCC
Over the years, Marlene has been a teacher, real estate agent, outplacement counselor, HR executive, a certified coach and coach trainer, and currently is a leadership coach and author. The bulk of her coaching has been in the private, for-profit and non-profit sectors. She enjoys working with leaders who are making a difference. As a relentless learner, she brings a deep tool kit of approaches and perspectives that challenge and inspire her clients. They keep coming back level after level as they evolve their leadership careers.
Jill Davis, MPA, PCC
Jill’s career and leadership journey began as leader of a typing pool. After earning her BA, she became senior editor for a US Army military planning agency. Soon thereafter, she became a military planner, a team leader and then Director of a military planning studies and analysis agency. Her final job in the public sector was as Director of Strategic Planning for the US Army Corps of Engineers—at that time a 35,000-employee organization. She planned her transition to the private sector by earning her coaching certificate from Georgetown University. Since then, she has focused on supporting leaders as they transition through their careers.
Our Wish For You
We sincerely hope that you find our book useful and that you are inspired to create a life you will love and are proud of.