About
LifeWork is where experience intersects with purpose.
Our team
B. Marc Allen
Co-founder and Vice Chairman
Co-founder and vice chairman of the LifeWork Board of Directors, Marc is a senior vice president at Boeing. He’s a committed global community leader with a passion for creating new pathways for late-stage workers in the U.S. to impact the communities where they live with the work they do. Marc is a Henry Crown Fellow of the Aspen Institute – which provided the spark for the LifeWork concept – and life member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He currently serves as chairman of the International Justice Mission, as a trustee for the Trilateral Commission, and as a director of the US/China Business Council and the US/India Strategic Partnership Forum.
Steve Brechbiel
Regional Director
As Regional Director, Steve is driving the mission of LifeWork in the Research Triangle. Joining LifeWork is his “second act” following a 35-year career that included leadership roles in corporate communication, human resources and community relations, first at Reichhold and then Quintiles (now IQVIA). Following early retirement in 2017, he spent two years taking long-term substitute teaching assignments in Wake County along with freelance work. A 32-year Triangle resident, he’s an example of the LifeWork life! Connect on LinkedIn.
Gary Earl
Co-Founder and Founding Executive Director
A co-founder of LifeWork, Gary serves as our executive director. Gary’s passion for health and wellness led him on a career journey as a senior executive with Cigna, United Healthcare and Anthem. In addition to LifeWork, he serves as an executive advisor to a number of healthcare-related firms. He also continues to focus on research, writing, presenting and facilitation on key topics such as: Wellness and Well-being, Enterprise Performance, Population Health, Organizational Leadership and Health Economics. Connect on LinkedIn.
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Our model
In partnership with businesses, we work with skilled, impact-minded employees approaching retirement, and provide guidance that allows them to identify the passion and purpose that will drive their “second act.” We can also match them with community organizations in need of their talents, in full-time, part-time, interim positions or consultative roles. Founded in 2018, LifeWork is a 501c(3) nonprofit. We do not charge individuals or nonprofit organizations to join our collaborative. Our fees for business partners are comparable to standard outplacement agencies.
Our benefit
The LifeWork difference is straightforward. Experienced professionals at the end of their corporate careers a new purpose and passion, a plus for them and their communities. We also connect mission-based organizations and skilled individuals at significant savings to comparable corporate costs for the talent. And companies provide a more comprehensive departure process that benefits both exiting and remaining employees, their community, and their reputation.
Our history
LifeWork Collaborative Foundation was conceived by Co-Founder and Vice Chairman B. Marc Allen during his studies at the Aspen Institute. In 2019, the organization conducted research and hosted Learning Labs in Raleigh to refine the idea. Local leaders in human resources, nonprofits, government agencies and large businesses participated along with early retirees and community organizers from the Research Triangle. Their feedback helped shape the LifeWork mission and supported a launch of the inaugural program in the Triangle.