The John Kim Bell Story: Conducting a New Chapter After 50
About the event
OVER 50 CAREER TRANSITIONS CONVERSATION: YOUR NEXT MOVEMENT *Conducting a New Chapter After 50*
\| THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2026 • 5:00–7:00 P.M.
| Blenz Café • 4198 Main Street, Vancouver | | ------------------------------------------ | |
WHY JOHN KIM BELL? Born on October 8, 1952, in Kahnawà:ke, Quebec, John Kim Bell became the first Indigenous person in North America to conduct a classical symphony orchestra. His life then expanded well beyond performance and conducting into Indigenous advocacy, philanthropy, education and institution-building. He founded the Canadian Native Arts Foundation, which evolved into today’s Indspire, helping to open pathways for Indigenous education and achievement across Canada.
Bell’s story matters to people over 50 because it shows that a career need not follow one straight line. Abilities developed in one chapter can travel into another; professional identity can grow rather than disappear; and personal achievement can become meaningful contribution to others.
| *If your working life were a piece of music, what might its next movement sound like?* | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | |
WHAT TO EXPECT ● A welcoming, facilitated conversation using Bell’s life as a backdrop for exploring change after 50. ● Brief individual reflection, followed by thoughtful discussion in pairs and small groups. ● Exploration of transferable strengths, changing roles, belonging, contribution and the possibilities of a "portfolio" life. ● A practical closing exercise to identify one small, realistic step toward your own next movement. ● Informal conversation and networking during the final 15 minutes. You can expect to leave with a clearer sense of what you want to carry forward, what you may be ready to release and how your accumulated experience might be used in a fresh way.
\| SPACE IS LIMITED
Please RSVP on the Meetup website. \| Lorne Prupas, Ph.D., A.C.C.
| Certified Executive Coach | | ------------------------- | |
