Rethinking the Path: Annette Schulz on Smart Risks and Everyday Legacy
Annette Schulz is a Partner at EY with over 20 years of consulting experience across eight countries. From academia and industry to high-impact consulting, she has explored a broad range of roles—and life stages. She is also a contributor to “Beyond the Ladder” and brings thoughtful perspective on what it means to evolve, stretch, and lead with intention. LinkedIn profile
The Story Behind the Episode
In this thoughtful conversation, Annette shares a pivotal moment in her career—a move from client-facing consulting to an internal leadership role in HR, overseeing 26 countries. She unpacks what it meant to choose a path outside her plan, how that decision shaped her understanding of leadership, and why asking “What if I don’t?” helped her reframe risk as possibility.
Her story is a reminder that reinvention doesn’t always mean changing everything—it can also mean applying your skills in a new way, expanding your view, and discovering unrecognized strengths. Annette talks candidly about being in a role where, at first, she didn’t understand the language, structure, or content of the meetings she was in—and how instead of retreating, she leaned into learning and built new capabilities that now enhance how she leads and advises.
We also discuss the pressure many women feel to have a perfect plan. Annette had one too: a clear, logical, step-by-step ladder she expected to follow. But what happens when that plan ends—and new opportunities don’t fit the map? Her ability to shift from linear thinking to a more fluid, integrated path allowed her to not only grow her own career but to help others do the same.
Throughout the episode, you’ll hear themes that resonate far beyond a job title: knowing your strengths, letting others in, asking for help, and staying open to where your potential might take you. Annette’s reflections on legacy are especially powerful—she speaks about optimism, generosity, and how the small moments of encouragement and support can leave lasting impressions.
🎧 Listen or Watch the Episode Here →
YouTube: https://youtu.be/6IYC9wbkoxo?si=M_75ugTkruySDmpO
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1Qhd6MuiwglMmozSzc5L9f?si=QLdmbe-ITiGbrEiwMMm0rw
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Guest: Annette Schulz
Annette Schulz is a Partner at EY with over 20 years of consulting experience across eight countries. From academia and industry to high-impact consulting, she has explored a broad range of roles—and life stages. She is also a contributor to “Beyond the Ladder” and brings thoughtful perspective on what it means to evolve, stretch, and lead with intention. LinkedIn profile
Shortened Transcript with Timestamps
00:10 – Annette reflects on her nonlinear path into consulting after working in industry and academia across eight countries.
04:15 – “What if I don’t?” – Annette discusses shifting her mindset to take bold career leaps.
06:45 – Moving into HR leadership across 26 countries and why she said yes.
08:10 – The steep learning curve, and why curiosity matters more than knowing it all.
10:00 – Building a supportive team and recognizing the power of different strengths.
13:30 – Applying HR lessons to coaching and supporting others today.
15:45 – The courage to reach out for help—and why Annette always says yes to others now.
18:00 – Gratitude for the mentors who saw something in her she didn’t see in herself.
22:45 – Legacy as optimism, generosity, and helping others shine.
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