The strategy behind every leap

In today's fast-paced job market, the idea of leaping your career (making a strategic move to a new role or company), might seem like something to do when you're unhappy, stuck, or facing an uncertain future. But what if I told you that the best time to leap your career is when you don't need to? Many professionals make the mistake of waiting until they’re dissatisfied or feel their job is at risk before they start considering their next move. However, the most successful car

Roughly 1 in 3 working Americans now have some kind of side hustle, according to a survey from LendingTree of more than 2,000 U.S. adults — and they’re making an average of $1,242 a month.

For decades, the blueprint for a successful career was linear: climb the ladder, secure the title and remain loyal to the institution. But as AI disruption accelerates, that ladder is no longer safe nor provides everything individuals want from their career. For example: meaning, satisfaction, independence, freedom, impact, generational wealth. We are witnessing a quiet crisis among mid-career leaders who built their entire identity around a single employer. When that pillar

Those in tech intimidated by the role that artificial intelligence will play in their jobs or careers are encouraged to chase ‘portfolio careers’, defined as a career compromising of a variety of roles rather than one position at a single organization. In the same way that financial advice may include ‘diversifying your portfolio’ to create a stream of different incomes, portfolio careers are built around combining multiple paid roles to ensure consistency and that workers re

Lately, I keep hearing the same thing from people who, on paper, are doing well. They have strong resumes, good titles, jobs they once worked hard to get, and yet the conversations keep circling back to the same unease. What happens if this role changes? What happens if it disappears? What happens if the skills that built this career stop being enough? AI has a way of making those questions feel urgent, sometimes uncomfortably so. That is why Ilana Golan’s work caught my atte

Ilana Golan’s innovative platform provides tools for success in today’s job market. Ageism is an unpleasant reality for many professionals searching for new career opportunities. As industries evolve and new technologies emerge, seasoned professionals often find themselves facing biases about their age, experience, or adaptability. Leap Academy, a career development platform founded by Ilana Golan, believes that age does not diminish skill or value; in fact it can be a huge a

The ability to navigate career transitions, build personal brands, and unlock new opportunities has never been more critical. Traditional paths like MBAs and formal leadership training often fall short when it comes to offering the personalized, fast-tracked solutions that modern professionals need. Enter Leap Academy, a platform designed to meet individuals exactly where they are and propel them forward in their careers. Founded by Ilana Golan, an entrepreneur and the first

Ageism is a significant issue that can profoundly impact careers. However, with a strategic and intentional approach, you can turn your age

In today's competitive job market, establishing a strong personal brand and reputation is essential,

Realizing your career dreams requires more than just wishful thinking; it demands a strategic approach and unwavering committment.

Career fulfillment is a journey, not a destination.

If you’re an entrepreneur trying to grow or start your business, keep reading… Picture this: I was working from a clumsy bed tray with a weird hanging light, feeling pretty overwhelmed. I was about to go live with Leap Academy, but fear had me paralyzed. Fast-forward three years, and we won the Startup of the Year award. We were invited to an award ceremony in New York for our impact and growth, and even had a few moments of glory on the NASDAQ tower. Today, my office looks

My top ten picks of books for leaders that I've read.

A fascinating interview with Rania Vice President at Intuit on Empowering Leadership

A few years ago, I sold my startup. At first, there was a huge sense of relief and excitement. But quite quickly this turned into fear and doubt. I realized my entire life, I identified myself as my job or my title. I believe many of us do this. In events and conferences introducing myself was easy – I was “Ilana the VP of…”, “Ilana the founder & CEO”. Now I was just Ilana. If the question of ‘What do you do’ came up, I would cringe. What should I say? That I have absolutely

A few years ago I was working as an executive in a company when a friend approached me to start a tech company together. Excited, I rolled up my sleeves and jumped right in. A few months later we raised $700,000 from investors! “This can’t be real!”, I jumped with sheer joy and immediately quit my job. Little did I know that same day I will also be kicked out of the business. I was left with No Salary, No Startup and No Investment. OMG the downhill spiral! How could this happ

You will notice its actually not easy to think of everything you went through in the last decade. A decade is a long time! But when you do, you will gain some great insights into what makes you truly unique, happy, when do you achieve greater things, in what cases do you feel proud, etc. The best part is that this will help you plan the future. I don't believe we can plan a decade in advance but you can plan your next 2-3 years and own your plan for growth. At Leap Academy we