Julio, Fatima, and Inji come from very different professional worlds, yet they share a common ground: a deep desire to contribute to a better world. These three inspiring stories show that it’s never too late to align your career with your purpose, and that changing direction, no matter how daunting it may seem, can lead to a more meaningful life.
Julio’s Story
At the age of 54, Julio Alonso Gil signed up for a career guidance seminar.
Behind him were 25 successful years in finance, which had brought him recognition, financial stability, and the opportunity to work abroad. His years in Nashville (USA), between 2012 and 2015, with his family, were rewarding. The following six months in Paris, however, with weekly travel to visit his family in southern Barcelona, were exhausting. Julio decided it was time for a change. He came to an agreement with his company and left.
He took a sabbatical year to reflect on the path he wanted to follow. He knew he didn’t want to get back on the corporate treadmill. He discovered that he wanted to use his skills in finance and management to create social value. “It was a world I didn’t know,” he admits.
It was during this time that he became a consultant in organisational change and crossed paths with Stone Soup Consulting. He felt no fear, no hesitation. “I had excellent references for Stone Soup, and my agreement with my former employer allowed me to take risks. I couldn’t go without work, but making money was no longer the priority.”
Eight years on, he feels proud and fulfilled. “I’ve learnt so much, met amazing people, and been involved in meaningful projects. I’ve achieved my purpose!” he says with satisfaction. Remote work has brought him a better quality of life. He believes his example has shown his children that “it’s important to work hard, but never forget that work is a means to live — not the other way round.”
This year, Julio retired at 63. He’ll mark the occasion with a solo motorbike trip to North Cape, Norway. He continues to volunteer as a pro bono consultant with ESADE Alumni Social (he is an ESADE graduate) and has joined Stone Soup’s Serendipity Network for former consultants.
“There’s still a lot I want to enjoy beyond work,” he assures.
Fatima’s Story
When Fatima Gholem chose to study Economics and Finance at the Catholic University of Paris, followed by European Studies at the Sorbonne, she already knew she wanted to work in international organisations: the UN, the European Union, or NGOs. She enjoyed her internship at the French NGO Frères des Hommes, but a year later, the private sector called. A headhunter offered her a role in the hedge fund industry, complete with perks like a company car, skiing holidays, and more. She said yes.
It took more than a decade for her to finally make the leap from private finance to the impact sector. Fatima worked in different companies and roles, in Luxembourg and the US. She oscillated between pride in her professional competence and frustration at working to increase the wealth of privileged clients.
“It was flattering for the ego, but I wasn’t happy. I didn’t feel useful to society. I felt I was betraying myself.”
One of the most difficult moments came during the subprime crisis, when she witnessed clients lose everything. As a form of therapy, she began writing about “the crazy situations I experienced.” She started a blog, anonymously at first, and later published under her own name on Amazon: Finance Whore: What is your price?
In 2017, she also launched her own company, Wise and Wired, to raise funds for foundations and NGOs. It was made possible thanks to a year-long unemployment allowance she received following a company restructuring. During the pandemic, she worked in online education. In 2022, she began working with ESSEC Business School as a consultant and trainer in social impact assessment. A year ago, she joined Stone Soup as a consultant, working from Biarritz, where she lives.
“It took time, but I made it. Success is not a straight road!” Fatima has developed new skills and feels recognised by her peers. “I feel fulfilled, aligned, and proud,” she says. She continues to write and already has the topic of her third book in mind. In 2023, she published Les Cendres et les Papillons, about the search for identity — fitting, as she has Algerian roots. She’s currently deepening her knowledge of Arabic and Middle Eastern cultures, preparing to work on women’s empowerment projects in the MENA region.
Inji’s Story
Unlike Julio and Fatima, Inji Elabd has always worked in the social innovation sector. Having studied at a Catholic girls’ school in Cairo, where she grew up, and inspired by her grandmother, a volunteer in an NGO, empathy was instilled in her from a young age.
She would have liked to study Translation but opted for Economics instead — and enjoyed it. After working on macroeconomic projects for the Egyptian government, it was her experience as an interpreter that opened the door to the development sector. In 2006, she completed a master’s in Economic and Development Studies in Spain, and a year later returned to Cairo to work for the Global Development Network of the World Bank and for Ashoka Social Entrepreneurs. She has been a freelance consultant since 2011 and has worked with Stone Soup for the last four years, based in Mexico City.
Inji has always enjoyed working with civil society organisations. She appreciates the warmth of professionals, the collaborative spirit, fieldwork, and the interaction with beneficiary communities. She’s been involved in fascinating projects and has travelled extensively. “That’s one thing I’m grateful to the sector for.” On the flip side, as a freelancer, she’s always faced financial instability and frequent requests to work pro bono. “We love the sector, but the sector doesn’t always love us back,” she confides.
When her son was born in 2018, she decided to work in the private sector. “I wanted to give him a good education and a stable life.” For two years, she worked as a consultant for two energy companies in impact assessment and risk mitigation. She didn’t enjoy it.
She felt there was no real interest in listening to communities or improving their conditions. “It wasn’t about the environment or people — it was just about risk mitigation and reputation management.” Inji is still open to working in the private sector, but only with companies that show a genuine commitment to social responsibility.
Julio, Fatima, and Inji met in person, away from laptop screens, during a Stone Soup consultant retreat in May 2024, on the outskirts of Madrid. Over two days, 29 consultants from Spain, France, Portugal, Tunisia, and Mexico shared life journeys, projects, and professional aspirations. There was a genuine curiosity about what unites them: a shared identity.
“It’s a lovely community. People lead from the heart. They’re not in it for the visibility or because social work is fashionable,” says Inji.
Julio values the professionalism; Fatima highlights the diversity, the adventurous spirit, and open-mindedness. They all appreciate the global scope of the projects.
From conversations under the trees emerged a common thread: the desire to contribute to a better world. That seems to be the key motivation for those who choose to strengthen civil society.
Julio encourages anyone dreaming of change, as he once did: “Don’t be afraid. If it’s what you truly want, find a way to do it.”
Inji suggests, “Come with an open heart, with humility and a willingness to learn — not to impose solutions.”
Fatima stresses the importance of patience: even small, gradual changes matter. “If you have a family to feed or a mortgage to pay, you don’t have to quit your corporate job tomorrow. Start by committing to change, like volunteer, engage in your community, be a good neighbour. That’s already a great start.”
About the Author
Sandra Costa is a Consultant at Stone Soup Consulting. She holds a degree in Communication Sciences and a postgraduate diploma in Political Science and International Relations. She has worked as a journalist for nearly 30 years and has been involved in the non-profit sector since 2001.
