Room
6. Leadership
PRESS KIT
THE STORY
SILVER SAGE®
THE PATH
THE PROBLEM
THE OPPORTUNITY
LEADERSHIP
STORY ANGLES
FAQ
BRAND ASSETS
PRESS RELEASES
MEDIA INQUIRIES
Maureen O’Brien maureen@silverawakening.com www.silverawakening.com
The Silver Sages®
SILVER AWAKENING was created by four women who are not simply studying life after 50—they are living it. Each brings decades of experience, hard-earned perspective, and a deep understanding of what it means to navigate change, reinvention, and possibility in this chapter of life. Through decades of careers and life experiences, they have navigated success and setbacks, reinvention and loss, relationships and new beginnings. Their collective expertise gives SILVER AWAKENING depth and credibility; their lived experience gives it heart. Together, they are creating a new framework for women 50+—with an invitation to step into their SILVER SAGE®.
DIANE MANNING
Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Diane Manning is a business executive, brand strategist, public speaker, and entrepreneur with more than 25 years of experience building and scaling ventures, leading advertising agencies, developing brands, and creating integrated marketing strategies for domestic and international markets.
At SILVER AWAKENING, Diane leads the company’s vision, strategy, operations, partnerships, finance, and legal functions while shaping the brand’s mission to empower women through self-discovery, renewal, and next-chapter reinvention.
Diane holds a BA in Interdisciplinary Social Science from the California Institute of Integral Studies.
SHARON RYAN
Co-Founder, President & Chief Curriculum Officer
Sharon Ryan is an educator, workshop leader, midlife coach, and transformational guide who helps women explore wholeness—mind, body, heart, and spirit.
Drawing on experience in corporate leadership, operations, business development, emotional intelligence, embodiment practices, yoga, Reiki, and transformational work, Sharon designs learning experiences that help women deepen self-trust, awaken inner wisdom, and approach the next chapter with clarity and purpose.
Sharon holds certifications in Emotional Intelligence, Neuro-Linguistic Programming, and Midlife Coaching from Symbiosis Coaching Institute, is a certified 200-hour Yin Yoga instructor and Reiki Master, and holds a BA in Interdisciplinary Social Science from the California Institute of Integral Studies.
MAUREEN O’BRIEN
Chief Communications Officer
Maureen O’Brien is a strategic leader in marketing, communications, revenue growth, organizational change, and brand development. She has led brand repositioning, digital transformation, enrollment growth, and multi-unit operations across higher education and early childhood organizations.
At SILVER AWAKENING, Maureen leads communications and storytelling, helping bring the SILVER AWAKENING philosophy and the SILVER SAGE® archetype to a broader audience.
Maureen holds an MBA from Johns Hopkins University Carey Business School, a BA in Journalism from the University of Georgia, and a Certificate in The Science of Well-Being from Yale University.
PATCH GARCIA
Chief Culture & Community Officer
Patch Garcia brings decades of leadership experience across sustainability and clean-energy ventures, where she has helped build organizations, restructure businesses, strengthen workforce engagement, and cultivate people-centered cultures.
At SILVER AWAKENING, Patch oversees culture, hiring, and talent development while helping create an organizational environment rooted in authenticity, purpose, and meaningful human connection.
Patch holds a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies from the California Institute of Integral Studies.