Giving Back Feels So Good!
How a chance encounter led me to a purpose-filled retirement
We all need something in retirement that keeps us curious, active, and connected. For me, that something turned out to be giving back, in a way that’s meaningful, challenging, and unexpectedly perfect.
I spend a huge chunk of my time on Koh Lanta supporting Lanta Animal Welfare (LAW), a charity close to my heart. I didn’t set out to become deeply involved. I just followed an opportunity to help, and discovered how much I could offer, and how much it gave back in return.
From Tech Career to Animal Rescue CFO
My background is in technology, but I also hold an MBA and a PhD in Business. I know how to stabilize and grow a struggling business. So when I learned that LAW, a small but growing animal rescue on the island, was at risk of closing due to financial strain, I knew I could help.
Unlike many volunteer roles that get assigned, the folding of brochures or taking attendance, this one let me put my real skills to work. And the fact that it involved cats? Even better. I jumped in with both feet.
Reconnecting With Junie
Years earlier, I’d taken a Thai cooking class at a place called Time for Lime, where I met Junie Kovacs, the charismatic founder of the school. We connected briefly, but when I returned the next season, the school had disappeared. This was pre-Facebook, so there was no easy way to track her down.
Fast forward a decade, and I heard from a friend that “the farang (foreign) woman who ran a cooking school” had started an animal rescue. That had to be Junie. I began learning more about what she was doing, and I saw the changes on the island firsthand. There were fewer strays, lots of healthier animals, and no more wild packs on the beaches. It was impressive.
Then one night over dinner, fate stepped in.
A Serendipitous Reunion
On the last night before a trip back to Canada, I was out for dinner with a friend. As we were finishing up, a woman joined our table, someone I didn’t recognize. She was friendly, settled in, and after ordering wine, turned to me and said, “Finally, we meet again.”
It was Junie.
Her voice brought it all back. A blend of West Coast U.S. and Scandinavian, that was instantly familiar. She told me she’d been quietly keeping tabs on me through mutual friends, even learning that I’d battled cancer and completed my Ph.D.
As we caught up, she opened up about her challenges with the charity. Rising costs, uncertain funding, and the terrifying thought of having to shut down. What would happen to the animals? The thought of releasing them back into the jungle was unbearable.
She didn’t say it outright, but I realized: she needed help.
From Crisis to Clarity
As I listened, something clicked. The real issue wasn’t the animals, it was that the organization wasn’t financially sustainable. It was a business problem, not a rescue problem. LAW had been operating for about eight years. They had a great facility, a team of dedicated medical staff, and plenty of volunteers. The cooking school had been successful and brought in funding. They had donors.
But the structure was fragile.
I ordered another glass of wine and told Junie to give me a moment to gather my thoughts.
Then I offered to help.
Becoming CFO of Lanta Animal Welfare
What started as a conversation over dinner turned into a 10-year journey. I worked closely with Junie, her team, and the volunteers to stabilize the charity. We improved the financial systems, grew donor support, and eventually earned the backing of major foundations in the UK and Europe.
Once LAW had a solid financial foundation and enough in the bank, I thought I could quietly step away.
But I didn’t want to.
I loved the work. It was meaningful and fulfilling, especially knowing it was helping animals. Junie had one more ask: would I take over as Chief Financial Officer?
Absolutely.
To this day, I’m incredibly proud to say I’m the CFO of Lanta Animal Welfare, a truly remarkable animal rescue charity in Thailand.
What I Actually Do (Hint: Not Petting Cats All Day)
I don’t “work” there, at least not in the traditional sense. I help from home, usually on the deck of Happy Cat Villa, managing financial systems, assisting with fundraising strategies, and writing much of the charity’s public communication.
It’s all remote now. Most of what I set up runs online, so I rarely go to the center. But I’m still deeply involved, especially when things get complicated. And I’m glad to be.
Through my involvement with LAW, I’ve met a wide network of people: resort owners, local officials, and representatives from international foundations. I've connected with kindhearted donors, passionate animal lovers, and volunteers from around the world.
And all of this, all of it, stemmed from a chance meeting over dinner.
Why Giving Back Feels So Good
If you’re retired or planning for it, I can’t recommend volunteering enough. Especially in a way that uses your professional experience and/or passions. Here are five reasons why:
It Feels Good to Give Back
There’s no better feeling than knowing your time and talents are helping someone, or something, in need.It Gives Us Purpose
Having a goal or responsibility keeps us motivated, even on days when nothing else is planned.It Nurtures Our Passions
Maybe your career didn’t reflect your real interests. Now’s your chance to lean into what you love.It Makes Us Feel Valuable
We all want to feel useful. Contributing to something meaningful builds confidence and self-worth.It Provides a Sense of Accomplishment
At the end of the day, seeing the impact of your efforts is deeply satisfying.
Check out an article I wrote about the Benefits of Volunteering over 60.
Make a Difference in Your Own Way
Retirement is the perfect time to focus on something beyond yourself. Whether it’s a charity, teaching a skill, organizing a community group, or walking shelter dogs. You can make a difference.
Start small. Say yes to something. Be open to where it leads.
You never know, you might end up CFO of an animal rescue in Thailand.
Retirement in Paradise: Meet Mona Haymaker
I’ve known Mona since the year of the Tsunami. I was on my morning beach run when I saw a group of people doing yoga at the far end of the beach. It was surprising as the island was empty that year – and here were 25 very fit people doing warrior positions. Of course I went up to them to say Hi. That started my multi-decade friendship with Mona.
Age: 71
From: Born in Oklahoma, lived in Los Angeles, USA
Retired from: Financial Advisor, Yoga Instructor
Living in: Koh Lanta, Thailand
Interview: Mona Haymaker – The Little Girl from Oklahoma
From a financial advisor and a yoga instructor, Mona found the life she was meant to live on a quiet island in Thailand.
A Feeling You Just Know
Mona Haymaker first came to Koh Lanta in 2002, and like many of us who’ve ended up living here, she knew instantly: this was where she’d retire.
She wasn't ready to stop working back then, but she got “the feeling.” That quiet inner certainty. She would return. And when the time was right, she did.
After several trips around Southeast Asia, Mona made Koh Lanta her permanent home. In the early years, she taught yoga at resorts across the island. These days, she continues her practice from her own private studio, set right in her home.
Island Life with Boss
Mona’s house is surrounded by nature, with sliding glass doors at the front that make it feel like she’s living outdoors. She shares the space with Boss, her beloved dog. And yes, he lives up to the name. With three walks a day, he runs the show.
Their mornings start early with a quiet beach walk — the sea just five minutes from their home. Afterward, Mona rolls out her mat for a daily yoga practice that has kept her fit, strong, and surprisingly powerful for someone so petite. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s still doing the headstands I saw her master years ago during a beach yoga class.
A Day in Mona’s World
Her days are simple and relaxed. Yoga is a daily staple either mornings or afternoons. She volunteers a few mornings a week at a local animal rescue charity. Mona often meets friends for lunch, or tends to chores around the house. Boss, of course, gets a few more walks in before she winds down with a light dinner and an early night.
During the high season, her routine shifts a bit, especially when friends visit from abroad. She loves showing them around the island, though Boss’s walks always stay on schedule.
Fit, Strong, and Self-Reliant
When I asked Mona about her health, she gave me a look and quipped,
“Hopefully my lifestyle, a vegan diet and yoga, is my health insurance.”
And it shows. She’s lean, calm, and radiates the kind of strength that only comes from decades of mindful movement and conscious living.
Before retiring, Mona worked as a financial planner and advisor in Los Angeles. She made sure to build a modest but steady income stream to support her retirement. Nothing extravagant, she says, just enough to live comfortably here. And as we both know, it doesn’t take much to live well on Koh Lanta.
A Life She Couldn’t Have Back Home
One of the things Mona loves most is Koh Lanta’s remoteness. It gives a feeling of peaceful isolation without ever feeling truly cut off. “If I need to get to the mainland outside ferry hours,” she says, “I know that I can.”
Life here gives her freedom and flexibility, including luxuries she doubts she’d have had in the U.S. In fact, she says that if she were still living in the States, she might be homeless, unable to afford even a modest lifestyle.
But here? She has a peaceful home. A dog who keeps her moving. A yoga practice that keeps her grounded. And the space to live life entirely on her own terms.
Still That Little Girl from Oklahoma
On older family friend, back in Oklahoma, used to call her “the little girl from Oklahoma.” That little girl has grown into a strong, independent woman, living a full life halfway around the world, and loving every minute of it.
What’s Next
In my next newsletter (coming May 31st), I’m going to share how I try to stay healthy. Yes, I’m talking about exercise. That dreaded word that usually means sweat, strain, and no fun at all.
But here’s the twist: I’ve managed to turn the most boring part of my daily routine into something I actually look forward to. It’s fun, energizing, and has become one of the best parts of my day.
Curious how I pulled that off?
Stay tuned — it might just inspire you to lace up your shoes too.
It’s all good!
I can always dream.