Lynch joined MPW members for a call last week to introduce herself to the community—and share what it’s like to go from leading a Fortune 10 company to being out on her own. Lynch left CVS in October 2024 amid struggles at the healthcare business. She became CEO in 2021 after a long career in insurance, arriving at CVS through its acquisition of Aetna. Her role as CEO made CVS Health the largest company ever led by a female chief executive. With her departure, there are no longer any women-led businesses in the Fortune 10.

“When you step out of the CEO chair, it’s incredibly quiet. You go from having a lifetime of scheduled 15-minute, 30-minute blocks to suddenly—there’s so much space in your day,” she told us.

At first that felt “really strange,” Lynch reflected. “It was hard and difficult because you’re going 1,000 miles an hour and then you’re stopping,” she said. Eventually, though, the loss turned into an opportunity. “It gave me time to reflect and pause, and it became, quite frankly, a gift.”

With her newfound time, Lynch has been serving on boards, supporting other firms through CEO succession, making the rounds as a speaker, and establishing a leadership institute. And, of course, supporting Fortune MPW by offering her years of business experience and earned wisdom to our community.

Lynch will share more lessons and reflections at the MPW Summit in Washington, D.C. Oct. 13-15. Stay tuned!

Emma Hinchliffe
emma.hinchliffe@fortune.com

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