A Life Reoriented: How Annette Found Leadership in Letting Go

When Annette Bergeon began her professional journey, she was driven, ambitious, and deeply committed to excellence. With an undergraduate and master's degree in engineering, followed by an MBA, she was laser-focused on what the world told her would bring fulfillment: prestige, financial success, and career advancement. She worked for global corporations like Chrysler and BASF, poured herself into high-level projects, and thrived in international business.  

But God had other plans.

"Everything came to a halt," Annette recalled. "I realized I couldn't be the employee I wanted to be and the mother I wanted to be at the same time."

After the birth of her twin sons, and later her daughter, Annette stepped away from the career she had spent years building. For many, this would have felt like an ending. For Annette, it was the beginning of a deeper, more transformational kind of leadership—one not defined by boardroom success, but by surrender, service, and spiritual clarity.
 

The Unexpected Path to Leadership

During her nearly two decades focused on motherhood, Annette wasn’t actively seeking a return to work. But she did find something that would change the trajectory of her life again: an Endow group.

"What began as a small gathering of women to study Church documents turned into a transformative community," she said. "It was a journey of self-discovery, of faith, and of finding a group of women to do life with."

Annette never imagined that ten years after joining that group, she would be offered the position of CEO of Endow itself—a ministry focused on the intellectual and spiritual formation of Catholic women. She wasn’t looking for a title or a new resume entry. But the mission had taken root in her heart, and the call was clear.

"When the board reached out, I wasn’t looking to go back to work," she said. "But I couldn’t say no. I knew the fruit this apostolate could bear, because I had lived it myself."
 

Discernment as a Daily Discipline

Annette’s journey didn’t come without tension. Her story reflects a challenge familiar to many Catholic leaders: how do we balance vocation, family, and the desire to lead with integrity?

"The biggest challenge throughout my professional journey has been finding balance," she admitted. "I'm driven by nature. I want to give my best to everything I do. But that same drive can pull you in too many directions if you’re not discerning carefully."

She spoke candidly about how many women, especially those gifted with a desire to give, can fall into the trap of trying to "do it all."

"It’s one of the downsides of the feminine genius," she said. "Because of our generosity and receptivity, we want to pour ourselves out for everything—and everyone."

Her advice to other leaders? Lean into prayerful discernment. "Ask the Lord what He is calling you to in this season. It might be different from last year or five years from now. And then, once you know—follow it wholeheartedly."
 

Redefining Success

When Annette stepped back from corporate life, there were voices who warned her she was making a mistake.

"People told me I’d never reach my full potential, that I was giving up too much," she remembered. "But I’ve learned that we often don’t know what will bring us true joy. God does."

In her role at Endow, Annette has poured her leadership into forming other women—helping them discover who they are in Christ and what God is asking of them.

"We talk to women every day whose lives have been changed by this apostolate," she said. "Once you know who you are, once you know that God has a plan for your life, your first instinct is to pursue that with everything you have."

One of the most powerful moments of her leadership came at Endow's 20th Anniversary Gala, which brought together board members, founders, donors, clergy, and religious to celebrate the impact of the mission.

"The Holy Spirit’s presence was palpable," she said. "It was a celebration not just of Endow's work, but of the dignity of women as expressed in the writings of John Paul II. I felt so humbled to carry on what our founders began."
 

Grounded in Scripture, Guided by Grace

Annette points to John 10:10 as the verse that shapes her outlook on life and leadership: 

"I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."

"People often see Christianity as a set of rules or restrictions," she said. "But the more I’ve followed the Lord’s call, the more joyful and fulfilled I’ve become. And the opposite is also true—the more I’ve chased what the culture promotes, the more unfulfilled I felt."

For Annette, abundant life doesn’t mean ease or prosperity—it means purpose. It means letting God write a better story than the one she had planned.
 

Leadership Rooted in Identity

Annette is quick to point to the people who shaped her: her immigrant parents, who encouraged her to pursue excellence without limitations; the mentors who saw her potential before she did; the spiritual directors who helped her integrate faith into every part of life; and her husband, who has supported her unwaveringly for over 28 years.

"Throughout our marriage—whether I was working or not—he always asked, 'What’s best for you and for our family?' That kind of support changes everything."

But perhaps the most consistent influence in her life has been God’s gentle, guiding voice. "It’s never been one big epiphany for me. It’s been a steady tuning in to what the Lord is asking. That’s what real leadership is."
 

Wisdom for Fellow Legatus Members

To her fellow Legatus members—men and women striving to integrate faith, family, and leadership—Annette offers both encouragement and challenge.

"Leadership isn’t just about achievement," she said. "It’s about forming others. It's about knowing your identity and helping others discover theirs. It's about saying yes to God—even when the path looks nothing like what you expected."

She also sees great potential in forming the next generation. One of her most exciting projects is helping to develop Endow's Quinceañera Formation Program for young Latinas—introducing them to the truths of their dignity and faith at a formative age.

"So many women tell us, 'I wish I had known this sooner,'" she said. "We’re working to make sure the next generation does."
 

A Story Still Unfolding

Annette's story is far from over. And if her past is any indication, the chapters ahead will continue to surprise.
But one thing is clear: her life—reoriented around Christ, poured out in service, and led with conviction—is a powerful witness to what it means to lead not just with excellence, but with eternal purpose.


"I could have never scripted this story," she said. "But the Lord knew. And it’s been far more beautiful than anything I could have imagined."