In the winter of 2024, Lee Ann walked 235 miles alone across Portugal and Spain, through rain, cold, and terrain she hadn’t anticipated, carrying everything she needed on her back. In this contemplative presentation, Lee Ann draws on her Camino experience to offer a set of Pilgrim’s Principles for anyone navigating a season of change, loss, or uncertainty. You don’t need a passport or a backpack. You just need to be willing to look at your own life through the eyes of a pilgrim. Because here’s what she learned: you don’t need to leave home to embark on life’s pilgrimage Lee Ann Franklin is a transition guide, spiritual companion, hospice chaplain & grief counselor, and founder of Second Act Soul Coaching. Her work supports individuals and communities navigating seasons of change, whether prompted by loss, uncertainty, career shifts, spiritual questioning, or the quiet sense that something new is emerging. Drawing on a background that bridges creativity, healthcare leadership, and spiritual care, Lee Ann brings a grounded, compassionate presence to the work of transformation. She previously served as a Creative Director and Innovation Leader at Hallmark Cards and later as Executive Director of Spiritual Care & Ethics at the county hospital system in Fort Worth, Texas. There, she accompanied patients, families, and staff through profound transitions, particularly during and after the pandemic. Lee Ann holds a Master of Divinity and an MBA and is board-certified in chaplaincy, with additional training in grief, ethics, and mindfulness. Her approach integrates wisdom, self-compassion, and gentle action; helping people meet life as it is, honor what has been, and move forward with clarity, courage, and grace.
