Let’s Change How the World Sees Women, Work, and Age Together

One Hundred to Five to Zero

I applied to over one hundred positions only to land 5 interviews and get zero interviews. And as an award-winning marketer, there was only one reason. I was seen as too old and that’s how it all began. Former mall marketing director turned pro-age speaker and today, I am also an award-winning entrepreneur and YouTube and podcast show host.

Barbara Brooks being interviewed on 9News about championing age inclusion and empowering women over 40.
Media & press info
Panel of six women speaking at a SecondActWomen event, discussing career and midlife topics on stage in a modern venue with attendees listening.

Former mall marketing director to pro-ager

What’s the Rest of My Story

In 2018, I saw a problem, and it wasn’t me.

Women in midlife were going unseen and unheard. Including myself. I simply could not land a job at only 51 and so, I created a social impact company called SecondActWomen that today, boasts a community of nearly 24,000 women and allies.

Living Agefully is the pro-age movement we’ve created and SecondActWomen is the home it lives in. As the voice that carries the message through speaking social media, our media property, The House of Middlescence and our insights arm, The 40+ Lab we’re here changing how the world sees us.

Midlife woman smiling while holding a sparkler in a cozy indoor setting, representing joy, confidence, and living agefully.

Women deserve more than a chance

What Drives Me

Following in my mother’s footsteps, I’m here to spark real conversations about BoomingGenXMillennial women today and give them, teams and communities the tools to think bigger, lead smarter, and live agefully at every stage.

I blend humor, data, and real talk to help audiences take action in the rooms I speak to.

A Few Highlights

  • Founder of SecondActWomen, a global community of more than 23,000 women and allies

  • Influencer in Aging by Next Avenue

  • Featured in Forbes, MarketWatch, Fast Company, CBS Colorado, and the Denver Post

  • Named one of Colorado’s Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Business

  • Named Top 10 Leaders in Diversity by the Denver Business Journal

  • Speaker at Microsoft, Hyatt, Frontier Airlines, and Colorado Startup Week

  • Mentor for the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Denver Business Journal

  • Creator of The 40+ Lab insights and strategy arm of the company

Ready to book me?
Barbara Brooks featured on the cover of Colorado Magazine alongside other influential women leaders.

My Company, SecondActWomen

SecondActWomen is the community and movement I created to amplify women in middlescence through events, content, and conversations that challenge age bias and celebrate experience.

Text reading 'SECOND ACT WOMEN' in red and black on a black background.
Women over 40 walking together outdoors to BizLifeCon SecondActWomen event, smiling and connecting in a casual community setting.

Let’s Work Together to Inspire Change and Action

Connect with me today

I don’t do fluff. I do fun while they learn

I don’t do fluff. My sessions combine humor, data, and real stories for the tough conversations that lead to transformation. AND, depending on the event, they’ll do a little work inside the session and potentially have ‘homework’ too!

Know that every keynote, every workshop, and every YouTube episode opens with one goal: to get people thinking and making change. It’s just how I roll.

And yes. That’s a miniature Pac-Man from my childhood.

Book me today. I'm ready to speak to your crew.
Barbara Brooks speaking at a client event, smiling while holding a small box on stage in front of a presentation screen.