In this powerful and personal talk, Rita Piçarra shares how the early loss of her parents led her to radically rethink success and stop postponing what truly matters. After a 22-year international career culminating as CFO of Microsoft Portugal, she chose to retire at 44 and build a more intentional life. Rita invites us all to stop waiting and start creating the future through ambition, collaboration, and purpose.
Rita Piçarra is a former CFO of Microsoft Portugal who reached financial independence and chose to retire at 44, after a 22-year career across five countries and multiple leadership roles. Her journey is a living example of how ambition, planning, and purpose can radically transform a life. Recognised as one of the top financial leaders in Microsoft Latin America, she left the corporate world not to slow down, but to create space for what truly matters. Rita now dedicates her time to inspiring others through speaking, writing, and volunteering — helping people design lives of intention and meaning. Her story is proof that the future doesn’t have to be postponed — it can be created, starting today. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
More from TED
- 12:41You Suck | Yibela Gebretsadik | TEDxWJHS YouthI’m a teenager applying to various colleges later this year, and during this process, I’ve had to curate an identity that I could present to these colleges. Thus began my journey of self-improvement—both physically and mentally. I wanted, and still want, to become the best version of myself so that when I apply to these colleges, I feel the utmost confidence in who I am.However, while on this journey to developing a true sense of confidence and identity, most teenagers and adults alike hit one major roadblock on the path to success: a lack of honesty. Many don’t get started because they refuse to accept either their current standing in life or how much they must do to achieve their goals.I’m here to teach those people exactly that.You don’t start with your looks, you start from within. You start with honesty. Hello everyone! My name is Yibela Gebretsadik. I am a rising senior aspiring to study International Relations at a four-year university during the fall next year. When not drowning in my studies, I participate in various extracurricular activities both outside and inside of school! My favorite thing to do is getting to know others from diverse backgrounds. And that’s where I found my love for public speaking - through representing these various communities. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 15:14How a charity challenge set me free | Jo Ferbrache | TEDxSt HelierThis talk will show you how a charity challenge can give you the purpose, accountability, and time frame to step outside your comfort zone and make lasting changes in your life. It’s not just about what you give up, but what you gain along the way. Jo is a transformational coach and public speaker who helps individuals reconnect with themselves by working with their mindset, movement, breath, and emotions. With years of experience as a business leader, including serving as Managing Director, Jo understands first-hand the pressures of high-level performance and the toll it can take on both mind and body. After a charity challenge catalysed her own life transformation, she now empowers clients to let go of what's no longer serving them - limiting beliefs and fears holding them back - and offers practical tools to reduce stress, embrace the present moment, and live authentically. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
