Chevron veteran turned coach advocates for creating safe spaces for men to grow, heal, and connect

SAN RAFAEL, CA / ACCESS Newswire / September 12, 2025 / After more than three decades leading global projects at Chevron, John Chipponeri is using his platform to advocate for something he believes is urgently needed: safe and supportive spaces for men to grow, heal, and connect.

Chipponeri, recently featured in a career spotlight article, is calling attention to men's work and recovery programs as critical tools for addressing the pressures men face in today's world.

"Leadership isn't about titles," Chipponeri said in the feature. "It's about empowerment, creating trust, building teams, and showing people that they matter. Men need that same sense of support in their personal lives too."

The Need for Men's Support Programs

Mental health experts point to a growing crisis among men. According to the American Psychological Association, men are four times more likely than women to die by suicide. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reports that nearly 9 million men in the U.S. struggle with alcohol use disorders. Despite these numbers, research shows men are far less likely to seek help.

Chipponeri sees this firsthand through his involvement in recovery programs and men's groups. "Men often feel they have to go it alone," he said. "But real growth and healing happen when men realize they don't have to carry everything by themselves."

A Career Shift with Purpose

After semi-retiring from Chevron in 2017, Chipponeri pursued advanced studies in the Enneagram and began working with individuals and groups on personal development. Today, he is completing his Narrative Enneagram Teacher Certification and continues to support men on men's teams and recovery spaces.

"Whether I was leading major capital energy projects or coaching a kids' soccer team, my goal was the same-help people succeed," Chipponeri said. "Now I focus on helping men succeed at being present, authentic, and whole. Through this I am becoming the man I truly want to be."

What People Can Do on Their Own

Chipponeri believes the first step doesn't require joining a program. "Start small," he said. "Talk to a friend. Take a walk without your phone. Reflect on what matters to you. That's men's work too."

Experts agree. Even simple steps-like journaling, exercise, or checking in with a trusted peer-can improve mental well-being.

A Call to Action

Chipponeri hopes his story inspires men to take action. "We don't need to wait for someone else to give us permission," he said. "Every man can begin his own work-whether that means asking for help, offering support, or simply making space for honest conversations."

For those ready to explore further, Chipponeri encourages people to seek out local men's circles, recovery groups, or personal growth workshops. He discovered his men's group on MeetUp.

"Men don't have to be alone in their struggles," he concluded. "When we show up for ourselves and each other, everyone benefits-relationships, families, workplaces, and communities."

To read the full interview, visit the website here.

About John Chipponeri
John Chipponeri is a seasoned business leader, coach, and mentor with more than 30 years of global experience at Chevron, where he managed multi-billion-dollar projects across the U.S., Asia, and Australia. A UC Berkeley engineering graduate with an MBA, he has blended technical expertise with leadership to guide teams through complex challenges. After semi-retiring, John shifted his focus to personal growth, coaching, and men's work, drawing on advanced studies in the Enneagram. Today, he supports individuals through men's work, recovery programs, and athletic coaching.

Contact:

info@johnchipponeri.com

SOURCE: John Chipponeri