A former title does not need to become the opening sentence of every new introduction.

Who you were at work can turn into a permanent preface. It happens for good reasons: the title was hard won, and it fills a silence you are not sure how to fill now. But leading with it keeps the conversation pointed backward and quietly asks people to grieve with you before they know you. Most of what made you good at that job is still present without the label attached.

Try an introduction this week that says what you are interested in rather than what you used to be. Keep the history for when it is relevant. Notice how the second question changes.