Only way for someone like you is to tap into your network. If you have done 15+ years along with stints at Google etc, you must have worked with various people over these years and many of them may be in positions of authority. If you are looking to compete otherwise, there are 100 others like you who want the same thing. Just trying to give you an honest opinion.

Leveraging existing network is a given, but feels like I'm hitting a wall."

Why is that ? Think about where the roadblock is with your network and work on that. It is going to be very difficult to get huge consulting rates being in a far away timezone unless the clients already know you.