Follow the Leader (But Not Too Closely)

As many of my friends and colleagues know, I poured my heart and soul into organizing this year's Women in Leadership Conference. As the primary volunteer coordinator, I was behind the scenes making sure everything ran smoothly and each station had enough volunteers to support a large conference. Attendees who are not familiar with large scale event management cannot imagine how much energy I have put into this project in the past six months. So when I scrolled through the event photos this morning, I was hurt to find something glaringly absent: me. Logically, I know it wasn't a malicious oversight.  That doesn't make it sting any less. Especially when it stings because it mirrors the feeling I carry around every day: the feeling of being present, yet unseen. Let's do my debrief of the day of the conference, just gloss over all of the buildup events starting from January. It started early, 06:30, and my veins were filled with an unspecified energy drink. My binder, usua...

 The response to my last blog post, the one dedicated to Dr. Richard Fountain, was overwhelming. I was genuinely surprised, though perhaps I shouldn't have been. Dr. Fountain, as I'm reminded every time I attend a social event for the Pensacola business community, holds a special place in the hearts of many. (A testament to his profound impact.) The outpouring of stories and memories made me realize something about the true power of mentorship, and it prompted me to look beyond the present, to examine the threads of guidance woven throughout my life. Particularly I want my peers and colleagues to think about those mentors who are no longer with us. Those who have passed to the other side, leaving behind their legacies of wisdom and influence, but knowledge that they can no longer pass along to the next generation. There have been many people in my life who shaped the person I am today. Some of them, unfortunately, are no longer walking the earthly plane. So, this isn't just...