Dear Bob,

As you are well aware, a huge amount of our company’s history and success was managed “from the neck up” with highly competitive analytical excellence. Turns out that is not really my forehand. Sure, I can keep up and had great educational experiences to bolster. However, it was my gut and feel for what might be or what someone might need that was my north star.

Dear Ann,

Your role was tough… sitting between client and agency. The diplomacy required spanned a gamut of topics from the strategic to mundane. Everything from which idea to pursue to what color something might be may be up for debate. Beyond the internal players we also had a swirling array of audiences from regulators, lawyers, partners… who might want to jump into the fray.

Dear Chuck,

It was a total surprise to find I was pregnant with twins.  As a first timer, I was blissfully ignorant of the slightly higher stakes of a multiple version.  I was given books to read, advice of trusted doctors and tips from other moms.  However, the best, most unique and generous gift of all was the yogurt you used to quietly leave at my desk.

Dear Methodist Hospital Maternity Nurses,

Waking up in the middle of the night, in a post-surgery haze, wearing paper underwear with a large incision across your belly is a very strange experience.  Multiple times, over a 48 your period it was your job to coax me past my confusion to try to begin to master the scariest, but most rewarding thing I ever done- caring for every need of my newborn babies.  Yes babies… mine came in a pair.  

Dear Marc,

You imparted all kinds of pearls of wisdom during our roughly 20 years together.  Your office door was always open and I knew I would leave with something to think about.

Dear Ellie,

I’m not sure of the exact moment when Amelia and Alayna met you but it all began in 1st grade.  Often described as their “triplet” you three were quite the force. I just wanted you to know that I’m really grateful that you came into their life.

Dear Delta Flight Attendants,

I’m lucky.  I travel often and I mostly get to travel in Delta’s care.  As a Minneapolis resident I have had a front row seat to your impressive rise from Northwest’s near bankruptcy to where you are today.  You are in a profession where people really remember when things go wrong and rarely think about how miraculous it is that it goes just as planned literally millions of times a year.

Dear Ayala Bar,

My collection of your beautiful necklaces started in an airport shop over ten years ago.  I fell in love with the beautiful designs, weightless materials that were easy to wear and travel with and your story.  Overtime, your pieces went far beyond my love of clothes and became a treasured way of inviting and enjoying the many remarkable women in my life.  

Dear?

Not sure of the year or even the location. Picture a large hotel ballroom, early on a mid-week morning buzzing with the energy of approximately 300 women who have come together for a day of mentorship, learning and inspiration. I enjoy public speaking and a room like this one always felt welcoming and friendly. I was asked to be here to simply share my story and hopefully mentor and inspire.

Dear Christy,

It was a surprise and flattering to be asked to be a periodic advisor to your family’s businesses.  I learned a lot and hope I was helpful.  Somewhere along the way you suggested I continue this evolution of my leadership perspective to join YPO- a worldwide network of privately held business leaders.  

Dear Cousin Gilly,

I have thought about writing this letter for years and have found it very difficult to find the words.  Our brief and emotional meeting was a very important moment in my life.  Please know I share these words from a place of respect, peace and gratitude.  

Dear Irving and Toby Rosenblum,

I have no idea how Ken’s parents would have felt about our marriage and blending of our families.  I so regret that both had passed long before all of you came into my life.  Today, I regret that Irving has since passed before I got around to sharing this letter.

Dear Lowenthal and Fox Families,

Paper bags, cow masks and penny toys were not what I expected at a Passover Sedar!  Such a creative way of amplifying the script of this occasion with a memorable tradition.  I was welcomed and reassured by your families’ warm invitation to participate and learn.  

Dear John, 

"By the time I recognize this moment, this moment will be gone".  Such a stroke of genius and a mantra I often speak to myself to be sure to stop, listen, try, learn and do. 

Most Fridays for the last fourteen years, my husband’s last stop before heading home is to pick up one of your delicious loaves of Challah wrapped in a paper bag marked “Rosenblum” set aside for his often-harried last -minute arrival.  It is not only my favorite part of our Friday night Shabbat dinner- it weekly makes our house a home. 

Dear Max,

I regret it has been years since I’ve seen you in either your Denver or Aspen store.  I’ve always loved your beautifully and thoughtfully curated collections of clothes and your much broader spirit of generosity to give back and serve.

Dear Sir Martin,

It’s hard to reinvent yourself for the last chapter of your career.  When I was asked to pivot from President to CMO, from generalist to functional expert, from a “suit” to a “ponytail”, you were a constant source of support, advice and encouragement. 

Dear Joanna,

When most us were a bit mystified and a little mad about the disruption, delight, distraction and dark side of the digital age, you were my beacon.  From those gifs on your treadmill to your intimate stories of mentorship you grabbed and grasped the bits and bytes of the social media reigns with ease.

Dear Joanna,

When most us were a bit mystified and a little mad about the disruption, delight, distraction and dark side of the digital age, you were my beacon.  From those gifs on your treadmill to your intimate stories of mentorship you grabbed and grasped the bits and bytes of the social media reigns with ease.

Dear Riley,

As my mom always said, perfect isn’t loveable.  None the less, it was just plain lovely to have your constant companionship, loyalty and reinforcement that maybe, perhaps in your world, I was kind of close.