With Gratitude

Many of you who know me know the ocean, sun, and sand are three of my favorite things. In fact, one of my favorite little shops in my favorite little beach town is called Where Salt Meets Soul. That is truly where my soul and heart feel most at peace. Basking in the sun, listening to the waves come in . . . That’s my happy place. But just as the sun sets each day, so too must other beautiful, meaningful things, including my time at The Kim Foundation.

I joined The Kim Foundation in 2011 and have been in awe of the transformation that has taken hold. Not just within our organization, but throughout the community with the evolution we have seen around mental health promotion and suicide prevention. One of my first goals was to break down silos between organizations with the belief that we are stronger together; and together, we can have a much more significant impact on our community. I quickly learned that one of the most important roles The Kim Foundation could play was to serve as a connector. So that is the path I followed.

While The Kim Foundation has seen tremendous growth in my 13 years here, we were never alone on the journey. The partnerships and relationships we built along the way allowed for the growth and success we experienced on the local, state, and national levels. All of you . . . team members, community partners, educators, law enforcement, volunteers, supporters, brave community members willing to share your stories, colleagues, and friends . . . you all are what made this such a success, and helped elevate the work I led here, and I will miss you dearly.

I hope that each of us takes with us these reminders as I move on . . .

• We built this together. Each and every one of us.
• Collective impact will always have far more success and create much more sustainable change than one organization or person doing it alone.
• Hope, trust, and positivity will produce greater results than the alternative.
• There is still work to be done!

For those of us in this field, we don’t do it because it is glamorous or easy. We don’t do it to become rich. We do it day in and day out because our hearts are tied to this work. Our personal passions and desires for a healthier, stronger community for all drive us to keep coming back. So, while I’m going to find a little peace for my soul now . . . I can’t wait to see, and be a part of, the amazing impact and change that will continue to happen in this great community.

Serving as the Executive Director at The Kim Foundation has been an incredible honor I will carry forward for years to come. Please take care and know that thank you does not begin to express the gratitude that I feel for all of you.