Oh What a Night!

Oh What a Night, indeed!!! We are still glowing from a fabulous Annual Meeting last week. You have told us this was our best one yet. And 156 years in – that’s saying a lot! From the amazing guests to the beautiful space to the impactful speakers…our team feels so proud! And so many of you who sent encouraging notes after the event. More than you know, your feedback encourages us. So I say back to you, THANK YOU! I walked through the room more than once that evening, saw many dear friends, met several more. It feels so good to be among smart, talented people like you, and know that we have the tremendous privilege of serving you. 
 
Our emcee, Jeff Aguy, was joyful and inviting. If you don’t know him, make it a point to introduce yourself. He is an extraordinary person. Thanks, too, to our 2024 Board chair, Lea Hargett. I am lucky to get to work alongside her, learn from her. And the guest speakers! They were great. More than one of you expressed later that you hadn’t been sure how they would tie together; after the event you said, “aah, now I get it.” I love that. Each demonstrated and amplified this idea that systems change is underway. Senator Norm Coleman reminded us of the importance to work collaboratively; business, public sector, and philanthropy must work together, hand in glove, to do the work. And he reminded us that we need to “Show up – that’s how we work together.” Tonya Allen is a force; she talked about the GroundBreak Coalition and reminded us that, “power is the ability to change the rules.” And Ling Becker? She is a tremendous advocate for tomorrow’s leaders. She spoke about our youth, the opportunity they represent, and reminded us that we don’t have to help everyone – but we CAN help at least one. She encouraged us to “help mentor just one other person, and think what that could do.” 
 
Our theme for this year’s annual meeting was, “Building a New Table.”  Last year we talked about Investing in Tomorrow. New people, new ideas, new technologies. We continue to see these themes manifest. We also talked about uncertainty…change is hard and we’re not always sure about where we fit.
 
The idea of Building a New Table continues this theme. And it comes from you. Because this past year I kept hearing a question. Time and again, across so many conversations, you asked me: “How can I get connected? Am I invited? I’m not sure I belong YET.” Others of you wanted to throw up your hands saying, “I’m not sure if I belong ANYMORE. Business doesn’t seem welcome at the table. I don’t feel like I am invited along where you’re going.” The answer to each of these questions is a resounding YES. I submit that our very future depends on that yes!
 
And as we build more new relationships, I have one more thought to consider in terms of HOW we do that. 
 
At this new table, the art of humble inquiry (based on a book by that name) couldn't be more important. We are in a culture that loves talking, loves telling. We need to learn to ask better questions because we operate in an increasingly complex, interdependent, and culturally diverse world. We couldn't possibly understand what others in the room know. Asking rather than telling invites people in. 
 
As we all stretch towards tomorrow, wrestling with change and its impact on our lives and our businesses, I ended my comments last Thursday with encouragement: don’t abdicate, don’t walk away. Instead, lean in and let’s continue wrestling together. “Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle” (Martin Luther King, Jr.). 
 
We, too, are driving towards a wider horizon, disorienting though it may be. And we are not alone.

See you in the trenches,

B