A Time of Beginnings

As I step back into my role at the Foundation this year, I do so carrying more than refreshed goals and renewed energy—I return changed in the most meaningful way. After time away on maternity leave, I am coming back not only as your Foundation Director, but also as a parent, navigating a chapter of life filled with growth, learning, and perspective.

Time away has a way of clarifying what matters most. In those quieter months, I was reminded that growth rarely happens all at once. It unfolds gradually, often imperfectly, shaped by patience, resilience, and the steady support of others. Those lessons feel deeply aligned with the work of a community foundation.

Much like families, our Foundation continues to evolve alongside the community it serves. We listen, adapt, and respond as needs shift. We lean into opportunity, strengthen partnerships, and find thoughtful ways to care for both the present moment and the future. Change is not something to fear—it is something to steward with intention.

Returning this year, I feel a deepened sense of purpose. Parenthood has sharpened my appreciation for long-term impact, for planting seeds today that may not fully bloom for years. That same mindset guides our philanthropic work: building enduring resources, supporting meaningful initiatives, and remaining flexible enough to meet needs we cannot yet predict.

I am grateful for the support of our governing council, our donors, our partners, and this community that continued moving forward while I was away. The Foundation’s work did not pause; it adapted, strengthened, and carried on. That continuity speaks to the heart of this organization and the people who believe in its mission.

As we move forward together, this season feels like both a return and a beginning. A time to reflect on where we have been, and to look ahead with hope, curiosity, and confidence in what we can accomplish together.

Thank you for welcoming me back—not just to a role, but into a shared journey of growth, possibility, and community.