My Last Day in One Word

Today is my last day as Director of Volunteer Development at Komen Central Virginia! Even though I am very excited to start a new chapter in my career, I will absolutely miss all of the amazing people I've met and worked with in my time at Komen.

It started 4 years ago when I was hired as the Administrative Assistant at what was then Komen Richmond (we changed our name last year to Komen Central Virginia). Back then there were just 3 of us on staff and I owned exactly 0 articles of pink clothing.

Judy, Pem, and I - the original 3!

Since then I was promoted, we've grown to a whopping 4 staff members and my wardrobe now includes 2 pink sweaters, 1 pink dress and 1 pink scarf.

Linda, Janna, Pem and I showing our VCU Ram pride during the Final Four

I've been up way before the sun, setting up for the Richmond Race for the Cure.

Ty and I at the 2009 Race for the Cure.

I've heard amazing speakers and met inspiring breast cancer survivors at our Survivor Celebration luncheon.

I've been inspired by not only the women and men I work closely with, but also by the woman who started it all with just a handful of friends and a shoe box full of donations.

Meredith and I with Nancy G. Brinker, founder of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

I've started a young professionals group who I know will continue to do great things to fight breast cancer with the leadership of the fabulous Kelly DeLaney :)

Kelly and I, Co-Chairs of P.I.N.K.K., at the Richmond Flying Squirrels game.

I've had the pleasure of meeting and working with the most kind, inspiring, and dedicated volunteers you could ever wish for.

I realize the word inspiring has come up a few times as I write this, but it's probably the word I would use to best describe my 4 years at Komen. Well, if you'd asked me when my alarm was going off at 3am on Race morning I probably would have chosen a few other words :) but later that day once 9,000 people had come and gone, I would have come back to that word: inspiring.

I know that my new job will challenge and inspire me in different ways but Komen will always hold a special place in my heart. It was the place where I discovered where I want my career to go. It is where I learned that even though I am only one person, I can make a difference in the lives of the people and community around me. It is the place I know I can always go back to.

I dedicate this post to my Komen family and in particular to two special ladies: my Aunt Dottie and my friend Becky Morris, who both lost their battles to breast cancer but who continue to inspire me.