You trusted me. With business knowledge and what felt like real responsibility. And I remembered thinking "how does this powerful woman have time to make personalized quilts too?"

Thank you for shaping who I am.

I always appreciated the delight you got from work. Even in times of stress you would light up at good creative. And it helped to see someone in your role still so detail oriented.

Thank you for shaping who I am.

You brought levity to leadership in a way that I've never seen paralleled. I know what great organizational culture looks like because you entered the scene.

Thank you for shaping who I am.

You reminded me there is so much more to learn and aspire to. And I felt honored (and still do) that we share personal qualities and interests.

Thank you for shaping who I am.

You took the time to get to know me and the career path I wanted to follow. I'll never forget it.

Thank you for shaping who I am.

You made me feel welcome and feel like I belonged when I really needed it.

Thank you for shaping who I am.

You two showed me how cofounders are born and what they are capable of creating from shared values.

Thank you for shaping who I am.

You were my "boss" and are my friend.
I'm so thankful we are still connected.

Thank you for shaping who I am.

You made process cool.

Thank you for shaping who I am.

I'll never forget the first time I freaked out about work to be done or some deadline and you, my very first boss said "who cares?!" It freed me and has stuck with me ever since.

Thank you for shaping who I am.

You told me I wore a backpack

of everyone else's emotions (and I still do). 
You reminded me of my inner artist.

Thank you for shaping who I am.

You called me smart. And taught me you've got to "get tight to get loose". I use that one a lot!

Thank you for shaping who I am.

You push and support me like no one else. I'm better at work and in life because of you.

Thank you for shaping who I am.

You showed me how leadership

is a two-way street. And mutual respect is so much better when earned.

Thank you for shaping who I am.

It's a privelege to know you and learn together. You have a unique point of view and you own it. I admire that always.

Thank you for shaping who I am.

You make hard work look easy and your intuition for people, especially the trickiest ones is such a gift. I learn so much from you.

Thank you for shaping who I am.

You know what you want and you're brave enough to claim it. 

Thank you for shaping who I am.

I'm proud that the first CEO I ever worked for was a woman.

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Thank you for shaping who I am.