Nine months ago, as I sat in my hospital room, recovering from open-heart surgery, I thought about the months ahead and what full recovery might look like. During one of his daily visits to the hospital, I confided in David Tanner — with whom I’ve run most of my recent marathons and road races — that full recovery to me would include completing a race by the end of the year. The next day, he injected me with a dose of encouragement by propping up a photo of the two of us finishing one of our marathons while also committing to run that race with me. Well, today I ran that race and David was right there as promised. David, you are one of the best humans to have ever walked the earth, supporting and nourishing everyone in your gravitational pull with preternatural kindness. Thank you!! (What’s next? 😉)
From Dust to Duty! Delighted to be back from Burning Man and back in the Bank supporting the great work of Mendi Blue Paca and @fccfoundation_ct , which is working with us in our Making Missing Markets Initiative — a project that seeks to create and leverage markets to drive investment into under-resourced communities.
I feel like I’m closing in on my final Burn, but this Burn was epic and seemed to beg me not to go. With weather conditions that felt biblical at times, we couldn’t help but find the beauty and joy in all of it — the entire time. If you haven’t been to the Burn yet, please come (if you are willing) and soak it up before time passes us by. Deep gratitude to @rodgrozier , @robgarrettsmith , @joshua_ramus , @alebv81 , @hani_jamjoom , @davesont , Mark Carlson, @tmjhn , @jaredlafrenais , @michellecampbell , John Welsh, @cyrusgoles , the Rangers and many others for making this Burn what it was. Can’t wait until we next unite in the dust. 🔥✨
I regret missing two weddings this year that I would have love to attended, but my heart was fully with Rachel and Derek, and @christianboving.dk and @hakonims in spirit. ♥️
Good-bye summer. I’m ready for fall. 🍁
There are few people on this planet who walk into a room and bring joy to every occasion the way you do, @robgarrettsmith . Thank you for being the personification of goodness and the embodiment of light. No one makes me laugh louder than you do and few people work as hard as you do to make the world a better one. Happy birthday, my friend. I love you.
While in Charlotte, NC for NAACP board meetings this weekend, I was able to steal some time with @alwaysrenay , a ray of light who inspires me in so many ways. And fortunately for the world, she’s a college professor whose teachings on sustainability and leadership are shared far and wide. Oh to be a student of Renay’s!
I have the privilege, every year, to sit down and read The Declaration of Independence, a document that held new meaning as I digested it this year. But I also had the privilege of sharing the day with some exceptional friends who are doing their part to ensure that the USA lives up to her promise. Happy birthday, America!🇺🇸✨
The love and admiration I have for @yarrowk is matched only by the love that was overflowing as he exchanged vows this past week with the equally extraordinary @ania_bulis . This couple personifies love, kindness, beauty and radical friendship. “Oh, the places they’ll go.” And we’ll be right there with them. ❤️✨
College reunions are like time telescoped in and out, where for a few days you leave behind the responsibilities of the real world and relive the joy of your college years. So was the case this past weekend when I went back to Hanover, NH for my college reunion, which included a hike up New Hampshire’s Mt. Cardigan with these longtime friends. Thank you, Dartmouth. I’m forever grateful.
