Moving on to a new adventure

After an eight-year run that can only be described in the most positive terms, today is my last day as Director of Communications at Vitamix.

It was my first experience in a corporate setting, albeit a little different than most, coming as it did at a mission-driven, fourth-generation, family-owned company. I was afforded a wide range of opportunities to solve big problems, help set organizational direction, and work closely with the highest levels of leadership.

I sharpened skills I already had and developed a host of new ones, all while earning a master's degree in Integrated Marketing Communications for which I'll always be grateful.

On a personal level, though, the impact was even greater. If I started to name all of the Vitamix people from whose example and encouragement I benefitted, this post would take an hour to read. Suffice it to say that I took far more from these eight years than I could possibly have given to others at the company.

I'm proud of what my team and I were able to accomplish in that time. When you're a professional communicator, you seek out ways in which you can apply your craft to achieve large-scale business goals and resolve important issues. I got to do that almost every day, which simply isn't the case in many communications jobs.

A recent infusion of new leadership led to a restructuring that resulted in the elimination of my position, and to that I can only say, it happens. It obviously isn't what I hoped for, but I firmly believe the company is in excellent hands and is going to make great strides in the next few years to fulfill its purpose and mission.

And really, what do I have to complain about? I am blessed in more ways than I can count, and I have no doubt my next professional move will be an opportunity to make a similar impact on a new organization.

Vitamix will always hold a special place in my heart as the longest-running and most enjoyable position I've held over a 30-year career that has been almost nothing but enjoyable.

But now it's time to move on. I honestly can't wait to see what comes next.