2016: What. A. Year.

This post was inspired by Jason Miller's 2016 recap. Because imitation is the best form of flattery.

2016 may go down in history as one of the most unpopular years yet, but it wasn't all bad. American teen graduation rates reached a historic high, India planted 50 million trees in one day and after a century of decline, tiger numbers are now on the rise. Lots to be happy about, right?

Personally, this year has had its ups and downs. But professionally, 2016 was my best year yet. As I reflect back on the year (and let's be honest - complete my annual self-assessment), I wanted to share my professional highlight reel along with a couple of personal shenanigans just for fun.

My first feature on Inc.! The story was also picked up by American City Business Journals, which is distributed nationally and syndicated in 45+ U.S. cities on their individual Business Journal websites.

Launching LinkedIn's first-ever Millennial Playbook, empowering my generation to get the most out of the platform. The playbook went on to be featured on SocialTimes (AdWeek), Dashburst, Visual.ly, PR Daily, and Social Media Today, and Inc.com. When we turned it into a webinar, it received an On24 award for being the most innovative content of the quarter.

My first speaking gig at Social Media Marketing World with one of my favorite mentors, Jason Miller. TopRank Marketing wrote a great recap of the webinar on their blog which ended up being one of their most popular posts of 2016.

Then kicking it with some of the top minds in marketing, including Heidi Cohen, Jay Baer and Chris Brogan. Thanks again Heidi for including me in your Social Media Marketing World 2016 Influencer Roundup!

Becoming an author on Social Media Examiner. I contributed three posts this year, covering A/B testing, personal branding and maximizing your content exposure on LinkedIn.

Speaking to the 'YoPros' (young professionals) at Mastercard HQ in NYC.

Going global with my LinkedIn Tactical Plan. It's now translated into Portuguese, German, Spanish and Chinese.

Being a guest on #MarketingProbz alongside millennial entrepreneur and founder of Millennovation? Media, Katherine Lisciani.

Working extremely closely with our LinkedIn Marketing Solutions demand generation (Cass Clark) and ad operations (Gaurav Nihalani) teams has been a major highlight of 2016. Because of our continued collaboration, we've seen all time high conversion rates from our LinkedIn on LinkedIn campaigns. We compiled our results into an ebook, Spotlight on Best Practices.

Sharing my top LinkedIn Company and Showcase Page tips on The Missing Link Podcast.

Being featured as a 'Content Marketing Champion' within TopRank Marketing's 2016 Content Marketing Summer Games ebook.

Hanging with our EMEA and APAC teams at the finest Jazz club in London.

Celebrating my birthday in style with the best marketing team on the planet.

Talking A/B testing on the Marketo blog. (Marketers can’t afford NOT to A/B test.)

Sharing the keys to content marketing on Column Five's blog.

Being invited to the Scripted podcast to talk about how SMB marketers on LinkedIn can achieve success.

Hiring social media coordinator, Steve Kearns to the team and watching him crush it.

Launching the #SophisticatedMktg movement and sending thousands of decals to marketers across the country.

Breaking 25K subscribers on the LinkedIn Marketing Solutions Blog alongside my whip smart colleague Sean Callahan.

My informal survey consisting of a small cross-section of 6 millennial marketers at LinkedIn (and one grumpy non-millennial). 

...And these are just the highlights. Despite the tragedy and negativity that permeated much of 2016, there's much to be thankful for and much to reflect on. On to 2017!