Anniversaries & Gratitude

Anniversaries give us the opportunity to reflect on the journey that has taken us to this moment, all those who have supported us on the way, and then look up and ahead to what may come next.

This month marks six years of my company – Vista Cova. Over six years we have worked with just under 400 organizations. During that time we have been honored to be a partner in authoring vision and strategy, in designing and strengthening Boards and governance, and in teaching and building staff dialogue. We have keynoted, led breakouts, taught state, national, and global leadership whether in a meeting room or in a Zoom room.

The Vista Cova team has come into being – six years ago it was just me – and now we have the support of a growing network of staff and partners. These are the people who allow us to work on key initiatives for global nonprofits with hundreds of staff while maintaining our company value that the priority of an organization’s mission is not determined by the size of their budget. How to continue to build capacity while prioritizing culture, excellence, and care has been one of the greatest lessons I continue to learn as an entrepreneur.

Along the way, there have been so many who have supported the journey. As you reach a milestone, it is easy to forget the bumps along the way. There have been many, and it has been a community of brilliant and patient colleagues, friends, and family (including my munchkins) who have always been there to help keep Vista Cova on course, and to see the possibilities on the horizon, when the noisy priorities of the moment threaten to overwhelm. I am grateful for all of you.

As I look to what’s next, what’s ahead, the possibility of creation continues to guide the way for Vista Cova. We have created Association Charrette and, five years in, it continues to create a community for association executives and partners looking to explore greater understanding through inquiry and co-creation. We have had successive years of Association Rockstars highlight the path, stories, and insights of leaders in the association community. In the year ahead, we will be sharing how Vista Cova is continuing to commit to build an ever more diverse and equitable association profession and community. We are reaching across oceans to bring colleagues from afar closer together to learn from one another and about one another. This year will also bring thought leadership on the changing nature of strategy and partnership, bringing forward the necessity to create greater access to and skillset in facilitation. Underlying all of it is our daily work with mission-based organizations and their volunteer and staff leadership. Our world and society needs the power and inspiration of purpose and mission more than ever – and we look forward to every opportunity to build a better world together.

Six years is at once a significant period of time, and goes by in a flash. With gratitude for what has been, and with hope and excitement for what will be, my thanks, and the thanks of the entire Vista Cova team, for letting us serve, belong, and build our industry and community.?