Closing My LinkedIn Chapter

Last month, I celebrated my 8-year LinkedIn-anniversary, almost 4.5 in this CMCO role. I say that, but actually don’t believe tenure is THE factor in deciding when it is time to move on. For some, the right time is after 3 years, for some 15. The trick is to realize when it is that time.?

This year I turn 50. My first born will enter his senior year in high school and my second born is pursuing a college sports dream that requires a lot of travel. Their launch is imminent now, and I am beyond proud of who they are and excited to see where they go. I also know that while I will celebrate their launch, I will grieve their absence in my day to day. And so, knowing how incredibly fortunate I am to have this opportunity, I am going to take the time to soak it all in. My kids think I’m going to be bored, but I don’t think so.?

I am excited to have some space to mindfully define my next chapter. I’ve worked every day since I was 21 and, nearly 30 years later, I love the career I’ve built and all I’ve learned. I wouldn’t change anything I’ve done, but I’m also mindful that I’ve been sprinting non-stop for decades.

So, for a while, I’m going to try and do a little less and be a little more. I’m excited to do one thing at a time. I’m going to read, not just listen as I do 4 other things. I’m going to consistently workout, as my body is reminding me it needs it. I’m going to advise and invest and learn. I’m excited to partner with Aubrey Merriman (He/Him/His) and LifeMoves to end homelessness in Silicon Valley and Jack Groetzinger and SeatGeek to build the most beloved event experiences company.?

I took this role in Jan 2020, and over the last 4.5 years, I’ve helped manage the company and our brand through a global pandemic, a social reckoning, a great reshuffle of talent, increased polarization, wars, natural disasters... When I took this job, our revenue was $8 Billion (FY2020). When I leave, we’ll be north of $15B. It took us 17 years to get to $8B, and just 4 to nearly double that. It was every bit as intense as that sounds, but a welcome intensity that comes when you are building something that matters in the world with some of the best humans you will ever know.?

My first project when I joined was to help manage the communications of Microsoft acquiring us. 8 years later, we’re even more of everything that made LinkedIn special - we’re principled, values and vision-driven, and one of the few that genuinely measures doing good alongside doing well.? I am grateful to our parent company for the space to do what we do so uniquely (and we’ve grown revenue 5x from the time of acquisition as a result) and I believe in what Ryan and my LinkedIn Executive Team peers will do going forward.

I’m also comfortable stepping away because of the incredible strength of the Marketing, Communications, Social Impact teams and their fearless leaders. I had a chance to bring together what I would argue is the best leadership team imaginable. To a person, they are the best in the world at what they do and incredibly good humans. And they lead teams of some of the most creative, courageous, and collaborative marketers and communicators around the world, whose passion, thoughtfulness, and dedication is setting a new standard for the impact Marketing,?Communications, and Social Impact can have on our business and our world.

I’ve come to believe that careers are not about destinations, but all about the journey. I am a better person and professional after working at LinkedIn. I learned to be the leader I always wanted to be and I’ve made meaningful connections that will last this lifetime. I will always be an active member and huge cheerleader, and we’re forever #InItTogether. Thanks, LinkedIn .