It's always darkest before dawn: a look back on an extraordinary year.

As I read and watch the 2020 reviews of leaders and media outlets, I’m left pondering over how nothing could have prepared any of us for the year we have experienced. But after all this adversity, I can’t help but see the hope and optimism that remains in all of us – for what the coming year will bring, our capacity to innovate solutions to seemingly insurmountable challenges, and our compassion as one race, defined and confronted by the same issues. 

I recall beginning the year in Maui as part of a company reward trip and, as I prepared a speech to welcome the winners and their families, my notes revolved around how I envisioned 2020 for my then-leadership team and company. Not surprisingly, nothing I considered then resembles the year that has upended norms and our understanding of the ordinary.

 Looking back, it almost feels as though we've endured an entire decade of events in the year that has passed. We experienced natural tragedies, from destructive wildfires in Australia and the western U.S. to a record-breaking Atlantic hurricane season. We witnessed a devastating explosion in Beirut and humanitarian crises in Yemen and Myanmar, among others. Millions around the world protested for racial and social justice, and equality for all human life as a fundamental right. Earlier this year, we also said goodbye to two of - my generation's filming and sporting stars: Sean Connery and Diego Maradona. And as we’re all too aware, the COVID-19 pandemic has upended our human connections, our economies, and our physical and emotional wellbeing as we’ve watched family, friends, and strangers alike fight for their lives as well as their livelihoods.

 It seems as though humanity, in its entirety, has been put to the test time and time again. What stands out from each challenge, though, is how the world would come together to overcome the misfortune thrown our way. That collective effort brings to mind a quote from the late Nelson Mandela: "Our human compassion binds us the one to the other – not in pity or patronisingly, but as human beings who have learned how to turn our common suffering into hope for the future."

 On a smaller scale, I’ve been fortunate to be part of another inspiring event, which began in July when I brought a remarkable 12-year journey with SAP to a close and officially joined Sitecore in September as it's CEO. I have many incredible memories from my time at SAP – the extraordinary people I met along the way, as well as the customers, partners, and leaders who all played a significant role during my time there. Now I’ve started an exciting new chapter for myself and my family – including a move back to London. Sitecore, has been consistently recognised by Analysts as the Digital Experience & Content Leader, but still remains one of the industry's best kept secrets.

 Before this year, it would have never dawned on me that I would lead an organisation entirely virtually. And yet, four months into the job, I still have not met any of my leadership team members in person. However, we got straight to work to lay down our plans to become a billion-dollar company, surrounded by an organisation filled with momentum and energy, a customer base of the world's leading brands and organisations, and a partner ecosystem second to none in our space.

 Despite the challenges of 2020, Sitecore delivered the only digital experience platform built for both marketing and IT, made the power of personalisation easily accessible, and expanded our portfolio of SaaS solutions. We hosted our largest-ever Sitecore Symposium and embraced a closer relationship with our customers and partners. Our technology was behind award-winning digital experiences, including Website of the Year. Our efforts to achieve a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace saw Sitecore named one of the Top 50 Best Companies for Women to work. And through our innovation, the incredible talent of our team, and a unique vision for our customers, we won the hearts of some of the largest and most respected brands worldwide. And in the year ahead, we’ll take bold steps to further establish Sitecore as the clear leader in the market for content-to-commerce solutions for the digital-first world, including opening offices in new markets, accelerating innovation while growing our portfolio, and attracting and developing top talent around the globe. I’m thrilled to see this team grow; however, I also appreciate that we’ll face challenges that will require all of us at Sitecore to come together and work hard to maintain our leadership position.

 Considering all that has happened in the past 12 months – both around the world and closer to home – I can’t help but think about the power of optimism and unity to inspire and energise us, help us look past problems toward new possibilities, and bring out our best. 2020 taught us that when one of us is tested, we are all tested together. This is the spirit that brought us to cheer from our balconies every evening to support our healthcare workers, just as it will be essential for our continuous growth and transformation in the future. Here's to 2021, our next best year!