Saline’s Roy Sexton, the Director of Marketing at Clark Hill Law, has been recognized on the INvolve – The Inclusion People Outstanding LGBTQ+ Executives Role Model List for 2023.
The acknowledgment comes as a result of his contributions to the firm’s PRIDE affinity group, particularly in messaging and content creation. Sexton’s efforts have been integral in shaping the firm’s marketing strategies to embrace educational content through various channels such as video messages, social media, and panel discussions.
“Long ago and far away, I would have only dreamed to be acknowledged in this way … for who I am and what I’ve attempted to do in this life,” says Roy. “I still feel a bit like that sheltered only child growing up in a small town in Indiana, reading comic books and pretending I was Han Solo in the backyard. So, it’s nice to feel seen and hopefully model just a bit for others like me that we have value in this universe.”
Last year, Clark Hill’s marketing campaign, which Sexton played a key role in developing, received the 2022 Best Marketing Campaign award from the Managing Partners’ Forum in London, celebrating professional services organizations. The campaign was noted for its focus on values, diversity, and inclusion.
“I’ve been a Michigander now for nearly 25 years, and I’m incredibly grateful for this community, for my family and friends and colleagues, and, most of all, for my husband,” adds Roy. “They’ve all supported me as my authentic self and given me the grace and encouragement – and the wings – to help others.”
In addition to his role at Clark Hill, Sexton is serving as the 2023 international president of the Legal Marketing Association (LMA), which has a membership of 4,000. He has been part of the LMA leadership since 2021. Furthermore, he contributes to the arts and charity sectors, holding positions on the governance board committee of Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit and the marketing chair for the Ronald McDonald House Charities Ann Arbor.
Thank you, Gary Mitchell and Answering Legal! I really love the conversation we were able to have here about authenticity, brand (professional and personal), law firm positioning, random acts of #singing, sartorial splendor, community involvement, and #dogs on #linkedin. Love you, brother!
Episode 10 of The LawBiz Podcast™ With Gary Mitchell is now available!
Roy Sexton, the 2023 Legal Marketing Association International President and Director of Marketing at Clark Hill Law, joins the show to discuss creating the type of culture your clients are interested in, how lawyers should go about connecting with people and much more!
Shout outs to Legal Marketing Association – LMA International, Clark Hill Law, Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit, Ronald McDonald House Charities Ann Arbor, Jay Harrington, John Mola, Gabby Confer, Lori Mola Compagner, Adopt A Pet of Fenton, Michigan, Dale Ross, Megan McKeon, Susan Ahern, Athena Dion.
Deeply honored to be included in this international list of 2023 Top 100 LGBTQ+ Executives. Alongside David Furnish no less (!) and so many incredible, accomplished professional leaders and role models. (I always knew I was two degrees from Elton John!) Thank you, INvolve People, for naming me among these wonderful souls. And thank you to NewsPRos’ Jaime Baum and my Clark Hill colleague Leslie Smithson for their support and facilitation here.
Long ago and far away, I would have only dreamed to be acknowledged in this way … for who I am and what I’ve attempted to do in this life. I still feel a bit like that sheltered only child growing up in a small town in Indiana, reading comic books and pretending I was Han Solo in the backyard. So it’s nice to feel seen and hopefully model just a bit for others like me that we have value in this universe.
“Roy Sexton is the Director of Marketing at Clark Hill PLC. He has actively contributed to the firm’s PRIDE affinity group in terms of messaging and content creation. He has helped align the firm’s marketing efforts to support educational content, both within and outside the firm, via video messaging, social media, Q&As, panel discussions, outside speakers. Last year, their marketing campaign – including their values, diversity and inclusion messaging – was named 2022 Best Marketing Campaign from the London-based Managing Partners’ Forum for a professional services organization. Roy is the 2023 international president of the 4,000-member Legal Marketing Association – LMA International (LMA) and has been a leadership member since 2021. He also serves on the governance board committee of Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit and was marketing chair for Ronald McDonald House Charities Ann Arbor’s board.”
About the recognition: “The Outstanding LGBTQ+ Role Model Lists supported by YouTube showcase LGBTQ+ business leaders and allies who are breaking down barriers and creating more inclusive workplaces across the world. They aim to represent the wide range of impactful and innovative work being done for inclusion across different countries, organizations and sectors, and celebrate the diverse range of inspiring individuals who have made it their personal mission to make a difference.”
About the organization: “INvolve is a consultancy and global network driving diversity and inclusion in business. Through the delivery of advisory solutions, awareness workshops, talent development programmes, INvolve drives cultural change and create inclusive workplaces where all individuals can succeed. They publish annual role model lists recognising and celebrating business leaders and future leaders who are breaking down barriers at work and inspiring the next generation of diverse talent.”
This month’s message…is a video! For those who might have been suffering TL;DR* from my last few musings, have we got a treat for you!
A few weeks back, incoming 2024 International President Kevin Iredell and I sat down with our fab Interim CEO Ashley Stenger to record a discussion about LMA’s 2023, present and future.
For me, November is always a nice month of reflection, before the hustle and bustle of year-end and sundry holiday festivities overtake our already taxed brains and hearts. I hope you take a moment to enjoy this conversation.
NEXT STEPS: 1) Please WATCH THE LMA FIRESIDE CHAT VIDEO and then 2) join us for a LIVE Q&A on Wednesday, November 29 at 12:30 p.m. CT, which will serve as our Annual Meeting of the Members to answer your questions and for more insights into LMA’s exciting upcoming initiatives and plans. Register now.
I’m so grateful to have shared this time with these two brilliant souls. Ashley has such a wonderful sense of service, calm, and perspective on it all. And Kevin is just a dynamo – strategic, thoughtful, kind. I can’t wait to see all the amazing things they do together in 2024, alongside our International Board, Regions, Local Steering Committees, Shared Interest Groups, and other committees and volunteer leaders.
And I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t offer another playlist. This one is a pretty dramatic auditory shift from the thumpa-thumpa club cuts I usually compile. Again, with that spirit of reflection, these are all standards, show tunes and mellow classics that speak to my heart and put a smile on my face.
For those who might be gathering with families and friends later this month, I’m hoping this might be your soundtrack for reconnection and fellowship. Enjoy this “Stay Classy AmpiMix” on Apple Music and Spotify.
Love you!
Roy
Roy E. Sexton
President, 2023 LMA International Board of Directors
Director of Marketing, Clark Hill
*Too long; didn’t read
Register for the November 29, 12:30 p.m. CT, Fireside Chat Q&A/Annual Meeting of the Members.
Our Legal Marketing Association – LMA International board met this week. My last in-person meeting as president. I told them all this, and I will repeat it here. This will truly be the honor of my professional life. It has been such a gift to serve alongside such a dedicated, creative, fun, thoughtful group of human beings.
It was truly affirming to see how aligned we are in working toward the continued growth and evolution of this organization and community that we all love very much. The October meeting is always a transitional one, as we welcome our incoming board members to listen in on the conversations in which they will soon take active part. It’s a really wonderful group. And I will be also sad to see some exceptional voices roll off the board as is the natural way of these things.
Our incoming 2024 president Kevin Iredell did a fabulous job laying out his vision and approach for next year – and we alongside 2022 prez Brenda Plowman gave our 2025 president John Byrne his commemorative prez cap. #40! I don’t think he’s much of a baseball cap kind of guy, but it was nonetheless a great honor to be able to hand this ceremonial object to such a good, longtime friend, who cares so much about our profession.
In addition, these pandemic years kind of derailed much opportunity for us to bond beyond meeting times and the occasional dinner or conference. Being fiscally responsible, we did squeak in a group Chicago architectural boat tour. It turned out to be such a glorious sunny fall day in Chicago and we had a delightful time learning about the rich history of this city.
And, yes, my 1997 gogo boy, club kid pleather Ricky Martin pants emerged from the back of my closet for our board dinner. My colleagues might wish those pants would go back in that closet never to be seen again. But I felt quite chic.
And finally the board gave me the most heartwarming present. Back in April at the #LMA23 annual conference, they collected sand from the beach and objects from the event that reminded them of me and of our work together. The items are all held in a beautifully engraved apothecary jar, which will be proudly displayed in my home, alongside “Bed Bugs Bunny.” (Thank you for the perfect name, Laura Gassner Otting!) Some of you might recall that I rescued a wet, muddy, stuffed rabbit that I found on the sidewalk in Florida before the event.
These amazing folks know me well. And I love them.
P.S. I rewarded myself with a martini, blue cheese olives, and french fries. I’m such a nerd.
P.P.S. And then ANOTHER martini and mac and cheese with my boo at Seva Restaurant, Ann Arbor. 😅🍸
Y’all have heard enough from me this year! I’m a menace on social media, I know. So, this month I asked a cohort of LMA leaders and friends to answer this question: “What LMA accomplishment/experience has meant the most to you this year so far?”
Here are the responses — I hope you smile as much as I did while reading these.
This is a remarkable community and that’s because of YOU! (And, yes, here’s another playlist, this time focused on the amazing women in music who have long energized my soul. Women who inspire, challenge, slay, shine…on Apple and Spotify. Enjoy!)
“The opportunity to co-chair the CMO Summit at the annual conference with Justin Portaz and Brie Leung was the highlight of my LMA year. We welcomed more than 50 first-chair professionals for a day-long session that focused not only on the business aspects of our roles, but also covered leadership and wellness — areas that affect our entire team. … Thanks again for the opportunity to take on that important role for our organization and your conference.” —Ashraf Lakhani
“Roy, this year, I’ve been deeply impressed by (and thankful for) the way our board and conference committee have been united in our vision of holding a top-notch regional conference in Nashville this November!” —Laura Hudson
“Taking on a leadership role with LMA fosters new networking relationships, as well as rekindles old ones. LMA creates community, and I cherish our community!” —Walter McCorkle
“Everyone always says their favorite thing about LMA is the people and I couldn’t agree more. It feels like this has been the year of meaningful connections! As we come out of the pandemic, I’ve seen our members show up for each other like never before, whether it’s lending a hand professionally or forming new friendships. Here at LMA Midwest, it’s been amazing to see our content calendar filled to the brim and I can’t wait to bring our #MidwestMojo to Chicago for our Regional Conference in October! … P.S. Thank you for encouraging all of us to be ourselves — LMA has felt like a more welcoming place with you at the helm!” —Lauren McNee
“All of the conversations started around the globe about the need and want for LMA education, networking, membership and overall involvement on four new continents where we don’t even have a region in yet (Africa, Australia, Asia and South America). And most of these conversations were started because individuals either heard about LMA or joined and received such amazing benefits that they want to share the wealth and knowledge! The fact that nonmembers are reaching out to us, directly asking for LMA to expand within their regions on the other side of the world, is amazing. 😊” —Ashley Stenger
“I have really enjoyed being the board liaison for the LMA Southeast (LMASE) Conference Committee this year. This group of volunteers has really taken ownership of the event and I can’t wait to see it come to fruition!” —Raven Hicks
“The 2023 annual event unquestionably stood out as the highlight of my year. It was invaluable, from the in-person connections to the exceptional quality of the sessions — not to mention the remarkable location. It was an experience that truly encapsulated everything I value in LMA, wrapped up in a year-defining occasion.” —Beth Cuzzone
“I joined Constangy as the CMO in August of 2022. Since then, we’ve built out a fantastic team here, a true dream team. All of the new team members we’ve hired since I joined have been through a referral via LMA connections. I could not be more grateful to work with amazing colleagues, sent to us straight through LMA friends!” —Jennifer Scotton
“Having joined a new firm this year, I was delighted to open up LMA membership to our team members. It’s been really gratifying to watch them dive into their LMA experiences in all sorts of ways — some have assumed leadership roles at local and national levels; others are devouring all of the AI info and insights conversations. Still others have become active participants on LMA Connect. While their experiences are unique, they are all finding value and community within the organization. Best I could hope for!” —Trish Lilley
“A personal highlight was helping to shape an annual conference that I believe reflected the best of LMA — camaraderie, education, mentorship, strategic thinking and a healthy dose of glitter — and now using that experience to go all in for another world-class event in 2024!” —Amber Bollman
“I am counting down the days until I get to see my LMA friends again at the LMASE Regional Conference in Nashville this November. As a young legal marketer, experiencing LMA conferences is what first inspired me into getting involved in [the association].” —Danielle Smith
“This year we made a change to the Plaintiff Firm Shared Interest Group (SIG) and updated the name [Business to Consumer Practices SIG] to be more inclusive of all consumer practices. This includes practices like personal injury, trusts and estates, family law, employment etc. Our intention was to bring more people together who need to focus their efforts not only on business development, but also marketing to many audiences through social, intake, advertising, digital and content. It is my hope that we can continue to grow the SIG and support more law firms.” —Sarah Ryan
“While my time on the international board has certainly included numerous accomplishments and victories, I think the biggest one that I would focus on is our transition back to normal, or whatever normal is, with in-person education and networking events. Those events have always been the lifeblood of the association and it’s great to have them back!” —Andy Laver
“It’s been especially wonderful to see so many new faces at LMA programs this year. We are inspiring the next generation of marketing leaders and elevating our association’s credibility in the process.” —Jacob Eidinger
“Having coffee with Caitlin Balsimo, market development specialist at K&L Gates, was my LMA highlight of the year. After numerous Zoom calls and emails since we were matched up as mentor-mentee in January of 2020, we met face-to-face when she was in Minneapolis this summer!” —Sally Schmidt
“Incredible collaboration! I’ve been truly wowed at how many of our members and LMA leaders have locked arms to collaborate and lead thoughtful and inspiring conversations. It has been some of the best content and thought leadership I’ve ever seen!” —Julie Holton
“Involvement in LMA this past year reminded me that those of us in legal marketing are part of a supportive community that cares for and lends a hand to one another. This camaraderie certainly shone through at the LMA 2023 Annual Conference, in terms of the in-between-the-sessions conversations that took place. (Questions arose between members such as ‘How do you deal with a difficult work situation?’ or ‘How do you multi-task when you are too tired to do it?’) Yet this was also clearly shown at our recent New York Summer Soiree, as so many members of the LMA Northeast (LMANE) community were so authentically joyful when they connected.” —Deborah Farone
“Working with my co-chairs Alé Simmons and Susan Slifer to plan the LMA QuickStart® pre-con in Hollywood, FL, and visiting the Michigan Local Steering Committee for a walking tour of Detroit!” —Jason Klika
“This is my third year participating as a mentor in the Southwest Region’s LMANext Program. I love sharing my perspective with my mentees and learning new nuggets of wisdom from the program’s facilitator, Holly Barocio.” —Ashley Black
“Helping program content for the Chicago Local Steering Committee has been a wonderful source of learning and connection for me in ’23. … Along with many LMA 2023 Annual Conference Advisory Committee moments, working with my local [group] has definitely made me feel more at home professionally in Chicago.” — Joseph Edmonds
“My experience serving as a mentor during the LMA 2023 Annual Conference meant so much to me. I loved getting to know Rachel Klopp and Michelle Hernandez and sharing thoughts and ideas on how best to maximize time during the conference — and then enjoying being together to partake in all of the fun and education it had to offer!” —Jessica Haarsgaard
“What has made this year great for me: We continue to grow as an organization — in numbers with increased membership and in resources provided to our members. At a time when other associations are contracting, we continue to meet the moment and build for the future. We have continued a pattern of carrying forward goals from previous years, building upon them in a smart, measured approach. [This] has allowed us to maintain focus and keep resources allocated to areas critical for the advancement of the organization. What I am most looking forward to: The recommendations from the multiple working groups that will shape a comprehensive LMA events and education strategy. This will result in a number of benefits, including streamlining the delivery of related services (reducing burden from volunteer leaders), further mitigating risk and reduce exposure on large-scale events, and providing an even more consistent member and volunteer experience across the organization.” —Amy Verhulst
“So far this year, I’m most proud of beginning the work to reinvigorate active volunteer leadership coming out of the past few years. I’m incredibly excited for my year as president of the LMANE board and looking forward to working with the talented legal marketing professionals in the northeast!” —Robyn Addis
“Roy, the trust that you and the team placed in Ashraf, Brie and me to create something for the CMOs at #LMA23 was valuable and special. What I hope was achieved in that setting would be reflected in the following: Working with trusted friends and peers (Ashraf Lakhani and Brie Leung) to create space where authentic leadership and humanity can flourish, or at least bubble up to the surface, in a supportive environment to further permeate our industry and elevate our people. … Thanks for your incredible and joyful leadership. It matters, a lot.” —Justin Portaz
“Working with Bobbie Conklin to develop a new PreCon track on career development was by far the greatest highlight for me. Not only did I get to work with and learn from a brilliant legal marketer, I met a dear friend along the way.” —EJ Stern
“I joined the law industry this year as a Marketing Director and the LMA single handedly got me through. Not one week went by where I didn’t learn something or get a question answered or supported by one of your members. I seriously can’t join other communications based organizations at this point because none of them offer what you do. Thank you for making this a solid experience that has really encouraged me to choose law marketing as a career. Very grateful for all you do. … I mean it. I am so impressed and grateful. One of the most informative memberships out there.” —Jen Roy
“I became an LMA member in 1992. When I moved to law after 10 years with the Big Four I was in a bit of culture shock, and my LMA colleagues gave me comfort and support that I wasn’t alone (or crazy) in some of the ‘differences’ I was experiencing. My LMA colleagues gave me long lasting friendships, they freely shared their wisdom, ideas, and creativity and were critical to my successes as a legal marketer. I am forever grateful!”—Kathleen Flynn
“What has made LMA great for me in 2023? I had the honor to co-chair the PR and communications pre-conference session at the LMA 2023 Annual Conference in Hollywood, FL, in the spring. I found great joy and satisfaction in bringing together communications professionals from around the United States for insightful and meaningful conversations around the most pressing issues confronting our roles and responsibilities in leading law firm communication programs. I am grateful I get to contribute to a dynamic organization and collaborate with people I like and trust.” —Cheryl Bame
“This year, I was very excited to see that the LMA has made significant steps forward in celebrating diversity and adding even more diverse professionals to its leadership ranks!” —Dave Poston
“Roy, is it too much to say that your opening number at #LMA23 gave me LIFE?!?” —Laura Gassner Otting
And then I got this one: “LMA has a long way to go to get positive reactions from my team.” —Dave Bruns
I debated about including that last one, but you know what? All feedback is important feedback. I appreciate Dave and his candor. He cares. And that’s a wonderful thing.
I’ve been grateful for the opportunity this year to lead, and we welcome thoughts — good, bad, indifferent — about how we can continue to help LMA thrive and grow.
Don’t hesitate to reach out with any specificity that will enable actionable change.
Thank you to our leaders and volunteers who bring positivity, grace and hard work to this community. You are appreciated and loved. This community is only what we choose to make it, and you have made it grand indeed!
Love you,
Roy
President, 2023 LMA International Board of Directors
Roy E. Sexton Director of Marketing Clark Hill
REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR LMA24 IApril 3-5 I San Diego
Thank you, Joseph Panetta and Anna Spektor at Expert Webcast for this opportunity to talk about authenticity, branding, marketing (legal or otherwise), and community. This conversation Friday afternoon sent me into the weekend on Cloud 9. Such a joy to be able to share stories with a friend I love and admire. Joseph, you are THE consummate host – prepared, warm, accessible, kind. Such a welcoming environment. Thank you.
“Roy Sexton, Legal Marketing Association President and Clark Hill Law Head of Marketing, gets up close and personal on our CMO Toe-to-Toe with Joseph Panetta, sharing his non-traditional start in legal marketing; his very personal approach and process for working with partners and teams; and the background on his epic LMA Annual keynote address.”
Shout outs during the show include: Alycia Sutor, Brenda Meller 🥧, Inforum, Alexandra France, Kate Harry Shipham, David Ackert, Athena Dion, Laura Gassner Otting, Rob Kates, Jennifer Weigand, Lisa M. Kamen, Danielle Gorash Holland, Megan McKeon, Susie Sexton, Don Sexton, Jonathan Fitzgarrald, Mary Ann Hastings, Holly Amatangelo, Jennifer Dezso, Lee Watts, Kaitlin Heininger, Edna Duncan, Clark Hill Law, Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit, Ronald McDonald House Charities Ann Arbor, Legal Marketing Association – LMA International, Managing Partners’ Forum, Wabash College, The Ohio State University, Deloitte, University of Michigan-Flint, UM-Flint School of Management, glittering #unicorns, Lady Gaga, The Flash, the movie Michael, Oprah Winfrey, George Orwell, Andy Warhol, Kurt Vonnegut, Madonna, Taylor Swift, Madonna, Janet Jackson, Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, Stephen Sondheim, Barbie, Florida, DEI, LGBTQIA, The Birdcage, Jack LaLane, BornThisWay, Hudson, dogs, branding, authenticity, marketing, legal marketing.
Oh, thank you, Yasmin Zand and Charlotte Knight and Passle, for this lovely opportunity to discuss #LMA23, my professional and personal journey as a member of the lgbtq community, and what authentic allyship can (and should) be.
Very grateful for you, for this series, and for what you provide our community and legal industry so generously.
Shout outs and thanks to friends, colleagues, and allies, all mentioned (or alluded to!) in the show: Laura Gassner Otting, Athena Dion, Lisa McDonald Kamen, Diana Lauritson, Megan McKeon, Lee Ashby Watts, Jennifer Petrone Dezso, Holly Amatangelo, Kaitlin Heininger, Danielle Holland, Jennifer Weigand, Ellie Hurley, Ashley Stenger, James Fisher, Nancy Leyes Myrland, Gina Furia Rubel, Laura Toledo, Gail Porter Lamarche, Heather Morse-Geller, Lindsay Griffiths, Amber Bollman, Mike Mellor, Ruth Morayniss, Arthur Uratani, Tahisha Fugate, Susan Ahern, Mary Ann Hastings Stephens, Jon Brewer, Joseph Edmonds, Cheryl Bame, Don Sexton, Susie Sexton, John Mola, and more.
Episode description: On this episode of CMO Series REPRESENTS, Yasmin Zand is lucky enough to sit down with Roy Sexton, Director of Marketing at Clark Hill Law and 2023 Legal Marketing Association – LMA International President, to discuss his journey both inside and outside of the legal marketing industry.
Roy shares how his formative experiences as a gay man have impacted his approach to leadership and why finding safe and inclusive communities that allow him to be his authentic self has become so central in his career.
The conversation delves into Roy’s childhood, passions, and why his headline performance at the 2023 LMA Annual Conference in Florida was so poignant in support of the LGBTQ+ community in that moment.
— “June is Bustin’ Out All Over,”Rodgers and Hammerstein’sCarousel
These admittedly odd lyrics come from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical Carousel, which we theater nerds know is one of the more problematic entries in their canon, for many reasons I won’t bore you with here! But nonetheless, the sentiment of this ditty strikes me as right for this midpoint of the year. New life, sunshine, vibrancy, joy.
June also brings opportunities to celebrate and honor diversity, inclusion and shared history. Juneteenth and Pride celebrations across the world offer opportunities to celebrate and honor heritage, progress and hope. Although, I believe deep in my bones that these conversations and recognitions should never be limited to any given month, it remains important to mark these celebrations. They are too crucial to our collective understanding and growth to confine them by the calendar. With all the vitriol in the world, now is the time to show love, strength and authentic allyship. Reading the news right now can be an emotional and existential affront to many of us. LMA is strongest when we stand together. Make your voices heard and check in on each other. #SayLove #LMA-MRGs
I find myself in a reflective and, yes, celebratory mood at the six-month mark of my LMA presidency. The energy of the #LMA23 conference hasn’t abated. Our hope was to provide an empowering and inclusive experience that amplified our profession and our community. You took those ideas and expanded them in beautiful, inspiring ways — much like a beloved dance remix, taking what makes any song special and reinvigorating it to keep the party going. (If you couldn’t join in person or want to view a session you missed, the #LMA23 Conference Recordings were just made available!)
Speaking of which, it only seemed fitting that I offer another playlist for your summer months. This may be the most eclectic bunch to date, but these are tunes and vibes that get me in a good groove. And, yes, you’ll see I really had Eurovision, Jill Scott,The Wiz, Reba McEntire and Verve Records on the brain, among a number of other standbys, when I put this together. Stream or download on Spotify and iTunes. (Fun fact: I just learned Spotify links expire after seven days. Why? No clue… So, if you’re reading this later and can’t access it, drop me a line and I’ll generate a new link for you.)
By the way, we had a great post-#LMA23 Legal Marketing Coffee Talk chat with our keynote Laura Gassner Otting about her new book, “Wonderhell.” Queen of Miami Athena Dion also joined us to reflect on how much meeting all of you fabulous souls meant to them. If you missed it, you can check out the replay here! We talk a lot about mental health, self-care, living limitlessly and showing support for one another in these challenging times.
I hope you have some self-care/re-energizing summer fun planned. It’s so crucial to take time away, unplug, have shared experiences, decompress and make new discoveries. Work and volunteer commitments will be there when you return and, in fact, will BENEFIT from you recharging and refreshing, bringing bold new ideas to your organizations.
Along those lines, LMA recently launched our Well-Being Pledge so we can commit to the well-being of others and ourselves. And please continue to avail yourselves of the excellent educational offerings through our Shared Interest Groups, Regions and Local Steering Committees. I know they refill my well of ideas and inspire me to do better, more fulfilling work every day.
Looking ahead, there’s still time to participate in the call for content/speakers for some of the regions’ fall meetings. The call for content for the 2024 international annual conference will launch later this month, too — plan now to attend! These are great opportunities for your voices to be heard, to share your ideas with colleagues, and to grow from collaboration. I know in the early days of my time at LMA (and through today) the firms which I have been privileged to support always appreciated the visibility this afforded them (and me!). I don’t say that from a place of ego, but to help connect the dots that your personal and professional growth has a holistic, organic benefit to the organizations you serve.
Now excuse me while I jam out to my latest, wacky, Day-Glo playlist and watch the geraniums bloom on my patio!
Love you!
Roy
President, 2023 LMA International Board of Directors
