A year ago, I stepped into the role of CEO of the American Red Cross Central & South Texas Region with a deep sense of responsibility and an even deeper appreciation for the mission ahead. What I did not realize then was just how much this role, this organization, and the people behind it would inspire me.

My tenure began during the devastating Hill Country floods, one of the most significant disasters our region has faced in recent memory. While the circumstances were heartbreaking, witnessing our volunteers and staff respond with compassion, professionalism, and unwavering commitment gave me an immediate understanding of the "why" behind the Red Cross. Seeing our team in action was not only humbling, it was inspirational.

Throughout the year, I have been privileged to lead an incredible regional team while collaborating with remarkable colleagues across the American Red Cross network. One of my earliest highlights was meeting IFRC President Kate Forbes during my first few weeks. Her leadership and dedication to humanitarian service reinforced the global impact of the work we do every day.

This year was not without challenges. We navigated a significant restructuring within one of our core pillars, requiring difficult decisions and thoughtful change management. While challenging, the experience strengthened our organization and positioned us to better serve our communities. It reminded me that leadership is often less about having all the answers and more about helping people move forward together.

I've also spent much of this year learning. The breadth of services the Red Cross provides is truly extraordinary, from disaster response and blood services to support for military families, preparedness education, and community resiliency programs. As I have learned more about the organization, I have also worked to shape our regional approach through a focus on innovation, impact, and community engagement.

I am particularly proud of new initiatives like the Vital Spark Program and the HEAT Initiative in West Texas. These efforts represent our commitment to finding innovative ways to address community needs while ensuring our mission remains relevant and responsive.

Some of my most meaningful moments came not from boardrooms or meetings, but from serving directly alongside volunteers. Installing smoke alarms in homes and interacting with families reminded me that our mission comes to life one person, one family, and one community at a time.

This year also brought important progress in philanthropy. We continued advancing our capital campaign and reached a major milestone by successfully meeting the Mabee Foundation Challenge Grant. With our campaign now halfway to its goal, I am grateful to the donors, partners, and advocates who believe in the future of the Red Cross across Central and South Texas.

As I reflect on this first year, I feel both humbled by what has been accomplished and energized by what lies ahead. The work of the Red Cross has never been more important, and neither has our responsibility to engage communities as partners in that work.

Looking forward, I am excited about expanding our impact through our Community Mobilization Initiative and strengthening the connections between the Red Cross and the communities we serve. If this first year has taught me anything, it is that meaningful change happens when people come together around a shared purpose.

Thank you to the volunteers, employees, donors, partners, and community leaders who make this mission possible. It has been an honor to serve alongside you, and I believe our best work is still ahead of us.