and off to Cleveland

So we got home on Monday September 15th...went to work on Tuesday and tried desperately to catch up as much as I could - went home and packed again and after a quick half day at work on Wednesday, I took off for Lincoln, to catch a plane for Cleveland. I had been the Eaton Diversity Council Chair since 2004 and had stepped down when we went to get Noelle. But, I received an email from Glenn Gouldey, Kearney's mentor, asking me to attend the Worldwide Diversity Conference this year anyway - he said that they were having a panel discussion with the 2007 winners of the Excellence in Diversity Awards (Kearney had won the overall award). I asked if I could go and they let me! I was very happy to go, I am very committed to inclusion and diversity, and in the past when I had gone to this conference, I usually had to give a presentation. This time I just had to answer questions! So off I went, not nervous, and happy to connect with old friends and make new ones. The conference has grown over the years - this year it included 30 different plants from about 12 different countries. When I arrived at the Cleveland airport, our friends Eric and Holly Ushiroda met us and introduced their beautiful daughter, Reina to us. Oh my gosh, she is such a little doll! She was a little nervous at first but before we left, she let both Angela and I hold her. I'm so glad that they were able to see us! I miss them!
On Angela and I went to our hotel and out for a great dinner with friends...
The next day was the beginning of the conference and it was a day packed with interesting and thought provoking activities. I wrote notes like I was still the Chair, thought about stopping, and couldn't. So many ideas just flowing around, excitement growing - that conference fires me up, every time. That night we went to the executive dining room at Eaton's Worldwide headquarters high up in the building - the room is incredible - with views of the lake, dark wood, and incredible food. We visited, ate, and sat down to enjoy the awards ceremony. So many were given out to friends near and far. Kearney won the award for Business Impact. Athens won the Overall award. Then they were over, except Joe Palchek didn't stop talking. He said they had another award, a new one - called the Buente award for leadership. Before I knew it, they had called my name! I stumbled up to the front of the room, where I stood while Joe read a page and a half about me and the things the Kearney team accomplished while I was at the helm of the council. It was a surreal few minutes, as I looked around the room, people were smiling at me, giving me the thumbs up, then when Joe finished talking, they all stood up and gave me a standing ovation, for way too long! Lisa Prater and Angela were both crying, and I came mighty close myself, but I was still in the bubble of disbelief. Afterward, everyone came up to me and hugged me and congratulated me. They had such kind things to say, but one really struck me - he said that my passion had helped the cause of diversity and inclusion around the world since others had heard my ideas for several years now - and that they were working to emulate what we had accomplished in Kearney. I had never thought of it that way. I was completely blindsided - the Kearney team had nominated me, and everyone in the room but me knew about the award except me! I didn't know it existed since I was no longer on the team and didn't receive the email. Anyhow, it was probably the best moment that I'll ever have in my work life. It was a good night. :-)
I'll add a few pictures of our trip back and whatever else I have!
Blessings,
Lisa