Challenges, Changes, and Thank You

End of Year message from Hayward Suggs, 2020 President

Not long ago we were all fulfilling our 2020 goals, plans, and resolutions. Just as we gained momentum COVD- 19 appeared and devastated hopes and dreams. The pandemic touched all of us.

We lost family members, friends, health, homes, businesses, jobs, customers, clients, contracts, and opportunities. A few thrived but most of us lost someone or something. Some lost everything.

And while the wrath of COVID-19 is not over, the release of vaccines, the resolve of our healthcare practitioners and first responders, and the cooperation of our citizens positions us for a far better 2021 and beyond.

Thank you, for choosing to hang in there with us through all the challenges and changes of 2020. You showed up for online webinars when you hoped to learn in a room filled with other professionals. You networked virtually when you preferred to meet face to face. You continued your learning and development journey and allowed us to successfully partner with you. We appreciate your support, commitment and patience.

In 2021 we plan to reward your resilience with new, exciting programming and, networking opportunities. This includes multiple face to face events as soon as the science says it is safe. We will offer a robust portfolio of great presenters, in person, virtually, and phigitally. Most importantly, ATDChi hopes you are with us in 2021.

Leading the ATDChi board in 2021 will be our new President, Dave Lee. Dave brings outstanding learning and development talent, high energy, and terrific ideas. He has assembled a superb team of diverse board members and I am confident ATDChicagoland will be in the best of hands.

This year we could not have been in better hands than those of our sponsors. CARA, our gold sponsor, TrainingPros, our silver sponsor, and HR Hotseat, our association partner, were difference makers. Their sponsorship and support were critical to our success In this challenging year. We also thank Change Catalysts for sponsoring our first virtual conference.
We also received great support from our partnership with the outstanding professional development networks,

• Chicago OD Network PDN,
• Corporate University PDN,
• Northwest Internal Consulting PDN, 
• Executive, Team, and Group Coaching PDN.

Thank you.

Thank you to our outstanding ATDChi board of directors, and volunteers. You went above and beyond for the organization and our members to ensure we met the challenges and changes of 2020. I appreciate your crucial contributions to our chapter success and enduring any additional challenges working with me may have presented.

Thank you to our ATD National support team, Dr. Esther Jackson, Erin Murphy, and Molly Cuthbertson. We appreciate your guidance and expertise.

Special thank you to Matt Elwell for helping to keep our networking opportunities relevant and for your timely advice, Thank you Stephanie Emerich Leese for your welcoming ear, grace, and wisdom. Thank you Eileen Terell for always having answers and patience. Thank you Gia for having my back in every instance.

Thank you all and happy holidays. I look forward to seeing you at the party that is 2021!

Hayward and the 2020 ATDChi Board