Paula, My Dear Friend & Mentor - Transformational and Bright

I am grateful I had the chance to share with her the ways in which she changed my life before she left us all too soon:

• She inspired me to believe again in my capacity for deep transformation - a life skill I had thought was lost to me

• She shaped my perspective on what personal responsibility is, especially in a business and management context

• She empowered me as a leader by validating my ways of handling various challenges; she truly believed in me and this boosted my self-confidence

• She showed us that it’s ok to show your vulnerability and sensitivity (alongside your power), and show that you care, even in public

• She presented me with the gift of grounding: whenever I used to struggle with the confusion given by multiple perspectives (mine and those of others) she reminded me that although we may all see things differently/from different angles, there is only one Truth - and that was incredibly powerful to me, as it took me to the next level

• She empowered me to understand that ultimately when people disagree, it is the leader’s perspective (embraced with responsibility!) that becomes the norm or the final position, being more than just an “opinion”, empathetic as one may be

• She introduced me to one of the greatest books and methodologies I wish I would have discovered sooner, when I was struggling to decide on a life path : “Design Your Life” by Bill Burnett & Dave Evans (spoiler: you don’t have to decide on one life path and you can always change your mind later)

• Last but not least, she very quickly became my friend - the closest friend I made as an adult; with so many things in common, and with her being such lovely company, our friendship developed so naturally that spending time together felt effortless. She restored my hope in forming and enjoying human connections at a phase in my life when I had lost the rose glasses allowing me to simply be in the moment and enjoy that connection fully. Together, we felt less alone and we felt understood.

Thank you, Paula, for sweetening my life as my friend, and for being the lighthouse for my leadership journey!

I will forever cherish our memories and time together, and I will always hear your playful voice - encouraging and elevating, even when challenging others.

If I had to choose just 5 words to describe you, they would be: Transformation, Support, Challenge, Sensitivity, Learning. And I would add an extra one: Love.

I love you!