The holidays are often a time of reflecting on the past year as well as looking forward to all that can be accomplished in the coming year. Like many, I spent the holidays thinking of the passing year’s events, my career, and all that NAELA has given to me.

I am grateful to the NAELA community for staying together and supporting each other during the uncertain times brought on by the pandemic.

We said goodbye and thank you to NAELA’s Executive Director, Pete Wacht. Saying goodbye was extremely difficult, and it gave me the opportunity to reflect on how NAELA has prospered with his leadership.

Now, with the transition to the new year, I’m refocusing on all the exciting things that are to come in 2022.

I am thrilled to announce the selection of C. Grace (Grace) Whiting, JD, as NAELA’s new Executive Director and want to extend a warm welcome to her as she joins NAELA. Grace is an attorney like us, and she seems to have boundless energy, a passion for helping others, and joins us with a fresh way of looking at how NAELA supports its members. Already a kindred spirit, the entire board and NAELA staff are looking forward to working with Grace.

This year NAELA will develop a new strategic plan to ensure the Academy continues to provide value for its members. As someone who loves strategic planning, this is always an exciting time, however, it feels even more monumental this year. There is no doubt that the world has changed, the practice of law has changed, and practitioners have changed. Now in year three of the pandemic, clients are demanding a shift in how they receive personal services and virtual practices seem here to stay. Many of NAELA’s founders have retired or turned management over to the next generation. In addition, NAELA is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and has recognized how critical inclusion will be to our strategic plan.

NAELA resumes live programming with our 2022 Annual Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona, May 13-14. (See page 15 of this issue for more.) Many of us haven’t seen each other in person since 2019 and we can’t wait to get together again. If you have not attended a NAELA conference, I encourage you to attend so you can experience the camaraderie that NAELA offers.

A new Executive Director, a live Annual Conference, and a new strategic plan is a lot for an organization to tackle in one year, and I think that this fresh start and new look is exactly what NAELA needs to continue to be the extraordinary organization it is.

I wish every member the best for 2022 and hope to see you all in Arizona in May.