Dear CWBA Members,

I am thrilled to take the gavel as your 2023-24 CWBA President!

Our theme for the year is Intend to Thrive.

Our goal is to thrive. And we act with intention so that we will thrive.

What does it mean to thrive? Thriving goes beyond mere survival. It means growing, embracing our potential, and achieving a sense of purpose, balance, and joy.

Acting with intention means ensuring our actions align with our goals and values. It means carefully considering the implications of each choice and not simply going through the motions on autopilot.

For the CWBA to thrive, we must build on our strengths, let go of what no longer serves us, and focus on quality over quantity. The CWBA’s mission is advancing women as leaders in the law. How can our events, programs, and choices best serve that mission?

These are the many ways that I want to see the CWBA thrive:

• Thriving membership! – You are excited to be a member and come back year after year! Our events draw you in and leave you feeling engaged, energized, and inspired.
  
  
• Thriving members! – The CWBA wants each of you to thrive in your careers and in your personal lives. How can we support you and ensure the well-being of all women attorneys?
  
  
• Thriving committees! – This means volunteer engagement is high! We want to you to feel excited and fulfilled by working on our projects, planning our events, and serving our mission.
  
  
• Thriving Board! – We want our leadership structure to operate efficiently, we want Board meetings to create a feeling of connection and joy, and we want to facilitate collaboration between the committees and with our sister diversity bar associations.
  
  
• Thriving Board members! – Board members are dedicating their precious time, energy, and talents to carry out the work of the CWBA. I want them to feel inspired, energized, and fulfilled by their roles and to learn skills and ideas that they can take back to their jobs, future career plans, and communities.
  
  
• Thriving staff! – We are so fortunate to have longtime Executive Director Kim Sporrer and our new Deputy Director Kristen Staniewicz! We could not do what we do without them. The more they thrive in these roles, the better the CWBA will be!
  
  
• I want to thrive! This is a unique opportunity in my career, so I want to enjoy it and make the most of it. My goal at Convention 2024 is to run a victory lap around the room after passing on the gavel, ready to recommit and reengage as a lifetime member of the CWBA.

Thriving is not a solitary pursuit. It is only through collaboration and support that we can create a world where every woman lawyer has the opportunity to flourish.

I look forward to collaborating with you, supporting you, and watching you flourish.

How will you intend to thrive today? And how can the CWBA support you?

xoxo

Emma Garrison