Originally published on LinkedIn.
I was fortunate enough to receive the AAF Orlando President's Cup award last year, and last night I was beyond honored to present this award to a board member and leader who truly made my presidential year so special.
As I shared in my message last night—and as many members of our organization often say—service to the American Advertising Federation is not first, second, or even third on the list of life’s priorities. However, it is a commitment that requires dedication while balancing those greater life priorities such as family, work, friendships, and whatever else life hurtles our way.
Our Programs Committee was nonexistent for years following the pandemic, requiring former presidents and executive members to step up and take on the responsibility and generate whatever programs and events were possible to keep our membership engaged. As we all emerged from our homes and ventured back into our communities, the board made it a point to bring back the events so that a community could be cultivated.
As my term as President kicked off in July 2024, we still did not have a Programs Committee Chair, but my Immediate Past President (and resident badass) Tina Fleming presented a candidate who was a leader at her agency and someone she believed could be the missing piece we’d been looking for these past few years. And she was absolutely right.
Danielle Lopez and her committee members dove in headfirst, developed a strategy, and constantly pushed to gain knowledge and improve how our programs reached our community every day, every week, and every month - all the while balancing some of life's greatest challenges and events. In fact, she had a different last name when she officially joined the board—okay, Mrs. Lopez!
So as I said last night, and will forever say: thank you. And this award is absolutely yours, because while this work absolutely takes a village, there must be a leader to stay accountable and ensure the village not only survives but thrives - and I think placing 2nd in Cornerstone Initiatives & Events nationally across all AAF chapters is certainly proof that this community is absolutely thriving.
Thank you so much, Danielle. I can’t wait to see you take a celebratory shot from this cup soon. 🏆
