Reflection on a Year of Connection, Leadership, and Thanks

As we conclude the 24-25 LRAA year, I want to take a second and share a few things with our LRAA membership.

First and foremost, I have to say thank you to an amazing LRAA Board who dedicated their time and energy to making this year a memorable one. From our first Board meeting to our final Board meeting, you have been a group of dedicated leaders who know how to get things done, and have fun doing it! Thank you Leslie, Courtney, Coby, Gavin, Catherine, Holly, Abbe, Becky, Janelle and Kim! 

Secondly, thank you to all of our engaged LRAA members who continued to stop by the after-session socials, attend events, and supported opportunities we shared for RYL and LRAA members this year. Seeing photos of current and prior class members getting together to have fun, share time together and learn together is always rewarding and reassures us that this LR Community is strong.

I have to give special thanks to Leslie and Coby for their friendship, leadership and support. Serving as President is not a one-person job, and being able to lean on your experience, ideas and wisdom is very much appreciated. 

Earlier this year I mentioned that a goal of mine is to always give people a reason to say thank you. I don't know if I was successful with that goal this year, but one thing I can honestly say is that you all have given me more than enough reasons to say THANK YOU! 

Thank you for everything you do to keep this community thriving. Thank you for reconnecting with the LRAA community whenever you can. Being a leader is a very busy existence, but we all have a way to reconnect at some point. I encourage and challenge you to find one LR classmate and see if you can get them more involved in LRAA. We need your help.

Take care and I hope to see you at our Annual Meeting on June 17th at The Drawing Board.

Sincerely,

Cowboy Chris

School of Rock

Dr. HR

A Year of Gratitude and Growth – Looking Ahead Together

As we close out another remarkable year with the Leadership Richardson Alumni Association (LRAA), I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to the people who made this journey so impactful.

First and foremost, a heartfelt thank you to our outgoing President, Cowboy Chris Goodson. Chris, your leadership, motivation, and unwavering encouragement of the heart truly set the tone for our board this year. You led not by demanding decisions, but by creating space for conversation, creativity, and collaboration. Your openness to new ideas empowered us to reimagine what was possible, and for that, we are immensely grateful.

To each of our LRAA Board Directors and committee members who rolled up their sleeves and helped bring our events to life—thank you. Your time, energy, and dedication were essential. None of our success would have been possible without your behind-the-scenes work and commitment.

To all of our LRAA Alumni, thank you for being part of a fantastic year. It was truly inspiring to see and connect with members from so many different classes, each bringing your unique perspectives and energy to our events and conversations.

A special thank you goes out to everyone who attended our leadership development events this year. We took a leap and tried something new—and you met that change with open arms. Your continued support and strong attendance affirmed that innovation is welcome in our community, and that together, we can grow and evolve while staying true to our roots.

As I step into the role of President, I’m excited for the opportunities that lie ahead. Two of my main goals are to increase both our event attendance and our overall alumni membership. Each of us had a reason we loved our Leadership Richardson Program experience—my mission is to ensure that same excitement and connection continues to thrive within our alumni community.

Let’s build on the momentum we’ve created and look forward to a year of deeper engagement, fresh ideas, and continued leadership growth. Together, we can make LRAA stronger than ever.

With gratitude and anticipation,
Loveable Leslie Rains