Dear colleagues,

As I write this, I look out my window and am once again reminded that what seemed lifeless just a few weeks ago was not dead, but simply dormant, waiting for the right time to spring back to life. Cliché as the spring-after-a-long-winter metaphor might be, it’s so apt to help me articulate my feelings about last year. More specifically, in the case of our professional lives and our IS, the cancelation of so many opportunities to meet, share, and learn cast a dark shadow that left us colorless and cold. And yet, through the efforts of our relentless community, we kept growing underneath it all and managed to stay connected.

I am so proud to be part of the group that made this possible. Under the guidance of Mo, Maria, and Stacy building on the work of our past leaders, it has been a truly remarkable ride. A big shout-out is in order to Katya Arshavskaya, our first ever Community Events Coordinator, for keeping us connected through multiple time zones and paving the way for Kayla Landers to continue growing this new very timely role. Another shout-out goes to Belinda Braunstein, Sarah Emory, Liz Tummons, and everyone else who kept us motivated through social interactions and working groups. Thanks also to Sarah Emory, James Coda, and Katya for encouraging us to share our work in the Newsletter. And before I lose my voice with so many shout-outs, I’d like to show my deepest appreciation of all the ITA professionals in our community that kept going and kept us growing in so many ways. Back to the good old spring metaphor, through all our work, big and small, the word “grassroots” has a much deeper meaning to me now.

As we start to see hope springing back to many parts of the world, may our strengthened collective roots give us the support and nurture we need to sprout out even better than before. I couldn’t be more excited, and honored, to be this group’s chair-elect. Let the fun… I mean hard work go on!

Yours truly,

Cynthia L. Z. DeRoma