It’s inevitable.
With each new door that opens, you leave the last room behind as you walk through.
I just left a room. A chapter. An era.
For nine years, I worked at a global energy company. I joined after 14 years in private practice. I moved to the position because I had toddler triplets and didn’t feel I could juggle the demands of business development and the billable hour while being a present mom. We’d waited so long to have a family, I didn’t want to miss out on watching them grow.
I was incredibly fortunate in that I had a great nine years. I served in different roles, including this last one of over four and a half years where I got to serve as the lawyer for a massive joint venture project. Cooler than even the work, which was really cool, were the people. These clients have been the most incredible ones of my career. They became dear friends and made my day-to-day work an absolute dream.
I loved coming to work. I loved what I did and who I got to hang out with.
That all made the walking through the open door harder.
I basically want to hold on to everyone forever. Add all the new people but keep all the old ones too. That can get tricky after multiple career changes and moves.
Before COVID hit last year, I started thinking about whether it made sense to move. But COVID hit, and all that went on the back burner.
At the end of 2020, I dusted off those thoughts. But cancer hit, and all that went back on the back burner.
So when I finished radiation and celebrated Easter, I started asking God if it was time to go. There were three things I was looking for (in addition to all the basics like wonderful people, competitive comp, etc.): a leadership role, a diverse industry, and closer to home.
The only job I interviewed for had all three.
I will go from a 33 mile commute, one way, to a one and half mile commute. I know, I drove it yesterday to specifically measure my commute home.
I will be doing a lot of different things, but it will be more technology focused. And… I will have the chance to serve as the Assistant General Counsel with lots of opportunity for career growth.
This last one wasn’t about the title. As you know, I’m incredibly passionate about leadership and diversity and development and corporate culture. I wanted a seat at the table because I wanted to invest this into a corporate law department.
However, all that excitement about the opportunity didn’t make the goodbye any easier.
Last week was hard. Amazing clients threw me some farewell parties and we got to swap our funny stories from our adventure together. I received kind notes and generous words. And I hugged a bunch of people and tried not to cry.
Now that the goodbyes have concluded, I drove away from my work campus last Friday at lunch with no work computer, badge, cell phone, or email, I’m ready.
I feel really ready.
So I’m running all my last minute errands today because tomorrow I’m going to be a new hire. With a fresh backpack and water bottle, ready to tackle the world. I get to meet new people and learn new things and I LOVE learning new things. I’m sure I’ll feel inexperienced and nervous too, because a lot of this is going to be new. But I’ll grow and stretch and test out a key tenet of my faith: My grace is sufficient for you for my strength is made perfect in weakness.
I’m excited to say hello now that I’ve waved goodbye.
Congratulations, Gindi. Thank you for all the bible study classes you led when I was in XOM/ EMHC. God bless you.
~Vivian Jordan
Congratulations and good luck in your new role.
Gindi I am so excited for you. I am so happy that I walked into your Bible Study my 2nd week on the job. I learned so much from you. And while I’m sad to see you go (I just came back! lol) I am so happy for your new beginning. He is doing a new thing!!
Best of luck!
Congrats and good luck! Honeywell is lucky to have you!
Congratulations, I know you will thrive in the new role! OBU proud!
Happy for you, but you are missed here!! They are getting a great asset over there and a wonderful person. Best to you, Newbie!!
Gindi — So proud of you and your accomplishments — inside and outside of the courtroom, boardroom, classroom, playroom — hope we can see each other in 2022. Congratulations! Claudine
Gindi, you are so amazing in every which way, an inspiration to us all! I am sure that this next new adventure will be everything you dreamed and more. All my best and blessings to you and your family for 2022 and beyond! Congratulations! Maddie
Dear friend! Keep looking forward. I am excited about your journey. Starting new is humbling, but that’s how God created us, as humble beings who follow His will and put our gifts into good practice for the glory of His name. I know you’ll keep God in your heart as you face the challenges of onboarding, and I know you’ll sing His praise as you find joy in the challenges ahead which stretch and broaden your role in this world. Much love, from Washington State! –Laura
Gindi, I am so excited for you and genuinely look forward to keeping up with your journey! You left such an impact in the brief time I had the pleasure of working with you, and I am so thankful for the opportunity I had to observe and learn from you – you are truly the type of leader and woman I strive to be. I hope your first day was wonderful, and I can’t wait to see the amazing things you accomplish at Honeywell.
Thanks for sharing the inspiring and heartfelt testimony of your legal career and faith journey! Best wishes to you as you embark on a new chapter in your story! The best is yet to come! Happy Holidays to you and your family!
Gindi, I only had the opportunity to work with you a bit at Campbell George & Strong since I was in San Francisco most of the time, but I have always been amazed at your ability to handle life and the law! I wish you all the best for you and your family, and I am sure you will be a smashing success in your new position. As an older parent — much older! — I know how consuming parenthood can be, and with triplets to handle, well, I am speechless. Happy Holidays, and much joy! – Jerry