What fulfills you? For me, it is people. The people I get to work with every day and people like all of you. Which is why it is bittersweet that the last day of 2021, also marked my last day with Intesa Communications Group as my husband and I pack up our home to move to Europe.
It has been my honor to collaborate, strategize, communicate with confidence and celebrate so many effective community endeavors with our clients, but it is the people behind those projects and missions that I most treasure.
When I first started here, Intesa had just begun our long-term partnership with San Diego State University to strategically communicate a possible future for SDSU in Mission Valley. I also began working on entitlements for the first agrihood in North County. What an entrance that was from the public sector into the private side! 😲
Looking back, I feel so much gratitude for the culture Intesa is creating. Because of their constant enthusiasm for what we do, I have been able to go through an FBI Citizen’s Academy, become a LEAD Impact grad (yay class of 19’!), compose speeches, plan large-scale events and groundbreakings, pack council chambers with strong advocates, become the Oceanside Chamber’s youngest chair of the board, and cheer on the many successes of my colleagues.
My Intesa teammates are dedicated and talented allies who pushed me to think bigger and they know how to absolutely crush team challenges like scavenger hunts and retreat adventures! Intesa partners Maddy and Margie, my bosses and constant champions, saw something in me from the beginning. They trusted me to introduce Intesa into North County, my home and where my heart will always belong.
Together, with our local expertise and strong relationships, we’ve gained project approval for new attainable and affordable homes in Carlsbad, recently designed a workforce development website for North County, and are pushing to bring a state-of-the-art wave pool to the City of Oceanside.
With each project, it is the people who have grand ideas, the people who show up to lend support and the people who humanize why change is an important part of our growth.
I’ll always take pride in being a “lobbyist.” It’s often used as a dirty word, but at Intesa, we know that our lobbying and advocacy is driven by our belief that our region can and should be better. So, each day we work hard to make that happen. I look forward to what San Diego County will look like when I return, and to sharing what I learn from my new travels ahead.
For now, our Instagram shows you just some of the fun we’re up to day-to-day and features our awesome company swag! I will be sure to tag them in my Intesa-branded vest, mask and backpack as I ascend new mountains abroad. Thank you, Intesa, for showing me what it looks like to work in an office that treats dogs as co-workers, supports philanthropy and education, innovates in the face of adversity and inspires purpose!
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A little note from Maddy and Margie:
It’s hard to believe that after four years of working alongside this extraordinary human and professional, our dear Haley is moving off to Europe! Haley, your smile, dedication, passion, and tireless work approach will be missed more than you know. Thank you for the many years of love and effort you have put into client successes, team encouragement, and catching typos. Onward!
Haley, I’m so happy for you, but you will be sorely missed. Wishing you the best in your adventure. Blessings to you and your husband as you venture out.