A Thousand Little Things: The Moments That Make Me Proud

As part of a recent big-picture planning exercise, our team was asked a simple question: “Tell a story of a time you felt proud to work at MSD.”

Within minutes, I had a half-dozen moments scribbled down. That alone made me pause. Not because I was surprised by the number, but because I realized how many moments, big and small, have left me feeling proud to be part of this team.

Some were major milestones, like seeing voters approve Prop S or helping navigate public concerns around major projects. But the ones that stood out the most weren’t headline-worthy. They were quieter. Human. Personal.

In my role, I get to work with employees across the organization to help share our story and connect with our community. My proudest moments almost always start there – with our people.

When I first joined MSD, I toured every facility, rode along with field staff, and met employees across all levels and departments. I expected to learn how things worked. I didn’t expect to be so moved by how deeply people believed in what we do. Time and again, I heard employees talk about protecting our rivers, serving the public, and improving our community. Not because I asked, but because that’s just how they see their work.

That hasn’t changed. I help coordinate videos where employees talk about what they do and why it matters. And again and again, I hear them speak not just about tasks, but about impact. They don’t need a script. They live the mission.

And it’s not just internal. A few weeks ago, I met someone in a social setting who asked where I worked. When I said MSD, their face lit up. “You all are amazing,” they said. I thanked them and asked why. Their response was not what I expected.

“I recently had a backup,” they said – usually not a phrase that leads to compliments. Already, I was braced for their frustration.

But then they said: “It turned out to be on our end, not yours. But the way your team responded – how quickly they showed up, how clearly they explained things, and the care they showed throughout. It meant so much.”

That stuck with me. And that’s what makes me proud:
Not one big thing.
But a thousand little ones.
Built by a mission-driven team.