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My Last Blog Post: A Grateful Goodbye
By Mike Ma
It is tough for me to say this but ... I am leaving kasina.
After 8 and a half wonderful years, I am heading off to pursue a new chapter of my career. So, I wanted to take this final blog post and say a brief thank you to a number of people who have made such an important impact on my life.
First, I wanted to thank Steven and Lee for starting kasina, bringing me on, and investing so much in my development. It is truly a special place and I consider it an immense honor to have worked here. You both have shaped my views on work and life in general by never being satisfied with how things are and always offering ways to get better. This is true whether we were working on a client project, starting the kasina Youth Foundation, writing the next great report, or talking about how we grow the firm. Clients should know we built the firm to a better place than I found it and I know the changes we have been making will continue to benefit the industry and kasinians for well beyond the next 10 years.
More importantly, I also want to thank you for the family-oriented culture you've built. Though we braved one disaster, three market cycles, dozens of reports, hundreds of projects together, I will always remember you both and kasina more for supporting me through my marriage and the arrival of Sean, Elizabeth, and Jack. As such, you will always be a part of the O'Connor-Ma family.
Second, I want to thank the rest of the kasina team -- what an outstanding group of people. I will miss you all dearly. Andy, thanks for debating every issue with me in the name of understanding. Betsy, thank you for taking such good care of me and my family. Deb, you've taught me so much about the power of authentic relationships. Drew and Rubesh, your enthusiasm has left an indellible mark on me in our short time together. Eric, you always pushed me to strive for the next level of professionalism and sophistication. Julia, thank you for continuing to push us to be the most open firm we can be. Mariel, Jess and Eliz, thank you for, quite frankly, making order of out of the chaos that is my life.
Third, I wanted to thank kasina's clients and partners. Thank you for continuing to challenge me and my thinking and letting me in to work with you and your firms. I have grown so found of all of you both personally and professionally. Moreover, you inspire me. As consultants and researchers, we have the easy job making the recommendation. It is you who actually have to go out and do it. As I join your ranks, I hope to live up to half of what you have shown me. I leave you in more than capable hands with the team at kasina, as I plan on joining you as those who will benefit from their advice and insight.
With a bittersweet heart, I say farewell. I will leave you a thought of a friend to whom I had to say a tough goodbye. He said, "Life is long, and the list of those who inspire me is short. So I am certain that we we will see each other again soon."
Thank you all.