Nobody Blazes a Trail Alone

A few weeks ago, I received an email that caught me off guard. I had been selected to receive the 2026 ACMP Global Change Excellence Trailblazer in Change Management Award.

I read it more than once.

My first reaction was surprise, followed by gratitude. What an honor to be recognized by a professional community that has been such an important part of my life for so many years.

I've worked in change management long enough to remember when explaining what I did for a living often required a fairly lengthy conversation. I've had fascinating opportunities, made mistakes, changed direction, and learned some lessons the hard way. 

My involvement with the Association of Change Management Professionals began about 15 years ago, when we were still working to establish common language, standards, and credentials. I served on the working group that developed the first edition of The Standard for Change Management. We had some spirited discussions, as you might imagine when you ask passionate change professionals to agree on something. Since then, I've volunteered in different ACMP roles and helped establish the Michigan Chapter. Those experiences matter to me, but the award made me notice something I don't always stop to consider. At nearly every important point in that journey, someone else was involved.

Colleagues shared knowledge. Volunteers contributed their time. Clients trusted me with challenging work. Students asked questions that made me a better teacher. Other professionals challenged my thinking, and mentors encouraged me to take opportunities I wasn't sure I was ready for. When I look back, I see relationships and shared work at least as clearly as I see individual accomplishments. That's a big part of why this recognition means so much.

I've spent some time thinking about the word trailblazer. It suggests someone confidently making a path where none existed. I don't remember feeling particularly bold or confident during many of the moments that shaped my career. Mostly, I remember seeing something useful that needed to be done and trying to do my part. Sometimes the impact becomes clearer years later, when someone tells you a conversation changed their thinking or a class gave them confidence. Those moments don't always fit neatly on a resume, but they stay with you.

Part of what makes this award so meaningful is knowing how many remarkable people I've had the opportunity to work with and learn from over the years. Their contributions have helped shape our profession, often without much recognition. I hope we continue finding opportunities to celebrate their work.

Thank you

To ACMP and everyone involved in the Global Change Excellence Awards, thank you for this honor. To the colleagues, mentors, clients, students, volunteers, and friends I've learned from over the years, thank you for sharing your ideas, your time, and sometimes your honest disagreement.

I'm especially grateful to the people who helped build this profession before it had the recognition it enjoys today, and to those doing that work now.