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Oh Leah, I don’t know where to start! Working alongside you this past year and a half has been so so incredible. You’re the absolute best lead I could have ever asked for and you’ve impacted my life so so much. You’ve always been so thoughtful in the support you’re constantly providing me and I am endlessly appreciative of the belief you’ve had in my learning and growth. Our check-ins are always the highlight of my week and I’m still trying to come to grips with the fact that we won’t be able to chat about our weekend plans (or lack thereof lol) on Fridays!

I often think a lot about the professional and influence I aspire to be, and you’ve been such a phenomenal model. You bring such a high level of expertise and humanity to your work, delivering excellence and uplifting others along the way. You’ve done so much for the organization, our team, and myself, we’re all going to miss you dearly!

Sending you off with so much thankfulness and gratitude and wishing you all the success and happiness with this next big step! We'll always be there for you if you could ever need anything 😄

Mousab

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Leah!! As you bridge from HERE to THERE, please know that it's only a short walk over to visit where you've been. You have left such a wonderful mark on so many of us, and on CSS, and I will miss your spirit and presence that is both practical and vulnerable, passionate and dry, funny and deeply committed to all that you care about. I will miss you!!!!!  And ... always here, right on the other side of the bridge, cheering you on!!!!
XXOO, Abby

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Leah!

I am so very sad that I won't have the opportunity to work with you regularly as a member of the evaluation team. It has been a pleasure to work with you over these past many years. I have appreciated your collaborative approach to everything you do, your commitment to DEIB, your insightful questions, your compassion, and so much more. You have made a lasting imprint at CSS - on our evaluation work and beyond.

I wish you all the best as you transition to a new professional opportunity. You are rock star and I know you will achieve great success in whatever you choose to do throughout your career. I hope that our paths cross again soon.

With gratitude for all that you have contributed to CSS, Sherry

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Leah,

Thank you for being the coolest human on the planet! I will miss your helpfulness, dedication, quick wit, and positive attitude. Best of luck on the next chapter of your life. Take care friend and let’s stay in touch😉

-Sammijo

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Thank you Leah for all that you have given to the organization and the communities we serve!! You are appreciated and I wish you an amazing next step in your journey!! <3 Shelly

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Leah,

As I think back on the past 7+ years, I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to call you both a colleague and a friend. I am really going to miss our weekly (sometimes daily) chats where we talked about everything from work-related tasks to getting caught up in talking about anything BUT work. You have been an integral part of my time here at CSS from the moment you began as a temporary hire to provide support during my parental leave. Since then, you’ve transformed our team in big ways and small and truly showed me what it was like to have a thought-partner by my side.

I have always appreciated that you brought your true self to every space within CSS. You have an insightful, witty, and honest perspective that comes across to those who know you as sincere, thoughtful, and supportive. Thank you for your many contributions to CSS and the Evaluation Team in particular.

Best of luck to you and much happiness and success as you begin your next journey. You’re destined to do great things and I can’t wait to see where this path takes you.

Lindsay

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Hey Leah,
I can't thank you enough for all of the support you've given me and the Middle States team! I will never be able to think of OJJDP, William Penn or NJDOH without thinking of you. I will miss seeing you across the stairwell, but I hope to catch you for fun times in some great South Jersey hangout.  My very best to you always!
Pam T.

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Leah, I greatly appreciate all of the flexibility, patience, understanding, and coaching you've extended to give support in data and evaluation deliverables... our success depended on every bit of it:)  I'm sad to see you go, but wishing you optimal success and happiness in all of your future endeavors.
Sincerely, Cynthia G.

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It has been a pleasure to work with you during our time at CSS. I know you will be a significant asset wherever you land in your career. Best wishes and more success!

-Lèja

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Hi Leah!

It's been so great working with you for the last few years. I've really enjoyed being in groups with you - either virtually or at the in-person retreats. Wishing you all the best in your new role. Best of luck!

-Anna (Falkovich)

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Leah it has truly been a pleasure to work with you. You are truly an expert when it comes to breaking down the data! Best of wishes to you on your new career path. Keep in touch!
Sidenote: Thanks for sharing how to spice up those walks!!!

-Alicia

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Leah,

I'm sad to see you go, but excited for you at the same time. :) I've so appreciated all the support you've provided to our schools and internal staff over the years. Your insight, willingness to collaborate, and attention to detail will greatly missed. Best of luck in your new position!

-Melissa

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Leah,
I find solace when I envision you reaching for new heights as you prepare to transition into your new role. Your enduring spirit has always lifted me. You  light up a room (live or virtual) with your keen wit, and your thoughtful comments. You make us think when you share your truth or ask deep questions. Your voice will be sorely missed at CSS. Your contributions have been so much more than the data you collect and analyze on spreadsheets. I think that your presence at CSS will linger for years to come. Thank you for all that you've given to all of us over the years. My very best wishes as you move on into the next phase of your professional journey.
Angie

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Leah I am so sad to see you leaving CSS. It sounds like your next position will be an incredible opportunity. I have always enjoyed our meetings, catching up on great check-ins and ideas for books or shows to binge-read/watch, and your consistent presence. Your reliability and responsiveness is unmatched and even when I ask you for the same thing three times, you never seem to get frustrated - so thank you for that. I hope you will stay in touch and I also hope our paths cross again in the future. Take good care and enjoy walking in the warm weather, which hopefully will be around for good, soon!
-Rae

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Leah,
Wishing you the very best of luck on your new adventure! It's been a real pleasure working with you over these past years. I will miss your speedy ability to find or create spreadsheets, as well as recommend the next great show to binge-watch. I've appreciated your thoughtfulness, eye for details & sense of humor. Thank you for the many gifts you've brought to this work! Enjoy your new position, they're very lucky to have you on their team.
~Susan

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I have so many amazing memories with Leah…mostly of us laughing seemingly non-stop when we worked in the office together. We’re both really curious about the mechanics and logistics of anything and everything…and we tend to ask a LOT of questions. We always started our days, recapping the news…often finding the humor in every story. Of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention all that she taught me about Excel! I’m no expert by any stretch; but…what I do know, I’ve learned it from Leah and, I’m eternally grateful!

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I have so many amazing memories with Leah…mostly of us laughing seemingly non-stop when we worked in the office together. We’re both really curious about the mechanics and logistics of anything and everything…and we tend to ask a LOT of questions. We always started our days, recapping the news…often finding the humor in every story. Of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention all that she taught me about Excel! I’m no expert by any stretch; but…what I do know, I’ve learned it from Leah and, I’m eternally grateful!

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Marsha

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It feels like so many years ago when you started as a temp for what seemed like a long time, and CSS was so happy when you were finally hired full time!  My memories of you are buried in paper and folders on your desk upstairs, in the office shared with FDA!  We barely saw you or heard from you in the office, you were so buried in surveys and numbers and stuff!
You were also so fun at our NJ birthday or holiday gatherings, so funny and cheerful which was so needed most of the time!  I liked to hear your stories about you coaching soccer, and your love for nature and growing things, both of which you were so good at!
You are an essential part of the evaluation team, and you are going to be sorely missed!  Wishing you the best of luck in your new position and in your future!
Lauren

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Leah,
Although we haven't really "worked" directly together I do remember our first real encounter.  You had offered Mexican Sunflower plants that you had grown from seeds. From what I understand the seeds were from a plant that you had gotten from Scott Albert.  It was early in the pandemic and I was at the office and you offered two plants to me.  I gladly accepted and planted the two plants in my garden where they flourished.  You noticed that I was listening to WXPN.  Having said that, please take a listen to Green Garden, one of my favorites.
https://youtu.be/5akYnlwubDo

All the best to you Leah and keep growing!!
-Pam Carman

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Leah, I remember what feels like a century ago when our paths crossed for the first time in a deep way with cultural consciousness design. I so appreciated the ways you spoke up and shared your expertise in that group and have appreciated your voice in our DEIB efforts ever since then. More than that, you've been a really fun, funny, and thoughtful colleague all these years and every time you're in a group with me it's like a breath of fresh air. Your work will leave such an imprint on CSS forevermore (in evaluation, in DEI, in systems and processes...in so many ways), and I'm grateful for that. People say it all the time, but I am genuinely sad to see you go...I was hopeful you might be one of the people I got to work with for years to come, but perhaps we will find ourselves colleagues again in the future. I very sincerely hope you find much happiness, success, and dolla dolla bills where you go next, and anywhere else thereafter.

(P.S. I killed the plant you gifted me, but I still appreciate that you gave me that chance as a houseplant momma, and now keep paint brushes in the pot it came in, so will continue to think of you daily when I dry my brushes!).

-Morg

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Leah - you have been such a pleasure to get to know and work with at CSS over the years! I have always appreciated your positive presence and commitment to collaboration in group spaces, especially your insights throughout our time with the Gates working group. Wishing you nothing but the best as you take your next professional steps and hope that you stay in touch! <3 Natasha

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Leah... it's been so great getting to work with you, along side you, and learn from you. The kind and thoughtful approach you always bring coupled with your keen data and evaluation skills make you a true superstar. Wishing you all the best in your new position... and please keep in touch. <3 Paul

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Dear Leah,
It's been a pleasure working with you and getting to know you over the years. I will miss your thoughtful and earnest perspective, which always drives discussions forward with nuance and fosters collaboration. There's no doubt that you will make a great impact at NJ's Department of Children and Families-- they are lucky to have you! Wishing you all the best for your next step. You rock!
-Anastasia