Obama Pays His Respects

I had a suspicion I was respected, appreciated and made meaningful contributions to the business and people I worked with on a daily basis.  But I had no idea how much until I gave my resignation.

The response I received from people was overwhelming, heart warming and deeply affecting.  It even made me laugh.

One of the more jovial moments after I gave my resignation, was when the President of the agency, charming Chuck, wouldn't come to a meeting I had with him and the CFO, Smiling Michael, and instead posted a note on the conference room door that said, "I don't attend meetings with people who have resigned - Dawn this mean you."  It was hilarious!

And while it was a running joke in the office that I am:

a) Not political and
b) don't watch the news ever, (it's just too depressing and negative),

somehow President Obama (my bosses favorite - not) showed up to pay his respects.  He had quite a speech, (thank you Conrad and Jerry) that hit the high hard ones just beautifully.  He was resplendent, with secret service in tow.

My cheeks hurt from laughing so hard.  Plus I was trying really hard not to tear up, especially when my boss got up there and said some nice things (he really does like me, who knew) and Samantha came to present me with my very own rubber ducky, albeit this one was crystal with some serious bling (so me).

For years I have lamented at my inability to win a rubber ducky.  Managers give rubber duckies to their employees or co-workers as recognition for exemplary work.  I have doled out plenty of them. Because of my title I was ineligible (allegedly) but this never stopped me from coveting it.  The rubber ducky, was by far, the perfect parting gift for me.  Because the other gift, the gift of working with all these amazing people, will stay with me, in my heart forever.

The video they played at the end of the presentation was amazing.  It really made me realize how meaningful my time at Saatchi has been.  And the best part was I got to share all of this, including the East meets West cocktail reception with my best friend, the reason for it all, my husband, Russell.

Thank you to everyone.

The top 10 things I'll miss about Saatchi

1. Wine Not - duh - you girls rock!
2. "Everyone Matters" - thank you Kurt
3. The Leadership Team, especially Chuck
4. The stand outs:  Clifton, Joan, even Greg, Shelina, Sharda, Abbi, Monica, Breanne
5. My totally awesome management team (Gwen, Sam, C-rad, Nicole)
6. Two words:  Cecilie Carter - hey can you come to Tokyo? I need you.
7. The strategy team - most talented folks at the agency, especially Mr. Beers
8. The HR team, Lisa, Cait and both Smalls always had my back
9. Lisko - yeah, Lisko
10. My partner: Bruce - who taught me about the world

Honorable mention:  Saigon Flavor - thank you Pat Wada

Pat Wada

Note, not once did I mention an awareness modeler in my top 10 list.

Stay for the pictures below:

Solving for world peace or where to go for lunch - you choose

Thank you photo shop

Wine - yum

Yes, it's a globe

They say this was the slowest I ever talked

It's a black suit convention

This is definitely one for the scrapbook

You can't be serious Conrad!  Everyone knows the correlation analysis is completely bunk

Does Mark have teeth?

Nice smile Charming Chuck

Smiley Michael and Samantha too!

Surprise visitor from Detroit!

And it's not Farley

The A Team

So apparently the last two weeks I was there the team played Dawn Wager Lingo Bingo 

with some of my popular idioms

Who one?