Recently, someone asked me a question that made me stop and think: "Kim, where do you get the ideas for your weekly letters?"
The answer is simple. I get them from you.
The stories, the successes, the lessons, the challenges, the conversations, and sometimes even the unexpected moments that happen during the week all become inspiration. Many of the topics I write about come directly from things our members are doing, ideas you share with me, or experiences that remind me of the incredible people who make up the AME community.
That question prompted me to look back through some of the letters I have written since becoming AME President and CEO in January 2020. It started simply - I wanted to connect with our members and thought perhaps an occasional letter might be a good way to do this. I never planned it to be weekly - it just organically happened,
Whenever I think maybe we should stop, I hear from someone sharing that they have been able to know AME on a more personal level through them. Can you believe, since 2020, we’ve sent out 52 letters annually - that's more than 330 messages over the past six years!
Looking back through those letters, I realized they tell a story, not my story, but ours. They each captured a remarkable period in AME's history. Together, we navigated a global pandemic, expanded our international reach, launched new programs, held 6 conferences - two virtual ones for the first time in AME’s 42-year history, strengthened our community, and continued to prove that operational excellence begins and ends with people.
Over the years, we’ve written about people-centered leadership, continuous improvement, culture, manufacturing, resilience, events, volunteers, learning, and the many everyday acts of people helping people that make AME special. We’ve announced a new international board of directors, celebrated six emerging leader cohort graduations, marked holidays and new partnerships, recognized mentors, honored the legacy founders we have lost, and thanked all of you for everything you do. More than 25 letters have been guest-written by members, and we’re always eager for more.
And yes, through these letters, you have gotten to know my “foster kitty.” After all these years, though, it is probably time to retire that phrase. She adopted me in 2021, so she is no longer a foster kitty; she is family. Along the way, you have also learned about my love of popcorn and movies and “Grammie’s” determination to never throw away “good boxes.”
All of these letters were meant to align with continuous improvement and human centered leadership- core to AME and our performance excellence community.
People also occasionally ask me another question: "Which letter is your favorite?" My answer is almost always the same - "The one published last week."
Not because I don't appreciate the previous 330-plus letters, but because each new one captures something meaningful happening in that moment. They reflect what we are learning together, what we are experiencing together, and what inspires us to continue improving together. Most importantly, those letters reflect what has always made AME unique - our willingness to share, learn, and grow.
So, if you've ever wondered where the ideas come from, they come from you and I thank you so much!
Thank you for the stories you tell, the questions you ask, the examples you provide, and the passion you bring to this community. You are the inspiration behind these messages.
And after more than 330 letters, I can say with confidence that there is still no shortage of stories worth telling because there is no shortage of extraordinary people in AME. I am always open to guest writers- let me know your story!
Please join us at the AME Milwaukee 2026 International Conference | October 26–29 where we will connect with our amazing membership.
As always, please stay safe and keep looking out for one another.
