"I first met Lorri when we worked together at PACE Center for Girls, a non-residential school for at-risk girls ages 12-18, back in 2008. Her position was largely related to fundraising and building relationships and awareness of our program in the community. One of the many ways that Lorri excelled was her ability to work with these girls and help prepare them for rather large fundraisers. The student would stand up at a podium in front of, potentially hundreds of community members, and tell their, often, very sad stories. Lorri never just gave these girls a script and a push to the microphone. She worked with them individually in her office for days and weeks cultivating rapport and trust. She understood innately that in order for the girl to succeed in telling her story she needed to believe in herself so Lorri focused on empowerment and self-esteem building through public speaking and speech writing. For these girls – their story is all they have. Their lives are often embroiled with trauma, neglect, vulnerabilities many adults cannot imagine. Lorri never exploited them or their story – she never pushed them beyond what they felt safe doing. But she did push them to be their very best selves: to be proud of who they were becoming and embrace their weaknesses and turn them into strength and courage. She taught them how to shine as a leader, display grace, and confidence, and bring a room full of adults into their world. For as long as I’ve known Lorri she pushes these qualities in herself and the women she chooses to surround herself with. She believes every woman can be her best self with the steady guiding hand of someone who believes in them and can hold the vision for what she can become. It’s why many years later I’m very proud to continue to call her friend. She inspires me and never lets me wallow in defeat. She is always my greatest and favorite personal cheerleader. If we hit an obstacle she perseveres and doesn’t believe in dead ends. She is bright, energetic, dependable, and empathetic. And her number one goal is always how to make the person she stands next to succeed."