02/04/2026
One year ago, we lost our CEO, our leader, and our friend, Tali Sutton.
In the days that followed her passing, her office—the place where so many conversations, ideas, laughs, and hugs once lived—went quiet. The door stayed closed. The lights stayed off. Walking past it felt unbearable. It was a reminder of the bright, beautiful presence that had been taken from us far too soon.
In our shared grief, we leaned on one another. We learned—more deeply than ever—that caring for people means caring for ourselves, too. Grief has a way of teaching you that. It brings you into a club no one wants to join, yet one day, all of us will.
Time kept moving, even when our hearts didn’t feel ready.
Slowly, gently, our leadership team found the courage to open that door again. They stepped into the space Tali had filled with so much life. They sorted through her things—mementos of her journey, reminders of the people she loved, and the countless ways she served this community. With care and tenderness, they cleaned and organized. Then, one day, they simply left the door open.
An invitation.
An invitation to sit.
To breathe.
To remember.
To grieve.
At first, people came quietly. Just to be still. Just to feel close to her again.
Over time, meetings returned. Laughter returned. Conversations returned. And the room began to change. It filled again—with light, with teamwork, with memories, with moments of sadness and moments of joy. It no longer echoed with Tali's cheerful “Hi!” or her joyful “sorry, I’m a hugger!”—but her spirit never left.
Yesterday, on the one-year anniversary of her passing, we gathered in that space once more.
And we named it The Hut (a fitting callout to Tali's favorite, Pizza Hut).
A place for connection.
For collaboration.
For rest.
For reflection.
For support.
A place where everyone is welcome.
We are endlessly grateful to our teammates, Krissy Spaulding and Mike Jackson, for transforming this room with such thoughtfulness, care, and grace. It was not an easy task, but they did it beautifully.
Together, we raised a glass of prosecco—a perfect symbol of Tali's effervescence, her warmth, and her gift for turning ordinary moments into celebrations. We toasted to her life, her kindness, her leadership, and the community she built.
And in that moment, she felt close.
Our hope is that The Hut will always be more than a room.
That it will be a reminder of who Tali was.
Of how she loved.
Of how she led.
Of how she invited people in.
Of how she made people feel seen, valued, and cared for.
A place that helps us heal.
A place that helps us keep going.
A place that helps us honor her by living her values every day.
We love you, Tali.
We miss you.
And we promise to keep shining—just like you taught us to ✨💛
