A Magical Tomorrow

This year was filled with great wins for RIMS like the first-ever Texas Regional Conference, amazing turnout at RISKWORLD and RIMS Canada Conference, and the RIMS-CRMP certification’s continued growth. We also celebrated in style, reflecting on RIMS’ remarkable 75-year history while imagining the possibilities of its future. But the year also came with some tragic losses with the passing of former RIMS President Susan Meltzer and RIMS Chief Membership Experience Officer Leslie Whittet.

Each day brought something new. New joy. New inspiration. New adversity. You never know what tomorrow will bring…but, setting a plan to tackle the unknown is kind of our specialty.

Back in January, I introduced my focus for the year: the importance of recognizing that the world around us is rapidly changing and the need for risk professionals to be ready for whatever each Brand New Day brings. And, over the course of the year, it was magical to watch the RIMS community draw strength from each other, persevere and thrive.

As RIMS President, I had the opportunity watch this magic transpire around the world. From Alberta, Canada to Singapore, there was incredible excitement about the profession’s future, a global commitment to professional development, and a willingness by all to go the extra mile to share experiences and lift each other up.  

Throughout my career, RIMS has always been that for me. The Society has always provided a platform for me to build relationships and collaborate, and I could not be prouder of all that WE have achieved this year to deliver those same opportunities to others.

There are lists and lists of people who sparked this magic and who I’d like to thank for helping me get to where I am today and for what we accomplished.

To my friends on RIMS Board: thank you for lending your expertise and helping me steer this gigantic ship. In addition to being incredibly brilliant risk leaders, your passion for this profession and the future of RIMS is inspiring. RIMS is incredibly lucky to have you on its side.

I want to thank all the volunteers. It was eye-opening to see a world of passionate risk management professionals come together to drive this profession forward. RIMS volunteers lead our chapters, develop our conferences, contribute resources, monitor regulatory matters, and so much more. Thank you for your dedication and all that you do for the RIMS community.

RIMS partners are amazing! Whether as exhibitors, education partners, or sharing solutions and ideas through a variety of other RIMS channels, thank you for your generosity. Guiding our organizations through uncertainty is no easy task and we couldn’t do it without innovative partners like you.

Lastly, behind the scenes, there is a team of hard-working professionals who stop at nothing to create opportunities for risk professionals – like you and me. In the association world, RIMS is the gold standard, and that is a testament to RIMS’ talented staff. Thank you for making us all shine.

Our work to keep our organizations resilient, people safe, and communities vibrant is a never-ending project. However, I know that, together, we can achieve anything! I’ve watched this magic happen for the last eight years that I have served on RIMS Board of Directors, and I know your RIMS leaders will keep us moving in the right direction for years to come.

RIMS is so special to me. It has done wonders for my career. Serving as the Society’s president has been one of the most rewarding professional experiences of my life…and it’s because of you!  So, thank you!

((PS- for those who know me, you know that I’m totally crying right now.))

Have a safe and happy holiday season.

To your continued success,

Kristen Peed
RIMS 2025 President