“Ever have one of those moments at work where something lands in your inbox and you pause? Not one of those “reply all” disasters. Something good. Something that makes you sit up a little straighter because you know it matters.
That was me when the chance came to step into this role at CFTEA.
CFTEA was a turning point in my own career. The courses, the support, the confidence building. It played a real part in who I became professionally. So when the opportunity came to help others discover that same growth, I did not need time to think. I said yes. And honestly, it still feels like the right yes every single day.
Because here is what I know. Big organization or small, one branch or fifty. New employee or seasoned pro. Every person has more inside them than they realize. And sometimes they just need someone to open a door and say, I believe you can do this.
That is what CFTEA does. We make learning reachable for people at all stages and backgrounds. We make it feel possible. And once that happens, you would be amazed at what people do next.
I may not know every employee across our partner organizations. But I know this. Everyone carries their own story, their own doubts, and their own hopes. And when education becomes available, supportive, and encouraging, something really powerful happens inside a person. I lived that. And I get to watch others experience it too.
It is meaningful. And it matters.
So thank you for being a part of this journey. For cheering on your teams. For believing in growth. Every time you support someone’s learning path, you are giving them more than skills. You are showing them what is possible for their future.
I am grateful to do this work, and I am honored to do it alongside you.” – CFTEA Executive Director, Andrew Lederer
Watch the video below to hear the story in my own words. Or discover more CFTEA value in our resource hub.