From Business Success to More Meaningful Partnerships

When I first created Midwest Litigation Services, which I later rebranded as Alaris, I never could have imagined where my professional journey would take me. Building and nurturing a company from the ground up was a labor of love, filled with inevitable challenges and unexpected rewards. But selling Alaris to Lexitas was one of the biggest and riskiest steps of my career. It was a leap into the unknown – a decision that could have gone any number of ways. Now three years removed from that decision, though, it is clear that it has opened doors to opportunities I never anticipated and allowed me to step into a new and deeply fulfilling role.

As Vice President of Community Relations at Lexitas, I have been given a chance to focus primarily on community outreach and philanthropic work. This work has not been a complete career shift, but rather a deepening of the kind of engagement work I have always tried to fold into my business. At Lexitas, I have had the privilege of partnering with even more incredible organizations. While it is hard to provide a comprehensive list because we are constantly connecting with new philanthropic ventures, here are some of the great people we have started working with and the kind of work we do:

• The Keyway Center for Diversion & Reentry – We helped remodel apartments and provide ongoing material support for women reentering society after incarceration.
• The Landing - Houston – We support The Landing’s drop-in center and helped assemble snack packs for survivors of human trafficking.
• Guardian Revival – We work with the Boots & Paws program to provide companion dogs for veterans and first responders struggling with anxiety and depression.
• ArchCity Defenders – We have sponsored fundraising events that help ArchCity achieve equal justice and equitable outcomes in underserved communities.
• Chicago Volunteer Legal Services – We have sponsored events to help CVLS ensure that that the law works for everyone.
• Freedom Suits Memorial Foundation – We provide ongoing support and sponsor events that honor hundreds of courageous slave plaintiffs and their legal defenders who sued for their freedom before the Civil War.
• National MS Society – We sponsor Walk MS: Twin Cities, which helps raise money and awareness surrounding research and treatment of multiple sclerosis.

These partnerships have allowed us to support people in need, make a direct impact on our communities, and contribute to meaningful change in the world around us. One of the most rewarding aspects of my new role has been helping to establish the Lexitas Employee Assistance Fund (LEAF). LEAF was created to support our Lexitas team members through difficult circumstances, whether it is health emergencies, natural disasters, or life-altering events. Knowing that we can make a difference in the lives of our employees during their most challenging times has been incredibly gratifying.

None of this would have been possible without the vision and support of Lexitas CEO Gary Buckland. When Lexitas bought Alaris, Gary saw us as more than just another business acquisition. He recognized the value of the services we provided and – most importantly – the incredible people who made it all possible. His commitment to utilizing those resources in meaningful ways has opened new possibilities for Lexitas employees and has given me the opportunity to explore a new career path that is challenging and rewarding in all-new ways.

As I reflect on this journey, I am not sure if this will be my last professional chapter. I have had a lot of chapters over the years, and each one has revealed new possibilities. What I do know is that I am grateful for the chance to do this kind of work at this stage of my career. It has been an unexpected but incredibly fulfilling experience, and I am excited to see where it leads next!

“Life is a gift, and it offers us the privilege, opportunity, and responsibility to give something back by becoming more.” – Anthony Robbins