Take Flight Moments

Toni Russo

As I sit here looking at an antique door knob from the 1920’s that is attached to a 140 year old piece of solid walnut cut from an equally ancient door, I can’t help but think of Dr. Lauren Lek. I have kept this particular piece since the spring of 2019 when Dr. Lek and I began Phase 1 of the Boundless project, the complete reimagination of Aquinas and Saint Joseph’s Halls, now known as Navara Hall and Shiley Hall. It may seem like an odd memento to hold onto, but for me it represents the many doors Lauren has opened not just for the students of The Academy of Our Lady of Peace, but for all of us who have been lucky enough to work for her, with her, or simply know her.

Lauren has a God given gift to connect with people, to pull talents and skills out of people that they didn’t even know they had. I met Lauren in the Summer of 2014, I was in a transition in life, my children were getting older and involved in school and extracurricular activities, and I was ready to find a new purpose and return to full time employment. I was offered a short three week temporary position covering the front desk during summer school at OLP. That 3 week job changed the trajectory of the rest of my life. I was fortunate enough to have had a few opportunities to work directly with Lauren during those 3 weeks, she saw something in me that I had forgotten was there. I ended up working with Lauren for the next 8 years.

Lauren challenged me, she wanted to know what I was passionate about, when it came to working she wanted to know what my ideal job would look like. These are the kinds of questions she would ask, then she would ask so how are you going to get there? How can I help you get there? Lauren walked the path with me, she taught me the importance of building relationships, of choosing where to put my focus, time, and talents, and how to surround myself with others who could support the areas I was not as strong in. Lauren taught me that saying no didn’t have to be a closed door, rather it could simply mean not how we originally planned, let’s find another way. Lauren reminded me that I am capable, that anything I can dream of is attainable if I am willing to put in the work. Grateful doesn’t seem like a big enough expression when I think of my time working with Dr. Lauren Lek. I intentionally did not use the phrase “for Dr. Lek” because when you are fortunate enough to be #ledbylek you quickly realize she is working as much for you as you are working for the mission.

Working with Lauren is not easy, she is the epitome of firm but graceful, driven, and will ask you to dig deep and to be courageous. I am living a life I had not dared to dream of because of Lauren’s God given gift to lead and to build leaders, for this I am forever grateful.