Letters to JL
Personal reflections on leadership, trust
and shared experience
Introduction
These notes are personal reflections from colleagues and collaborators written over many years of shared work.
They speak not to achievement, but to trust, growth and the relationships formed behind the scenes of major events.
Here, voices from inside the journey offer insight into the human side of leadership — the challenges, the lessons and the shared experiences that endure long after the event has passed.
Yesterday I got a call asking if I could assist with setting up a room for a corporate party at a major hotel — and wow, did I realise during that event that my time with you over my career was literally an events boot camp, and for all the right reasons.
The lack of preparation and planning that led to chaos in the final hours of set-up was a shock. I had simply assumed everyone worked with the same diligence and acute attention to detail as I had been taught.
Initially, being a contractor, I didn’t want to interfere. However, in the end, my inner (JL) OCD got the better of me. The banquet manager, events manager and general manager were all pleasantly surprised — and grateful.
So this is my heartfelt note to say thank you for all those years of hard work and patience you invested in me. I know it wasn’t always easy, me being young and emotional, but I now look back and truly appreciate the tough love and mentorship you gave me.
I believe it has shaped me into the event manager — and the person — I am today. I felt so proud yesterday when the most simple ideas and processes, which you taught me the significance of, paved the way for future work on my conquest as a freelancer.
From the bottom of my heart, I love you and thank you ❤️
Jumana Manaz
9 December 2021
I’ve been struggling to find the words to say how much you’ll be missed. I can’t express how highly I think of you, or how thankful I am that I had the opportunity to work with you.
Your passion and ability to get things done is nothing short of inspiring. Over the years, you’ve contributed so much — and from what I’ve seen, it was never about you, only about everyone else.
The opportunities you provided for me, and for the Aboriginal community, are something I can’t thank you enough for. You’ll probably never get to see the full extent of the impact you’ve had, but it is real and lasting.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for all you’ve done and for the marvellous memories you’ve left with me. I can’t wait to see you again at some stage and give you a big hug (when we’re allowed) 😂.
Take care and enjoy your newly found freedom.
Ngubadi Mari (big love),
Stu
Having experienced CaSPA as a parent, teacher and, finally, a team member, I can say with confidence that one essential element has always ensured its success: the JL factor.
From day one, you have walked every step of the journey. You have listened to every voice, faced challenges head-on, protected those around you and consistently put others first — all so that every student could grow, belong and become a better version of themselves. Because people matter.
The passion and commitment you have devoted to the thousands of students and teachers whose lives have been touched through these programs have created, nurtured and sustained a legacy that has profoundly shaped my own life. I am honoured to have been a small part of it.
I can already hear you saying, “It’s a team effort — we are successful because we are a team.”
That is true.
But all successful teams share one essential ingredient: an extraordinary leader. And Jennie-lee, that leadership has been yours.
With love,
JP
One of the biggest lessons you taught me is that in any industry, whether in the arts or not, you lose 100% of the opportunities you don’t take.
That mindset inspired me to do more, to put myself forward, and to step outside my comfort zone. It has stayed with me well beyond my time there.
Thank you for that.
Kind regards,
Lizard van den Berg
