In what seems like a blink of an eye, 2024 is almost over. While I’m naturally future-focused, at this time of year it’s good to look back on, and give thanks for, what all of us at JMA have achieved – collectively and individually, personally and professionally. Here’s a review of the year just gone.
Weddings & Celebrations
Above all else, 2024 at JMA has been a year for weddings! Sandy (who married a former JMA-er), Ismi and Ayse all tied the knot in Turkey, and Igal had an intimate wedding reception in Los Angeles. Mr and Mrs Midmer senior, meanwhile, recently celebrated an impressive half century of marriage. We’re delighted for you all!
Promotions & Work Anniversaries
2024 was also a year of promotions, with multiple members of the team stretching themselves in new ways with increased responsibilities. Congratulations to Sandy, Neslihan, Ayse, Ismi and Polen! Also very well done to Susan, who celebrated a milestone anniversary of five years with JMA.
Personal Milestones
Sarah became an empty nester (about which she’s written so beautifully here) and rejoined the Alumni Board of Sacred Heart Academy; Anna begrudgingly started using reading glasses (so did I, Anna – you have my sympathies…) and survived hurricane season in South Florida; Igal became a permanent resident of Canada; Neslihan saw her daughter start kindergarten; Ayse moved from Ankara to Boston; Polen and her husband bought their first home; and my wife and I dropped my elder son, James, at university.
Travel & Hobbies
Sarah vacationed in Costa Rica; honeymoons were taken by Sandy in the Maldives, Ayse in South Korea and Ismi in Japan; Polen went to Greece and Susan visited Europe, both for the first time; Neslihan and her family enjoyed their first proper holiday together since the pandemic; and my family and I enjoyed spending quality time with family and friends on land and sea in the UK, Turkey, France and Spain.
Sarah made use of her new empty-nester status to take up some new hobbies; Sandy learned how to cook and saw LeBron James at her first live Lakers game; Igal saw his first live (ice) hockey game; Ismi, meanwhile, learned punch needle and made a bunch of crocheted goods.
Work Highlights
Sarah and I are so proud of how hard the team has worked over the past year, successfully placing talent with wonderful clients across a raft of consumer-facing industries in the Americas, the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific – while embodying our values of quality, trust and care. This year, we’re particularly proud that we’ve had the opportunity to help C-level placements of ours build out their own teams.
Sarah and I visited clients in multiple geographies throughout the year, and it was lovely that our paths crossed in the US in September. This visit confirmed, once again, the secret of our now nine-year-long relationship – distance!
In other news, we launched our new website; Tabi, our third intern from the wonderful 10000 Black Interns programme, truly made her mark by investigating and making some valuable recommendations on how JMA can benefit from new technologies; and we continued to donate regularly to our five charity partners via JMA Cares.
Thanks
I’d like to thank the entire team at JMA for their hard work and commitment throughout this year.
This applies equally to our team of non-executive advisors and directors, who, constantly and generously, provide their valuable time, advice and expertise. We so appreciate everything you do.
I’d also like to thank my wonderful family for their love and support. Knowing you’re behind me every step of the way makes this now eleven-year entrepreneurial adventure so much more meaningful.
Finally, to clients, candidates and our own suppliers, we’ve been proud to partner with you this year, and look forward to continuing our relationship with you in 2025 and beyond!