A Personal Note

By Mike Thibideau, President & CEO of Invest Hamilton County

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has” – Margeret Mead

At the end of November, I was blessed to celebrate 10 years of recovery from substance use disorder. I am so grateful that I’ve been able to spend the last 4.5 years of that time growing and serving in this role and learning from so many amazing relationships throughout the community. As I reflect on the accomplishment of this moment in my personal life and the place Invest Hamilton County is now I am filled with gratitude for the partners that have helped us as an organization and me as a person learn and grow since 2021 when I joined the org.

Collaboration and “getting things done” often are counterpoints to each other. When a challenge is confronted by a singular individual or an entity, a game plan can be devised, and decisions are able to be made without a great deal of conflict or turbulence. Movement begins. Impact starts… but then at some point it becomes recognized (when practicing continuous improvement) that it could all be made better with more input, expertise, and diversity of opinion at the table. The frustration of that moment is it often feels like it slows things down… but by leaning into difficult conversations and sacrificing self-interest, a better result can emerge.

In the recovery space the term “fellowship” is used to describe those around you who are also in recovery and help support each other on the challenging journey of life. One of my favorite analogies for the support of the fellowship is that of a “safety net” beneath a trapeze walker. The walker must develop the skills and take the next step to make it across the rope but, when they fall while learning, the closer they are to the net the less it hurts, and the easier it is to get back on the rope.

Collaboration in this space functions in a similar way. The lead organization or actor(s) must do their tasks to accomplish an objective, and by building a group of leaders and orgs with mutual interest in each other’s wellbeing, mistakes and setbacks are able to be recognized and addressed earlier in the continuous improvement cycle for a program.

I am so grateful for everyone who has empowered our community to succeed over these past 4.5 years, and even more, grateful for those who have helped me and our staff “fail forward” as we seek to address very difficult challenges facing the residents, businesses, and communities of Hamilton County.

Trust that collaboration, convening, and a continued commitment to data-driven action will be cornerstones of Invest Hamilton County’s programming in 2026 and beyond.

Happy Holidays!

Mike