My first order of business tonight is to welcome Marcel to the family. You are a true son of New Orleans; you remember Hurricane Katrina and follow your beloved LSU Tigers. Your commitment to Judaism in its broadest construct, through Tzedakah, is deeply moving. It has been a joy getting to know you, from our many conversations to that huge wave you sent my way on your jet ski in Sarasota; the boy needed to show who was really the boss. Your parents, Bobby and Robin are justifiably proud of their son. Most importantly, you cherish Amanda as a partner and a best friend.
Now onto the main subject of my talk; Amanda. Everyone in our house had a nickname; Margot was Boo Boo, Tory was the Nipper. Amanda was Lambie. She had big cheeks, a winning smile, and the stealthy approach of the youngest who got her way through charm and negotiation. Here is your official Fort Collins Lambie t-shirt.
Margot was the inspiration, setting a high bar for achievement in the classroom. Tory and Amanda shared a bunk bed. She was Tory’s right hand accomplice; the inseparable Bear Cubs (note that I used my two favorite Chicago teams). Amanda had a special trick for the swing in Riverside Park; when I pushed her, she came back and tried to kick me. Bath time always turned into an epic dinosaur battle, with Amanda’s Triceratops defeating my Velociraptor. She even beat me at a crawling race in Mount Fuji restaurant when she was four years old, prompting the owner to post a sign, “Control your children, no crawling allowed.” Marcel, you have married a force of nature. Amanda, here is your Triceratops, Marcel you get the Raptor.
Amanda was shaped by her experience in basketball. Her journey began at the gym in the Frederick Douglass Center in Harlem. She played every Saturday and Sunday. She learned how to get along and how to contribute where she could. She improved her game. And through relentless training and hard work she went on to become the second highest scorer in Trinity School history with over 1,000 points in her high school career. This journey was the basis of her application to Stanford; her legendary day on the West Fourth Street Court of can’t miss three-point shooting when passersby cheered her on; “Man, that girl can shoot.” Marcel, you were clever to reserve a hoops court in London for your official wedding proposal, the perfect spot for the union of two-point guards.
Amanda has an innate sense of politics. She understands that you get ahead by listening even more than talking; that persuasion is better than authority. What other undergraduate campaigned for Class President by zooming around Stanford on a skateboard festooned with a large Abe Lincoln image. Here’s your new skateboard to win votes if you ever run in Chicago.
She made it clear four years ago when she joined Edelman that she required a new nickname. We agreed on Lioness. You are the Natural at Edelman as you have been in all the other stages of your life, from running the Gen Z lab to overseeing the Chicago office. Grandpa Dan and Grandma Ruth are smiling down on you today. Here is your official Nala the Lioness shirt; you earned it.
Amanda, your first Shakespeare play at Trinity was Romeo and Juliet. This line from Juliet is so fitting for today; “My love is deep; the more I give to thee, the more I have, both are infinite.” Remember this line always; marriage is about giving and comforting and being each other’s best friend. Keep laughing and having new adventures. Do things together always. And Marcel, keep standing up for my daughter just like you did on the Harvard Business School basketball court when she took that hard foul.
I speak for the entire Edelman family wishing you all of life’s joys, patience with your partner, and commitment to a full life, of business achievement, culture, sports and social progress. Amanda and Marcel, I am looking forward to all that life will bring you. You are a magical couple, with mutual respect, great work ethic and zest for life. I love you both beyond words.
Richard Edelman is CEO.
