We all want the pandemic behind us. I see what we’re all missing out on daily. I miss seeing family, friends and our people. I want the chance to gather safely – in person – to work, collaborate and learn together. I want to visit the people at each of our operating companies. I’m also ready to go to Summerfest concerts and watch the Brewers play at American Family Field.

I hope we get to do all the things we missed out on in 2020 – and more – again soon. I’m not quite ready to put 2020 in the rearview mirror entirely. Yes, much of last year can remain in the past. But, there are also some elements of 2020 that I want to live on in our country and in our enterprise.

My company showed incredible resilience, outstanding agility, and courageous care for our customers and each other in 2020. And we doubled down on our commitment to social justice and diversity and inclusion. Once we’re rid of COVID-19, we can’t – and won’t – shed the responsibilities we’ve taken on or forget the lessons we learned. It was certainly a year filled with challenges. But, it was also a year dotted with incredible moments of growth and triumph for my company – and for our country.

How about ingenuity and innovation? It goes without saying developing several different and effective COVID-19 vaccines required innovation and agility from our scientific community. However, our entire health care system also rapidly innovated. These are improvements that will likely continue after the pandemic.

American Family Insurance quickly adapted, too, moving 95% of our people to remote working capabilities. The sheer innovation and dedication – especially from our technology teams – was amazing. We quickly learned how to use new tools and how to collaborate and work differently.

We want to keep that forced innovation mindset part of who we are – permanently!

It was a remarkable year in terms of care, too. We saw it on display from front-line and essential workers. They deserve our gratitude and our respect. The care of American Family’s own people echoed that of the rest of the country. Our premium relief was a crucial way to put that care into action for our customers. Amazing claims responses in a year filled with named storms. Customer service delivered every day.

American Family’s people also supported each other and continue to do so. We cared for our communities, too, recording the largest year for employee philanthropic giving and volunteerism.

We must continue to care for each other and our communities throughout the coming year. Let’s continue to emphasize what brings us together and unites us!

Our communities need us. While 2020 produced horrific examples of racial injustice, it also generated huge and diverse crowds demanding change. Companies joined in the conversation – more than ever – including our enterprise. We built upon the foundation we already had set. Expect additional action and investments in diversity, equity and inclusion as American Family move through 2021. This is something more and more people demand from businesses and business leaders.

Our country will continue to face crises in 2021. And, no doubt, companies – including mine – will need to confront new and different challenges, as well as new opportunities. In my final year as CEO, it’s my hope we will use the positive lessons learned in 2020 to embrace the challenges and opportunities in the year ahead.