As we settle into a new set of risk management professional conferences including RIMS 2015, we're reminded to renew our commitments, refresh our spirit and educate our minds on what is possible in risk management. I often wonder if we ever truly stop and realize what a dynamic, fascinating and rewarding profession we are in.

For certain, every risk manager and risk management department encounters a wide range of mountains to conquer. While I could expand further about these issues, I instead thought that I would share some observations and confessions about my risk management career:

1. For me, risk mitigation and insurance have been and always will be continued areas for learning and improvement;

2. I still get surprised with new operational risks and issues all the time, and wonder how that happens after 23 years in the industry;

3. I impart lessons to my children—who listen painfully—on risk management and life before work each day while I drive them to school. I only hope that they remember 1% of what I say and use it in their own lives and careers, so that they might be spared some of the mistakes that I've made;

4. Sometimes I feel like I really know nothing, and I am OK with that;

5. Managing people and projects is fun for me but managing risks is hard;

6. Living in the world of unknowns and having fluid situations really can wear on a non-risk manager, and risk managers need to be considerate of that fact;

7. Even in times of crisis you can step away and relinquish control if you have built a good team around you;

8. Government officials do not win elections on risk management issues, so you need to relay to them why risk management matters;

9. Be a leader, facilitator and collaborator, and don't worry about who gets the credit;

10. And finally: risk management rocks!

Now that I have confessed, I feel much better. I work for a large public agency that has 15 elected council members and a citywide elected mayor, controller and city attorney. They all have many staff members and numerous agendas that are sometimes mind boggling. However, I've learned that if I want to be of value to my organization, I have to bring value to my organization. No matter how hard it is to affect change, I'm the person who needs to lead the charge. I accept that mission, and enjoy it immensely. Persistence and passion can always make a difference.