Love from: Jonathan Scherr

I feel truly lucky to have gotten to know Lauren better during my adulthood than I may have been able to as a child. Growing up, it was always fun to visit the Walters family on Martha's Vineyard and Concord MA, but as a kid, I was more focused on jumping off of dinghies in Menemsha pond with Peter and Edward than anything else.

However, after college I found myself looking to Lauren for guidance, counsel, and mentorship and he provided it without hesitation along my career. From sessions with The Concord Consortium to engaging with him on the topic of double-bottom-line investing to the future of real estate development, Lauren has always been a sounding board that has benefitted me professionally and personally. To this day, I run my Board meetings the way he recommended years ago: send out the materials in advance and focus on the 2-3 puzzles you want to work on together. In other words, get the BS out of the way and focus on the good stuff.

I actually think Lauren's advice on board meetings is a code he has lived by outside of the board room and it shows in his family. Getting to know Edward better over the years, it's become clear to me that Ed (and Peter) truly embrace the value of focusing on what really matters: integrity, friendship, family, and adventure. From traveling around the world to brainstorming fundraising strategies with Ed, it's clear how much of his father is in his modus operandi. To say the last few years have been difficult for the family would be an understatement, but watching how effective Lauren, Ed, Peter, and Karen have been at getting the BS out of the way and really focusing on the good stuff continues to inspire me.

As we look to the future, I know there will be many more puzzles, but I have no doubt that Lauren will continue to embrace them with the insight, color, and love that has inspired me so much over my life.

Happy Birthday Lauren!

With Love,

Jonathan Scherr