.020 Teri Orr

Where do I begin with someone as unique as Teri? We met in the midst of magic - a weeklong TED conference in Whistler, Canada, surrounded by hundreds of world leaders, thinkers and doers. Teri stood out instantly, with her immeasurable charm and ability to cut through the bullshit. I remember laughing within just a few seconds with her. She’s hilarious, witty, unbelievably smart, and makes you feel comfortable and at ease. I recall spelling out the F word to her in conversation, and she interrupted me with, “fuck. the word is fuck, Brian, just say it.”

On top of her incredible sense of humor, Teri is extremely grounded and appreciative of everything around her. She works hard and diligently, always for the betterment of those around her. She’s got a treasure trove of stories from her life in Park City and I’m always eager to hear another whenever we speak. This, mixed with her perfect storyteller voice, makes her just such a fabulous person to sit and chat with. I could’ve sat for hours and hours at that conference listening to more and more, and I’m fairly sure the only reason we all (Shivang, Sonia, etc) didn’t keep chatting was because the sessions were beginning!

Teri, thank you for being a bright and joyful light in my life since the moment we met! Thank you for making me cackle repeatedly, and think about all the important things in life. Thank you for the whiskey, for always being game to talk with me, and for more of the whiskey. Thank you for chatting with me 2 years ago for my 25 project and for always being open and honest with me. There’s really no BS (sorry, I mean bullshit) with you and it’s something I am extremely grateful for. You’re a blast to be around and I wish I could visit you sooner. Thank you for being such a role model in this chaotic world and for always being an example of what it means to work hard, to stand up for what’s right, and to be kind. Thank you for being you.