Where Are You Leaving Fingerprints?
Kelly Simon, CCE
On Wednesday, June 4, at CFDD’s Annual Awards Luncheon & Business Meeting held in conjunction with NACM’s 130th Credit Congress, Kelly Simon, CCE, stepped into the role of CFDD’s National Chair. After extending a warm welcome to all in attendance, she delivered the following message:
“Every day, we move through the world leaving fingerprints. Most of them are invisible, but all of them are unforgettable. We leave our invisible legacy in memories, in confidence, in courage, in the quiet ways people stand a little taller because of something we said or did. This is captured in a short but powerful quote: ‘Our fingerprints don’t fade from the lives we touch.’ It’s a truth about influence, connection, and the lasting impact of being human.
Even the smallest actions can have immense impact. You may offer words of encouragement, a smile or a gesture that says ‘I see you.’ Sometimes you may just listen. Or perhaps you offer patience when someone is frustrated. You may believe these moments have little to no significance. But have you ever had someone tell you your words or actions impacted them profoundly? Your fingerprints are everywhere, even when you don’t realize it.
What is truly beautiful is that your influence doesn’t stop with the person you touch. It’s contagious and it ripples outward. When you treat someone with kindness or patience, they pass it along. And when you believe in someone, they gain confidence and pass it along too. Your fingerprints become part of a chain reaction that reaches farther than you will ever see. You change the world simply by touching one life at a time.
So how are you being intentional about your fingerprints? Let’s be clear: you don’t need to be perfect. You don’t need a title, a platform, or a spotlight to make a difference. You just need intention. Just a few ideas:
Are you a gifted writer? Consider writing an article for the local or national newsletter.
Are you good at bringing people together? Consider organizing a study group for an upcoming exam.
Do you love public speaking? Consider being a local or national speaker.
Are you a teacher at heart? Consider serving as a mentor or teaching CAP courses.
Have you always felt like a public servant? Consider serving on your local or national board.
Do you excel at convincing others to share? Consider facilitating a round table discussion.
The opportunities are endless. Sometimes the simplest actions are the catalyst that sparks possibility – that sparks others to believe that they matter – and that sparks them to act. When you show up with authenticity and compassion, you leave a mark that cannot be erased.
So be the reason someone feels welcomed, seen, heard, valued, supported. Because long after the moment has passed, long after the conversation has ended, long after you’ve forgotten the interaction entirely, your fingerprints remain.
As we progress through the upcoming year, I will continue to ask: Where are you leaving fingerprints? How are you being intentional about your fingerprints? And what ripples have you witnessed? Please reach out to me and share – I’d love to hear your stories.
And remember: ‘Our fingerprints don’t fade from the lives we touch.’”
Kelly Simon, CCE, 2026–2027 Chair of the CFDD National Board of Directors, is Senior Credit and Collections Manager at Outdoor Research in Seattle, Washington and a proud member of the CFDD WaHiAk Chapter.