There have been a few times in my life that I have been taken off guard by how profoundly affected I was because of the passing of someone I didn’t know well. This is one of those times. Our whole Nordstrom family is grieving. A bright light in our company and the world has been taken away. Blake Nordstrom was the kind of man who took the time to get to know the least of us. He remembered the names, roles, and ambitions of hundreds and hundreds of people in his company. He welcomed emails from everyone, and responded to each with thoughtful, personal responses. I will never take for granted his kind words, support, and encouragement over the years. I know that isn’t something that always comes so genuinely from the co-president of such a large company to someone as far removed from corporate offices as I am. He was a true servant leader, and he left it better than he found it.

Jennifer Woodruff