heather powazek champ - Je ne regrette rien

Je ne regrette rien

Flickr captured my heart almost immediately. From the moment I could upload from my mobile device, I was hooked. A year later, after the acquisition by Yahoo, I found my dream job and joined the team as Community Manager in May 2005.

I’ve had an opportunity to work with some incredibly brilliant minds on some very challenging issues. How do you take a community the size of small town to the size of a nation? How do you grow a site that began in one region and make it truly global by adding languages and localizing in what’s now 25 countries? How do you apply a content filtering system to a living site to ensure that members can be respectful of one another but still share the greatest variety of content? These are some of the big hairy challenges. There were countless day to day adventures as we did our best to protect and nurture what I think of as the “Flickr-ness of Flickr-being” (with apologies to Heidegger).

Good citizenship may telegraph easily amongst members of a small community, but this is something that will be lost as a community grows. (And grow Flickr did. At present, there are roughly 3.5 million new photos and video every day.) One of the things I’m most proud of is the work that began as a conversation between George and myself on our commutes to and from Sunnyvale. The result is the Flickr Community Guidelines — a document that I’ve seen replicated (with our blessing) around the web.

In the end, Flickr is very much about every member who has ever uploaded a photo or video, left a comment, or faved something. You are the heart of Flickr and you’ve enriched my life in ways. More importantly, you’ve enriched the web through glimpses of your life that you’ve chosen to share.

I was lucky enough to travel a fair amount and meet a few of you. There were even times when we went out and took photos together. These are some of my favourite memories of the last five years.

One of the first things I posted to FlickrBlog was a celebration of our 17th million photo. Almost 5 years and 4.2 billion photos later, Flickr is a big beautiful beast. I’ve come to miss those early days, of wearing many hats and working closely with a few people on a nimble site.

April 30th will be my last day with Team Flickr. I’m going to be taking a month or two to do nothing more than walk my dogs and take photographs. And after that, I’m once again teaming up with my better half. Derek and I are launching a company with a focus on helping community sites benefit from our experience. There’s not much at Fertile Medium at present, but we’re going to be fleshing it out soon.

2 April 2010 Photos, Words

WHOA…. I think I just felt the ground shake a little under my feet. Sniffle… YOU are going to be missed. sniffle..

Posted by Kevin-John on 2 April 2010 @ 10am

I can’t believe it’s been 5 years. Thanks for all your work helping making Flickr the social networking site for photographers and visual creatives. I can’t wait to see what you and Derek come up with next and the best of luck in those endeavors.

Posted by Martin Taylor on 2 April 2010 @ 10am

Congrats, Heather, on your big leap!

The last five years of Flickr has been delightful, and while you will be missed, I am quite excited to hear/see what you and Derek will be up to.

;o)

Posted by Ms. Jen on 2 April 2010 @ 10am

Flickr has has a profound influence on me, personally and professionally. The work you’ve done there has been a big part of that. Thank you. And I’ll be watching!

Posted by Jim Heid on 2 April 2010 @ 10am

Heather, thank you for all of the wonderful work you’ve done at Flickr. You have changed peoples’ lives, grown an enormous community of photographers, and had a tremendous impact on creativity in community. Good luck with Fertile Medium. It’s sure to be great!

Posted by Kit Seeborg on 2 April 2010 @ 10am

i always say it’s not the company we like to do business with – it’s the people – or the person behind (or in front) of the company. you’ll do well, no matter what you choose to do. as always, i wish you only the very best. you have one of the best partners to take along for the journey, too… good luck to you both — and to my most favorite dog in the entire universe…

Posted by bob on 2 April 2010 @ 10am

Congratulations!

Posted by Cheryl on 2 April 2010 @ 10am

[...] Je ne regrette rien [...]

Posted by Je ne regrette rien « LostFocus by Dominik Schwind on 2 April 2010 @ 11am

Congratulations heather! You have set the gold standard on community.
I remember at one of the first community discussions I attended at a web 2.0 you explaining how you were making calls at Flickr and you said you asked yourselves “is it the right thing to do?”

Congrats, I imagine you and Derek will knock it out of the park.

best,
heather

Posted by Heather Gold on 2 April 2010 @ 11am

Congratulations on new adventures. Sign me up for a celebratory cocktail and some dog walks! xoxo.

Posted by Judith on 2 April 2010 @ 11am

Wow… seems like you’ve always been family, albeit, a distant relative…

Best of luck in your future endeavors! (You made Stewart cry!)

Posted by Jolene on 2 April 2010 @ 11am

Congratulations !

Posted by BenJenkins on 2 April 2010 @ 11am

To say the last 4 years were anything less than a tornado crossed with a hurricane wouldn’t be accurate. I could not think of anyone else I would have wanted to weather the storms with more than you. You’ve been my rock here at Flickr, and will leave a big hole in my heart when you go, but you’ve taught me many many things. I will miss working with you greatly.

Posted by kevin on 2 April 2010 @ 11am

[...] when Heather decided to move on from Flickr, we talked a lot about what to do next. I’ve been consulting as a freelancer for a long time, [...]

Posted by Derek Powazek - Fertile Medium on 2 April 2010 @ 11am

Wow, i’m without words until I better digest this. All I can say for now is that your brilliant work inspire me to do my job with the great qualities you got. Flickr is in part losing a part of its soul. It was a pleasure to have the opportunity to work a little bit with you, I hope to have to chance to meet you in the future. I’m sure that you and Derek will rock with your new company.

Posted by Rodrigo Paoletti on 2 April 2010 @ 11am

Enjoy the walks with your pups. Working with my better half has been nothing but wonderful. I hope the same for you both.

Posted by Rachel on 2 April 2010 @ 12pm

Congratulations, Heather (and Derek)! I know this is a mighty big door you’re closing, but I can’t wait to see what you two come up with next. You’ve never let us down. Your charm, kindness, intelligence, humor and creativity knows no bounds. I am excited to see what you build and will follow every step of the way.

(For such a seemingly cliché comment, I sure do mean every word of this!)

Godspeed, Heather and Derek.

Posted by mihow on 2 April 2010 @ 12pm

heather,

change is powerful, change is good.

you’ve touched many lives along the way (including mine), and I have no doubt you and Derek will continue to do that in your new venture.

all the best to you both.

Posted by John curley on 2 April 2010 @ 12pm

I’ve been a fan of your photos and your work since your NYC days, and I say, hurrah for you! Any company that gets advice from you about online community will be getting the real deal. Congrats and best of luck!

Posted by Howard Greenstein on 2 April 2010 @ 12pm

Thank you for playing such a great part in a site that has had such a remarkable impact on my life. For me, the community has always been at the heart of Flickr, and I’ve made some great friends over the past five years. It’s you and the other Flickr staff that allowed all that to happen.

I wish you (and Derek) well with your future projects. I’ll be watching with interest.

Dave W.

Posted by David Wilkinson on 2 April 2010 @ 12pm

Good luck, Heather. You’ve been doing wonderful things for a very long time. Long may it continue.

Posted by nick s on 2 April 2010 @ 12pm

Good luck! It’s so exciting to take off on your own, and I expect you must have some butterflies, but I wish you both the best.

Posted by Mrs. Kennedy on 2 April 2010 @ 12pm

Much love and congratulations to you both, WOW! What awesome news! Count me in for full support, always. xox

Posted by myla on 2 April 2010 @ 12pm

Congratulations and good luck on your new adventures. For so many years you have been the face of Flickr for me and I thank you for all your hard (often times thankless and other times downright brutal) work that you did on behalf of Flickrites everywhere. I look forward to hearing about your Fertile Medium adventures. I am sure that even though I am not a company, I will glean important community ideas from the things you guys will talk about to help run my community on Flickr. And the circle completes. Thank you for everything Heather.

Posted by laanba on 2 April 2010 @ 12pm

Every time I hear someone ask, “Has anyone written *the book* on community management?” I think of you. You’re the one everyone with the title of community manager turns to when someone asks a tough question and the room gets silent. Consider codifying it all in a book while you’re taking some time off (a book with lots of photos!).

Good luck!

Posted by Eric Suesz on 2 April 2010 @ 12pm

You’ll be deeply missed at Flickr.

Good luck with the new project – sounds like a fab idea and I have no doubt it will be massively successful.

Posted by Michelle on 2 April 2010 @ 1pm

good luck, heather. i have no doubts that the work you’ll do with Fertile Medium will be amazing. and thank you so much for all you’ve done at Flickr. xoxo

Posted by erin power on 2 April 2010 @ 1pm

I remember you and your photos since when you were just a user, like me. You have gone full circle and spiraled out of the top. Good luck in your future ventures!

Posted by atanas entchev on 2 April 2010 @ 1pm

Congratulations! I’ve been a “fan” since back in the days of the mirror project and I look forward to learning more about your new adventure. The best of luck to you!

Posted by Amy on 2 April 2010 @ 1pm

I’ve said it on Twitter but I wanted to say it here. Thank you for everything you’ve done at Flickr. You’ve been a huge inspiration to me as a community manager (on a much smaller scale) and watching you interact in the groups taught me a hell of a lot about patience and keeping a “Soft pleasing tone of voice”.

I always point people towards you when giving talks about communities as someone who “does it right”.

Good luck to you both with Fertile Medium, I know you guys are going to be fantastic.

Posted by Garrett Coakley on 2 April 2010 @ 1pm

good luck on you new venture, bet it will be super assume!

Posted by lomokev on 2 April 2010 @ 1pm

I remember you interviewing at Flickr like it was yesterday. Congrats on a great tenure at a “big company” (or a little company in a big company.) You made a huge difference to the internets. Can’t wait to see what you and Derek cook up next. Best, B

Posted by Bradley Horowitz on 2 April 2010 @ 1pm

What an exciting venture to be moving on to! Thanks for all the years of getting it right on Flickr — and for supporting us users when we come up with odd little ideas we hope will fit in. Best of luck to both of you!

Posted by Stephanie on 2 April 2010 @ 1pm

I can only second what Garrett has said, Heather: Thank you for everything you’ve done at Flickr. It’s an amazing place, and your guidance has really shaped the community.

Good luck to you and Derek on your new journey. I, too, have no doubts that you will be fantastic. Enjoy the ride – and your upcoming time off. :)

Posted by caro on 2 April 2010 @ 1pm

Thank you for all that you have done at Flickr. I’ve seen you at the birthday celebrations and “cupcake camp” but have never been gutsy enough to approach you and tell you how much I have admired your work. Best of everything to you on your new adventure.

Posted by Tricia on 2 April 2010 @ 1pm

Thanks Heather for having been such a cool co-worker and a beautiful person in the time I had there at Flickr. If you ever need a pixel pusher I will happily come running. You will be so very missed. I have go stop sobbing now. (No really.)

Posted by Dee Adams on 2 April 2010 @ 1pm

Thanks for everything you’ve done at Flickr, Heather. Enjoy your rest, and good luck with Fertile Medium.

Posted by Michael Smith on 2 April 2010 @ 1pm

Congratulations. You’re my standing example of how one person can defend the web that I love, and make the world a better place by doing it. Thanks for helping shape a beautiful community.

Posted by Anil on 2 April 2010 @ 1pm

A few weeks ago, I stumbled upon the very nice, handwritten card you gave me when I left Yahoo. It was so awesome working with you there and I’ve always appreciated your constant professionalism and support.

Congratulations to you and Derek on this new venture. I’m looking forward to seeing cool things from Fertile Medium. It is going to be amazing.

Posted by Scott Schnaars on 2 April 2010 @ 1pm

Congrats and best of luck on the exciting road ahead. I, like so many others, appreciate everything you’ve done here and working with you has been wonderful and insightful. I look forward to seeing how Fertile Medium progresses – after a well deserved vacation – and will continue to follow your photography through your photostream. Best wishes ~Omar

Posted by Omar on 2 April 2010 @ 1pm

Heather, I’ll miss you. What else to say?

Fertile Medium! What a great name. I’ll be following your new venture; I’m sure it will be a success.

Ka pai, mate! ~Brenda, the curiouskiwi

Posted by Brenda Anderson on 2 April 2010 @ 2pm

Sure won’t be the same without you…
Best of luck to you both !

Posted by Stevekin on 2 April 2010 @ 2pm

I owe you a major debt of gratitude for bringing me on the Flickr team 4 and half years ago.
I have learned alot from you and the experience has most definitely changed my life for the better.
I have many great memories of the conversations we have had over the years about the “unique” things that we get to see and deal with on Flickr.
You’re easily one of the best managers I’ve ever worked for and I along with the rest of the Flickr team will miss you dearly.
Best of luck to you and Derek on your future endeavors.
-Terrence

Posted by Terrence on 2 April 2010 @ 2pm

Congratulations and wishing you all the very best Heather!
My Flickr experience would not be the same without you! Early morning calls, late evening calls, pulling our hair out, London, Paris, KL, Manila, HK adventures. I’m sure you will be deeply missed by the team and the Flickr community!

Posted by Ingrid on 2 April 2010 @ 3pm

Thank you, Heather, for always inspiring me and helping creativity blossom. Anil got it right (as usual, jeez) “You’re my standing example of how one person can defend the web that I love, and make the world a better place by doing it.”

Big big hugs and congratulations and thank you!

Cocktails and walks together soon.

Dinah

Posted by Dinah on 2 April 2010 @ 3pm

Heather, I could never thank you enough for all of your contributions to Flickr. It won’t be the same without you.

I wish you and Derek the best in all of your adventures.

xoxo,
_h._

Posted by Halsted on 2 April 2010 @ 4pm

Aw. Who’s going to slap the fish now?

All the best, Heather.
x

Posted by shhexycorin on 2 April 2010 @ 4pm

Congratulations Heather,

Just today I was looking back and noticed that I first joined flickr and used it for picture hosting for my blog in December 2004, but didn’t really start using it in anger until I got a pro-account code that you mailed through as part of being a Yahoo at the time.

Best of luck with your future endeavours and keep the pictures coming!

Best regards,

Ged

Posted by Ged Carroll on 2 April 2010 @ 5pm

Heather, you have done an amazing job with Flickr. It is a community I am so proud to be in! Best of luck with your new venture and enjoy the time off. Good for you to take it!

Posted by Erica Lucci on 2 April 2010 @ 5pm

Wow, this makes me sad a little bit and happy a lot. I’m excited to see your next big impact, and remain profoundly grateful for all the great work that you did at Flickr. It was a delight working with you.

Posted by shanan on 2 April 2010 @ 6pm

You and Derek are gonna KILL IT, as per usual. The both of you have given the web so much in the last decade, and I’d wish you both luck, but I’m fairly certain you both will be successful, no matter what you both ut your energy and creativity towards. All the best!

Posted by Glenda on 2 April 2010 @ 6pm

Good luck with your next venture Heather, you and Derek will do amazing things I am sure. It was lovely bumping into you at Yahoo now and then, and I hope we will bump into each other in other contexts in the upcoming years. I am with Judith – that is, I second the idea of a celebratory cocktail and the raising of a toast to your past achievements and your future successes.

Posted by Elizabeth on 2 April 2010 @ 6pm

Thank you for all you did for Flickr, Heather. You shaped the site and community in a way I doubt anyone else on earth could have.

This makes me sad for Flickr, but happy for you. Best of luck!

Posted by Eric Costello on 2 April 2010 @ 6pm

:) au revoir Heather. bon voyage.

Posted by josh on 2 April 2010 @ 6pm

Heather: I’m what was once called an “old skool” flikerite: an early member, and as I’ve watched flickr grow and evolve, you’ve been one of the most important influences with the steadiest hands.

Good luck to you and Derek on the consultancy, I’m sure you’ll have plenty of work.

Posted by Richard on 2 April 2010 @ 7pm

Thanks for your incredible contributions heather — and best of luck to you both!

Posted by Greg Cohn on 2 April 2010 @ 7pm

Heather, you’re the best in the world at what you do, and I’m sure I speak for everyone who worked with you at Flickr when I say it was an utter pleasure. I will remember my opportunity to collaborate with and learn from you forever.

Congratulations on this proactive step, and I can’t wait to see what you do next (in addition to many frosty beverages with me, of course).

Posted by George Oates on 2 April 2010 @ 8pm

Sad, sad day.

Good luck on your new project and thank you for making Flickr Flickr.

Posted by michael tedesco on 2 April 2010 @ 8pm

Heather, you almost define Flickr for a lot of us. You will be missed so much! I wish you nothing but good things in the future. Thanks for everything. You rock.

Posted by Maureen Vollum on 3 April 2010 @ 1am

thank you for being amazing

that is all

Posted by sue on 3 April 2010 @ 2am

You’re all kinds of awesome, heather, and wherever you go the awesome is sure to follow.

You’re leaving some awfully big shoes to fill at flickr.

Posted by Anna Graf on 3 April 2010 @ 6am

Change is good. Life is short.
Be happy, both of you.

Posted by Russ Morris on 3 April 2010 @ 7am

Oh well, we’ll miss you Heather! But wish you and Derek all the best on your new challenge.

Posted by roberta zouain on 3 April 2010 @ 7am

i’ve always been a fan of both you and derek, and wish you as much happiness as you can handle in your next (ad)ventures. thanks for being a part of what made flickr so good, especially when it was really good.

– csk

Posted by christian on 3 April 2010 @ 7am

Congratulations and all the best on this next step. I am completely impressed with the work you have done at Flickr and the realization how long you have been there combined with how much Flickr and the world changed I am awe struck even more.

Thank you for all you have done.

Posted by vanderwal on 3 April 2010 @ 8am

Flickr changed my life. Both online and off. I’ve met some wonderful people and gained a lot of inspiration, I have you to thank for it. Good luck to you and Derek in your new endeavor.

Posted by Kathleen on 3 April 2010 @ 8am

Thank you a million times over for all that you have done for the internet. I can honestly say that you have been one of the biggest influencers online for me – which has tumbled over in to my entire life. Many good things trace back to you.

Flickr won’t be the same without you, but I can’t WAIT to see what you do next!

Posted by Christine on 3 April 2010 @ 9am

I’ll miss knowing you’re around flickr. If it wasn’t for the community, I would not have been able to find myself as a blind photographer after losing my sight. The community that flickr is enabled me to do so. And you played such a pivotal role in enabling the flickr community. Thank you for that.

Posted by Lodro Rigdzin on 3 April 2010 @ 9am

I wish you the very best on your new venture. It sounds really exciting, and I am sure so many will benefit from your experience and knowledge. It has been nothing but a pleasure reading your comments and inputs as flickr flourished. Thank you so much for your thoughtful input and guidance, and for helping make flickr the place it is today.

Posted by gwennie2006 on 3 April 2010 @ 10am

thank you, heather. and best wishes to you and derek on your new adventure. onward!

Posted by melissa on 3 April 2010 @ 10am

Thanks Heather! And good luck!

Posted by Daniel Sofer on 3 April 2010 @ 10am

Heather I will definitely miss the part of you that flickr was better because of. Best of luck on all future endeavors.

Posted by ronWLS on 3 April 2010 @ 11am

Thank you for everything you’ve done these past five years, Heather!

Looking forward to hearing about – and, of course, seeing – your upcoming adventures. Keep on Polaroiding.

Best of luck!

Posted by Leah on 3 April 2010 @ 2pm

flickr has been such an amazingly inspirational force in my life, thanks so much for everything you’ve done to shape such an amazing community. all the best in your new adventure!

Posted by sgoralnick on 3 April 2010 @ 2pm

[...] loss of talent: the recently announced departures of Heather Champ and Paul Hammond of flickr are symptoms of a wider loss across the organisation of key people. The [...]

Posted by renaissance chambara | Ged Carroll - Yahoo!: some things I am worried about on 3 April 2010 @ 3pm

Congratulations and good luck with the new company! Flickr’s awesomeness owes a lot to you, and we appreciate it.

Posted by Rob L. on 3 April 2010 @ 3pm

[...] Shared heather powazek champ – Je ne regrette rien. [...]

Posted by Caroline van Oosten de Boer » Daily Digest for April 3rd on 3 April 2010 @ 4pm

Wow. saw this coming. I do wish you and Derek the best and also look forward to seeing what you all get into. I know it will be super. You were the “krazy glue” that helped to make Flickr what it is today. Enjoy the time off as you really earned it and yes please take lots of pics and up-load them as I’m a fan. =o)

Posted by Pacdog on 3 April 2010 @ 4pm

Your dedication to photography and the passion of the Flickr community were two huge forces in getting me back into taking pictures again, and helping me realize how much I love taking pictures. I really look forward to seeing what you do next, and wish you all the best.

Posted by zan on 3 April 2010 @ 5pm

wow, I have enjoyed following you and Derek for many years now. Thank you for sharing your many talensts and I am looking forward to your next steps together. Both your work and words have helpe change the way I look at communities and the stregnth they bring to our lives. All the best.

Posted by J Pliskow on 3 April 2010 @ 6pm

you can add me to the countless others whose lives have changed for the better because of your efforts at Flickr. change is good. dynamism is good. good on you and your mate. many thanks and best wishes for a bright, engaging and rewarding future. Cheers!

Posted by joe s. on 4 April 2010 @ 12pm

Heather, you’ll be missed here at Yahoo! Best wishes and let me know if I can ever do anything for you.

Posted by Robyn Tippins on 4 April 2010 @ 3pm

I never knew you during the ‘nimble’ years – but hearing you talk about community at Flickr encouraged me to get involved – not just as an uploader but as a member of the weird and wonderful community there. I have gained so much as a result and you will always be responsible in part for that. Thank you and best wishes for your next endeavour.

Posted by the_exile on 4 April 2010 @ 3pm

With much respect, you have been one of the finest lights in our Flickr world. I look forward to your next adventure.

Posted by Fubuki on 4 April 2010 @ 5pm

Congrats! You guys will rock it!

Posted by Aimee Greeblemonkey on 4 April 2010 @ 5pm

AHA. A little sleuthing and I figured it out. Duh. Wow. I can’t wait to see what you do next, I’m very excited about your new move! And I will continue to love Flickr, it will always have your influence.

Posted by Julie Jackson on 4 April 2010 @ 6pm

We will miss you, Heather! Best of luck in your new venture! :)
~Olivia

Posted by PaperBouquet on 4 April 2010 @ 7pm

Yay yay yay for you and Derek! I am so happy for you that you can leave the cubicle and office world (though I daresay Flickr is head-and-shoulders above the average cubicle and office type job!) Congrats and break-a-leg in your new venture! I’m sure you will meet with tons of success! I hope you continue to provide we who are interested with glimpses into your world via twitter and your personal website as well!

~Linda N.

Posted by Linda N. on 4 April 2010 @ 10pm

[...] Powazek and Heather Champ have announced a new venture – Fertile Medium. 06/04/10 | Links | 0 comments [...]

Posted by Jordesign » Derek Powazek – Fertile Medium on 5 April 2010 @ 2pm

You’ve done a killer job. I hope you get the chance to help lots of sites steer the web community at large towards respect and away from nastiness.

Posted by dalas verdugo on 5 April 2010 @ 7pm

heather…

I’ve been a long time (Canadian) visitor to your site, related projects and of course, your Flickr stream of consciousness… i felt my heart ride up into my throat as I read your announcement, which is odd, since we’ve never met and I’ve only ever commented on one of our Flickr photos and never on your website… clearly, you’ve had an impact on me… merci.

i expect nothing but amazing things to pop up next…

thank you for continuing to inspire me… i hope our paths cross one day…

all the best to you and Derek…

abientot…

Posted by renée on 6 April 2010 @ 9am

I will add my voice to the many offering you congratulations on your accomplishments during your years at flickr and good luck on your next project.

Flickr has been a huge influence on my growth as an artist.

Thank you for being a part of that.

Posted by Kara on 7 April 2010 @ 11am

Can I be one of your top fans? Even with a shorter experience on the Flickr team and on different context, I completely understand how delicate is this moment for you as per what I experienced some months ago… I have so much love for Flickr community and I’ve meet some great people trought it… this post is definetly full of true feelings… and it touches meet… and I wish you the best on your new challenges… I’m sure you gonna rock… I don’t know what to say…thanx for teaching me so much…

PS: Love you choose a pic from our walk in Sao Paulo…

Posted by Edson Soares on 9 April 2010 @ 1pm

[...] Je ne regrette rien at heather powazek champ (via DF) — Gruber wrote: Flickr’s brain drain continues. What a great community Heather helped shape. [...]

Posted by Linkdump for April 10th at found_drama on 10 April 2010 @ 6am

thank you Heather, for all your great work throughout these years. you might not realize it but since that very first SF Photo Meetup, you’ve had a big influence on me. i am now owned by three chihuahuas, indirectly because your early pictures of Bug & Chieka got my wife to want to look into adopting one. well, Myla’s pics of her pups did too… you also picked my interest in to trying new things, such as unboxing and cleaning up my grandfathers old cameras, to see what they can do. or to creating and shooting with a simple pinhole camera – and joining the SF Flickr group for that pinhole photo-stroll (i love that you dug out that picture from that stroll!). my photo eye has improved greatly because of you, and i thank you for that. enjoy the next step in your adventure!

Posted by Pete on 13 April 2010 @ 10am

Heather, I wish the best for you!
I’m so so glad that I meet you once. It was lovely and surreal for me.
Thank you for all you’ve done to this incredible community.
I got so happy to see myself with a pink Flickr ball!

Posted by Madalena Leles on 14 April 2010 @ 3pm

Congratulations! And thank you for all of your fantastic and inspiring work and help and thoughtfulness. I’m very much looking forward to the next part of your adventure.

(she said while wearing her very very special flickr hoodie.)

Posted by emmajane on 15 April 2010 @ 12pm

George was edgy, Heather sane

The edge was removed, the sanity is leaving

You will be missed!

Posted by Diver on 25 April 2010 @ 6pm

Thank you for everything your support when we needed it. You will be missed.

Posted by Lilly Dana on 30 April 2010 @ 12pm

[...] of an era (or eras). Heather Champ left flickr yesterday. And one of my favorite music listening services, LaLa, announced it is shutting [...]

Posted by weapons of massdistraction › Maybe So, Maybe No on 1 May 2010 @ 8am

Good Luck heather in your future endeavours ..

Thanks for all your contributions to this great place called “Flickr ”