Donna shares a heartfelt note with the TODAY family as she embraces her next chapter.

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Today marks Donna Farizan’s last day with Jenna & Friends. Read on for a personal farewell letter she wanted to share with all of you. Her TODAY family wishes her all the best in her next chapter!

Dear Donna,

The time has come to start my next chapter. The unknown can be scary, but it’s also exhilarating, so let’s embrace it. Since I started college and had my heart set on television internships, I didn’t know where the road would lead, but I knew to follow my curiosity and spark. I created a path that taught me lessons that expanded my growth as a human being.

My determination and creativity to innovate in a fast-paced environment is a skill I should always practice. I paved the way for the show to try new mediums, learned to tell stories in my own style, and made new friends along the way.

Discomfort is usually a catalyst for growth, so I shouldn’t be afraid to jump. It’s only the part before I take the jump that I fear, but the bigger the leap, the bigger the shift in perspective, and the more resilient I become. Everywhere I turn surrounding the perimeter of 30 Rock, I’m reminded of ways in which I’ve pushed myself outside of my comfort zone. Now it’s time to do that again. Because that’s how you grow — and I yearn to grow.

I shined my light on others through delivering surprises, recognizing those who were on the rise, and celebrating those making their mark on an industry. The joy I’ve felt from the people I’ve highlighted gave me the inspiration to visualize my dreams, believe hard work pays off, and maintain my unique energy.

The energy I give is the one I’ll get. Life should be fun, enjoy the journey, see where it can take you. No one expects me to have it all figured out, and neither should I. My authenticity is my superpower, and that can only come out organically if I learn to be vulnerable.

I thought I was open enough in life, but once I chose open up on the air with stories about the stage of life I’m in, that level of vulnerability just kept rising. By owning my power and sharing my voice, I built a community of connection, which, in turn, made me feel supported, too.

Gratitude is what keeps all of this going — the momentum to innovate, go outside my comfort zone, spread joy, and add value to someone’s day. The world of TV and content can sometimes feel overwhelming because there is no roadmap, but I am so grateful to have gone to the school of Kathie Lee Gifford, the school of Hoda Kotb, and the school of Jenna Bush Hager, because now, it’s time for me, Donna Farizan, to create my own map.

I believe dreams come true, I believe in romanticizing life and staying hopeful that the future I can’t yet see burns bright.

TODAY has been my home away from home because of the friendships I’ve made, the memories I’ll take, and the enthusiasm I’ve received from the constant of this show — the remarkable viewers who tune in everyday and motivate all of us to own our power. The biggest joy of this chapter in my life has been the viewers I’ve met — or have yet to meet — along the way.

by Taboola

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Viewers like Rich Williams, a loving and deserving Connecticut father, Sashika Baunchand and the Outstanding Mature Girlz, and the Texas-based Weslaco Venom flag football team.

Success is a team sport, and this is the team I’ve built. So I’ll take these lessons with me, spread my wings, and remind myself that I can always fly back to say hello.

This road will be fulfilling because I get to share in it with you, our viewers. I hope you’ll follow along on my socials as I continue to bring both light and depth, and entertain with value; so please join me on my journey, and I’ll be a part of yours.

Love,

Donna