| What is your most memorable childhood experience? | When I was growing up, my family did a lot of road trips. I have fond memories of seeing the great national parks out west and goofing around with my sisters. By the time I was grown up I had visited all 50 states, and I think that experience gave me a deep appreciation for America's history and diversity. |
| What immediate family member do you closely identify with and why? | My grandpa is almost 100 years old and still physically and mentally healthy. He walks several miles every day and expresses so much gratitude for those around him. He was married for almost 70 years and had a successful career while raising six kids and many more grandchildren. I selfishly hope I’ve inherited his genes, but even if I’m not so lucky, I see his approach to life – one of service, adventure, and gratitude -- as a model to aspire to. |
| What character traits do you admire in an individual? | I admire empathy, judgment, and selflessness. |
| What is the funniest thing ever to happen to you? | My parents love to tell the story of when our family went to a restaurant with a playground in the back (like a McDonald’s play-place but more rustic and cool). While my parents were waiting for the food, I was unaccompanied on the playground, and I struck up a conversation with a nice elderly lady who was watching her grandkids on the same playground. It turns out the elderly lady was the famous actress Jane Fonda – I had no idea! |
| If time and money were not an issue, where would you travel and why? | Shortly after college, I had great opportunities to backpack around Europe and Southeast Asia. These were incredible experiences, but if I had the chance to do something like that again I’d want to go somewhere more off the beaten path and less touristy. I’d love to visit Chile and Argentina to improve my Spanish (and see some penguins!). |
| When and if you ever have children, what would you like to pass on to them? | It’s a cheesy answer but I really just hope my future children are happy and healthy. Perhaps selfishly, I’d dream for my kids to live lives of purpose, to develop excellence in a worthwhile craft, and to give me a grandchild or two, but it will be their lives to live. I would never want to be the kind of overbearing parent who had too heavy a hand in crafting their lives – I’ll just do my best to set them up for success in whatever path they choose. |
