| What is your most memorable childhood experience? | My most memorable childhood experience was going on a fishing trip to Mazatlán, Mexico with my dad when I was 9 years old. Instead of the usual tourist plans, we spent two weeks off the beaten path, exploring the parts of the city away from the resorts. I saw and made friends with people whose lives were different than what I knew. That trip opened my mind, helping me see the world as a bigger and more diverse place than most people expect. |
| What immediate family member do you closely identify with and why? | I identify with my brother. We are both nerds, passionate about our work, and sometimes we both worry unnecessarily about the impact we are making on the world. We still take time to talk and share ideas. Even with different interests, it's nice to have people nearby who you can truly connect with. |
| What character traits do you admire in an individual? | There's a quote by Samuel Johnson that goes something like: "The true measure of a person is how they treat someone who can do them no good." To me this means that while most people are happy to be helpful when we stand to win something, it's much more important to be helpful even when we don't expect to get something back. I admire individuals who are kind and fair with others, especially when others don't have the same advantages. I also admire dreamers who never stop pursuing the things that really make them happy. |
| What is the funniest thing ever to happen to you? | One time I wanted to save money on a haircut, so I had someone try and cut my hair with some clippers I bought on amazon. Well, long story short, their hand slipped. I felt a cold draft, and reached back to discover a large box-shaped shaved patch smack in the middle of my head. After coming to terms with my new reality, I decided to accept my losses and had the same person shave it all off. I spent about a month with Dwayne Johnson's haircut. |
| If time and money were not an issue, where would you travel and why? | If I could travel anywhere and money weren't an issue, I would love to take an extended trip to Thailand, and then maybe sail a catamaran across the Pacific. I love feeling connected with nature, and getting away from the routine. I would definitely visit a number of places to scratch that itch. |
| When and if you ever have children, what would you like to pass on to them? | I have two children already, and one of the lessons I hope they learn early is to not lose time following someone else's plan for their lives and careers. Work can and should be rewarding. It should be fun to wake up in the morning. If you notice that you are dreading leaving the house every day and there is no end in sight, maybe it's time to reassess and do the thing you are excited to do. Also, it's funny but usually when we find that thing, it is also something that makes the world a better place for other people as well. |
