Hoping my journey to be a part of change has mattered
/My time in high school
Attended high school in the
1980s
Overall high school experience
8/10. Loved high school, but sometimes the little cliques wore heavily on a fragile ego
Grades in high school
B's and C's. I didn't have the most structured life at home to support a consistent homework routine.
Favorite subjects
Math, Science
Struggled with...
English
Favorite extracurricular
Sports / Recreation
Life since high school
“ I remember getting passionate about politics in high school after becoming obsessed with what was happening in South Africa under Apartheid. When I think of it now, that interest in being a part of something that can make a difference in people’s lives is still what drives me.”
Attended college / university at
UC San Diego
Majored in
Political Science
Post-graduate education or training
Law School
Places lived in US
- California
- Colorado
- District of Columbia (Washington D.C.)
- Virginia
Places lived outside the US
Briefly lived in Paris
Current occupations / past occupations
High-tech grassroots, political consultant, lobbyist (very briefly), mom, fundraiser (politics and nonprofit ) Lawyer
Industries I've worked in
- Nonprofit
- Other Services (except Public Administration) (e.g. Repair, Salon, Political/Labor orgs, etc.)
- Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (e.g. Law, Accounting, Interior Design, Graphic Design, R&D, PR, Advertising, etc.)
Did your education prepare you for your career or occupation?
Well, I was a political science major then worked in politics. But, for anyone interested in politics there is no better preparation than volunteering/interning for a campaign.
Has your education or career/occupation trajectory ever changed? How?
Surprisingly not so much. I remember getting passionate about politics in high school after becoming obsessed with what was happening in South Africa under Apartheid. When I think of it now, that interest in being a part of something that can make a difference in people's lives is still what drives me.
A little introspection...
To me, being successful means...
Getting to a place in your life when you offer advice and opinions without looking around the room for confirmation that you gave the right answer.
My definition of success has changed over time.
Not about money or position but about a confidence that you know you are now the grown up in the room.
My greatest accomplishment to date and what I’ve learned from it
Besides the personal, marriage and kids, I have to say passing the CA Bar exam. I didn't pass on my first try and that hit my confidence really hard. So, getting back to studying after that ego blow and ultimately passing is still one of my greatest accomplishments.
My biggest mistake or regret so far and what I’ve learned from it
I wish when I was younger, with no family, and was earning a lot of money, that I had made some sound investments. Instead I did have a lot of fun traveling, but wish today I had a little more to show for all that hard work.
An unexpected event that significantly changed my life and how it impacted me
When my husband and I ran into the hard reality that we weren't going to be able to have kids of our own we had to make a huge mental shift of how our lives looked. Once we came to terms with it, we were able to be open to other options. Next thing we knew we had adopted two babies and we can't imagine family any other way now.
This alumni is open to your questions and follow-ups.
In order to protect anonymity, we will pass along your message and they can choose whether to respond.
My favorite spot in or around Palo Alto
Hobees in Town & Country
