How old are your kids and how long have you lived in Westport/the area? My daughter, Allison, is 19. She is a graduate of Staples High School. and a sophomore at Georgetown University. My son, Zachary is 17, and a junior at Staples. We first moved to Westport in 1993, bought our home in 1994 and split our time between NYC, London and Westport. We rebuilt it in 2003 and moved here permanently in 2013. We lived in London from 1997-2001.
How did you end up where you are now in terms of your job, or whatever passion project it is you might be doing? After a 35-year full-time professional career including work in the U.S. Senate, at three tech start-ups, and ten years in an operating role (2006-2016), running a $1B division at Time Warner and Time Warner Cable, my passion project is helping others excel in leadership, public service, education and philanthropy. As a corporate board director, I am a steward for shareholders and a mentor to CEOs. I also serve on as co-President of Staples Tuition Grants. Our board and community raise money to help Staples students and graduates pursue their dreams of a higher education. Despite appearances, many families in Westport struggle to cover the growing cost of higher education. 26% of the Staples High School graduating class in 2024 applied for financial aid and received it. For those who aren’t aware, Staples Tuition Grants help bridge the financial gap, which widens each year as college costs increase. I am proud to be supporting this program with the goal of bringing awareness to the Westport community to help ensure that deserving students can afford the education they worked hard to earn. STG is an independent 501(c)(3) not affiliated with Staples High School, but completely reliant on the generosity of individuals, foundations, corporations and others. To learn more about how you can get involved with STG (as a volunteer and/or donor) visit us here https://staplestuitiongrants.org
If you are looking for a small way to support Staples Tuition Grants (STG), they have teamed up with Millie Rae’s in Westport, and on May 1st, Millie Rae’s will be donating 10% of all sales to the STG fund!
What is the best show you have recently (binge) watched? The Residence by Westport’s own Shonda Rhimes and The Night Agent.
What is the last book you read? I am reading Democracy in our America by Paul Kahn
What is your favorite podcast? Hidden Brain
What is one product you could not live without? My phone. My first blackberry made it possible for me to be a working mom
What is your greatest fear? Any harm to my children (and insecure heights)
What is your greatest indulgence? Throwing parties
Which talent would you most like to have? To make people laugh
If you did not live where you do, where would you like to live? By a lake or the sea
What is your go-to karaoke song? The Circle Game by Joni Mitchell or any song from Mamma Mia (I do struggle to hold a tune)
What is your greatest extravagance? Throwing parties for a good cause or candidate
What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you? I performed and recorded with a rock band, The Repairs, when I was in grade school. I also made a cameo as King Hamlet in a high school play and was murdered to the Beatle’s Maxwell’s Silver Hammer song.
If you weren’t doing what you are today, what might your career path might have been? A strategist in Washington DC
Who is your favorite hero of fiction? Those who find deep inner strength and wisdom and use it to empower others. Hester Prynne in the Scarlet Letter; Celie in the Color Purple; Tom Joad in The Grapes of Wrath
Who are your heroes in real life? Caregivers, service-providers, volunteers and people who support and build community
QUICK THIS OR THAT:
At a movie: Candy or Popcorn? Popcorn
Cook or order in? Definitely Cook
Game night/movie night? Movie night
Ketchup or Mustard? Mustard
TikTok or Insta? Insta all the way. TikTok is banned in our home. We know too much about data use
Stream a movie/Go to the theatre? Love both. If i had to pick…Theater
Text or call? Text
Sauna? Or cold plunge? Sauna
Sauce on top or on the side? On the side
Beach or Mountain? Beach
Comedy or Drama? Drama