Q: Tell us about yourself.

A: Raised in Silicon Valley. Former inner city teacher with a passion in business for building and promoting products or services and dynamic organizations that can make a positive difference in the world. Often fascinated with new technologies and the brains behind them. Love health, food, travel, fitness, and art among many other interests. Admire polyglots, leaders, collaborators, inventors, entrepreneurs, makers, and problem solvers.

 

Q: What languages do you speak or understand?

A: I understand French better than I can speak, and a little Cantonese along with two related Chinese dialects. Spanish and Mandarin Chinese top my bucket list on languages I’d love to absorb some day.

 

Q: Which countries have you lived or worked in?

A: Other than the United States, I’ve worked or lived in Switzerland, France, and England.

 

Q: Do you have any noteworthy special skills or hidden talents not listed on a typical resume?

A: I’m a self-taught cook and baker and get inspired to create dishes I can’t find easily in local restaurants like this Moroccan favorite, b’stilla. When I find some spare time, I’ll probably tackle this Epicurious recipe for individual pies.

 

Q: Recommend a book, a movie, or local restaurant. Why?

A: Although my first love is fiction, this non-fiction book caught my attention last year. Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown. I even referenced it in a team off-site meeting to encourage everyone to consider how to make use of the recommendations in work and in everyday life. Even for those who are pushing hard to lean in, I can easily imagine that essentialism can play a role too.

 

Q: Where do you want to travel for pleasure?

A: Bali, Zimbabwe, or Cuba next, perhaps. I’m fortunate to have had the chance to travel to over 40 countries. So many options, so little time. I honestly couldn’t even narrow it down very easily at first, even after checking out Travel & Leisure's 2016 best places to travel list or one of their “best travel websites” that happens to be run by friends of mine called, Zicasso, to get ideas on where to go next.