Ken Biberaj on Learning the Campaign Finance Part of Politics

In Chapter 8 of 23 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, New York City Council Candidate Ken Biberaj answers "What Did Raising Money for the Primary Election Teach You About Campaign Finance?" Biberaj learns how New York City creates a grassroots campaign finance system via its matching program. This creates spending limits and also helps make every contribution count. He compares this to what he saw working the Kerry-Edwards presidential campaign and how 527 independent expenditures, for example, change the dynamics of an election and its influencers.

Ken Biberaj is currently a 2013 Democratic Candidate for City Council in New York City. He is also a public relations executive for the Russian Tea Room restaurant at One Fifty Fifty Seven Corporation, a family business focused on real estate development, investment sales and retail leasing. Previously Biberaj was Florida Research Director for the Kerry-Edwards for President Campaign. Biberaj holds a JD from New York Law School, a Masters in Public Policy (MPP) from Harvard University Kennedy School of Government, and a BA in Political Science from American University.

Ken Biberaj on Capabilities and Limitations of a City Council Member

In Chapter 9 of 23 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, New York City Council Candidate Ken Biberaj answers "What Do You Understand the Capabilities and Limitations of a City Council Position to Be?" Biberaj voters may not always know what a city council member can and cannot do. He works to educate them on specific ways he can affect change working in city government and also how he can use soft power to influence higher level officials including members of Congress, senators and governors.

Ken Biberaj is currently a 2013 Democratic Candidate for City Council in New York City. He is also a public relations executive for the Russian Tea Room restaurant at One Fifty Fifty Seven Corporation, a family business focused on real estate development, investment sales and retail leasing. Previously Biberaj was Florida Research Director for the Kerry-Edwards for President Campaign. Biberaj holds a JD from New York Law School, a Masters in Public Policy (MPP) from Harvard University Kennedy School of Government, and a BA in Political Science from American University. 

Ken Biberaj on How to Distinguish Yourself From Campaign Rivals

In Chapter 14 of 23 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, New York City Council Candidate Ken Biberaj answers "How Do You Distinguish Yourself and Your Positions From Your Rivals in the Primary Campaign?" In a crowded Democratic field, Biberaj, the youngest candidate, shares how he differentiates himself and his campaign platform by focusing on the intersection of non-profits, government, and business and his experience across all three.

Ken Biberaj is currently a 2013 Democratic Candidate for City Council in New York City. He is also a public relations executive for the Russian Tea Room restaurant at One Fifty Fifty Seven Corporation, a family business focused on real estate development, investment sales and retail leasing. Previously Biberaj was Florida Research Director for the Kerry-Edwards for President Campaign. Biberaj holds a JD from New York Law School, a Masters in Public Policy (MPP) from Harvard University Kennedy School of Government, and a BA in Political Science from American University. 

Ken Biberaj on Why to Make Time in Your Schedule to Mentor Students

In Chapter 15 of 23 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, New York City Council Candidate Ken Biberaj answers "Why Do You Make Time in Your Schedule to Mentor College Students?" Biberaj shares what he has learned being a mentor to first-generation college students at New York Needs You. For him, the rewards of making time for mentoring come down to helping students compete for and get great internships and jobs.

Ken Biberaj is currently a 2013 Democratic Candidate for City Council in New York City. He is also a public relations executive for the Russian Tea Room restaurant at One Fifty Fifty Seven Corporation, a family business focused on real estate development, investment sales and retail leasing. Previously Biberaj was Florida Research Director for the Kerry-Edwards for President Campaign. Biberaj holds a JD from New York Law School, a Masters in Public Policy (MPP) from Harvard University Kennedy School of Government, and a BA in Political Science from American University. 

Ken Biberaj on Why to Talk Less and Listen More When Running for Office

In Chapter 16 of 23 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, New York City Council Candidate Ken Biberaj answers "What Campaign Skills Have You Improved the Most Over the Past Year?" Biberaj shares how his conversation goals have shifted away from communicating his message and toward asking voters about the issues that concern them. This has allowed community member feedback to help shape the campaign agenda and make the Biberaj for City Council campaign more personal.

Ken Biberaj is currently a 2013 Democratic Candidate for City Council in New York City. He is also a public relations executive for the Russian Tea Room restaurant at One Fifty Fifty Seven Corporation, a family business focused on real estate development, investment sales and retail leasing. Previously Biberaj was Florida Research Director for the Kerry-Edwards for President Campaign. Biberaj holds a JD from New York Law School, a Masters in Public Policy (MPP) from Harvard University Kennedy School of Government, and a BA in Political Science from American University.

Ken Biberaj on Learning Community Service From President Bill Clinton

In Chapter 18 of 23 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, New York City Council Candidate Ken Biberaj answers "What Has Bill Clinton Taught You About How to Run a Better Political Campaign?" Biberaj shares why President Bill Clinton inspired his public service career and how learning from him before, during and after serving as an intern in his office has motivated him to do work that improves his community.

Ken Biberaj is currently a 2013 Democratic Candidate for City Council in New York City. He is also a public relations executive for the Russian Tea Room restaurant at One Fifty Fifty Seven Corporation, a family business focused on real estate development, investment sales and retail leasing. Previously Biberaj was Florida Research Director for the Kerry-Edwards for President Campaign. Biberaj holds a JD from New York Law School, a Masters in Public Policy (MPP) from Harvard University Kennedy School of Government, and a BA in Political Science from American University. 

Ken Biberaj on Understanding the Key Issues That Matter to Voters

In Chapter 20 of 23 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, New York City Council Candidate Ken Biberaj answers "What Experiences in the Past Year Have Most Influenced the Direction of Your Campaign?" He finds unexpected moments open his eyes most to the key issues such as senior housing, homeless shelters, and keeping schools open that concern voters.

Ken Biberaj is currently a 2013 Democratic Candidate for City Council in New York City. He is also a public relations executive for the Russian Tea Room restaurant at One Fifty Fifty Seven Corporation, a family business focused on real estate development, investment sales and retail leasing. Previously Biberaj was Florida Research Director for the Kerry-Edwards for President Campaign. Biberaj holds a JD from New York Law School, a Masters in Public Policy (MPP) from Harvard University Kennedy School of Government, and a BA in Political Science from American University. 

Ken Biberaj on What It Takes to Win a City Council Primary Election

In Chapter 23 of 23 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, New York City Council Candidate Ken Biberaj answers "What Will It Take For You to Get the Votes Necessary to Win Both the Primary and the Election?" Biberaj breaks down exactly what he must do to win on September 10th. He discusses grassroots campaign strategy elements from analyzing data to registering voters to getting them to vote on election day.

Ken Biberaj is currently a 2013 Democratic Candidate for City Council in New York City. He is also a public relations executive for the Russian Tea Room restaurant at One Fifty Fifty Seven Corporation, a family business focused on real estate development, investment sales and retail leasing. Previously Biberaj was Florida Research Director for the Kerry-Edwards for President Campaign. Biberaj holds a JD from New York Law School, a Masters in Public Policy (MPP) from Harvard University Kennedy School of Government, and a BA in Political Science from American University. 

Slava Rubin on Making Lofty Career Aspirations a Reality

In Chapter 4 of 15 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, Indiegogo CEO Slava Rubin answers "How Are Your Aspirations Changing As Your Responsibilities Grow?" Rubin shares how his aspirations actually remain constant while his optimism toward how realistic it is to achieve those aspirations grows. Rubin shares how his lofty goal to revolutionize finance and change how the world funds projects is slowly becoming a reality. As he approaches the goal, Rubin works with his co-founders Danae and Eric to bring together more people to share in realizing the vision. Slava Rubin is CEO and co-founder of Indiegogo, the world's largest crowdfunding platform. Indiegogo empowers anyone, anywhere, anytime to raise funds for any idea—creative, cause-related or entrepreneurial. Prior to Indiegogo, Rubin worked as a management consultant. He earned his BSE degree from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.

Transcript: 

Erik Michielsen: How are your aspirations changing as your responsibilities grow? 

Slava Rubin: I would say, actually, my aspirations are staying the same. Maybe I’m only starting to become more optimistic of how realistic it is to hit my aspirations, ‘cause maybe, if several years ago, I still have the same aspirations to become the world’s funding platform, but maybe I was lying to myself that it was even possible, or maybe I was so naïve. And now that it’s becoming a little bit more realistic, I think that I’m just trying to follow through in our potential and realize it, right? I don’t think that my aspirations are changing because it was always a pretty lofty goal.

Erik Michielsen: Yeah.

Slava Rubin: Changing the world of finance and allowing people to fund whatever matters to them is a huge goal. So that’s still the same goal but, you know, now, I just want more co-workers and people to be part of the team to help realize our dream together.

Erik Michielsen: Do you have those moments where you look at Danae, look at Eric, and just shake your head, and say, “How did this all happen?”?

Slava Rubin: It’s actually incredible. We just opened our new office in San Francisco. It’s a beautiful, incredible office, built out, brand new for us, and it’s really a signature Indiegogo office, and we just had our all hands there, with 60 employees, and I stood up, gave a State of the Union talk about Indiegogo, and it’s really incredible to have all these great talent, all these great employees, co-workers, just working towards the same vision, to change people’s lives, have an impact, and let people fund what matters to them.

Clara Soh on Building Job Skills to Work in American Government

In Chapter 7 of 20 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, health economist Clara Soh answers "What Skills Are You Working on Right Now to Become Better at Your Job?" Soh shares how aspects of work have changed as she has left the academic and nonprofit sector to work in American government health care policy. Whereas information sharing was free and open in her previous research lab work, Soh finds information sharing in DC to be a bit more constricted. She finds it challenging and fun to learn this new aspect of how American government works as she acclimates to her new role. Clara Soh is a health economist and Senior Director of Policy and Research at a pharmaceutical trade organization in Washington, DC. Previously, Soh held senior roles at Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research (KPCHR) and Health Policy Research Northwest (HPRN). Soh earned her Masters of Public Administration (MPA) in Policy Analysis and Healthcare Public Finance from the NYU Wagner School and a BS in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry from Yale University.

Clara Soh on Making Affordable Health Care Access a Career Goal

In Chapter 8 of 20 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, health economist Clara Soh answers "How Do You Define and Measure Success in What You Do?" At a high level, Soh defines success in her work as making sure people have affordable access to health care. This includes matching patients with the right procedures and making sure the best public policies are put in place to ensure that patient access. Clara Soh is a health economist and Senior Director of Policy and Research at a pharmaceutical trade organization in Washington, DC. Previously, Soh held senior roles at Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research (KPCHR) and Health Policy Research Northwest (HPRN). Soh earned her Masters of Public Administration (MPA) in Policy Analysis and Healthcare Public Finance from the NYU Wagner School and a BS in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry from Yale University.

Leslie Kerner on How Getting an MBA Can Advance Your Career

In Chapter 11 of 21 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, education software company executive Leslie Kerner answers "What Informed Your Decision to Return to School and Earn an MBA?" Working in the Deloitte analyst program after college allows Kerner to return to graduate school, earn an MBA, and then rejoin the company. Kerner uses the MBA experience to build her network and core skills that she eventually uses working in K-12 education.

Leslie Kerner is Senior Vice President and General Manager for the Professional Services group at Amplify, a software and services company innovating K-12 education. She is responsible for building and managing training, professional development and consulting services for schools. Previously, Kerner worked as a management consultant at Deloitte & Touche. Kerner earned an MBA from the Duke University and a BA from Northwestern University.

Leslie Kerner on How Volunteering Can Help You Find Your Passion

In Chapter 12 of 21 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, education software company executive Leslie Kerner answers "How Has Volunteering Impacted Your Learning and Development?" Kerner starts volunteering in college, tutoring elementary and middle school children. This hands-on teaching experience ignites her passion for education and her desire to improve the K-12 teaching and learning experience. She gains more senior experience as a volunteer board member and learns leadership working with the Special Olympics and, later, Peer Health Exchange.

Leslie Kerner is Senior Vice President and General Manager for the Professional Services group at Amplify, a software and services company innovating K-12 education. She is responsible for building and managing training, professional development and consulting services for schools. Previously, Kerner worked as a management consultant at Deloitte & Touche. Kerner earned an MBA from the Duke University and a BA from Northwestern University.

Randall Metting on How to Start a Blog That Builds Your Personal Brand

In Chapter 1 of 10 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, brand marketer Randall Metting answers "How Did Starting a Blog Help You Build Your Personal Brand?" By channeling his passions for music, food, culture and his dog Shiner into a blog, Metting brands himself "The Unofficial Mayor of Austin".  The blog allows him to cultivate his passions and tell the story of Austin while building meaningful community ties. Randall Metting is a brand marketer working for Dulce Vida Spirits in Austin. Metting has built a career on helping companies and non-profits develop integrated marketing strategy and brand development programs. As "The Unofficial Mayor of Austin, Texas" Metting authors the randallmetting.com community blog. He is also an on-air radio personality for 93.3 KGSR radio in Austin. Metting earned a B.S. in Advertising from the University of Florida.

Randall Metting on How Blogging Renews Passion for Writing Restaurant Reviews

In Chapter 2 of 10 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, brand marketer Randall Metting answers "How Has Blogging Reconnected You With Your Passions for Journalism and Writing?" Going through the College of Journalism at the University of Florida, Metting gets experience writing reviews on the local scene. Years later he renews his passion for writing by starting his blog and shares an example of how he approaches covering and reporting on a new restaurant opening. Randall Metting is a brand marketer working for Dulce Vida Spirits in Austin. Metting has built a career on helping companies and non-profits develop integrated marketing strategy and brand development programs. As "The Unofficial Mayor of Austin, Texas" Metting authors the randallmetting.com community blog. He is also an on-air radio personality for 93.3 KGSR radio in Austin. Metting earned a B.S. in Advertising from the University of Florida.

Randall Metting on How to Find Brand Sponsors for Nonprofit Events

In Chapter 5 of 10 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, brand marketer Randall Metting answers "What Approach Do You Take to Find Brand Sponsors for Non-Profit Events?" Metting shares how making local a priority has helped him find great nonprofit event sponsors. Even when working with national organizations such as Cure Duchenne, a muscular dystrophy nonprofit, Metting finds success bringing on local sponsors to help create more impactful fundraising and awareness building events. has Randall Metting is a brand marketer working for Dulce Vida Spirits in Austin. Metting has built a career on helping companies and non-profits develop integrated marketing strategy and brand development programs. As "The Unofficial Mayor of Austin, Texas" Metting authors the randallmetting.com community blog. He is also an on-air radio personality for 93.3 KGSR radio in Austin. Metting earned a B.S. in Advertising from the University of Florida.

Chris Hinkle on Finding Meaning By Improving the Lives of Others

In Chapter 4 of 10 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, software engineer Chris Hinkle answers "What Makes Your Work Meaningful?" Working in digital agencies early in his career, Hinkle recalls finding meaning by building things that impress other people. As he gains product design experience, Hinkle finds meaning not by impressing others but rather by creating things that improve the lives of others. Chris Hinkle is a senior software engineer working at Evernote in Silicon Valley. Previously, Hinkle worked at New York City digital agencies HUGE and R/GA in creative director and software engineering roles designing products and developing Internet mobile applications and websites.

Matt Curtis on Combining Politics and Travel Passions in a Career

In Chapter 2 of 18 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, HomeAway government relations director Matt Curtis answers "How Are Your Personal Experiences Shaping Your Professional Aspirations?" Curtis shares how starting to travel the world has allowed him to combine his passions for city government and helping others make a greater difference in what they do. Traveling to new cities allows Curtis to get new perspectives on how cities work and to put his own passion to work to find ways to improve city planning. Matt Curtis is the director of government relations at HomeAway Inc. Previously he was communications director for Austin mayors Lee Leffingwell and Will Wynn. He earned his bachelor's degree in radio, television and film from the University of North Texas.