Ken Biberaj on How Becoming a Father Puts Life in a New Perspective

In Chapter 4 of 23 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, New York City Council Candidate Ken Biberaj answers "How Has Becoming a Father Put Your Life in a New Perspective?" Becoming a father allows Biberaj to look at his political career goals and family goals in a new way. Fatherhood helps him better see that working to improve the community ties to the development of his son and how school quality, public safety, and small businesses play a role in shaping that environment. 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. 

Clara Soh on Why to Work in Health Care Finance Reform

In Chapter 6 of 20 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, health economist Clara Soh answers "How Are Your Aspirations Changing As Your Experience Grows?" After years working as a research biochemist and clinical research analyst, Soh shifts her aspirations from patient to population level. She leaves a meaningful job in Portland, Oregon and relocates to Washington DC to work on key policy and research issues influencing health care finance reform. 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.

James McCormick on Why There is No One Right Way to Live Your Life

In Chapter 6 of 21 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, legal search and consulting firm executive James McCormick answers "How Are Your Personal Experiences Shaping Your Professional Aspirations?" McCormick shares what he has learned in his 20s and 30s, namely that there is no one right script to follow to life a full life. Moving from Detroit to Ann Arbor to San Francisco to New Orleans to New York City, getting married, becoming a father, and building a law career all teach him the importance of improvisation and flexibility. He channels what life has taught him into his work as an executive recruiter by learning to listen and treat every person he works with as an individual. James McCormick is a Partner at Empire Search Partners in New York City. Previously, he practiced law as an employee benefits and executive compensation attorney for Proskauer Rose and Jones Day. He earned a JD at Tulane Law School and a BA in History at the University of Michigan.

Randall Metting on Turning 40 and Making the Most of Every Moment

In Chapter 10 of 10 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, brand marketer Randall Metting answers "How Are Your Aspirations Changing as Your Experience Grows?" As he approaches his 40th birthday, Metting shares why he feels it is important to maximize every second you are given in all aspects of life. From time with friends, family and his trusted canine pal, Shiner Dog, to work and personal health, Metting tries not to waste an opportunity to live life to its fullest and push the boundaries to what is possible. 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 Why There is No Harm in Living Your Job

In Chapter 5 of 10 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, software engineer Chris Hinkle answers "How Are Your Personal Experiences Shaping Your Professional Aspirations?" Hinkle loves his work and because of this he finds he is happier integrating life and work together. He is able to make a living doing what he loves and, as a result, can focus less on financial goals and more on making the digital apps and products that give him purpose. 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.

Jon Kolko on How Work Life Integration Can Make You Happier

In Chapter 4 of 16 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, educator and designer Jon Kolko answers "How Are Your Personal Experiences Shaping Your Professional Aspirations?" Kolko integrates personal and professional together into a life built around his design passion. He finds doing multiple things in design, from writing to teaching to working at a startup, aligns well with what he has seen from others: the happiest people are those who have multiple jobs and responsibilities. Jon Kolko is VP of Design at MyEdu and the Founder and Director of Austin Center for Design (AC4D). He has authored three books on design and previously has worked in design roles at Austin, Texas venture accelerator Thinktiv and global innovation firm frog design. He was a professor of Interaction and Industrial Design at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and earned his Masters in Human Computer Interaction (MHI) and BFA in Design from Carnegie Mellon University.

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.

Matt Curtis on Why to Have a Weight Loss Accountability Partner

In Chapter 9 of 18 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, HomeAway government relations director Matt Curtis answers "What Different Ways Have People Supported You on Your Weight Loss Journey?" From finding the right pair of shoes to learning about healthy eating and exercise balance to getting workout coaching, Curtis finds support and encouragement in all places. He notes how he found a workout partner who has taught him the importance of accountability and the relationship is helping him lose weight and live healthier. 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.

How to Help Young Working Women Prepare for 20s to 30s Changes

In Chapter 16 of 20 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, social entrepreneur Courtney Spence answers "How Are You Learning to Be a Better Mentor to Young Women Professionals?" Spence, now in her mid-30s, shares how connecting with her sisterhood of friends in the past year has given her greater context for where she can be most helpful to young women professionals in their 20s. She learns to appreciate the difficult decisions that make a woman's professional life more complex and the realistic professional trade offs that women make in their 30s to achieve personal goals. Social entrepreneur and storyteller Courtney Spence founded 501c3 nonprofit Students of the World (SOW) to shine a light on progress and celebrate the world's problem solvers. She is building a movement of next-generation storytellers and creative activists through the SOW program The Creative Activist Network. Spence is a graduate of Duke University.

Audrey French on What It Means To Be an Introvert

In Chapter 5 of 18 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, entrepreneur Audrey Parker French answers "What Does It Mean to Be an Introvert?" French defines her introversion as having a need to recharge away from people and activity. Her need to find quiet space - a need she shares with her husband - pushes her to carve out time on her calendar for alone time often when others seek to fill that time with company. Audrey Parker French is an entrepreneur who co-founded CLEAResult, an energy management consulting firm she helped grow to #144 on the 2010 Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing private companies and then sell to General Catalyst Partners. She currently volunteers as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) and teaches children's choir. She graduated from Wake Forest University and lives with her husband in Austin, Texas.

Bijoy Goswami on Getting Ordained to Marry Friends

In Chapter 9 of 19 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, leadership philosopher Bijoy Goswami answers "What Has Officiating Friends' Weddings Taught You About the Power of Friendship?" Goswami shares the joy that getting ordained and having the honor to marry his friends has brought to their relationship. By getting ordained via the Universal Life Church he gets certified to tell the story of his friends and play a role making their wedding day a success.

Bijoy Goswami is a writer, teacher, and community leader based in Austin, Texas. He develops learning models to help individuals, organizations and communities live more meaningfully. Previously, he co-founded Aviri Software after working at Trilogy Software. Goswami graduated from Stanford University.

Bijoy Goswami on Changing Priorities As You Get Older

In Chapter 17 of 19 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, leadership philosopher Bijoy Goswami answers "How Are Your Personal Priorities Changing As You Get Older?" The older he gets, the more Goswami puts a priority on being protective of his time. Choosing who and what to spend his time on becomes progressively more important to Goswami than other pursuits such as making money or even starting a family.

Bijoy Goswami is a writer, teacher, and community leader based in Austin, Texas. He develops learning models to help individuals, organizations and communities live more meaningfully. Previously, he co-founded Aviri Software after working at Trilogy Software.  Goswami graduated from Stanford University.

How to Find Interesting Friends Who Accept You For You

In Chapter 7 of 19 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, innovation strategist Hammans Stallings answers "How Are Your Personal Priorities Changing as You Get Older?" Stallings notes how the people around him provide him the space and accommodation to have selfish or individual moments. He also discusses why he tries to surround himself with interesting people who teach him things.

Hammans Stallings is a Senior Strategist at frog design. Previously he worked in strategy at Dell and investment banking at Stephens. He earned an MBA from the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, a MS in Technology Commercialization from the University of Texas and a BA in Economics and Psychology from the University of Virginia.

How to Plan Your Future by Aligning Your Passions

In Chapter 8 of 19 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, innovation strategist Hammans Stallings answers "How Are Your Personal Experiences Shaping Your Professional Aspirations?" He notes that while you cannot control your past you can take steps to create experiences that will shape your future. He finds places where his passions align and plans his goals around the possibilities that exist at that juncture.

Hammans Stallings is a Senior Strategist at frog design. Previously he worked in strategy at Dell and investment banking at Stephens. He earned an MBA from the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, a MS in Technology Commercialization from the University of Texas and a BA in Economics and Psychology from the University of Virginia.

Jason Anello on Living a Work Hard Play Hard Life

In Chapter 4 of 20 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, creative director and Manifold ad agency co-founder Jason Anello answers "What Steps Are You Taking to Do What is Best for Your Family and Future?" Anello shares how he and his wife are both Type A personalities and are very comfortable with a "Go, Go, Go" lifestyle that puts career first today while leaving room for fun adventures along the way.

Jason Anello is a founding partner and creative director at Manifold Partners, an award-winning creative advertising agency. Previously, Anello worked in creative leadership roles at Yahoo!, Ogilvy & Mather, and Digitas. A passionate foodie and traveler, he runs the Forking Tasty food blog and supper club series. He earned a BFA from University at Albany.

Mike Germano on How Childhood Influences Career Choices

In Chapter 1 of 20 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, Carrot Creative social media agency CEO Mike Germano answers "What Childhood Experiences Have Been Most Fundamental in Shaping Who You Are Today?"  Germano shares what he learned from his grandfather's small manufacturing business.  Watching the company contract as foreign competition increased teaches Germano to pursue innovative, creative work that is more price inelastic and offers him an opportunity to create new jobs. 

Mike Germano is co-founder and CEO of DUMBO Brooklyn-based social media agency Carrot Creative.  Previously, Germano ran for and was elected to public office in Connecticut.  He is a graduate of Quinnipiac University. 

Mike Germano on Aspiring to More Than Making Money

In Chapter 17 of 20 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, Carrot Creative social media agency CEO Mike Germano answers "How Are Your Aspirations Changing as Your Experience Grows?"  Germano finds many people in his life tell him he is successful - from his parents to his wife to his peers to his industry.  He finds that defining success is not about reaching these respective expectations as end points but seeing them as new starting points on his aspirational journey. 

Mike Germano is co-founder and CEO of DUMBO Brooklyn-based social media agency Carrot Creative.  Previously, Germano ran for and was elected to public office in Connecticut.  He is a graduate of Quinnipiac University. 

Phil McKenzie on How Family Relationships Change With Age

In Chapter 2 of 18 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, entrepreneur Phil McKenzie answers "How Are Your Family Relationships Changing As You Get Older?"  McKenzie finds the biggest change is that he is thinking far more about family legacy and the long-term thinking that comes with it.  Seeing parents age and friends go through new challenges motivates Phil to make the greatest positive impact he can in his lifetime. 

Philip L. McKenzie is the Founder and Global Curator of Influencer Conference, a global content platform that brings together tastemakers in the arts, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and technology to discuss the current and future state of influencer culture. Prior to that, he was Managing Partner of influencer marketing agency FREE DMC and an equities trader at Goldman, Sachs & Co.  He earned an MBA from Duke University and a BBA from Howard University.