Where are you from? I was born in New York City but moved around a lot as a kid. I graduated from high school in DC and that’s always felt like home to me.
Where/what did you study? When did you graduate? I graduated in May 2014 with a degree in political science. Specifically, comparative politics. I felt like IR had kind of slipped into becoming the study of American foreign policy. I much preferred getting a chance to look at how governments organize themselves and conduct policy domestically. Much more interesting.
How did you get involved with the Microsoft Civic Tech Team? I created a civic tech startup when I was 18 called GovHub, back when the space was like a toddler in the awkward time between crawling and mastering to walk. Like many, we had some successes and some stumbles. Eventually, one of my cofounders got hired as one of the first Presidential Innovation Fellows by John, who I then hit up after I graduated.
How did you get involved in tech in general? I had an idea for an internet startup though I was not an engineer nor had I ever really considered tech as something I would want to get involved in.The desire for fame and fortune forced me to change that mentality. Unfortunately, I am not fabulously rich and famous. Fortunately, I did get myself into the tech space and I’m very grateful for all the opportunities that’s opened up for me.
What projects are you working on as part of the team? I’ve done a lot of research, communications, and events planning since joining the team. Basically, I help our engineers communicate their work to the world and encourage others to adopt these new technologies. I’ve been particularly involved with the Civic Graph project but I like to stick my nose in everywhere.
What’s your favorite Microsoft technology? The kid in me wants to say Xbox. I mean, I’ll still say Xbox, but I also think the Microsoft translator is up there. That’s straight out of Star Trek. I’m just waiting for the Microsoft Replicator now.
What issues are you most passionate about? I would say there are three issues that inform the bulk of the work I do. Government accountability, transparency, and responsiveness. Improving how the government operates in relation to all three is the best way, in my mind, to create a better society. Lawrence Lessig, a role model of mine, once delivered a lecture at my school where he told us a quote which I’ll paraphrase. For every thousand men hacking at the branches of evil, there is only one attacking the root. I like to think of myself as a rootstriker.
What is your “Mad-Scientist” idea? Drafting a new constitution. I think we’re overdue for a system upgrade. I think we could reasonably fix the problems through amendments but it would take a new Bill of Rights which in today’s environment would be a herculean political feat.
What would you like to do next? I would like to have an impact on the 2016 campaign season in some way. Stay tuned for what I come up with.
Without using your name, what key words would someone use to find you on Bing? Entrepreneur. Eugoogolizer. Energizer