Breakfast! Sourdough bread is important in this household and even if I don’t make it myself, the purchased loaves go to great use daily. I don’t drink caffeine so bread is my vice.

The chance to share about a topic that I love and which I believe can change the world is deeply motivating to me. I love to stand on a stage and read people’s facial expressions when I propose a thought that makes them think or surprises them about charitable giving. Philanthropy is powerful and personal. The more people know about it, the more I feel a shift in the way we approach and speak about generosity across generations. When I’m speaking, that energy is palpable; I always leave events with a feeling of gratitude for having had the chance to do what I love around a purposeful topic.

In Upstate NY, the Brewster Inn in Cazenovia, and in South Florida, a tie between Blue Door, Renato’s, and HMF at the Breakers (who doesn't love the Breakers!?). Wait, can I add Honor Bar, too? There are too many great ones. My husband and I go out to eat almost every Wednesday — a date night that is trickier as our kids are busier but since much of our time together is spent working, it’s important!

Includes sleeping, my husband making food, and my kids not fighting. Simple asks, right? I love the weather in South Florida in the winter and in Upstate New York in the summer, so going for walks, to the Art Park, and being by a pool are all on the list. When I’m motivated or contemplative, I do my best writing so I sneak that in when it feels right. If you can add my sister and a restaurant to any weekend plan, consider me thrilled!

For Fun: Group (Christie Tate), Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo (Taylor Jenkins Reid), The Goddess of Warsaw (Lisa Barr), All The Light We Cannot See (Anthony Doerr).

Working on Myself: The Tools (Phil Stutz), Educated (Tara Westover), anything from Adam Grant, Extreme Ownership (Jocko Willink), Atomic Habits (James Clear).

For Relationships / Family: How to Raise Successful People (Esther Wojcicki), Fair Play (Eve Rodsky).

French. I minored in Spanish. My brain loves language and even though I had no intentions of becoming a teacher, I trusted that enjoying what I studied would lead to something wonderful — and it has! I have fantastic memories from studying abroad in Nice, France.

When I had my first job, I binged Mad Men after work almost everyday (gosh, I can’t even remember what life was like pre-children). I loved the sign they had in their office that said Work Smarter, Not Harder. It has stuck with me all of these years: you don’t have to make things more difficult for them to be successful, and the way “it has always been done” doesn’t mean it’s the right way. I have offered that thought at many speaking engagements and love the liberation it offers young professionals working toward growth and success. Can you be creative in your approach to ensure you’re finding the best way, not just the hardest way?

Wasn’t putting the words on paper, but getting it published! Have you head Mel Robbins outline the six ways to achieve any goal? I wish I’d heard it before I wrote my book. Having to put in the work to take those words from the google doc on my computer and get them printed was long and more complicated than I had considered, but once the process was flowing, I knew I’d print the book. The feeling has been overwhelmingly satisfying and rewarding — particularly in the classroom when I’m reading it to curious and beautiful kids across different cities!