How did you experience your time at the Ecole?

I attended the Ecole d’Humanité during my junior and senior years of high school through the American program. Having grown up in Hawaii, I had never been to Europe before, so studying at the Ecole was a completely new experience and remains one of the most impactful periods of my life. Getting a chance to step away from the conventional path and see more of the world - through classmates of different cultures, time spent wandering in nature, and unique extracurriculars like sword making and goat milking - while forming deep friendships during such a formative period, is something I'll always treasure.

What path did you take after leaving the Ecole?

After graduating from the Ecole, I went on to study economics at the University of California, San Diego. My time as an Ecolianer taught me to self-advocate and pursue unconventional paths, which led me to graduate in just three years and launch a website business right afterwards. That business would go on to reach over 1 million annual readers and support a team of writers also passionate about the space. At the same time, I also began building a career in growth marketing, over the years working in-house, freelance, and agency roles to help scale top brands.

Recently though, I stepped away from my marketing career to co-found an agency that helps businesses build AI-powered tools and automate repetitive processes for growth, freeing up their teams to focus on what matters most. Currently, I’m living in New York City and, at the time of writing this, I’m actually getting married to my partner of almost 8 years tomorrow. :)

How has your career evolved over time?

I touched on this in the last question, but my career has taken a lot of twists and turns. Ultimately though, I've always focused on the goal of creating real value and living boldly. I want to make a positive impact on the world, and I believe the best way to do so is by championing causes that are actually moving the needle. That’s why I’m aiming to drive change from the intersection of AI, growth marketing, and meaningful niches in the years to come.

What makes the Ecole special to you?

The Ecole will always be a second home to me. It was a truly magical place - one that gave myself and so many others the space to grow, explore, and fully engage in the process of becoming who we are. While I got into a fair deal of trouble back in the day, in retrospect I can see just how deeply the Ecole, its philosophy, and its incredible staff have shaped me - far more than I realized at the time.

I'm dictating my responses, and from where I'm sitting I can see my desktop wallpaper: a stunning photo of the Ecole in winter, the rooftops blanketed in snow under a crystal blue sky. Years later, and it still takes my breath away. That two-year chapter of authentic self-expression, deep friendships, adventure, and a genuine zest for life is something I’ll always carry with me. The Ecole is truly one of a kind, and I couldn’t be more grateful to have been part of it.

What is the best piece of advice you would like to give our current students?

This might be terrible advice, but hey it worked for me: Don't be afraid to live the way you want to live (within reason). Join level 5 skiing even though you'll probably be the worst one, try running your own afternoon class, go for that night walk to take a midnight dip in the badesee (Editor’s note: night walks only to be done at home and not during the school term). Take advantage of every opportunity to push your limits and grow.

For current Ecolianers, you're stepping into an uncertain world, and I genuinely believe that the only real security comes from cultivating a sense of self-reliance. Be a doer. Manifest your will in the world. Life and experiences pass by fast, so don’t wait. Live the life you want to live today, and be the person you know you can be.