His Story

I never really thought I would leave New England. I grew up there, went to college there, and my father had a successful insurance agency in southern New Hampshire that I was expected to someday run. But a little over ten years ago, on the advice of my favorite professor at UNH, I headed to California in an old Chevy Celebrity.

Initially I lived with family in the pastoral confines of Marin County, but I soon discovered that I preferred the grittiness and diversity of Oakland. While my father eagerly awaited my return so I could begin my career as an insurance agent, I began working as an intern at Habitat for Humanity in Oakland. At Habitat I established a strong community of friends and began developing my career in the nonprofit sector. Habitat is also where I found the craziest, most amazing, intense (sometimes maddening), heart pounding love of my life Hiroko and her son Théo. It was then that I knew for certain that I would not be returning to New Hampshire to work as an insurance agent.

It was difficult to share this revelation with my family, especially my father, but working in the nonprofit sector was the clearest way for me to express my strong desire to build a more just and equitable world. And slowly the Bay Area with all its diversity, progressive politics ideal weather and access to great food & wine (as well as micro-brews) began to feel more like home.

After working at a children's advocacy organization in San Francisco and then back at Habitat as the Finance and Operations Manager, I returned to New England for nearly two years to attend business school (Boston University). While it was at times difficult because Hiroko and I had just bought a house in Oakland and she needed to stay for her work and Théo, the time apart ultimately brought us closer and gave me an opportunity to spend time with my family in New Hampshire.

Soon after graduating and returning to Oakland, our daughter, Denali, was born and I began working as the Director of Technical Assistance at the Northern California Community Loan Fund, a $15 million community lending institution based in San Francisco. This continues to be the perfect job because my decision to go to business school was influenced by a desire to help nonprofits to more effectively utilize their resources to better serve their communities.