Right from growing up I always wanted to be a teacher, but my dad discouraged me.

I get people coming up to me and telling me that they are proud of me for what I've achieved. That is lovely.

Of course, juggling a career and a baby is tough but, as it's my business, I pick and choose.

I knew, back when I was starting up, that if I had something that could be developed for the mass market, I could really take it forward.

If my career continues along its current arc, people will probably look at me and see a writer who is obsessed with the relationship between rich and poor and with how the rich somehow or other always manage to betray the poor, even when they don't mean to.

Throughout my career in public service, the residents I have had the privilege of fighting for have embraced who I am, especially my Palestinian roots. This is what I want to bring to the United States Congress: an unapologetic display of the fabric of the people in this country.

I work really hard. My daughter asks me what I do, and it's mostly calls, emails, and meetings. We have our office in Hayes Valley, a nice part of town, because we're all about place being important.

I like the opportunity to travel the world and work in close company with other people.