Kate's Answer

My most influential mentor was Jim Clowes, a professor of Comparative History of Ideas at UW. He was a passionate and dynamic man who cared deeply about changing the world. He taught me, by example, that everyone is passionate and excited about something, and that you can draw that out of them pretty easily. He related to everyone he encountered on a very personal level, by assuming that they were a worthwhile and interesting person with big ideas, and taking a few moments to ask and listen.