Ilana

David Simas, former president of the Obama Foundation, from serving in local government in Massachusetts to advising President Obama.

David Simas, former president of the Obama Foundation, from serving in local government in Massachusetts to advising President Obama.

Do you need a thick skin to go into any kind of politics?

Do you need a thick skin to go into any kind of politics?

David Simas, former president of the Obama Foundation, from serving in local government in Massachusetts to advising President Obama. Oh, my God. I'm so excited about this conversation because David dedicated his career to strengthening democracy, creating impact. Oh, my God. So amazing to see this, David. Thank you for joining us.

David Simas, former president of the Obama Foundation, from serving in local government in Massachusetts to advising President Obama. Oh, my God. I'm so excited about this conversation because David dedicated his career to strengthening democracy, creating impact. Oh, my God. So amazing to see this, David. Thank you for joining us.

It will be an incredible show. I mean, you have such an incredible story. But let me take you back in time. So you grew up in Massachusetts. small Portuguese immigrant family. How did that upbringing shape you? Take us back in time, David.

It will be an incredible show. I mean, you have such an incredible story. But let me take you back in time. So you grew up in Massachusetts. small Portuguese immigrant family. How did that upbringing shape you? Take us back in time, David.

That's a big part of you.

That's a big part of you.

And I love that. I have the same from Israel. And I always wonder if I ever going to feel home in each one of them because I love both, but I have both. Right. And it's like this mix, which is beautiful. And by the way, my mom's parents all talk Portuguese. They came from Spain and Portugal. So we have a lot to talk about, but kind of funny.

And I love that. I have the same from Israel. And I always wonder if I ever going to feel home in each one of them because I love both, but I have both. Right. And it's like this mix, which is beautiful. And by the way, my mom's parents all talk Portuguese. They came from Spain and Portugal. So we have a lot to talk about, but kind of funny.

But knowing a little bit about this culture and you'll share more, I think there's something about this culture of everybody helping one another and lifting one another. And I think you also have a really interesting story around that. Would you share a little bit?

But knowing a little bit about this culture and you'll share more, I think there's something about this culture of everybody helping one another and lifting one another. And I think you also have a really interesting story around that. Would you share a little bit?

Ah, so beautiful. I hope they hear this. And I think you bring that with you and we'll talk about it. There's a pattern there that keeps on that compassion, but not going into victim mentality, but staying victor. There's like a pattern that I see throughout your career that I'm sure that has a little bit definitely came from there. But let's fast forward for a second.

Ah, so beautiful. I hope they hear this. And I think you bring that with you and we'll talk about it. There's a pattern there that keeps on that compassion, but not going into victim mentality, but staying victor. There's like a pattern that I see throughout your career that I'm sure that has a little bit definitely came from there. But let's fast forward for a second.

So you finished school and you studied law. What are some of those lessons from law school? Because one of the things, David, that I want our audience to hear is that even if you're not staying in law, there's so much transferable skills. There's so much transferable experiences that shape you to where you are going, right? So tell us a little bit and maybe a specific story that shaped you.

So you finished school and you studied law. What are some of those lessons from law school? Because one of the things, David, that I want our audience to hear is that even if you're not staying in law, there's so much transferable skills. There's so much transferable experiences that shape you to where you are going, right? So tell us a little bit and maybe a specific story that shaped you.

Totally. Yeah.

Totally. Yeah.