Burke, Bethia
Fund for Our Economic Future
Education: Master’s degree in applied economics, Johns Hopkins University; bachelor’s degree in economics and English, Case Western Reserve University
First Job: Painting the poles of street signs for the city of Shaker Heights
If I Could Have Any Other Job: Stay-at-home mom. Or an aspiring novelist (I would never get a book written, though.)
Best Advice: Assume benign intent.
Proudest Moment: When I was first elected as president of the Fund for Our Economic Future. It surprised me how affirming it felt to be unanimously approved by the full board.
What Keeps Me Up at Night: Climate change, and my 10-month-old
Most Important Skill: Emotional intelligence
What I’d Tell 16-Year-Old Me: “No one knows what they’re doing 100% of the time; even doctors are googling some answers.”