Acknowledgments

I’m (really) glad this whole first book thing is done, but hoping we can
keep the team together. My agent, Jim Levine, is great at what he does
(I knew that). The bonus is he’s become a role model: married fifty
years, smart and strong. This book is as much his as mine. My editor,
Niki Papadopoulos, kept the work honest and on deadline.
My partners at L2, Maureen Mullen and Katherine Dillon, have
been a constant source of inspiration and camaraderie. I hope they
take pride in this work, as they shaped it. L2’s CEO, Ken Allard, has
been hugely supportive and generous. Several outstanding
professionals at L2 informed the thinking in this book:
—Danielle Bailey
—Todd Benson (board)
—Colin Gilbert
—Claude de Jocas
—Mabel McClean
The book team at L2, Elizabeth Elder, Ariel Meranus, Maria
Petrova, and Kyle Scallon, took lemonade and made it much better
(like lemonade and... vodka). NYU Stern colleagues Adam
Brandenburger, Anastasia Crosswhite, Vasant Dhar, Peter Henry,
Elizabeth Morrison, Rika Nazem, and Luke Williams have been
supportive and tolerant.
I’d also like to thank my parents for having the courage to get on a
steamship to America, and California taxpayers and the Regents of the
University of California for giving an unremarkable kid remarkable
opportunities.
Beata, thanks, and I love you.