163. Elisabeth (Weinberg) Tavarez, From Finance to Higher Ed to Politics

Show Notes:

Elisabeth Tavares (Weinberg) describes her journey post-graduation, dividing it into three main chapters: private sector, higher education, and government sector.

Travelling to Egypt, Israel, and Spain

Elisabeth shares her initial post-graduation plans, including travel to Egypt and Israel, and her work with American teenagers abroad in Ireland and Spain. She discusses her passion for international travel and her decision to learn Spanish at Harvard, which later led to teaching Spanish.

Elisabeth explains her motivation for learning Spanish, including her background in European history and her love for the language and culture. She discusses taking Latin in high school and Spanish at Harvard.

A Career in the Financial Sector

Elisabeth describes her early career in the financial sector, starting in Boston and later in New York at Scudder Stevens and Clark, where she worked in communications. She expresses her lack of fulfillment in the financial sector and her dislike for New York City, preferring the Hudson Valley.

On to Marist College and Speechwriting

Elisabeth recounts her transition to Marist College (now Marist University) as a speechwriter for President Dennis Murray. She highlights the positive experience of working at Marist College for 17 years, including writing speeches and communications for the college community. Elisabeth shares her admiration for President Murray, describing him as a transformational leader and a mentor. She mentions her pursuit of a master's degree during her time at Marist College.

From a Non-profit to Public Service

Elisabeth discusses her decision to step back from full-time work to care for her husband, who had open-heart surgery, and her aging parents. She describes her involvement in non-profit work and writing for her local newspaper during this period. Elisabeth shares her unexpected transition to public service as the district director for New York State Senator Michelle Hinchey. She describes her role, which includes overseeing the district office, managing constituent services, and running a capital grants program.

Impacting Local Communities

Elisabeth details her responsibilities in her current role, including managing a team of constituent services staff and running the capital grants program. She shares her experiences of meeting with organizations throughout the district and the impact of the grants on local communities. Elisabeth reflects on her changed understanding of government, particularly at the state and local levels, and the direct positive impact it can have on people's lives. She highlights the importance of being responsive to constituents' needs and the satisfaction of helping people and organizations. 

Understanding Community Life

Elisabeth discusses the day-to-day activities in her role, including handling constituent inquiries, meetings, and managing the capital grants program. She reflects on the rich understanding of community life she has gained through her work, including insights into local issues and government operations. Elisabeth shares her admiration for Senator Hinchey's focus on issues important to the district, such as agriculture and affordability. She mentions the importance of being responsive to constituents' needs and the satisfaction of helping people and organizations.

Harvard Reflections

Elisabeth reflects on the impact of courses and professors at Harvard, particularly her Spanish classes and Michael Sandel's Justice class. She shares her long-lasting interest in Spanish, influenced by her family and friends, and her continued practice of the language. She also mentions the influence of other courses, such as the Russian Revolution class with Richard Pipes, and the lasting impact of these educational experiences.

Family Life and the Benefits of Being Bilingual

Elisabeth discusses her family life, including her husband David, her daughter, and their bilingual household. She shares her experiences of traveling with her family, including trips to Mexico and Spain, and the importance of being able to communicate in Spanish. Elisabeth reflects on the role of Spanish in her personal and professional life. She highlights the benefits of being bilingual and the opportunities it provides for travel and communication.

Timestamps:

02:54: Learning Spanish and Early Career in Financial Sector

06:50: Transition to Higher Education: Marist College

14:13: Challenges and Transition to Public Service 

17:01: Role in Public Service and Impact on Understanding Government 

23:52: Personal Reflections and Professional Growth 

27:06: Influence of Harvard Courses and Professors

31:14: Balancing Personal and Professional Life 

32:54: Connecting with the Community and Future Plans

Link:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elistavarez/.

This episode on The 92 Report: https://92report.com/podcast/episode-163-elisabeth-weinberg-tavarez-from-finance-to-higher-ed-to-politics/

*AI generated show notes and transcript