Daniel Christopher “D.C.” Rogers, Harvard College Class of 2012, is an award-winning writer, producer, and actor. Currently, D.C. works as a story editor on the upcoming Netflix legal show Partner Track. Previously, he was a staff writer on the CW drama In the Dark. In this conversation, Gemma and D.C. explore his work on both of these shows, discuss life in the writer’s room, and reflect on the struggles that come with striking a healthy work-life balance. They also revisit the surprising path that brought D.C. to his action-fueled Hollywood life – a journey which actually started with his intent to be a lawyer. Finally, at the end of the episode, contributing commentator Mable Chan (Harvard AM ’93) will offer a commentary about how to figure out what you want to do with your life – before and after college.
Dr. Neil Shubin, Harvard GSAS Class of 1987, is a paleontologist, evolutionary biologist, and popular science writer. Dr. Shubin made headlines in 2004 when he co-discovered Tiktaalik roseae, a fossil of a creature with traits found in both fish and tetrapods, and has since published three popular science books: Your Inner Fish, The Universe Within, and Some Assembly Required. In today’s conversation, Gemma and Dr. Shubin unpack how Dr. Shubin’s time-tested affinity for exploration ultimately manifested into a career that involves traveling to places as far-away and frigid as the Canadian Arctic. They also discuss the importance of challenge and failure – in both science and writing – before exploring how Dr. Shubin’s landmark discovery of Tiktaalik dramatically altered the trajectory of his personal and professional life. Finally, at the end of this episode, contributing commentator Mable Chan (Harvard AM ’93), will offer a commentary about the things that cannot be taught – in college or beyond – and which you must find on your own.
Sangu Delle is an entrepreneur, investor, philanthropist, and author who graduated from Harvard College in 2010 and received his JD and MBA from Harvard in 2016. Back in college, Sangu founded the water and sanitation non-profit Cleanacwa. Shortly thereafter, he started Golden Palm Investments (GPI), an investment holding company that builds world class technology companies across the African continent. Sangu is also the CEO of Africa Health Holdings and the author of “Making Futures,” a book about young entrepreneurs doing game-changing work in Africa. In this conversation, Sangu and Gemma unpack the invigorating and rewarding nature of Sangu’s early business ventures as a student, and of his more recent philanthropic projects on the African continent. They also talk about the trials and tribulations of entrepreneurship – about disappointment, and about the very real toll that hard work and high expectations can have on our mental health. Finally, at the end of the episode, contributing commentator Mable Chan (Harvard AM ’93) will offer her own commentary about rebounding from failure.
Janet Hook, Harvard College Class of 1977, is a national political reporter, a mom, an Arsenal fan, and a self-described lover of Maine. Janet has spent over 40 years covering national politics all over the map – at publications like the Congressional Quarterly, the Wall Street Journal, and, most recently, at the Los Angeles Times. In today’s conversation, Gemma and Janet speak about Janet’s undergraduate experience at what was then Harvard-Radcliffe, which was heavily dominated by men at the time. They also explore how Janet’s scholarly interest in political philosophy ultimately led her to become an on-the-ground political reporter. Finally, at the end of the episode, contributing commentator Mable Chan (Harvard AM ’93) will offer a commentary about her own work in journalism.
Divya Narendra, Harvard College Class of 2004, is the CEO and co-founder of SumZero, an online community where professional investors can share business insights and research. Divya’s business acumen dates back to his college years: In 2002, while still an undergraduate at Harvard, Divya launched the Facebook forerunner HarvardConnection, or ConnectU – and the rest of the story, as depicted in the 2010 drama “The Social Network,” is a blend of history and legend. In today’s conversation, Gemma and Divya will touch on this chapter of Divya's early career. But they also unpack the layers of Divya’s character and experiences – college and post-college – that can’t be found on film or in the press. If you're curious about how Divya got interested in business in the first place – or how he has learned to develop business ideas that stick – you’re about to find out. Finally, at the end of the episode, contributing commentator and co-host Mable Chan (Harvard AM ’93), will offer a commentary about how to find your competitive edge in the academic and professional space. Tune in for all of this, and more, in our second episode of “Where Are They Now?”