On advising a president: I found it inspiring. President Clinton was deeply interested in economic policy issues and highly knowledgeable, so he was personally involved in most of the issues — and he challenged his team to think deeply, creatively, and boldly about policy options. Moreover, his staff treasured the opportunity to make a difference, knew their time to do so was limited, and wanted every day to count.
How did Washington influence your teaching? It exposed me to new policy issues in the realm of macroeconomics and outside of it, such as global warming and Social Security reform. My teaching and research reflected what I learned upon my return. Teaching a core M.B.A. course at Haas called Macroeconomics in the Global Economy gave me a wonderful opportunity to discuss issues affecting countries around the globe with a talented cadre of future business leaders.
On her husband and son, also economists: We certainly do bounce ideas off one another all the time, and it is the mainstay of our conversations over breakfast, lunch, and dinner — although we also share other interests.
