HOMETOWN FEELING
I spent most of my childhood in Orange County and San Diego, and I feel most at home when the sun's out and I'm near the beach. It's my happy place, and probably why I've never left California.
BARRE NONE
I became a barre instructor at Barre3 in Menlo Park for a year and a half — combining my love of community building with my passion for fitness. There's no better feeling than someone coming up after class to say they loved it and feel stronger.
I'll always be drawn to products and services that make women, in particular, feel more confident and capable.
Let's start way back. What were you like as a kid?
The classic teacher's pet — obsessed with school, set on being the perfect student. Even then I couldn't pick a lane: one day I wanted to be a radio host, the next a lawyer, forever bouncing between the creative and analytical sides of myself.
Did either pan out?
Neither, exactly. But I've been toeing that same line ever since, always drawn to roles that balance creativity with analytics.
And where did you grow up?
Southern California will always be home. I spent most of my childhood in Orange County and San Diego, and I feel most at home when the sun's out and I'm near the beach. It's my happy place — probably why I've never left California.
Describe what it was like to grow up in your family.
Both of my parents were immigrants from Egypt who came to the US in their mid-twenties to give their children a better life. They constantly reminded my brother and me that any goal was achievable with enough grit and determination — always emphasizing the "why not you?" attitude. I'm so grateful for their unwavering belief in me.
Sounds like they set the bar high.
They did. That said, I think they sometimes regret how competitive they made me — especially any time we play a game or get into an argument.
And what was day-to-day life like?
Loud and rambunctious. A typical weekend looked like loud conversations, tears from laughter, and — as is typical in many Middle Eastern households — mandatory seconds and thirds at the dinner table.
Sounds like our kind of place. Is there a personal challenge you've taken on that you're most proud of?
I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and became a barre instructor at Barre3 in Menlo Park, teaching for about a year and a half. It let me combine my love of community building with my passion for fitness. Standing in front of a room of women with high expectations was nerve-wracking at first, but there's no better feeling than someone coming up after class to say they loved it and feel stronger.
What's your favorite VMG brand, past or present?
Fruit Riot. When the sour grape and mango flavors first dropped, I hit four different San Diego Safeways on the same day hunting them down — and every shelf was already picked clean. There's no clearer sign you've made something great than demand you simply can't keep up with.
Four Safeways in one day. That is commitment.
People were obsessed — myself very much included.
Last question: what gets you most psyched about working at VMG?
The people, genuinely. Everyone has been so welcoming from the start, and it's clear the firm is full of brilliant, curious minds. Beyond the team, I'm excited to meet the founders of great consumer companies and support them in bringing a little more happiness to people — whether through fun snacks or beautiful makeup.
Happiness through fun snacks and beautiful makeup. Sounds like a calling.
The teacher's pet in me finally found her favorite subject.
