AF Member Profile: Daniel Rothschild
This is the first in a series of AF member profiles.
Daniel Rothschild, COO and Senior Vice President at Mercatus Center.
The Nitty Gritty
Current Position:
I’m the Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University.
How long I’ve been a member of America’s Future Foundation:
I’ve been a member of AF for about ten years, and I just joined the AF Board of Directors last year.
What I do, and why I love it:
I direct operations at the Mercatus Center, a broad portfolio that includes our policy research team, graduate student programs, and organizational operations. I also work closely with our communications, media, outreach, and development teams to make sure that all parts of the organization are working together in furtherance of our mission.
Hands down, the best part of my job is working with a team that’s mission driven and entrepreneurial. Scholars and staff at Mercatus care deeply about what we do, and that’s the most important part of making it a great place to work.
Invaluable skill I’ve learned:
Writing clearly and concisely.
Most important moment in my career (so far):
It’s hard to pick one particular moment as the most important. The first time I earned a byline in the Washington Post with my now-boss, Mercatus general director Tyler Cowen, was certainly an exciting moment.
Biggest career lesson I’ve learned:
Don’t over-plan. Know what you’re good at, what makes you happy, and what you find rewarding and move incrementally in that direction.
What attracted me to politics:
I’ve never been attracted to politics as much as to policy. Politics is either a means of advancing policies, or else it’s just power for its own sake.
How I formed my political beliefs:
There’s no one “eureka” moment I can point to. The first time I ever wrote to an elected official was when I was about 10; I sent a letter to my state senator urging her to vote against a proposed law mandating bike helmets for minors. So I suppose I’ve always been skeptical of power.
Opportunities I see for the movement:
Showing people who don’t care about policy or politics why free markets, entrepreneurship, and individual liberty have wide-reaching ramifications that effect virtually every part of their lives.
Most important trait to have to be successful in the movement:
Humility goes a long way. Figure out what you can do better than other people, and then do it very well. There’s no replacement for working hard and having a track record of results.
Why I think America’s Future Foundation is important:
After college, most young professionals are on their own for the first time in their lives. Think about it: you were probably four or five years old the last time your years weren’t set by the rhythms of an academic calendar, when your weeks weren’t defined by syllabi and lesson plans, and when the “next step” wasn’t preordained. AF is an important organization to help young professionals navigate this time in their lives, to connect people with formal and informal mentors, and to help people figure out what they want to do with their careers.
Any advice for freedom fighters beginning their careers?
Good writing skills are much less common than you might expect. Work on becoming a better writer, and learn how to write in different styles for different audiences. Writing well, paying attention to detail, and working as part of a team will take you 90% of wherever you want to go.
Fun Facts
If I were going on a Netflix binge, it would be …
If I had my druthers, it would be The Office (US or UK versions) for the umpteenth time. But since I have a three-year-old daughter, I would probably be made to watch My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic instead.
Favorite Political Talking Head?
It seems a disservice to call them talking heads, so let me stipulate that I don’t think the label fits. But among conservatives, Reihan Salam; among libertarians, Megan McArdle; and among progressives, Bill Gallston. All three are brilliant thinkers and writers who should be read even by – especially by – people whose politics are diametric opposites.
Favorite British Television Show?
Tie between Blackadder and Yes, Minister.
Any good commuter stories?
Living about a mile and a half from my office, I have one of the best commutes of anyone I know.
Most underrated movie of all time?
Manborg. Look it up, please.
How about the most overrated?
Every movie Matt Damon has ever been in.
Liz Thatcher works in marketing at the Center for Shared Services. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Studies from the Master’s College.