Paula Gren

What did your 18 year old self see you becoming?

Career path was toward medicine. Attended Boston University as a chemistry major and worked part time at Children’s Hospital as a neonatal tech. Was not thrilled looking at more debt and more years of schooling so took some down time wherein I discovered the commercial photography world.

If you weren’t a photographer’s agent what would you do?

If money was of no concern, I’d become a hiking /biking guide and lead extreme tours throughout the world. OR go back to school and study forensic medicine. Or become a commercial photographer.

How do you get your news?

Mark Winer! I despise the news coverage today and I don’t have the capacity to filter out the bad for any good.  So I avoid most platforms other than an occasional CNN binge.

What might surprise people about you?

I have no problem getting my hands dirty and taking on home improvement projects.  From tearing down wallpaper,  replastering cracked walls or ceilings, refinishing any wooden piece of furniture, to laying a stone patio and constructing a new fire pit… I love the challenge and appreciate the outcome more than if I’d hired someone.

What were you like as a 10 year old?

I’m not sure I recall being 10, but as a young girl I was super shy (no more), loved the outdoors (still do), overly organized (to a fault then, but asset today), and saw the best in everything and everyone (thus my title as Chief Executive Optimist).

When was the last time you watched the sun rise?

This morning! I’m pretty much up every day before the sun.  

What superpower would you want? Feel free to invent one.

To communicate with those who have passed.

What celebrity (actor, writer, musician) would you most want to have dinner with?

Simone Biles 

What are the top 2 things on your bucket list?

I was asked this question while standing around a massive campfire in the Vermont woods this past winter’s solstice eve.  I couldn’t answer then but did come to a realization about myself.  I live in the present.  I don’t dwell in the past or imagine the future.  I take life day by day, appreciating the good that comes to me and accepting the bad.  This keeps things simple!