Steve Westly is a Managing Partner of The Westly Group, a venture capital firm that invests primarily in clean technology companies. Prior to founding The Westly Group, he served as the Controller and Chief Fiscal Officer of the state of California. Read more about him below.

Q. What is the best gift you have ever received?

A. My parents.

Q. What comforts you?

A. People who are passionate. Particularly if they have some data behind them.

Q. When do you feel most creative?

A. I’m not as creative as I used to be. I need to be more creative.

Q. How would you describe yourself in five words or fewer?

A. Luckiest person in the world.

Q. If you could be anyone in history, who would you be?

A. My hero is Gandhi. He changed the destiny of an entire nation, and he did it in such an inspiring way – with so little.

Q. What is your favorite thing about San Francisco?

A. I grew up here, and it brings back all my great memories of being a kid.

Q. How are you different from who you were 10 years ago?

A. I have kids and kids change everything.

Q. What is the best advice you have ever received?

A. To treat people well.

Q. What music have you listened to today?

A. The Beatles.

Q. Who is the one person living or dead you would most like to meet for dinner?

A. Jesus.

To read more about Westly’s keynote speech, click here.

*Photo by Mabel Jimenez.