Natalie Foster's profile

Neighborhood: The Mission

Gig: Running Rebuild the Dream, a non-profit startup using people-powered innovations to fix the U.S. economy.

What are you up to these days? After two years running President Obama's digital team at Organizing for America and the Democratic National Committee in Washington DC – it was time for the West Coast. I moved to San Francisco a little over a year ago, and started Rebuild the Dream. I spend a lot of time thinking about how technology can (and is) disrupting politics, and how we can transport some of the Silicon Valley mindset – like The Lean Startup thinking – into the social change space.

SF is... irrationally optimistic, whimsical, and cold.

Who's your favorite quintessential local character? Steven Long, who plays most mornings at 24th Street Mission BART stop. My friend Colin Mutchler invited Steven to perform with him at the Lost Church, and it was magical.

Why do you love your neighborhood? It’s gritty, creative, unexpected, and stunningly beautiful. I love that a guy down the block gardens naked, and there are relentless recycling foragers in Dolores Park who leave no glass or plastic behind. And I’ve even come to terms with the ridiculously steep hill that I live on.

What's your favorite under-the-radar SF restaurant? I’m always amazed when people haven’t had Zante’s Indian pizza, and frankly, that Zante’s hasn’t yet franchised. ORDER IT. You won’t be sorry.

What would you change about SF? Urine smell. Rental prices.

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Natalie's Favorite Stories

Kristin Smith

forages for the city’s fall foods

Urban foraging has always fascinated me, so I appreciated this account of a woman on several adventures foraging around the city.
Reyhan Harmanci

wonders why BART goes to bed early

I ride public transit often and appreciated this author’s inquiry into why BART doesn’t run late.
Ashley Harrell

becomes a fluffer for hire at TaskRabbit

I’m inspired by the emerging collaborative consumption movement, so I appreciated this “Task Rabbit Goddess” story on the life of a Task Rabbiter and insight into the founding of the company.