Robert Bernard Reich is an American economist, professor, author, lawyer, and political commentator renowned for his progressive views on economic policy and inequality. Born on June 24, 1946, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, he grew up in a Jewish family and faced health challenges due to a form of dysplasia that affected his growth, leading him to become an advocate for those with disabilities. He earned a B.A. from Dartmouth College (1968), studied at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar (B.Phil., 1970), and received a J.D. from Yale Law School (1973). Early in his career, he clerked for Judge Frank M. Coffin and worked as an assistant to Solicitor General Robert Bork, serving in policy roles under Presidents Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter. His most notable government role was as the 22nd U.S. Secretary of Labor under President Bill Clinton from 1993 to 1997, where he championed workers' rights, implemented the Family and Medical Leave Act, fought against sweatshops and child labor, raised the minimum wage, and expanded job training programs. His tenure earned him high praise, including being named one of the ten most effective cabinet members of the century by Time magazine in 2008 and ranking sixth on The Wall Street Journal's list of most influential business thinkers that same year. After leaving government, he joined the faculty at UC Berkeley's Goldman School of Public Policy, where he continues to teach and research. He also served on President Barack Obama's economic transition advisory board and has been a vocal critic of economic inequality, authoring numerous books such as 'The Work of Nations' and 'Saving Capitalism,' while appearing frequently in media as a commentator. Throughout his career, Reich has been active in nonprofit and advisory roles, including board positions in progressive organizations, and remains a key figure in debates on labor, globalization, and corporate influence. His work emphasizes reducing economic disparities and reforming systems he views as rigged in favor of the wealthy, influencing policy discussions and public discourse on economic justice.