Let it not be said that all twenty-somethings care about are their Facebook accounts, who’s having a party next weekend, and what’s new at the mall. Jasdeep Ghumman, just 25 in March, has been busy instead building an enviable resume in Roanoke since she came to town three years ago, lured here by her college boyfriend Josh Heim, a Botetourt boy whom she met at the University of Virginia.
She graduated from UVA in 2007 with a BA in Foreign Affairs and History, and while at college, having participated in three national and international Alternative Spring Break service trips, discovered she had a passion for the making the world a better place. Hence, her decision to apply for work at
United Way of Roanoke Valley, where she started as a Development Associate, managing corporate fundraising campaigns for the community-wide impact organization. Handling major accounts with a skill that belied the brevity of her experience, she was promoted first to Campaign Manager and just recently to Director of Campaign.
“Jas” (pronounced like jazz music), whose parents were born in India before locating in Northern Virginia to raise Jas and her two younger siblings, has performed Indian cultural dances on a number of occasions, such as last month’s 25 Anniversary Local Colors. She is also an officer of the local chapter of the UVA Club, and she sometimes travels back to Charlottesville to encourage new graduates to consider moving to Roanoke.
In April she and Mr. Heim became engaged and will marry in May 2011. Big career, marriage plans, and a fierce dedication to making a difference even at this early stage of her journey: not bad for a mere quarter century.
For the record, she is not opposed to Facebook, parties, or the mall, just like any other well-educated and ambitious young American woman making her way in the world, but she also has a serious mission, and she is very determined and focused about it. Good qualities to have for a member of this up and coming generation, who are so crucial to the future of our community, country, and world.
By Linda Webb [email protected]
