The Roanoker January/February 2024 - 34
40 UNDER 40
NATESHA ROSS, 31
Assistant Director of Programs, The
Foundry
" Roanoke is a dynamic hub
of cultural diversity and
entrepreneurial energy.
With its wide range of
international cuisine and
an array of annual cultural
events, it's a melting pot of
flavors and celebrations.
Roanoke fosters a sense of
potential and community on
both local and international
scales. "
Natesha Ross holds a bachelor's
degree in Business Administration
from Roanoke College and a Master
of Arts in Teaching from Mary Baldwin
University. Her role at The Foundry
includes managing after-school and
summer camp programs, tutoring
services and educational initiatives.
Ross actively contributes to various
community causes, from empowering
professional women with Roanoke
Regional Chamber of Commerce's
Women of the Chamber to mentoring
through the Department of Justice
program. She volunteers with Junior
Achievement, leads an adopt-a-street
program through Clean Valley Council
and participates in initiatives promoting
literacy and multicultural understanding,
notably the Virginia State
Literacy Association and Local Colors.
" My passion lies in empowering students
to unlock their full potential and
fostering enriching experiences for
them, " Ross says. " I aspire to create
a ripple effect by introducing students
to the diverse array of opportunities
at their disposal. As individuals thrive
in their own passions, the entire community's
ecosystem flourishes, creating
a powerful cycle of growth and
success. "
* Pursuing further education at
William and Mary in a program
focusing on master teachers and
literacy leadership
ILIANA SEPĂLVEDA, 39
Telecommunications Consultant Senior,
American Electric Power
" I love Roanoke because it
offers a unique combination
of natural beauty and a
close-knit, progressive
community, making it a
wonderful place to call
home. "
Iliana SepĂșlveda holds dual bachelor
degrees in Economics from the
Monterrey Institute of Technology
and in Business Management from
the ESC Clermont Graduate School
of Management in 2009. She furthered
her studies with a master's
in Environmental Studies from the
University of Pennsylvania in 2013
and obtained Project Management
Professional certification in 2019. She
is the 2023 President of PMI-SWVA,
co-founded Latinas Network for
Latino empowerment and completed
programs like the Green Citizens
Academy and Leadership Roanoke
Valley. " My passion revolves around
creating a strong, inclusive community
where individuals can support
one another and advocating for economic
empowerment, especially for
underrepresented groups, " she says.
" My goal is to foster an even stronger
sense of community and provide ... the
tools and opportunities they need to
thrive. I approach every situation as
an opportunity to build bridges and
strengthen relationships, ultimately
striving to create stronger and more
successful organizations that can
serve more people. "
* Engages in environmental
programs, including U.S. Green
Building Council, Sustainable
Roanoke, REEVA and Clean
Valley Council
* Previously worked for Federal
Mexican Government as advisor
to Vice Minister of Economics
SONAL SHARMA, 35
Software Engineer, NorthWinds
Technology Solutions
" Coming from Delhi, India,
to Roanoke was a lifechanging
event. However,
in a few months, I knew
Roanoke was my home
away from home. ... When
it comes to diversity, Star
City truly is a melting pot
where Roanokers welcome
all cultures and celebrate
diversity. "
Sonal Sharma serves as a Software
Engineer at NorthWinds Technology
Solutions, leveraging 13 years of IT
experience across insurance, banking
and industrial automation sectors.
Holding a BS in Computer Engineering
from India (2009) and an MS from BITS
Pilani (2013), Sharma is a Certified
Scrum Master. Specializing in process
enhancement, workflow design
and automation, Sharma has driven
critical initiatives in credit card processing
and data protection. Sharma
volunteers as a Smile Ambassador for
Delta Dental of Virginia, supporting
the Boys and Girls Club through the
Angel Tree program. She also educates
youth on technology, sponsors a
child through Children.org and strongly
advocates for girls pursuing technology
careers. " As a woman working in
technology, I appreciate the opportunities
I received in childhood, " Sharma
says. " Unfortunately, not every girl has
the same support and encouragement.
I want every girl to have the same love
and passion that I have for technology.
If I can change the life of one girl who
chooses STEM as a passion, I will consider
myself a success. "
* Participates in Hindu community
activities and school volunteer
projects
* Participates in the Festival of
India, helping kids prepare for
dances
JACKIE SMITH, 37
Executive Director, Community Youth
Program at St. John's
" I think our outdoor living,
culture and quality of life
are some of the best in the
country. I love that this
community offers countless
options for great food,
breweries, music, festivals
and outdoor activities. I
can't think of a better place
to live. "
Jackie Smith holds a degree in
Communication Studies from Hollins
University, graduating in 2009. She
devoted seven years as the Program
Director for Big Brothers and Big
Sisters of Southwest Virginia before
assuming her current role as the
Executive Director of the Community
Youth Program (CYP). Smith assists
children with school enrollment,
secures affordable housing for families
in need and generously purchases
coats and shoes for kids. She serves
as a crucial link, translating medical
documents, rental agreements and
other essential information for nonEnglish-speaking
parents. Her tenure
has seen remarkable achievements,
including record-breaking fundraising
events, doubling fundraising income
and improving the academic performance
of at-risk youth, evidenced by
a threefold increase in overall grades
among CYP participants. " I am passionate
about helping my students
reach their potential and find success
in their lives. I want to help them build
the skills they will need to be capable
and confident adults who go on
to have their own positive impact on
their community. Seeing their growth
makes the challenges of this job completely
worthwhile. "
* Completed a comprehensive
thesis on the portrayal of African
Americans in the Roanoke Times
34
january/february 2024
TheRoanoker.com
COURTESY OF NATESHA ROSS / COURTESY OF ILIANA SEPULVEDA / COURTESY OF SONAL SHARMA / COURTESY OF JACKIE SMITH
http://www.Children.org
http://www.TheRoanoker.com
The Roanoker January/February 2024
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Roanoker January/February 2024
The Roanoker January/February 2024 - Cover1
The Roanoker January/February 2024 - Cover2
The Roanoker January/February 2024 - 3
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The Roanoker January/February 2024 - VBR1
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The Roanoker January/February 2024 - Cover3
The Roanoker January/February 2024 - Cover4
https://www.nxtbook.com/leisuremedia360/leisure/rkr-jan-feb-2025-with-vbrl
https://www.nxtbook.com/leisuremedia360/leisure/the-roanoker-nov-dec-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/leisuremedia360/leisure/the-roanoker-sept-oct-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/leisuremedia360/leisure/the-roanoker-july-august-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/leisuremedia360/leisure/the-roanoker-may-june-2024-updated
https://www.nxtbook.com/leisuremedia360/leisure/the-roanoker-march-april-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/leisuremedia360/leisure/the-roanoker-january-february-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/leisuremedia360/leisure/the-roanoker-november-december-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/leisuremedia360/leisure/the-roanoker-sept-october-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/leisuremedia360/leisure/the-roanoker-july-august-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/leisuremedia360/leisure/the-roanoker-may-june-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/leisuremedia360/leisure/the-roanoker-march-april-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/leisuremedia360/leisure/the-roanoker-january-february-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/leisuremedia360/leisure/the-roanoker-november-december-2022-2
https://www.nxtbook.com/leisuremedia360/leisure/the-roanoker-september-october-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/leisuremedia360/leisure/the-roanoker-july-august-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/leisuremedia360/leisure/the-roanoker-may-june-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/leisuremedia360/leisure/the-roanoker-march-april-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/leisuremedia360/leisure/the-roanoker-january-february-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/leisuremedia360/leisure/RKRND21
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/RKRSO21
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/TheRoanokerJA2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/roanoker_20210506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/roanoker_20210304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/roanoker_20210102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/roanoker_2020_1112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/roanoker_20200910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/roanoker_20200708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/roanoker_20200506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/roanoker_20200304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/roanoker_20200102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/roanoker_20191112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/roanoker_20190910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/roanoker_20190708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/roanoker_20190506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/roanoker_20190304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/roanoker_20190102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/roanoker_20181112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/roanoker_20180910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/roanoker_20180708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/roanoker_20180506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/roanoker_20180304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/roanoker_20180102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/roanoker_20171112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/roanoker_20170910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/TheRoanoker_JulyAugust2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/TheRoanoker_MayJune2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/roanoker_20170304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/roanoker_20170102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/roanoker_20161112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/roanoker_20160910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/roanoker_20160708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/roanoker_20160506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/roanoker_20160304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/roanoker_20160102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/roanoker_20151112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/roanoker_20150910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/roanoker_20150708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/roanoker_20150506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/roanoker_20150304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/roanoker_20150102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/roanoker_20141112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/roanoker_20140910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/roanoker_20140708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/roanoker_20140506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/roanoker_201403
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/roanoker_201402
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com