The Roanoker - November/December 2018 - 12

The Woman Who Can Do It All

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FTER MEETING SUSAN Stanley-Zahorchak,
president of Junior League of Roanoke Valley
(JLRV), I get the feeling she's often described as a
woman who can do it all. By day, she is the human resources
manager at ALCOVA Mortgage, LLC. Every other moment,
it seems, is devoted to the community and strong friendships
with other JRLV members. And she's now doing this all as
a new mom, as she just gave birth to her baby girl only five
weeks prior to our lunch!
Originally from Bland, Zahorchak graduated from
Virginia Tech and moved to Roanoke in 2004. Her desire to
find a great network of girlfriends led her first to the Chamber
of Commerce, becoming an ambassador, and soon after,
Junior League of Roanoke Valley. Now in her 13th active
year, she's proud of the great work the group does, and it's
now a part of her.
"We want to make sure Roanoke is great for children,
women and families. And with my daughter, I want to
provide a strong community for her," she says. "It's about
giving back to the community, wanting to make the Roanoke
Valley a better place, helping those in need and empowering
women."
JLRV also hosts the Stocked Market, their biggest
fundraiser of the year. In addition to raising money, the event
provides a great opportunity to utilize their efforts in finding
new members and helping others understand their volunteer
work. Stocked Market is one of Zahorchak's favorite events
of the year.
12 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2018

"It kicks off the holiday season," she says enthusiastically.
"It's full of energy, from Christmas music to all the members
dressing up, and being involved is really a lot of fun. It's also a
lot of work, but I love seeing the different vendors and unique
gifts you can't get anywhere else."
Zahorchak and her husband Paul, an independent financial
consultant, celebrated the birth of their daughter, Caroline Jane
(named after both her grandmothers). They also enjoy time
with Paul's children, Adam, 20, who attends JMU, and Anna,
18, a freshman at Virginia Tech. She and Paul are both Hokie
graduates, and love Virginia Tech sports and attending games
every chance they get. They also enjoy concerts, spending time
at the beach and traveling to unique places such as Istanbul and
Paris; their last trip included Prague and Budapest.
While Zahorchak typically has an active life, from JLRV
meetings and events to dinners with friends and work
functions, it's been quite a change to stay home with her baby.
What spare time she does have goes to reading and walks on
the greenway, and she hopes to get back into running soon.
She also enjoys cooking.
"I love preparing a nice meal, not the 'hurry to make
something after work,' but where I have a nice Saturday
afternoon with a glass of wine and music, and I can try new
recipes to make a full meal for the family," she says. "I don't
have a huge sweet tooth, but I'll bake things just to take into
the office."
Just like I thought: a woman who does it all for others. I
-LIZ LONG

TheRoanoker.com

LIZ LONG

As president of Junior League of Roanoke Valley, Susan Stanley-Zahorchak is
leading the charge for positive change in the region.
http://www.TheRoanoker.com
The Roanoker - November/December 2018

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