As the newly appointed president of Junior League San Diego (jlsd.org), Shauna Sliwkanich is taking the lead at its refreshed headquarters in Bankers Hill, where the women-led organization aims to remedy community issues ranging from foster care to human trafficking. Here, the go-getter shares what giving back means to her.
PHOTO BY RITA CORONA PHOTOGRAPHY
What do you enjoy most about Junior League? I’m proud of our 93-year legacy of training our volunteers to become empowered agents of change. We learn through league service the skills needed to serve our communities and we use these abilities to tackle the pressing problems that continue to arise. While I spend time contributing to the San Diego community and refining my leadership skills, I’m also meeting so many inspiring women and making great friends!
How has philanthropy shaped your life? I grew up in a family committed to philanthropy. My mom continues to volunteer for countless organizations, and I watched my grandmothers donate their time and supplies to local programs. I’ve seen the value of philanthropy my entire life, although I used to think the word belonged to those who gave away vast sums of money. I now know that philanthropy is very accessible and includes the various ways you choose to generously provide your time and skills.
What do you want your legacy to be? My personal legacy will be the love that I have for my family, friends and community. I will be happy if I can continue to dream up ideas and create projects and programs that make a positive difference.
My secret dream is to... start a foundation so that I can strategically help the causes that mean the most to me while multiplying the good that I’m able to do.
Dream dinner party: Who is there and what do you serve? I’d love to have a mix of female change-makers to learn from, comedians to keep us laughing, and family and friends to share the evening. The meal would have to include my favorite Canadian specialty, poutine, since I grew up in Canada.
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