The Value of Hard-Earned Money: Jessica Shah Shares Journey in Finance, Entrepreneurship, and Akshaya Patra
“Always talk to the people in your life, especially your elders. Listen to their stories, and learn from their experiences.” Today’s woman dreamer, Jessica Shah is an NYC based finance professional and entrepreneur, with a passion for philanthropy and giving back. In her inspiring Women Who Win interview, she shares the key lessons she learned from her parents journey, and how she applies them in her finance career, her venture Komenci, and in her philanthropic work with Akshaya Patra’s Young Professionals. Check out her story!
1. Tell us your story. You immigrated to the US at the age of 4 from Mumbai, and you cite your parents as your greatest inspiration and currently you are finance professional with experience at Goldman Sachs and Braze, currently residing in NYC. What inspired you to pursue a career in the finance industry? What were some lessons you learned from your family growing up that inspires you in your career?
Life has a way of unfolding unpredictably. Despite my deep involvement in analytical economics and international affairs during college, and my aspirations for a career in economic research, I found myself drawn into the world of finance. An opportunity at Goldman Sachs presented itself while I was in an economics master's program. I seized it, leaving my studies and relocating to Salt Lake City, Utah, which marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter.
Lessons from my family:
The value of hard-earned money, the importance of not taking it for granted, and the necessity of helping those less fortunate.
Always talk to the people in your life, especially your elders. Listen to their stories, and learn from their experiences.
Being an immigrant and having an accent when you speak english is something to be proud of. This respect comes from understanding that an accent often signifies the ability to speak multiple languages and the courage it took to start anew in a foreign land.
2. You are passionate about international affairs, and this was a field you studied at UNH. This passion for research and global understanding was deepened through your scholarship opportunity where you conducted a research project in Bergen, Norway where you studied their government paid parental leave policies and its impact on women's workforce participation post-childbirth. Tell us more about this experience and what you learned from it?
The entire project was eye-opening. Before my research project began, I faced a significant setback. I had meticulously written a 30-page research proposal for a grant, only to be rejected. I didn't let it deter me. I applied for another grant that provided me with a larger stipend. Furthermore, living in Norway for 2 months drove me out of my comfort zone. I went to work everyday while living in a foreign country and not knowing a single person. The days were lonely sometimes, but I made friends that I’m still in touch with today, and I got to learn so much.
3. You are a part of Akshaya Patra Young Professionals. Tell us what inspires you about Akshaya Patra's mission and why it is important to give back?
I love helping others. In college, I was a part of my college's food insecurity program. I found joy in cooking community dinners for 30+ people at a time, sharing laughter and stories. This spirit aligns with the mission of Akshaya Patra, an organization that feeds 2M children daily, a testament to the power of collective effort and the belief that access to food and education should be universal.
4. Tell us more about your entrepreneurial venture, Komenci, and your vision there?
My project, Komenci, started as a simple idea of a job board for startups. It evolved into Catalysts and Creators, a podcast that celebrates the stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. It's a nod to the enlightening conversations I had with my professors and mentors. It is ideal for aspiring entrepreneurs, seasoned industry leaders and simply someone who loves a good story. If it helps even one person find their path, I’d be happy.
5. You are certainly a busy woman - how do you relax and unwind? How do you find work-life balance?
I find relaxation in working on personal projects like Komenci and Catalysts and Creators. These moments of personal fulfillment bring me peace. I also value my quiet hours between 10-12 at night, when I can lose myself in a good book or a TV show. Recently, I finished reading the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo trilogy by Steig Larson and am now reading Mosquito by Timothy Winegard. When I can, I enjoy going out with my friends, traveling to new places, and primarily having new experiences.