my YWiB story: sasha

With YWiB there is always a story to tell – featuring Sasha Evans  ~written by Darya Niknamian I sat down with Sasha Evans, a YWiB fan, a go getter and most importantly a good friend. Sasha’s story and overall YWiB experience drove me to volunteer with the organization and I am writing this in hopes of sharing a glimpse into one person’s experience with Young Women in Business.

Sasha’s exposure to YWiB began with the 2008 Beyond Pink Conference, an event she called “inspirational, welcoming and educational.” She met many inspiring women and speakers who taught her that you can do anything you put your mind to, you just need to follow your passion and have a vision. After the conference Sasha could not sit still, Beyond Pink and all of its elements provided her with a great platform and a spark that led her to develop a fundraiser.

Sasha knew she wanted to do something she was passionate about – dance! At the time she was involved with Global Agents for Change (a non-profit organization) and decided to incorporate her love for dance and desire to raise money for a good cause and voila, a fundraiser called “An Evening for Arts” was cooked up. Working to produce the event for four gruelling months, Sasha was able to raise a total of $10,000 in one night.

Throughout our conversation, Sasha reiterated time and time again that you can do anything you want but it is extremely important to know why you are doing it! She had to put up her own money to rent the dance hall and was turned down by several companies when searching for sponsorship and in-kind donations. At times the whole planning process was discerning and difficult and Sasha found herself asking “why am I doing this?” Her answer always turned out to be the same, I believe in the cause I am supporting and I love dancing.

Now working at a finance firm and pursuing her 3rd level CFA, Sasha is working towards another goal – to be taken seriously as a young female investor. One experience she reflected on at Beyond Pink was an activity where everyone had to write down their biggest life goals and whether or not they had the resources to help them. She remembers an individual writing ‘I want to cure cancer’ – a goal which reminds us to all aim high and let nothing stop you from following your passions.