Nalini Sharma, a native of Sharon is an active philanthropist in the Boston area and is active in a lot of civic organizations.With quiet humility and tremendous grace, Nalini  has done this by making a tremendous difference to the people and community around her. A warm compassionate person she cares deeply about the causes she supports and generously gives her time and effort in promoting them selflessly. Nalini lives in Sharon with her husband Raj Sharma and her children, Meara, Neil, Jay and Tara.

Can you share some background of growing up in India and your early days in the US?

My father was an Engineer/Academician working for the government so I grew up living in quite a few places in India, from Pondicherry to Bhubaneshwar to Anantapur to Vizag and finally to Hyderabad. So I call myself ‘from Hyderabad’   We never looked at the moves as challenges, instead we considered each move as an adventure, an opportunity to learn about new places and people. So when I moved to the US in my very early 20s, it was once again an exciting adventure in a faraway new place.  Of course, I also got married before the move so it was 2 big changes ! My parents instilled in me a love and thirst for knowledge and travel which I cherish to this day.

You are associated with so many charities. What motivates you to be so involved?

For the past 15 years I, along with my husband Raj, have been actively involved and strongly support many philanthropies â€“ local , very local and global. All of them are about things that I am passionate about – the environment and the outdoors, youth empowerment, music and art, and helping the under-served.

The Boston Harbor Island Alliance, a Boston organization that improves and promotes the 34 islands in the Boston Harbor.

I am a trustee and an active member of the Leadership council of the Boston chapter of  the American India Foundation, which dedicates itself to catalyzing social and economic change in India.

I’m a member of the Board of MITHAS , MIT’s Heritage of the Arts of South Asia, which brings top notch Indian Classical music and dance to the New England audience.

I am on the Board of YouthLEAD, a Leadership Training organization that inspires and mobilizes youth leaders to reflect upon their values and beliefs, connect with others across differences and act together to address local and global change.

I am a Patron at the Museum of Fine Arts and plan to getting more involved there.

I am an ardent supporter of Mass Audobon,The Nature Conservancy and Trustees of Reservations.

What lasting impact do you expect from your work?

If the work we do makes a positive difference in someone’s life or place, it makes it that much more satisfying.   To leave a meaningful legacy, to build bridges  of understanding and caring between people and places.

 What is the secret to your maintaining a work -life balance? What are the choices you made from a career to home?

I left the work force after my second child was born. I feel fortunate and thankful that I was able to do so and have supremely enjoyed raising a family.My involvement with multiple non profit causes takes up a lot of time! I just use common sense to balance the work it involves and to attend to life’s matters.

 What is your approach to parenting? Any special advice you have for women on parenting of sons and daughters?

Whether it is raising sons or daughters, I find that parenting is a very instinctive thing. One needs an abundance of common sense and patience and  above all , provide unconditional love.Sometimes the rewards of parenting are not very apparent, but when they do become so, it is the most beautiful thing. 

What do you do for fun?

I like to explore the many bountiful,beautiful places in New England.I love travelling to many different places. I like trail walks and hikes. I grow a vegetable garden in the summer. I play Mah Jongg with a group of friends. And I’m always ready for a game of Scrabble!

Who are the people who you admire/ inspired /emulate?

I admire my husband’s ability to handle as much as he does – which is a lot, and his ability to stay positive at all times and his capacity to connect with people in a very meaningful way.

I admire people who are truly selfless – it is very hard to do! My goal in life is to try to emulate them.

What kind of support have you valued most from your husband?

We are best friends and partners in life. He is always ready with unending support and wisdom. We are a good team!

 What support from you has your husband valued the most?

I would say the same as above.

 What is your personal philosophy of living life?

I take each day as it comes. I am not a long term planner or goal setter. I am an idealist and a fatalist rolled into one. And this may be a cliche, but true – don’t put off doing the things that make you happy. Life goes by quickly.

What were some of the most happiest moment in your life?

The day I met my husband ( it really was love at first moment! ), the births of my four children – and one other time that always sticks out in my mind when asked this question is the moment when my visa to come to the US was approved !

When there were low points in your life  what advice did you value the most to pull through?

Low points are inevitable and  if you want to look at the positive in it , they give perspective to things.  Don’t dwell on it, take things in stride and move along.  As the Brits say – “keep calm and carry on”  J

Do you have a fitness routine that you would like to share?

I have a very low-tech fitness routine – a 3 mile walk 3 times a week, as weather permits. I  recently started  using the treadmill and the stepper that we have at home.

 Do you have a beauty routine  that you would like to share

This really works –  a mixture of cinnamon and honey applied to the face prevents breakouts. My best friend from high school gave me this tip.

 Do you have  a favorite book/author?

I have several favorite books and authors. Among them – The Dictionary, Atlases, Khalil Gibran’s poems, Tao Te Ching, Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead.  Dennis Lehane’s  The Given Day, Mystic River.  Nicole Krauss’s History of Love. Geraldine Brooks, Tracy Chevalier.I guess I like historical fiction.

  Do you have a favorite song/ musician?

Again, I have several favorites.  All time favorites – The Beatles and Simon & Garfunkel.  Also, America, Billy Joel , DMB. From among the more recent music, I enjoy MGMT, The Shins, Arcade Fire, Modest Mouse. My younger son very thoughtfully introduces me to a lot of good music.

I have many favorite old and new Hindi film songs. “Woh Shaam Kuch Ajeeb Thi” from the old Khamoshi is probably one of my all time favorites. In my opinion, there is not much that is more romantic than a good Hindi song.

  Do you like to cook? What is your favorite  dish to make?

I like to cook anything that is easy to make. And I find that anything is easy to make if you follow a recipe!  Baking with my daughters is a constant activity in our house. 

One fun fact about you

Not sure if this is fun, but a quirky habit I have is that I  subconsciously, I write “s” and “r” in two different ways, within the same word. i.e.,  s w e e t s 

I still use maps for directions –  I resort to GPS only if I must!   And I think my older son has inherited my love for maps.

Any  words of wisdom to share with our readers.

Always be truthful,honest, kind and considerate.

Any special words of advice for women?  Any piece of information you wish you had known growing up?

I would say be confident in what you do. There is no one way that works for all.  Choose the one that works best for you and stick with it.  Don’t try to achieve that elusive balance that is dictated by someone else. Your balance needs to be in you.

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