2024 40 Under 40 Winners

Sameksha is a highly accomplished leader in health fundraising at U of U Health, where she spearheaded the successful launch of the Grateful Patient/Here For You Program. Within 18 months, her strategic oversight has facilitated over $150,000 in donations and increased the donor base significantly. She also excels in managing clinical crowdfunding campaigns, doubling goals to raise over $200,000 annually. Simi's influence extends beyond fundraising, as she leads the U-wide Giving Day Committee, generating millions for the university, and champions Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives.

Blending storytelling, advocacy, and education, my path to healthcare philanthropy began as a therapist at a mental health and addiction treatment center. I spent seven impactful years there, alongside 15 in higher education. My commitment expanded during my 15-year tenure in higher education while I also volunteered at women's shelters. This evolved into directing theater productions at higher education institutions to raise funds not only for women's shelters but also for veterans and scholarships. These experiences paved the way for my focused move into healthcare philanthropy within higher education, allowing me to champion both educational and health initiatives effectively.

My choice to focus on healthcare philanthropy was deeply personal, inspired by my prior work in therapy and, most recently, my experiences in the NICU with my son—now 2 years(!). Witnessing the transformative impact of well-supported health initiatives, I was drawn to use my storytelling skills to communicate these critical needs. Now, I help patients express gratitude to their care teams, turning personal gratitude into community support.

My son, Ryker, was born in Alaska; there were some complications. We were air flighted from Fairbanks to Anchorage due to the lack of resources. Even in Anchorage, resources were stretched thin, with only one specialist available for the entire state and with up to 80% of the nurses being travel nurses. Ryker spent three tough months in the NICU–the darkest period of my life, but it was this period that motivated me to fully transition into healthcare philanthropy. This was both a personal and professional call to action. I decided to help raise funds not just for the hospital but also for care teams to ensure that families don't have to endure hardships, such as we did, unsupported.

Writing is my greatest passion—second only to the high-stakes adventure of parenting! Whether I'm penning children's stories, exploring self-help, or crafting poetry, writing offers me a sanctuary, a stage, and a way to connect with others on a profound level, while allowing me to explore diverse ideas and emotions. It's a passion that continually evolves, much like parenting, but with fewer diapers and more dictionaries!

If you're stepping into healthcare philanthropy, invest in building strong, transparent relationships. Healthcare philanthropy thrives on trust and understanding, so take the time to really connect with donors, understand their motivations, and appreciate their goals. By fostering trust and clearly showcasing outcomes, you're not just fundraising; you're building a community of committed supporters ready to face any challenge alongside you.