It's June! To celebrate a new month and our kick off to summer we are pleased to introduce you to the SA VA Woman of the Month June 2013, Laura Wall. Laura is a CEO, author, teacher, music lover and recent grandmother! I met Laurasome years ago through a friend whose band was one of both our favorites. In my real estate days I sold Laura her house and now she is a SA VA woman. Laura is playing a big game in life and here is what she has to say about it:
Q: Your career has been dedicated to helping people, both through your posts at non-profits that help folks in difficult situations and through the many boards you serve on. Where did this dedication come from, what drives you?
I've always worked with vulnerable people. I now work with homeless families, but have also worked with at-risk youth and adults with severe mental illness. It's really all the same. People want to live in caring communities and have lives of meaning - whatever that might look like to them. I'm privileged to help that process. As Dr. King said we're caught in an inescapable network of mutuality. It's true.
Q: You wrote a book called "Being the Change." Tell me about the experience of that, what inspired you, who you wanted to reach and why?
I loved working on it. The book profiles the incredible things happening in our communities that make life better for so many, but about which we usually never hear. I wanted to shine a light on those things that truly sustain a community.
Q: Writing a book is quite a challenge to take on, especially for someone who has a lot going on in their life, how was your experience in tackling it and then what did it mean for you personally?
I jokingly call the book my Divorce Project. The time and energy I had spent working on the marriage was suddenly mine again and I wanted to do something constructive with it. So I spent a year talking with amazing people doing amazing things. It turned out to be a great way to spend that transition time, for me 
and hopefully for the reader as well.
Q: What is the biggest challenge you face in your career and how do you approach it?
Not surprisingly the biggest challenge is money. Inter-Faith Housing Alliance houses homeless families. The need is growing while financial resources are dwindling. We do amazing work - last year we housed 100 people including 62 children, and fed 6000 all on a budget of around $300,000 - but it's always a struggle. It keeps me up at night.
Q: You are a mother and now a grandmother, how has that changed your life?
I have always loved being a mother to my now grown sons. But being a grandmother is an absolute joy.
I call Mya, who is 18 months old, a little love generation machine. Everything she does is adorable.
Q: Tell me about your love of music, what do you listen to?
I'm a fan and supporter of WXPN. Philadelphia is so lucky to have an amazing array of local talent as well as wonderful venues to hear live music. In addition to locals like Dr. Dog and Hoots and Hellmouth, I also love The National, Blind Pilot, Wilco, and too many more to mention.
Q: Are you keeping balance between work and fun and if so, what does the fun look like?
Ah, that work-life balance is an on-going challenge. Besides time with my family, I take advantage of what Philly has to offer - author lectures at the Free Library, the art museums, Morris Arboretum, cookies from Swiss Haus. Because I live and work in the suburbs, I get into the city at least every other weekend.
Q: How would you describe your personal style, how do you put looks together?
I never know what my day will bring so I have to be practical. I might be unclogging a sink at our shelter, or having lunch with a Foundation, sometimes both in the same day. I'm drawn to a classic silhouette - simple well-made pieces that can be dressed up or down. That's what makes SaVa so perfect for me.
Q: Of course, I have to ask, what do you love about SA VA?
I love SaVa! The Daisy Dress in navy is my new favorite. It's extremely comfortable to wear around the office all day, and dressy enough to wear to a fund raising event in the evening. My agency's golf event is June 17th and I'll be wearing my Daisy dress.
In many ways our money is our voice, and so it matters where we buy our clothes and who we support with our resources. The fair trade, sustainable and locally sourced aspect of SaVa means a great deal to me. And of course they're beautifully made and look great on.
Whenever I wear something from SaVa, I always get complimented on it. Sarah understands that fashion can be practical, and I love that.
To learn more about Laura's work,
read about her book Being The Change at www.btchange.org
visit http://www.i-fha.org/ to learn more about her non-profit company, Inter-Faith Housing Alliance
