The Educational Imperative 

For my family, education was not a luxury; it was a hard-won priority. My great grandmother was enslaved until the age of 12, making every subsequent educational  achievement by following generations a profound victory. I stand on the shoulders of women who valued learning above all else: my grandmother was immensely  proud to graduate from high school. Her diploma was prominently displayed in a  gold frame. My mother and aunts all achieved college degrees and higher. 

My parents further cemented this legacy. My mother earned a PhD in Early Childhood Education and devoted her life to community work, supporting  families through the most critical developmental years. My father was a social  worker whose commitment was absolute—his patients even had our home phone number, reflecting his belief in total accessibility and care. 

From Corporate Rigor to Public Service 

For over 30 years, I worked with companies that supported clinical drug studies and  managed consulting businesses with US and European pharmaceutical companies, sharing tasks with my physician husband. My work demanded discipline, strategic  thinking, and the accountability that comes from handling large-scale contracts and budgets. While engaged in these corporate activities I earned my MS In Drug  Regulatory Affairs from Northeastern University (2015). My MBA from Wake  Forest University (1996) is the final tool from my own education, and I use it to  ensure that every public resource is managed with integrity and fiscal responsibility. 

My initial academic commitment in North Carolina — earning my BS in Business,  with honors, from NCCU (1989) — was a direct echo of my mother's values. While at the university, I developed and trained professors in computer literacy and supported the Director of the computer lab. That ability to clearly  communicate and solve systemic problems — I knew it was time to pivot and use it here. 

The Pivot to Purpose: Advocacy and Fairness 

I dedicated years to helping shape the growth of Hillsborough, serving on the  Planning Board and the Water & Sewer Advisory Board (11/11/2016 – 2/28/2024). I also graduated from the Orange County Department on Aging EngAGE program, further cementing my commitment to civic leadership. Now, I dedicate my financial acumen to ensuring fairness, serving on the Orange County  Board of Equalization and Review (hearing real estate valuation appeals) and helping low to moderate income individuals with their taxes through VITA (tax seasons  2022-2023). 

However, nothing defines my heart for service like my work as a Guardian ad Litem. When I step into that courtroom to be the voice for a child, I am honoring my parents' legacy of radical advocacy. This role demands complete commitment, and it is the single greatest inspiration for me to do more. 

Grounded in Creation and Community 

To balance this demanding work, I turn to creation. As an Orange County Master Gardener, I apply patience and care to foster growth, a philosophy I carry over to  my community work. This same commitment to process is found in my love for  baking, pottery, jewelry and book making. 

I am Saru Salvi. My life is a testament to the power of education, perseverance, and service. I bring the experience to manage complex finances, the background  to understand policy, and, most importantly, the heart of an advocate, built on a  family legacy that began with hope for a better future.