Shauna Gaines was born and raised in Reno. After attending college in Oregon, she lived in Spain, San Francisco, and New Zealand. She vowed to never move back to Reno but ended up doing just that in 2008. “Best decision ever,” she says. Gaines immediately joined the Rotary Club of Reno Midtown as a charter member and since then has held several positions, including president.
Why did you choose Rotary for your philanthropic focus? I love that Rotary is a non-religious, non-political organization committed to making the world a better place. Not having a social network when I moved back and having joined a Rotary club almost right away, the membership has become my primary friend group also.
How does your work with Rotary align with your personal mission? My mission in life is to be a valuable contribution to everyone I meet and in everything I do. Rotary is 100% in alignment with that mission, as Rotary in general has proven to be an invaluable contribution to millions of people around the world.
Where did your sense of community and responsibility to give back come from? I'd like to think being an active Rotarian before I know why I was doing it, is where my sense of community and responsibility to give back was truly developed. To see the impact, we have in our community and in the world is energizing and very moving. It just builds on itself and you want to know what else you can do.
Do you work with any other nonprofits? I have worked with Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) for several years as part of our local group of corporate donors. I have helped with events like Breakfast with Santa to raise awareness and funds for our local children's hospital.
What do you most want people to know about Rotary? Joining Rotary is easy and could be one of the best decisions you can make. I encourage everyone to check out a club and/or support one of our many local projects and fundraisers put on by one of our stellar nine Reno/Sparks clubs.
“My club specifically has a focus on youth leadership development. We sponsor at least four students to attend RYLA, which is an outstanding leadership camp for students going into their senior year of high school.”
