Jaya Thakkar was born into a large, loving Gujarati family in Nasik, Maharastra. In college she majored in Zoology, and upon graduation she moved to the United States as a new bride in 1972. As many young Indian brides in the 1970s can relate, she enjoyed the freedoms of exploring her life in the States.  She loved getting to know Chicago, landing her first job as a computer programmer, getting to know her husband, Ishwar, and doting on her baby boy.  Her life became even more busy after a move to their future home for 40 years – Moline, IL.  There she and Ishwar raised two children while he worked as a physician, and she became heavily involved with her children’s school as PTA board member and other philanthropies close to her heart.  

In Moline, Jaya devoted a lot time and energy volunteering with Junior Women’s Club to raise funds for needy children, President of the Indian Association of the Quad Cities, Chairwoman of the Junior League Charity Ball, President of the Quad Cities Medical Alliance, and serving as a Big Sister for the a number of years. with the Big Sisters and Big Brothers of America Program.  Jaya and Ishwar fully integrated themselves into their community while also helping those in need back in India.  There they built and help run an English Medium school which educates hundreds of students.  

Jaya has enjoyed retirement in Austin for the last 8 years.  Soon after moving here, she joined both Pratham and HC4A as an active volunteer.  She started Austin’s first chapter of Dining for Women, which raises awareness and funds for women and girls in developing countries.  In addition to her philanthropic activities, she enjoys her book club, playing tennis, cooking, traveling and spending time with the 6 joys of her life – her grandchildren.  She lives by the moto, “Live each day to the fullest and live till I die.”