40 Under Forty: Erin Jansky, 36

Photo | Erika Sidor Winners of the 2018 WBJ 40 Under Forty award (from left): Alexis Kelleher, Erin Jansky, Bonnie J. Walker and Tom Lubelczyk.

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Director of human resources

Worcester Housing Authority

Lives: Leicester

Birthplace: Sao Paulo, Brazil (while her parents were there on business)

Colleges: University of Rhode Island, UMass Amherst

Jansky lives to volunteer, so it's no surprise she is most well known for her accomplishments at places like the Young Professional Women's Association, Friendly House, Veterans, Inc. and the Worcester Animal Rescue League. Yet, in her day job at WHA, Jansky has transitioned the agency to a paperless payroll system, implemented an employee portal for staff and created new training and employee engagement programs. She will send staff hand-written cards for their birthdays. In her two-year stint on the YPWA board – including the last year as president – membership increased 50 percent. In the three years she served as chairwoman of WARL's Wagtime committee, fundraising increased 140 percent to $55,000 annually. At Friendly House, Jansky runs the wish-list donation every holiday season to provide gifts totalling more than $10,000 to 17 families, and she negotiated the donation of a $6,000 designer closet for the nonprofit's Elm Street shelter. Jansky is a member-at-large of the Leicester Economic Development Committee, focusing on development amid historic preservation.

From 40 Under Forty judge Michael Arnum: “As Worcester's indefatigable voice for the homeless, Erin has personified a contagious compassion for her cause.”

Were you a straight-A student? Definitely not. I was bored in school. Boredom is the kiss of death for me. However, I loved and got straight As in my MBA program!

What TV character is most like you? I've been told I'm a funnier, less scatterbrained version of Leslie Knope from “Parks and Recreation.” We both love waffles.

Read about the entire 2018 Class of 40 Under Forty

Michael Alden - Ascentria Care Alliance

Che Anderson - City of Worcester

Victor M. Archila - VMA Electric Inc.

Allison Beckler, DO - YOU, Inc.

Sam Bitar - Webster Five

Mark A. Borenstein - Seder & Chandler LLP

Kate D. Campanale - Massachusetts House of Representatives

Derek Canton - paerpay

Ryan Canuel - Petricore, Inc.

Jennifer Caron - Body Therapeutics

Danielle J. Clark - Clark Career Coaching