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Meet Your Neighbor: Punam Mathur
By Callie Thomas
“The most powerful weapon on earth is the human soul on fire.” – Ferdinand Foch
By harnessing the unique powers within us, great things can happen. Resident Punam Mathur knows a thing or two about channeling the energy of and for people, particularly as she is currently the Vice President of Human Resources at Nevada Energy. In fact, Punam’s entire career has revolved around pulling the best from others and putting those efforts to good use through her work at MGM Mirage, Corporate Diversity and Community Affairs, and the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce. “I have had the privilege of having community involvement as a centerpiece in my professional positions,” Mathur said. “They have allowed me to blend my vocations with my advocations.”
Supporting the community is a natural byproduct of Punam’s personality as much as it is of her profession. When all is said and done, you’ve got to enjoy people, have a keen sense of character and a passion for helping others. Outside of her career, Punam reaches out to numerous community organizations, including Three Square where she is a Board Chair.
Three Square is a central location where food is donated and rescued for distribution to those in need. The organization provides bakery, produce, dairy, non-perishable products and ready-to-eat meals to non–profit and faith-based organizations. Three Square also facilitates childhood and senior nutrition programs and serves as a place for members of the community to meet, serve and collaborate to become part of the food solution. By combining the right resources, experience, passionate people and local businesses, Three Square is on the way to ensuring that no one will go hungry.
“The rapid growth of Three Square has been a thrill,” says Mathur. “To be on the ground floor just two and a half years ago planning to wage a war against hunger, and today moving nearly 20 million pounds of food annually in partnership with more than 270 community agencies and more than 150 schools is incredibly gratifying.”
Mathur is proud to be involved within the community and has a particular passion for organizations that serve the needs of at risk youth. As a single mom of three – Richard, Joseph and Tai -Punam regularly extends her compassion to make a difference with kids. “I’ve been active over the years in public education with organizations such as Communities in Schools, After School All-Stars and several organizations which advocate on behalf of children and seek to reform the child welfare system.” Those efforts also include being an Executive Committee Co-Chair for the Nevada Partnership for Inclusive Education (PIE), and Punam has just been appointed to the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Education.
At this stage in her life, the twenty-eight year Las Vegas native just strives to be the best she can be, which includes raising and inspiring her children to be happy, confident and compassionate people. Although time is tight between her family and work, Punam Mathur continues to lend her support and make a difference.
Giving back has not only presented Punam with the opportunity to meet a countless list of talented people, but has instilled a sense of belonging to something greater than herself. “People throughout my life have believed in me and inspired me to work hard. Their endless optimism has taught me that things can be better utilizing the power within us.”
Punam is an inspiration to so many, including myself. She helped me when I was a lost young woman and taught me a little token of kindness can go so far.