“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” It’s a quote the Venkat family of Ashburn Village has truly embraced. Over the last decade, the family has collectively earned over 35,000 volunteer hours—a contribution valued at over a million dollars.

“Service has been an integral part of our lives for as long as we can remember,” say sisters Shreyaa (22) and Esha (19). “We started giving back from a very young age, alongside our parents, especially our mom, who would bring us along to volunteer at school and community events even back in elementary school.”

Those early years of service led the sisters to create their own nonprofit in 2016. “We had so much fun giving back—especially with our family—that we wanted to help others volunteer together and explore their passions,” they explain. “That’s what led us to form NEST4US, which offers a multitude of volunteer opportunities where people of all ages and backgrounds can find their service ‘niche’ and be part of the solution.”

Their mom, Anu Raghunathan, is the president of NEST4US, vice president of SaveSoft Inc., and a certified Zumba instructor. “Our mom loves sharing stories about her childhood in India and the community service she did there. Now, she’s proud to pass on that legacy to us,” say the sisters. Their dad, Venkat Ganapathy, is a senior architect at CareFirst, an adjunct professor at UMBC, and a second-degree black belt—and one of NEST4US’s most active volunteers.

“Our parents have been extraordinary influences,” say the sisters. “From them, we learned to put others’ needs before our own. They’ve supported us every step of the way. We really wouldn’t be where we are today without them.”

Both sisters are graduates of Broad Run High School. Shreyaa is now pursuing a master’s degree in global health at Georgetown University, while serving as CEO of NEST4US. She’s also a third-degree black belt, soccer player, international speaker, and social activist with a focus on health policy and international development. Esha, a sophomore at the Georgia Institute of Technology, is majoring in public policy with a minor in global development. As COO of NEST4US, she brings her passion for sustainability and community engagement, alongside being a third-degree black belt, soccer player, and hip-hop dancer.

Looking ahead, the sisters hope to combine their education and nonprofit experience to connect grassroots efforts with policy-making. “We want to advance sustainable development, food security, and health equity,” they share. They also aim to expand all of NEST4US’s programs globally, grow their volunteer family, and “progress toward a sustainable, united world through policy implementation in local, national, and global communities.”

Although their work has led to high-profile recognition, invitations to the White House, and national media coverage, the sisters want to be remembered for the lives they’ve touched. “We hope to leave behind a legacy defined by love and kindness, with people remembering us as individuals who led from the heart and truly made a difference in the world.” You can follow their journey and get involved at www.nest4us.org.

Everyday Life for the Family
Simply put, no day is the same for this active family of four. On weekdays, Anu and Venkat are busy with work while Shreyaa and Esha focus on college classes, service events, food rescues, and meetings with local, national, and global organizations.

Weekends are filled with volunteering—everything from community give-back events and global workshops to resource distributions and volunteer fairs. In their downtime, the family enjoys watching movies, playing cards (especially Phase 10), strolling in local parks, and working out at the Ashburn Pavilion gym.

They also love to travel and have visited over 30 countries, including Australia, Switzerland, Colombia, and India. On trips, they’re known for snapping 0.5 selfies and collecting magnets as keepsakes.

Restaurant: Bawarchi Biryanis in Ashburn

Ice Cream Spot: Bruster’s Ice Cream

Family Gathering Place: Ashburn Library

Go-To-Trail: W&OD Trail

Family Fun: Regal Cinemas

“Every year, our family competes to see who listens to the most music throughout the

year, culminating on Spotify Wrapped Day—everything from pop, rap, Indian music, and

K-pop to classical, folk, indie pop, and more.”

 "Throughout the year, we write a little note of gratitude every week and on New Year’s Eve, we sit down together, reflect on the highlights of the year, and share our excitement for the new year.”