Meet Binita

I am pleased to introduce to Binita Sharma, one of my clients and recipient of the 2026 Northern Virginia 40 under 40 Honorees, chosen by the Leadership Center of Arlington.

Binita and I are on a similar path: we strive to go beyond thriving to flying by giving to the maximum of our heart’s capacity to love, wherever that limit is. Her goal is to write a book on spirituality that will pave the way toward a spiritual wellness center. This is an effort to give back–an act of gratitude for all that she has been given, and all she has accomplished as a result.

When Binita started therapy, her life was dominated by loneliness and a desire to be in spiritual connection with others. I became a part of her quest after she visited an energy reader who recommended that she seek therapy. She is a true seeker of knowledge and I have been honored to be a part of her spiritual journey. Below is her essay for the aforementioned award, which exemplifies what thriving under adversity looks like.

If her story resonates with you, feel free to follow her poetry Instagram account @kagaz_ka_kalam.

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“In India I was smart and confident because I knew how to speak my language. I didn’t know how to speak the American language. I had many friends in India, but I don’t have friends here.”
—Excerpt from my school journal, 4th grade, 1995

In 1995, at eight years old, I moved to the United States—stepping into an unfamiliar world with no expectations and no understanding of what lay ahead. That transition became one of the defining forces shaping my achievements and the person I am today. I am proud to be an Indian American who witnessed her parents rebuild their lives from scratch while raising three children. They accepted that challenge with a singular purpose: to create greater opportunity for their children. That opportunity came with sacrifice. My parents often worked three jobs a day while my siblings and I learned to care for one another. They were not physically present, but we understood why. From that experience, I absorbed the values of perseverance and hope—but above all, the value that guides me daily: embracing change.

I did not merely observe hard work; I lived it. At eight years old, I began contributing in every way I could, and that drive has never left me. I learned that if I believe in something deeply enough, I can not only achieve it—I can become it.

I entered school focused on education and making my parents proud. I spoke no English when I arrived, yet within two years I was fluent. In what felt like a blink, I graduated high school with honors and was admitted to Virginia Commonwealth University. I completed my degree without student debt, graduated at the top of my class, and was named Marketing Student of the Year.

After college, I began my Federal career at the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). From there, my professional journey evolved across five Federal agencies, guided by the same principle that shaped my childhood: embrace change and grow through it. Today, I serve as Director of Procurement Policy at NOAA, where I am passionate about developing others and helping them realize their full potential. I strive to lead with positivity and purpose, contributing meaningfully to the lives and careers of those around me.

My greatest priority also is my four-year-old son, as I balance motherhood with my enduring desire to make a positive impact. I actively seek opportunities to serve and uplift others whether that’s volunteering in school communities, community fundraisers, spiritual centers, and/or yoga studios.

The young girl who once wrote about not knowing how to speak the “American language” could not have imagined the journey ahead. What she did not yet realize was that learning a new language was only the beginning. She was also learning resilience, courage, and the power of embracing change—lessons that continue to define my life today.