Anupama Shojaei was named the Fair Oaks Chamber's Volunteer of the Year. Photo courtesy of Michelle Massaro

FAIR OAKS, CA (MPG) – In a community filled with generous people, being named the Fair Oaks Chamber’s Volunteer of the Year is a significant achievement. Earlier this year, at the Best of Fair Oaks Gala, Kimberley Pitillo, CEO and president of the Fair Oaks Chamber, announced Anupama Shojaei as the 2025 Volunteer of the Year. Shojaei is a business owner and entrepreneur who consistently supports others through her work, her family, her community and her active involvement with three local chambers. 

We recently caught up with Anupama Shojaei to learn more about the inspiring volunteer.

Born and raised in Chennai, India, Shojaei moved to the U.S. in 1995 to pursue a master’s degree in electrical and computer engineering at Oklahoma State University. Shortly after graduating, she secured a position with a high-tech company in Cupertino, where she met her husband, Masoud Shojaei. The couple moved to El Dorado Hills in 2007, and Anupama took some time off work to raise their three children, now ages 24, 20 and 17. 

Anupama Shojaei is a senior care advisor for CarePatrol. Photo courtesy of Anupama Shojaei

In 2011, Anupama Shojaei returned to work as an instructional designer and trainer at Mentor Graphics (now known as Siemens EDA) based in Fremont. After 12 years and several promotions, she decided it was time to change careers due to looming layoffs in the high-tech industry.

Following guidance from a career counselor, Shojaei entered the senior care industry and bought a CarePatrol franchise in 2024. 

“As a volunteer at heart, working in a field where I could help others definitely resonated with me,” Shojaei shared. “I knew nothing about the senior care industry when I got into this field, which is why I decided to go with a franchise. CarePatrol provided all the training and tools I needed to succeed in my new business.”

CarePatrol consists of certified senior advisors, like herself, who operate 220 locations across the U.S., including 25 areas in California. As a small business owner, Shojaei serves the communities of Carmichael, Fair Oaks, Gold River, Arden Arcade, Rancho Cordova and Sacramento.

As a senior care advisor, Shojaei helps families explore options for their elderly loved ones who can no longer stay at home. She visits clients at their homes, hospitals, or skilled nursing facilities and does not charge for her services. Instead, she is compensated by the communities she recommends, such as assisted living, independent living and board-and-care homes. When she is not meeting with clients, Shojaei tours local communities and meets with staff.

“My goal is to help older adults preserve their dignity and thrive in their new environment,” she said. “Guiding families through this process is what makes me passionate about the work I do.” 

Anupama Shojaei is shown here with her family on a cruise vacation. Standing next to Anupama is her son Kian, daughters Anusha and Anahita, and husband Masoud. Photo courtesy of Anupama Shojaei

In addition to the senior advisor certification required for her advisory role, Shojaei is a certified dementia practitioner and a certified placement and referral specialist. Her understanding of diseases like Alzheimer's enhances her work. She also volunteers with the Alzheimer's Association as a community educator.

Following her career change in 2024, Shojaei joined the Fair Oaks Chamber to expand her network and offer her skills as a volunteer. Last fall, she played a primary role in the chamber’s honorary mayor program, supporting candidate Heather Ford and campaign volunteer leader Rachel Griffith. Shojaei volunteered to assist where needed and ended up managing several tasks on Ford’s campaign. Her efforts did not go unnoticed.

“Anupama is the perfect volunteer,” said Griffith. “She initially stepped up to help us with graphic design and creating flyers, but she also improved our process for organizing events and much more. She is someone you want to have on your team.” 

Ford added, “I couldn’t be more grateful for the way Anupama offered her time, knowledge, talents, education, and hard work to support my 3-month fundraising campaign. She puts creativity and heart into everything she does.” 

At home, Shojaei is just as active in her children’s lives. Currently, she is the president of Boys Team Charity, where she mentors high school boys, like her son, who hold leadership roles. In addition to serving on the Fair Oaks Chamber board, she is a board of director on several professional boards, including the National Placement and Referral Alliance of Sacramento and the Sacramento chapter of Case Management Society of America.

For Shojaei, “Giving back is a way to be an active citizen in my community, because one person can make a difference.”