Paying it forward this month is VADA member Macel Janoschka of Frith Anderson + Peake PC in Roanoke.  A partner with Frith Anderson + Peake since 2014, Macel has a deep commitment to service and giving back to her community.  She has served on numerous nonprofit boards throughout the Roanoke Valley.  Among them are the Mill Mountain Theatre’s Board of Directors, where she distinguished herself as President from 2020-2021 and as Personnel Chair and a member of MMT’s Education Committee.  From 2015-2018, she served on the Board of Family Service of Roanoke Valley.  From 2013-2014, she served as President of the Junior League of the Roanoke Valley, where she also has served as the Sustaining Advisor to the President, Finance Vice President, and Chair of JLRV’s Stocked Market fundraiser.  For ten years, Macel volunteered with the Pro Bono Hotline of Blue Ridge Legal Services.  She continues to assist BRLS by taking on pro bono guardianship cases.

A proud mother of two sons who attend Salem City Schools, Macel also has given of her time as Treasurer of the South Salem Elementary School PTA and as President of the Salem Council of PTA’s.  This year, she split time between South Salem and Andrew Lewis Middle School by serving as President of the Andrew Lewis Middle School PTSA.  From 2011-2017, Macel was a frequent presence at Morningside Elementary School as a “Barrister Book Buddy” with Roanoke City Public Schools.

Active as well in her state and local bar, Macel earlier this month completed a successful term as President of the Roanoke Bar Association.  A member of RBA’s Board since 2014, Macel has served the RBA as Membership Chair, Community Service Chair, Co-Chair of the Rule of Law Committee, and as the Board’s Young Lawyer Representative.  In 2017, the RBA recognized Macel as its Young Lawyer of the Year.  Before joining the RBA Board, Macel served for four years on Board of Governors of the Young Lawyers Conference of the Virginia State Bar.  She served as Chair of the YLC’s Minority Pre-Law Conference and as Chair of the YLC’s Commission on Women and Minorities in the Profession.  The YLC honored Macel with its Outstanding Service Award in 2009.  Macel currently serves on the faculty of the Virginia State Bar’s Harry L. Carrico Professionalism Course.

Always a “yes” when asked to serve, Macel strives to set a good example for the next generation of local leaders.  “My hope,” she says, “is that my passion will pass along to my two sons as they grow.  If I can inspire them to help others, then I believe I will have made a huge impact on our community.”

VADA thanks you, Macel, for touching the lives of so many with your time and your talents!  Thank you for making such a positive, real-world impact in our community!