One of Calgary's top 40 under 40 from Moose Jaw

For Jessica McNaughton, it comes naturally to try and save the world.
The Moose Jaw native has just been named one of the top 40 people under age 40 in Calgary. She said she owes some of that to the fact that she's from a smaller city.
"When you're from a small town, it's just what you do. When you wanted a yearbook, you were on the yearbook committee," said McNaughton.
The list ran in the September edition of the business magazine Calgary Inc.
Three things the magazine looked for in selecting the list was: excellence in the person's career; whether they raised Calgary's profile on a national level; and whether they gave back to the community.
"You become very humble when you're on the list," said McNaughton, director of recruiting at the University of Calgary.
She takes care of all the hiring from professors to researchers to non-academic staff. She is on the board of Doctors without Borders (and the Fig Tree program associated with it) program and used to belong to a youth leadership group.
"I do a lot of work for a lot of non-profit groups," she said.
But she still is surprised to be included with some bigger name people.
"There are doctors finding a cure for cancer, someone who owns his own brewing factory, and then little old me," McNaughton said with a laugh.
"I think there's been a mistake, but I'm not telling anyone," she said with a laugh.
She likes to give something back to the community.
"I have a fabulous family and I'm healthy," said McNaughton, who has a husband, an eight-year-old son and a nine-month-old daughter.
"You know, when you've been given so much, it's for a reason. It's your turn to give back," she said.
Jessica's sister Lori said her sister is that kind of person.
"She's always gone above and beyond," said Lori.
"She's always getting involved in things than can improve things for others."
Lori said that the family is happy, but not surprised about Jessica's honour.
"She joined anything that could make the world a better place."
Lori said her sister seemed to have no fear about doing something that maybe wasn't the coolest thing to do, but would make a difference.
"And she succeeds no matter what she tries," Lori said.

Shelby Parker can be reached at 691-1263.