Americares, a leading health-focused relief and development organization, has proudly announced the appointment of Shweta Rawat to its Board of Directors.
A renowned advocate for disability inclusion, women’s leadership, and economic empowerment, Rawat brings more than a decade of philanthropic engagement and strategic impact to her new role.
A Decade-Long Partnership in Global Health
Rawat is no stranger to Americares’ mission. As a long-time supporter, she has witnessed first-hand the organization’s tireless work as a first responder in emergencies and disasters, providing medical assistance and spearheading sustainable health programs across the globe.
“For over a decade, I have witnessed their critical work in providing emergency relief and building sustainable, impactful programs,” Rawat said. “I am deeply honored to serve on the Board and contribute to Americares’ continued growth and global reach.”
Visionary Leadership Rooted in Service
Rawat is the founder and chairperson of The Hans Foundation, one of India’s leading philanthropic institutions dedicated to empowering marginalized communities through health, education, and livelihood programs.
She also serves as the Managing Director of the Rural India Supporting Trust (RIST), which she co-founded in 2009.
RIST aligns its initiatives with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and works through strategic partnerships to improve the quality of life in under-resourced communities across India.
Her extensive portfolio of impact-driven leadership and value-based collaboration aligns seamlessly with Americares’ mission to improve health outcomes around the world.
“Shweta’s leadership and dedication to advancing health, equity, and opportunity make her an outstanding addition to the Americares Board of Directors,” said Christine Squires, Americares President and CEO. “Her experience in building large-scale social impact programs and forging strategic partnerships will be invaluable as we continue our global health initiatives.”
A Powerful Partnership: Americares and RIST
Under Rawat’s leadership, RIST has partnered with Americares for over 10 years, notably in enhancing health services within Mumbai’s underserved urban communities.
Their collaboration led to the Americares India Mobile Health Center Program, which evolved from a single mobile unit into a full-scale primary care delivery system, reaching tens of thousands of individuals annually.
This ongoing partnership exemplifies cross-border philanthropy’s potential and shared values’ power in tackling public health challenges.
Academic and Global Insight
Rawat holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations from American University in Washington, D.C., and a master’s degree in human rights and politics from City University in the United Kingdom.
Her academic background, coupled with years of on-ground philanthropic leadership, positions her as a transformative voice on the Americares board.
She also serves on the U.S. Advisory Board of the Museum of Art & Photography and is a board member of the Banyan Academy of Leadership in Mental Health.
Americares: A Legacy of Impact
Since its founding in 1979, Americares has delivered over $23 billion in aid to 164 countries, including the United States.
The organization is recognized as a leader in global health and disaster response, holding the No. 8 spot on Forbes’ list of Top 100 Charities and a 4-star rating, the highest possible, from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator.
The Board of Directors plays a critical role in guiding Americares’ core efforts, including:
- Disaster preparedness and emergency response
- Expanding clinical services for underserved populations
- Increasing accessibility and availability of medicine and medical supplies
- Promoting preventive care and public health education
