MOUNT VERNON – New Directions welcomes Rupal Ramesh Shah as its fourth executive director, effective July 14. With her extensive background in public health and non-profit organizations, Shah will bring a diverse, well-rounded approach to the leadership of this 40-year-old Knox County human services organization.
“I am excited to lead New Directions’ current team and to support the community,” Shah said. “As a social justice activist, my personal beliefs strongly align with what New Directions stands for. I’m looking forward to advocating for and supporting those who have experienced domestic violence and sexual assault through trauma-informed care and leadership.”
Shah is originally from Moshi, Tanzania. Her family moved to the United States in the late 1990s to pursue further education. Relocating recently from Portland, Maine, Shah moved to Columbus in 2022 to be closer to her partner, a doctor who runs a medical practice.
In her spare time, Shah likes to bake, run marathons and, most of all, write. She has run marathons on all seven continents and looks forward to running a marathon at the North Pole next year. Her passion for writing has led her to write content for various organizations, including street newspapers nationwide.
New Directions provides resources for the safety, healing and freedom of individuals who have experienced domestic violence or sexual assault while offering preventative education to create an informed and supportive community. New Directions envisions a community of empowered individuals engaging in safe, respectful, healthy relationships. The agency’s commitment to inclusion drives them forward daily to provide services to all survivors. To learn more, visit newdirectionsknox.org or call 740-397-4357.
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