Americares, the health-focused relief and development organization, has appointed Shweta Rawat to its Board of Directors. Rawat brings a wealth of experience in developing and scaling social impact programs, philanthropy and advocacy, along with a deep commitment to Americares mission of helping people and communities around the world access health in times of disaster and every day.
A champion for disability inclusion, women’s leadership and economic empowerment, Rawat has been a staunch Americares supporter for over a decade. She is the founder and chairperson of The Hans Foundation, a public charitable trust that was created to provide a source of endowment for not-for-profit organizations in India. Under her leadership, The Hans Foundation has become one of India’s leading philanthropic organizations committed to creating sustainable solutions for the underprivileged.
Rawat also serves as the managing director of the Rural India Supporting Trust (RIST), an organization that she helped establish in 2009. RIST supports poverty alleviation and the well-being of communities in India, through strategic and value-based partnerships in alignment with United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. Notably, Americares has partnered with RIST for over a decade to enhance health-care services in Mumbai’s urban communities. This collaboration led to the development and expansion of Americares India’s Mobile Health Center Program, which grew from a single vehicle to a comprehensive primary care delivery program that delivers care to tens of thousands of people in need each year.
“Shweta’s leadership and dedication to advancing health, equity and opportunity make her an outstanding addition to the Americares Board of Directors,” said Americares President and CEO Christine Squires. “Her extensive experience developing large-scale social impact programs and forging strategic partnerships will be invaluable as we work to improve access to health for people around the world.”
The Americares Board of Directors oversees all aspects of the organization’s life-changing health programs, including its disaster response work and support for 4,000 under-resourced hospitals and health clinics worldwide.
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 U.K. She also serves on the Museum of Art & Photography’s U.S. Advisory Board and is a board member of the Banyan Academy of Leadership in Mental Health.
A leader in the humanitarian sector, Americares is No. 8 on “Forbes list of Top 100 Charities” and has a 4-star rating — the highest possible — from Charity Navigator — America’s largest independent charity evaluator. Americares helps communities prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters; increase accessibility, availability, affordability and acceptability of medicine and medical supplies; improve and expand clinical services; and prevent disease and promote good health. Since it was established in 1979, Americares has provided over $23 billion in aid to 164 countries, including the United States.
