On April 10, 2025, Americares, a global nonprofit focused on health and humanitarian relief, has announced the appointment of Indian American Shweta Rawat to its Board of Directors.

With a distinguished track record in philanthropy, social impact, and advocacy, Rawat brings decades of experience in developing and scaling programs that empower marginalized communities. Her longstanding commitment to advancing access to health care aligns closely with Americares’ mission to improve health outcomes for people affected by poverty or disaster.

In a statement issued on April 10, Americares noted that Rawat has been a dedicated supporter of the organization for over 10 years. She is recognized for her advocacy in disability inclusion, women’s leadership, and economic empowerment.

Rawat is the founder and chairperson of The Hans Foundation, a prominent public charitable trust in India that supports nonprofit organizations working to improve quality of life for underserved populations. Under her leadership, the foundation has emerged as a leader in sustainable development and grassroots philanthropy across India, according to the statement.

She also serves as the managing director of the Rural India Supporting Trust (RIST), an organization she helped establish in 2009. RIST works in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to alleviate poverty and support holistic community development in India.

Americares and RIST have collaborated for over a decade, particularly in expanding access to health services in underserved urban areas. Their joint efforts led to the growth of Americares India’s Mobile Health Center Program, transforming it from a single-vehicle initiative into a robust primary care network that reaches tens of thousands of individuals annually, the statement added. 

“I’m deeply honored to join and serve Americares and support our shared values of providing accessible health care to vulnerable communities,” said Rawat. “For over a decade, I have witnessed their critical work as first responders for emergency and disaster relief by offering medical assistance and aid to those affected and building sustainable social impact programs across the globe. I am grateful for this opportunity and will leverage my expertise towards Americares continuing growth and success.”

“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.”

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. 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.

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