NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Atlanta, GA, March 5, 2024: In recognition of her leadership and impact, Aparna Bhattacharyya, the executive director of Raksha, Inc., has been featured in Atlanta Magazine’s list of the 500 most powerful leaders for 2024. This exclusive list encompasses a diverse array of influential figures, ranging from legends and professionals to celebrities, politicians, and activists. Bhattacharyya shares this distinguished space with notable personalities such as Stacey Abrams, Tyler Perry, and Janelle Monáe, amongst others.
At the helm of Raksha, Bhattacharyya has played a pivotal role in advancing the organization’s mission to foster a stronger and healthier South Asian community through confidential support services, education, and advocacy. The name “Raksha” translates to “protection” in several South Asian languages, embodying the core values of the organization.
Having served as executive director since 1998, Bhattacharyya built the organization’s capacity from a volunteer-run, grassroots organization to a nationally known full-service agency providing counseling, legal advocacy, economic empowerment, training, and technical assistance locally and nationally, her bio on the Atlanta Magazine website reads. Additionally, she increased the organization’s budget by over 400 percent.
As a representative of Raksha, Bhattacharyya has served as a founding task force member and board secretary for the International Women’s House, the only shelter in the nation to serve battered women and children of all nationalities, supported by a multicultural and multilingual staff. A member of the Leadership Atlanta class of 2010, Bhattacharyya was honored as a White House Champion of Change in 2013.
Bhattacharyya was born and raised in Atlanta and graduated from Georgia State University.
1 comment
Congratulations Aparnaji!