Riverview International Center appoints Emelia Sheeley as Executive Director
Columbus, Ohio, September 21, 2023 – The Riverview International Center (RIC) Board of Directors is thrilled to announce the appointment of Emelia Sheeley as our new Executive Director. Emelia has been a dedicated member of the RIC team for over 6 years and has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to our mission.
Emelia's journey with RIC began as a volunteer coordinator and part-time direct services staff, where she quickly showcased her passion for our organization's work and her ability to drive meaningful change within our community. Over the years, she has taken on various roles, each with increasing responsibility, including the Director of Programs role, and most recently as our Interim Executive Director.
During her tenure as Interim Executive Director, Emelia displayed exemplary leadership skills, guiding the organization through a period of transformation, while ensuring the continuity of our essential programs and services. Her strategic vision, dedication, and collaborative spirit have had a significant positive impact on RIC's operations, making her the ideal candidate for this role.
As our new Executive Director, Emelia will continue to lead the RIC in its mission to empower and support New Americans, fostering understanding and inclusivity. We are confident that her experience, deep understanding of our organization, and unwavering commitment to our cause will guide and propel the RIC to even greater heights.
Please join us in congratulating Emelia Sheeley on her well-deserved appointment as Executive Director. We look forward to the exciting journey ahead under her leadership.
About Riverview International Center (RIC):
The Riverview International Center (RIC) empowers our New American neighbors by supporting individuals, strengthening families, and nurturing community. Our vision is that all New Americans are welcomed and empowered to thrive in the United States. Since our founding in 2015, the RIC has been a place of welcome, providing a range of programs and services that have supported and empowered thousands of immigrants and refugees coming from more than 40 countries.
Mazen H. Rasoul, Esq.
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Rasoul.esq@gmail.com - 614-699-1215
“I stand in awe of the Riverview community every day, and I am committed to seeing us thrive.”
- Emelia Sheeley, Executive Director
Emelia with Rokeya, 2022
Emelia with Wafaa and Alia, 2018
A note from Emelia
These last six years at the RIC have been some of the most rewarding of my life, and I am grateful to the Board of Directors for their confidence and belief in me, and for choosing me to continue serving the organization and the community, now as Executive Director.
I am grateful to the RIC staff, for their unwavering support, collaboration, and kindness. It is a joy to work with them every day.
I am grateful to the many volunteers, donors, and partners I have met in my roles at the RIC. There are hundreds of you now, and I count it a privilege to have worked with such engaged, dynamic, and compassionate people.
Without the arrival of thousands of New Americans from all over the world to Riverview Drive, there would be no need for a RIC, and I would have never met some of the most resilient and captivating people in my life.
I want to share some of my priorities as Executive Director:
To keep our mission primary - to support individuals, strengthen families, and nurture community
To collaborate with our staff, partners, donors, and neighbors to see our vision fulfilled: that New Americans are welcomed and empowered to thrive
To build relationships across our city and county that will increase awareness of and build support for the RIC’s important work
To strengthen our infrastructure, to ensure that the RIC can continue to grow and scale, and to ensure that staff are appropriately compensated and cared for
To serve with clarity, humility, and dedication
I stand in awe of the Riverview community every day, and I am committed to seeing us thrive.
Wholeheartedly,
Emelia Sheeley