New Interim Executive Director, Emelia Sheeley
Pictured (l-r): Staff members Iman Shehabi, Hamida Ouali, Rachel Maino, Emelia Sheeley, Diane Linton display the Franklin County Commissioners' County Partnership recognition award, received by the RIC on April 26
We are pleased to announce that Emelia Sheeley, longtime employee and program director at the RIC, will be stepping into the interim Executive Director position vacated recently by Jeremy Ellison. Jeremy resigned from the Executive Director position to pursue other ventures, and we are thankful for the work he accomplished at the RIC during his tenure.
We'd like to highlight the work of Emelia Sheeley since she joined the RIC staff in June of 2017, assisting our founder Kirsta Benedetti, by using her Arabic language skills to meet with neighbors, and her organizational and relationship-building skills to help lead programs and coordinate volunteers. Since then, Emelia has managed over 15 programs and developed new partnerships with organizations including the Columbus Diaper Bank, food pantries and Mid-Ohio food collective, Columbus City Schools, and more, as well as developing reading and educational programs that have reached hundreds of New American children. Just this past year, she has managed four staff and two OSU interns, in addition to 150 volunteers.
As interim Executive Director, Emelia's desire is to continue to grow the RIC, both in services for the community, but also in security and sustainability. Her commitment, in her words, is that "every choice will be for the good of this organization, our neighbors, our staff and volunteers, our donors, and our partners. I love this community and the people who live and serve here very deeply."
Emelia lives in Columbus, with her husband, Gabriel and their two children, Nora and Jonathan. She has a degree in International Studies and Arabic from The Ohio State University and previously worked in nonprofit sector as a writer, trainer, and recruiter. Her life changed forever when she migrated to Egypt in 2009 to continue her Arabic studies. She lived there for more than 5 years, learning a new language, working, and forming friendships that endure today.
THE RIC IS A FRANKLIN COUNTY’ PARTNER OF THE YEAR!
On April 28, Franklin County's three commissioners - John O'Grady, Erica Crawley, and Kevin Boyce - named 4 area nonprofits as "partners of the year.” Those recognized, along with the Riverview International Center, were Columbus Works, Mid-Ohio Food Collective and PrimaryOne Health.
"I love this community and the people who live and serve here very deeply."
EMELIA SHEELEY