New wave in Seattle with appointment of Indian born Shefali

Chennai: Shefali Ranganthan, 38-years from Chennai now will be named as mayor of the US city of Seattle. Shefali moved to the US in 2001 and went on to study at an American University, currently is the executive director of Transportation Choices Coalition, a nonprofit that lobbies for transit walking and biking infrastructure in Seattle. Shefali was selected by Mayor elect Jenny Durkan to head her transition team along with two others, having gained applause as a policy brainy in field of transportation Shefali of Chennai has now achieved another distinction with naming of deputy mayor designation of Seattle.

As her father Pradeep Ranganathan who also reside in the city with her mother Cheryl Ranganathan said” she always ahead of her peers, be it in school or in college. This is a recognition of her work in the area of transportation and we hope it acts as an inspiration for young girls in the country and abroad” he as a proud father added “ Even before she completed her course, she was offered a job by the government condition in Washington DC”. Shefali studied at Good Shepherd Convent, Nungambakkam, and went on to pursue a BSc in zoology at Stella Mari while also Gold Medalist studied environment science at Anna University. She participated and represented at many event in rowing at Madras Boat Club, while was escort (navigator) for the team which won a gold medal in an inter university rowing competition held at the club in the late 1990’s news from TOI.

However she joined the transportation Choice coalition as midlevel executive in 2014-15 with outstanding work, from there went to become the executive director. On account of her light rail project, she got selected as one of the business leaders who were part of ‘40 under 40’ awards programme compiled by Pugnet Sound business Journal.

Combining team of Shefali and Ron Sims and Paul Lambros will serve as co-chair of Durkan’s transition committee and develop ideas on housing, homelessness and transportation for the new mayor to act on immediately after taking office. As Jenny Durkan announced 61- member transition team, will help plan her time at the Mayor’s office a team in which member of Social services, business and civil rights as well as former elected officials reports as per the Seattle Times. While this team said to be meeting three times first time on Thursday according to the release and the last time in December to help Durkan plan her new administration and recommend legislation with inclusion on former Charles Royer and former council member Jan Drago and David Della.

As Transportation Choices Coalition director Shefali Ranganathan, Former King County executive Ron Sims, and Plymouth Housing director Paul Lambros will lead the transition team as co-chairs. While Shefali will join Durkan a city hall as deputy mayor while Mike Fong –who in August took a job as King County executive Dow Constantine’s chief operating officers –will be her senior deputy Mayor.

However few other were from civil rights arena  like public defender director Lisa Daugard, immigrants’ rights director Jorge Baron while from social services arena Chief Seattle Club director Colleen Echohawk- Hayashi , solid ground CEO  Gordon Mc Henry, Chamber of Commerce CEO Maud Daudon, Amazon senior manager of state public policy Eileen Sullivan from Business arena whereas Martin Luther King County labor council Nicole Grant, SEIU 775 president David Rolf and many as per Seattle reports.