Aparna Bhattacharyya

Aparna Bhattacharyya is a dedicated professional with extensive experience in advocacy and organizational development. As Co-Founder of South Asian SOAR since 2020 and Executive Director of Raksha, Inc. from 1998 to the present, Aparna has transformed Raksha from a grassroots initiative into a nationally recognized agency, expanding its budget by over 400%. Previous roles include Employment Specialist for the Refugee Family Services/NewComers Network, where innovative programming was developed for battered refugee women, and Victim Advocate with the Atlanta Victim Witness Assistance Program, focusing on crime prevention in high-crime neighborhoods. Aparna's educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, awarded Magna Cum Laude from Georgia State University.