Meet the EmPOWER Center Team
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Rima Shah,
EmPOWER Center Director
Rima (she, her, hers), has worked for the last 20 years on sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, stalking, and sexual health in the U.S. and India, in both university and non-profit settings. She started at the Claremont Colleges as the inaugural director of the EmPOWER Center in late 2015. Prior to coming to The Claremont Colleges, Rima spent three years at DePaul University in Chicago where she served as their first full-time staff member addressing interpersonal violence. She served as a confidential survivor advocate as well as implemented year-round programming on violence prevention and survivor support. Prior to that, Rima worked as a capacity building consultant for Family Health International in New Delhi, as a research associate for the World Institute on Disability in Oakland, and as a program development consultant and national trainer at the Asian and Pacific Islander Wellness Center in San Francisco. She also develops sports-based empowerment programs for girls in Indian orphanages on a voluntary basis.
Rima holds a Masters in Public Health from the University of California, Berkeley and a Masters in Sociology from the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. She speaks English, Hindi, and Gujarati. Rima is also the Assistant Coach of the Claremont Nighthawks, a track club for kids.
Self-care: Biking, walking, reading, teaching Bollywood dance at the local elementary schools, and time with her ten year old son.
To contact Rima, email her at RShahEmPOWER@claremont.edu or call her at (909) 607-2689
Elita Kutateli,
EmPOWER Center Student Intern
Elita (she, her, hers) is a third-year student at Scripps College studying Philosophy and Politics. She has had a longstanding passion for reproductive justice, accessible sex education, and sexual violence prevention work. In highschool, Elita focused on preventative work by developing Oregon sex-ed curriculum as well as teaching it to students, in collaboration with SouthWestern Oregon Planned Parenthood and Respect(Ed). Entering college, Elita switched gears and is now focusing on both preventative work as well as restoration and healing for survivors. Elita is a Scripps Advocate and is the Head Design Editor for the Scripps Voice. Elita aspires to learn more everyday and use her skills in hopes of achieving a safe, healing, and equitable environment for everyone.
Self-care: yoga, journaling, cooking, talking to loved ones, painting, dancing, going on walks, and watching cartoons.
To contact Elita, email her at ekutatel9347@scrippscollege.edu
Macy Puckett,
EmPOWER Center Student Intern
Macy (she, her, hers) is a first-year student at Scripps College studying Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and Government. She is very passionate about global gender equity and sexual violence prevention, as well as human trafficking prevention and reproductive healthcare accessibility. In high school, Macy revised and developed grade-specific consent education workshops, developed consent education curriculum for her local middle school, and focused on survivor support. In college, Macy is excited to focus on meaningful preventative work and explore accountability and restorative pathways for survivors. Macy is also a news writer for the Student Life Newspaper. She is honored to learn and contribute in any way she can to a safe, inclusive, and supportive community that focuses on uplifting survivors and preventing gender-based violence.
Self-care: baking, movie nights, running, calling her sisters, watching TV, bracelet making, finding new food places.
To contact Macy, email her at mpuckett7525@scrippscollege.edu