Egette Indelele, Founder
Egette was born and raised in a refugee camp in Tanzania, Africa. In 2021, she received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from George Mason University and became the first person in her family to obtain both a high school diploma and a college degree. She also received her Master of Arts in Psychology with a focus in cognitive and behavioral neuroscience from George Mason University in 2022. Egette has been a vocal advocate for mental health awareness. Egette’s work with Safe Haven was inspired by her experience as a refugee. She founded Safe Haven Space, to empower and educate refugee families in the US about mental health and wellbeing. Egette’s passion for advocacy and humanitarianism extends to her work helping children worldwide. She served as President for George Mason’s chapter of UNICEF and was on the Leadership Development Team for the UNICEF USA National Council.
Egette’s work with Safe Haven was inspired by her experience as a refugee . She founded Safe Haven to help refugee students resettle in a new world while having access to mental health services. She believes that Safe Haven will ease the transition to the American life. She also believes that it will help student perform better in school overall, while working on solving unresolved trauma and challenges.
Carisa Mclaney, Director of Programs
Carisa is an undergraduate senior at George Mason University majoring in Global Affairs with a concentration in Global Governance and a minor in International Security. Carisa has experience working with refugees from her past internship at International Rescue Committee in which she assisted in the refugee resettlement process. She also has advocacy, policy, and research based experience from her past internship at Physicians for Human Rights. Carisa has a deep interest in becoming more aware and informed while engaging in advocacy on and outside of social media on issues surrounding the topics of human rights, social equality and justice, and climate change. She is a strong advocate for refugees and wishes to bring her passions and experience to Safe Haven through this position to help those struggling with mental health issues stemming from their experiences while also assisting in making others more aware of the connection and importance of refugees and mental health.
Shana Meauhead, Director of Operations
Shana is a graduate of the Indiana University Northwest with a B.S. degree in Applied Health Science in Healthcare Administration.
Currently, she is pursuing her M.S. degree in Management in Human Resources. She previously worked as a Human Resources Director with
Aperion Care in Michigan City, Indiana. In fact, she planned, led, directed, developed, and coordinated the policies, activities, and staff of the Human Resource (HR) department, ensuring legal compliance and implementation of the Aperion’s mission and talent strategy. Shana has a noteworthy perspective and appreciation that human capital is every establishment's greatest asset.
Furthermore, Shana came to the U.S. from Central America years ago. She has seen the need for mental health support in underserved communities. She has decided to join Safe Haven Space because the cause aligned with her family background.
In this new role with Safe Haven Place, Shana will focus on overseeing the day-to-day operations of the organization and its members.
Arthi Palaniswamy, Director of Community Outreach and Engagement
Arthi has an MBA specializing in Marketing and Finance with a Bachelors in Commerce and also passed the ACCA UK (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) exams. She has lived and worked in three continents, which has given her a unique perspective on the world and a deep understanding of the challenges facing people in different communities. Arthi is committed to using her skills and experiences to make a difference in the world. She has volunteered for causes focused in community building, community welfare projects in below-poverty areas, and animal welfare. She's a passionate project manager and relationship builder and brings years of experience to Safe Haven Space.
Arthi is a natural team builder and motivator. She is able to build strong relationships with people from all walks of life. She truly believes in the value Safe Haven Space can bring in educating and removing stigmas around mental health in refugee and immigrant communities and has contributed immensely to our programs.
Sana Khan, Public Relations and Social Media Coordinator
Sana received her dual Bachelor’s degree from George Mason University in Global Affairs and Psychology with a concentration in Media, Communications and Culture. She has been actively involved in non-profit work relating to mental health and Global healthcare through previous internships with The Women’s Center and CORE Group. Currently Sana is working to support the communications and PR needs of our Afghan Community Building program.
Sana has always been interested in helping refugees. Through her undergraduate research experiences she has focused on the mental health needs and approaches to combatting the complex traumas faced by refugees. Coming from a family with refugee roots combined with a passion for spreading awareness about mental health pushed her to find causes that aligned with her own goals. Safe Haven Space’s mission to educate and end the stigma surrounding refugee mental health, specifically for students, resonated deeply and felt like the right cause to support. The work done by Safe Haven Space not only advocates for the recognition of mental health needs of refugees but allows the sharing of resources and knowledge so that refugees have access to means of self-learning and community support throughout their periods of transition and coping. With shared values and goals, Sana hopes that her work through this position at Safe Haven Space will help refugees receive the mental health support they need while also promoting open conversations and furthering the need to acknowledge the stigma surrounding refugee mental health.
Saanya Maini, Communication Intern
Saanya is a senior at George Mason University, pursuing a major in Psychology with a concentration in Clinical Psychology. Her unwavering dedication to mental health support is evident through her roles as a Crisis Text Line Counselor and Emotional Support Line Caller at GMU. Saanya is also preparing to assume the position of a NAMI helpline specialist, furthering her commitment to assisting individuals in need.
Apart from her academic and helpline roles, Saanya actively contributes as a research and outreach volunteer for the Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Study Center's Refugee Program. Her valuable work in this capacity involves providing support to refugees, underscoring her passion for helping vulnerable communities.
Driven by her personal experiences and strong belief in the significance of mental health and well-being, particularly for individuals in vulnerable situations like refugee students and their families, Saanya joined Safe Haven Space. As a South Asian with immigrant parents, the organization's mission aligns closely with her own values and experiences growing up. By becoming a part of Safe Haven Space, Saanya aspires to make meaningful contributions to their efforts in empowering and supporting refugee students as they navigate their new lives and adjust to cultural changes.
Gisselle Contreras, Research Intern
Gisselle is an undergraduate junior at George Mason University majoring in Neuroscience and Psychology and minoring in Philosophy. As an advocate for healthy and inclusive mental health resources, Gisselle is passionate about providing communities with spaces to share immigrant and refugee stories. Gisselle was a summer research intern at the National Eye Institute and National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism studying the cholinergic control of striatal dopamine release. In addition, her research interests are trauma and grief in immigrant families. Through Safe Haven Space, she hopes to contribute to both destigmatizing and demystifying mental health by increasing accessibility and spaces for open and honest conversations.
Rida Jamal, Research Intern
Rida Jamal, received a Bachelor’s degree in Bioinformatics from Virginia Commonwealth University, and has previously interned at the prestigious National Cancer Institute where she primarily conducted research on cell line SW480 and CRISPR/Cas9 mediated knock-ins. In addition to research, Rida also has a strong interest in global health and international development, and has developed winning citizen engagement initiatives to provide funding to NGOs during her time as an intern at the World Bank Group, IMF, and IDB.
As an aspiring physician, Rida hopes to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and to provide refugees with resources, community, and support as they adjust to life in the United States.
Stephanie Yemane, Outreach Coordinator
Stephanie is a passionate and motivated researcher, learner, and advocate, who seeks to further understand the impact of varying social environments on overall health outcomes. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience from Boston University, and has held positions in clinical research within the pharmaceutical industry and hospital settings. Stephanie has a deep understanding of the importance of access to resources for mental health support and education. She has also spent time volunteering with Boston Public Schools, providing teaching support for middle school students.
Stephanie found Safe Haven Space while searching for resources that could be useful for her community in Massachusetts. Stephanie connected with the mission, and was inspired to help in providing thoughtful and compassionate support for refugee students and families. She currently supports the development of SHS’s Afghan Community Building Program. Stephanie pursues a career in community mental health, and hopes to support patients and clinicians develop sustainable, meaningful long-term care plans and support teams.
Rama Osei-Akoto, Fundraising Assistant
Rama is the Fundraising Assistant, and has joined Safe Haven Space due to her personal connections to the organization's purpose and vision, as an immigrant herself. She believes that the organization provides the perfect opportunity to learn and volunteer her time for a good cause. Currently, Rama is working with the Finance and Fundraising committee, where she focus on identifying suitable grants for the organization. With a keen interest in budgeting and finance, Rama hopes to utilize the skills she gains through this experience in her future endeavors.