For Immediate Release

Contact:

Merrill Miller, 202-238-9088 ext. 105, merrillmiller@americanhumanist.org

(New York, NY, Oct. 6, 2016)—The American Humanist Association is pleased to announce the election of Sunil Panikkath as one of the newest members of the organization’s board of directors.

As a member of the American Humanist Association board, Panikkath will join the leadership of the oldest and largest humanist organization in the United States. Panikkath has a background in the financial services industry as well as a demonstrated dedication to the humanist movement. He has been a member and supporter of the American Humanist Association for over 15 years and is involved with the Humanist Foundation, the endowment fund of the AHA. He has also served as a volunteer representative to the United Nations for the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU). He will be the first Indian American to serve on the board.

“With my background in business, I look forward to helping with my analytic and financial skills to enhance the board’s efforts in achieving the American Humanist Association’s mission to bring about an ethical, secular society in which humanism is a respected way of life,” said Panikkath.

“Sunil Panikkath brings a unique perspective that will help us more efficiently and effectively reach our critical goals of expanding our organization and raising awareness of the ethical philosophy of humanism,” said Rebecca Hale, president of the American Humanist Association. “With his financial expertise and his commitment to the humanist movement, he is a valuable addition to our leadership.”

The American Humanist Association board of directors, made up of twelve unpaid volunteers, is democratically elected by its membership. Panikkath will begin his first term as an American Humanist Association board member on January 1, 2017, along with Ian Dodd of Los Angeles, California. A full list of the American Humanist Association’s board of directors is available here 

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Founded in 1941 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., the American Humanist Association (AHA) works to protect the rights of humanists, atheists, and other nontheistic Americans. The AHA advances the ethical and life-affirming philosophy of humanism, which—without beliefs in any gods or other supernatural forces—encourages individuals to live informed and meaningful lives that aspire to the greater good of humanity.