Chennai born Shefali Ranganathan has been named the new deputy mayor of US city of Seattle. The 38 year old, who has gained recognition as a policy wonk in the field of transportation, was selected by mayor-elect Jenny Durkan. She is the executive director of Transportation Choices Coalition, a nonprofit that lobbies for transit, walking and biking infrastructure in Seattle.

“She was 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,” said Pradeep Ranganathan, her father, to Times of India.

Ms.Ranganathan moved to the US in 2001 and studied at American University. She was offered a job by the government to work in the area of environmental conditions in Washington DC.She will now serve as the co-chair of Durkan’s transition committee. The committee would be tasked with developing ideas on housing, homelessness and transportation for the new mayor to act on immediately after taking office.

An alum of Good Shepherd Convent, Nungambakkam, Ms.Shefali did her B.Sc in Zoology at Stella Maris. She is also a gold medalist on environmental science at Anna university.

A woman of many talents, Ms.Ranganathan has also participated in many rowing events representing Madras Boat Club in late 90s and won a gold medal in an inter-university rowing competition.