Ms. Vemula’s previous experience as a child abuse investigator and department manager at the Department of Child Protective Services has strongly made her aware of child abuse/neglect. As a Child Welfare Consultant and activist, Ms. Vemula passionately works towards raising awareness about child abuse/neglect. She was one of only three investigators hand-picked from Dallas County for a special pilot program, the Skilled Response Team, that investigated more than 40 child abuse cases a month. She was also selected as one of the few in Texas to train new CPS Investigators. In addition to her work in the field, Ms. Vemula was integral in co-authoring Dallas County’s policy and procedure handbook used by all CPS Investigators. She also helped to create a systematic method called ‘Tips, Tools, and Tactics,’ specifically utilized by newly trained CPS Investigators. Ms. Vemula was an honor graduate from the University of Southwest, earning her Masters Degrees in Psychology and Counseling. Actively involved in the community, Ms. Vemula serves on the boards of and hold positions in several North Texas organizations, including Hope’s Door, Empowering Women As Leaders, the Irma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School, HEAL, Against The Grain Productions, Chinmaya Mission of DFW and Family Compass of Dallas (previously known as the Child Abuse Center of Dallas). Recently, Ms. Vemula joined her two CoHosts in creating and developing S.I.T (Social Issues Time), a web series, which is to a provide a forum for women of different ages, ethnicities and backgrounds to come together and discuss issues relevant and significant in today’s multicultural society. In her spare time, Ms. Vemula shares her thoughts on being a first generation Indian American woman balancing two different cultures on her satirical blog WheatishComplexion.com. Ms. Vemula was awarded the Dallas Women’s Foundation 2014 Maura Helping Women Award, which recognizes exceptional leaders who have/are pioneering the way to improve lives for women and girls. Ms. Vemula is also a recipient of Dallas Business Journal’s 2015 women in business honorees. Her education and experience in the areas of social work and psychology, and as a community leader has helped Ms. Vemula form numerous connections with individuals from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds. Ms. Vemula has a passion for music and loves to play and teach piano in her spare time. She is also a published children’s book author. She values her family and close friends who have encouraged and supported her littlest adventure to her greatest venture. As an individual guided by her compassion and optimism, she hopes and strives for a commitment where all families are given a voice and where all children are safe, healthy and provided a fair opportunity for a bright future ahead. Ms. Vemula can be contacted at g.vemula@colormesafe.net.
Gauthami Vemula
