Since joining U.S.VETS in 2003, Shalimar has risen through the ranks with distinction. She began her journey as an Outreach Specialist in Las Vegas, walking the streets, tunnels, and deserts to connect unsheltered veterans with life-changing housing and support. Her leadership talent quickly emerged as she advanced to manage state and national AmeriCorps programs, earning accolades including the highest Member retention in Nevada for four consecutive years.
For more than 15 years, Shalimar served as the Executive Director of U.S.VETS – Las Vegas, where she managed a multi-million dollar budget and led a staff of over 90 professionals.
Under her direction, the Las Vegas team delivered comprehensive services to more than 1300 veterans annually, including outreach, transitional and permanent housing, employment and training, and homeless prevention programs. Her strategie vision helped grow the site to include three residential facilities, a veteran service center, and robust scattered-site programming, making it one of the most impactful veteran service hubs in the region.
As a values-driven leader, Shalimar is deeply committed to developing people and culture. She launched U.S.VETS’ first-ever National Mentorship Program, aimed at cultivating leadership from within and helping staff realize their full potential. Her dedication to fostering a positive, mission-aligned organizational culture is a hallmark of her leadership, grounded in values-based work that strengthens teams and deepens impact.
Nationwide, U.S.VETS serves more than 20,000 veterans annually, offering housing, career development, and supportive services in communities across the country.
Shalimar’s promotion to national leadership underscores her critical role in shaping the future of veteran care and organizational excellence across U.S.VEIS’ footprint.
A respected thought leader and coalition builder, Shalimar serves as Chairperson of the Las Vegas Veterans Stand Down, a flagship event delivering wraparound services to hundreds of veterans each year. She is a past chair of Board of the Southern Nevada Homeless Continuum of Care and is a dedicated mentor in the community. She is a frequently sought-after spokesperson and inspiring motivational speaker, and has been featured in local and national media, including television, radio, and podcasts.
Shalimar is a graduate of the FBI Las Vegas Citizens Academy and was honored with the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award in 2013 for her extraordinary service to veterans. She is an alumna of Leadership Las Vegas (Class of 2021) and a Bank of America Neighborhood Builders Emerging Leader. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and a Master’s degree in Social Work with a focus on Management and Community Practice from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Shalimar’s passion for serving veterans is rooted in personal legacy-her maternal grandparents were Army veterans who fought alongside U.S. forces in the Philippines during World War Il. Her grandmother was awarded the Bronze Star at the end of the war in the Pacific, a powerful testament to their courage and sacrifice. This family history fuels Shalimar’s unwavering commitment to those who have worn the uniform.
At the heart of Shalimar’s work are her two most deeply held values: leadership and impact. Whether serving veterans directly, guiding future leaders, or elevating the mission nationally, she remains devoted to ensuring that every veteran has the opportunity to live with dignity, purpose, and stability.
