The Board of Directors of the Dutchess County Interfaith Council has appointed Karen Dipnarine-Saroop as executive director. In her new role as the key management leader of the council, she will be responsible for overseeing its administration, programs and strategic plan.

Dipnarine-Saroop, a resident of Poughkeepsie, has worked with numerous nonprofit, government and international organizations across North and South America, Asia and Europe. Her areas of expertise include social and global issues for the improvement of the human condition. As a cofounder of the Green Brain Initiative in Dutchess County, she initiated the Sacred Earth Festival and the Sacred Being Health and Wellness Fair, drawing on ancient spiritual wisdom and practices to advance enlightened living and activism.

The Dutchess County Interfaith Council, a not-for-profit 501(c)3 corporation, promotes understanding and respectful relationships among diverse faith communities by offering opportunities for education, worship, fellowship and service together.

“I’m honored to serve the council and our community in this new role, and I’m grateful for the board’s confidence in me to provide direct leadership for the council’s vision and operation,” Dipnarine-Saroop says. “Religious traditions have the potential to be a source of peace and harmony through open dialogue and collective engagement. I look forward to partnering with our community to build on the foundation of our shared values of tolerance and mutual respect and a common purpose to weave a stronger, more harmonious social tapestry for our community.”

For more info, call 845.471.7333 or visit DutchessCountyInterfaith.org.