The Tahirih Justice Center announced today that Archi Pyati has been named as the new Chief Executive Officer, effective May 3, 2021. Pyati, who has been with the organization for seven years and most recently served as Tahirih’s Chief of Policy and Communications, will succeed Layli Miller-Muro, who founded Tahirih in 1997 and has been its CEO for the last 20 years. Miller-Muro will serve as a Senior Advisor to the CEO through the end of the year to support special projects and ensure a smooth transition.
“We are deeply grateful for Layli’s vision and leadership, as well as her thoughtful succession planning, which have positioned Tahirih as a national leader in securing justice for survivors of gender-based violence and will ensure its stability after her departure,” said Douglas Henck, Chair of the Board of Directors. “On behalf of the Tahirih community and our clients, we honor Layli’s accomplishments and contributions, which have made it possible for Tahirih to serve more than 25,000 women, girls, and other survivors of violence for more than 20 years. And we feel most fortunate to have Archi Pyati, who has been a distinguished leader at Tahirih for many years, succeed Layli as CEO. We have complete faith in Archi’s ability to lead Tahirih to its next level of superior service and trusted leadership.”
“I cannot adequately express how thrilled I am that Archi’s deep wisdom, distinguished expertise, and strategic vision will lead Tahirih and its exceptional staff into the next successful chapter,” said Layli Miller-Muro, Tahirih’s founder and outgoing CEO. “She will be building on her many years in leadership at Tahirih and nearly two decades of leadership in the field of immigrant survivors’ rights to lead the next stage of Tahirih’s work. I have complete confidence in her exceptional leadership and enthusiastically look forward to passing the baton to her.”
Read Layli’s letter to the Tahirih community.
Prior to joining Tahirih, Pyati conducted client and policy advocacy at Sanctuary for Families and Human Rights First in New York. She is a graduate of Brown University and the University of Michigan Law School. Read Pyati’s extended biography here.
“We are very excited to welcome Archi as the second CEO in Tahirih’s history,” said Tara Hogan Charles, the Vice Chair of Tahirih’s Board of Directors. “The Board has spent months in careful deliberation and it is clear that her passion for centering survivors, leadership in the human rights community, and expertise in immigration law will ensure Tahirih continues to be a leader in the fight to secure justice and safety for survivors of gender-based violence.”
“I’m humbled by the opportunity to serve Tahirih as its next CEO,” said Pyati. “I have big shoes to fill; Layli is a visionary, a caring leader, and a true champion for immigrant survivors of gender-based violence. Because of her inspiring, tireless work these last 20 years, Tahirih has served thousands of individuals and families, shifted the way other professionals around the country respond to survivors in need, and helped improve our laws in meaningful ways. I am honored to carry the torch forward – along with the staff, clients, and supporters that make Tahirih so special – to lead the organization as it continues to grow, thrive, and meet the challenges ahead.”
