Mrs. Sheela Vyas has Gujarati ancestry, was born in Uganda and has resided in the Netherlands since1972. She holds a masters degree in anthropology and a postgraduate degree in public administration from the University of Amsterdam. Having worked as a consultant in the field of diversity management in both the private and public sector, Sheela Vyas now executes empowerment projects from her consultancy 'Lotus and Tulip' concerning taboo subjects such as mental health and domestic violence.

Sheela Vyas was founding member of the Women Council of the VON ( Vluchtelingen Organiaties Nederland) and secretary of the RLRA (de Raad voor Levensbeschouwingen en Religies Amsterdam).  She is currently the secretary of the Women Council of GOPIO (Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin) Netherlands.

Sheela Vyas is married and mother of two children.