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Swati Dandekar is a distinguished leader and advocate in the fields of public service, renewable energy, and international relations. Currently, she serves as the Chairperson of Bright Future Iowa, where she champions the growth of renewable energy solutions, including nuclear energy. Swati believes in all the above energy solutions for Iowa and The United States. In addition, she is the founder of Swati Dandekar Consulting, a firm dedicated to providing comprehensive energy solutions across various sectors. Her work in these roles reflects her commitment to sustainable development, energy innovation, and forward-thinking solutions for a global future.
Swati’s career is marked by a series of significant appointments and accomplishments. Most notably, she served as the U.S. Executive Director and Ambassador to the Asian Development Bank (ADB). In this capacity, she worked with 60 countries across Asia and the Pacific Rim, addressing critical issues related to energy, telecommunications, water, and transportation infrastructure. She played a pivotal role in shaping ADB’s strategies for infrastructure development across the region. In 2017, Swati was recalled from her position as part of a transition under the new U.S. administration.
Prior to her ambassadorship, Swati was appointed to the Iowa Utilities Board in 2011, where she focused on enhancing rural telecommunications and advancing renewable energy projects, including Smart Grid technology. Her leadership extended to serving as an active member of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), where she contributed to both the Telecommunications and International Relations Committees. Additionally, she was a key participant in the Mid-American Regulatory Conference and the Advisory Council of Iowa Energy.
Swati made history in 2002 when she was elected to the Iowa House of Representatives, becoming the first Indian-born American to hold a legislative position in the United States. She served three consecutive terms before being elected to the Iowa Senate in 2008, where she chaired the Senate Commerce Committee. In 2011, Swati was elected President of the National Foundation of Women Legislators, where she focused on promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education, expanding broadband communication for economic growth, and addressing issues related to PTSD among veterans.
Her international contributions include leading several delegations to India and Africa, focusing on international trade, women’s rights, healthcare, and telecommunications development. Swati’s global perspective has been an invaluable asset throughout her career.
Born in Nagpur, India, Swati moved to the United States in 1973 to join her husband Arvind and build a family. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and Biology from Nagpur University, as well as a post-graduate diploma in Dietetics from Bombay University. Multilingual, Swati is fluent in Hindi, Gujarati, and Marathi, with a working knowledge of Urdu, Punjabi, and Bengali.
Today, Swati and her husband Arvind reside in Marion, Iowa, where they raised their two sons and run a successful business. Through her consulting firm, Swati continues to advocate for all energy solutions while promoting international collaboration and the empowerment of women and underserved communities.