About NFWL

Senator Swati Dandekar (IA)

President-Elect

Senator Swati Dandekar (IA)

Swati Dandekar was elected to the Iowa House of Representatives from District 36 in November 2002. She became the first person of Indian origin to win a seat to the Iowa House of Representatives. Swati won re-elections to the Iowa House in November 2004 and 2006. In 2008 Swati won the election to Iowa Senate as a Senator from District 18. Her legislative priorities are economic growth, renewable energy, affordable healthcare and educational excellence.

Prior to becoming a state legislator, Swati served two terms on the Linn-Mar Community School Board. Iowa Governor Thomas Vilsack appointed Swati to the Vision Iowa Board for three years since its inception in 2000. The Vision Iowa Program provides financial incentives to communities for the construction of recreational, cultural, educational and entertainment facilities that enhance the quality of life in Iowa. Swati has held several community leadership positions and has received numerous awards for her work. Her recent recognitions include:

  • "2000 J. C. Penny Education Golden Rule Award"
  • "2002 Person of the Year" India Abroad
  • "2003 Pillar of the Community" award from Waypoint
  • "2003 Person of the Year" award, Asian Alliance of Iowa
  • 2004 Flemming Institute Fellow
  • Elliot School of International Affairs, Global Economic Conference
  • 2006 Passport to Prosperity (Iowa) award
  • 2008 Asia Pacific American Person of the Year award by Asian Week

Presently Swati serves on the following boards:

  • Iowa Math and Science Coalition
  • Greater Cedar Rapids Foundation
  • Belin-Blank International Center for Gifted & Talented

Swati's prior Board appointments include

  • Linn-Mar School District
  • Iowa Association of School Boards
  • Vision Iowa Board
  • U. S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy

Swati Dandekar received her bachelor's degree in Biology & Chemistry from Nagpur University and post graduate diploma in dietetics from Bombay University in India. Swati and her husband Arvind live in Marion, Iowa. Arvind is President/CEO of Fastek International, a software development firm. They have two sons Ajai and Govind who are graduates of Stanford University. Dr. Ajai and his wife Dr. Allison Cole live in Seattle, Washington with their son Evan. Govind works for Google as a Financial Analyst. Govind lives in Palo Alto, California