Canberra, Australia: Swati Dave, a highly skilled banking professional of Indian descent, has made history as the first Indian Australian to be appointed to the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) board in its 64-year

Her appointment was announced by the Australian government, alongside other notable Australians, to the RBA's newly established boards. The government emphasized that these appointments reflect the aim to ensure the Reserve Bank is well-positioned to address the country's economic needs and enhance its governance.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers commended Swati Dave's vast experience and leadership, emphasizing her 30 years of expertise in domestic and international banking. "Swati Dave is a seasoned banking executive and non-executive director. Her strategic vision, business expertise, and risk management skills, honed through roles in both public and private sectors, will make her an invaluable addition to the RBA board," Chalmers stated.

Dave’s most recent role was as managing director and CEO of Export Finance Australia from 2017 to 2022. She currently serves as the chair of the Advisory Board for the Centre for Australia-India Relations, a non-executive director at the Australian Financial Complaints Authority, and a member of the Trade 2040 Taskforce. Additionally, in 2024, she was appointed as a non-executive director at the Treasury Corporation of Victoria and a multicultural ambassador for Cricket Australia.

Her career began at Westpac as an associate director, followed by senior positions at Bankers Trust Australia, AMP Henderson Global Investors, Deutsche Bank, and National Australia Bank. She also held non-executive director roles at Great Western Bancorp, Australian Hearing, and SAS Trustee Corporation.

Dave has been involved in other influential roles, including deputy chair of Asia Society Australia and an advisory board member for the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations.