Biden names Revathi Advaithi, Manish Bapna to trade body

Indian American CEOs to advice to the US Trade Representative on trade policy and trade agreements

President Joe Biden is set to appoint two Indian American CEOs, Revathi Advaithi and Manish Bapna as members to the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations.

Besides Advaithi, CEO of Flex, and Bapna, President and CEO of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), the White House announced Biden’s intent to appoint 12 others to the committee on March 10.

Read: Revathi Advaithi, Bela Bajaria among Fortune’s Most Powerful Women in Business (October 12, 2022)

They are: Timothy Michael Broas, Thomas M. Conway, Erica R.H. Fuchs, Marlon E. Kimpson, Ryan LeGrand, Kerman Maddox, Sean M. O’Brien, Javier Saade, Shonda Yvette Scott, Elizabeth Shuler, Nina Szlosberg-Landis and Wendell P. Weeks.

Since assuming the role of CEO of Flex, the global manufacturing partner of choice that helps a diverse customer base design and build products to improve the world, in 2019, Advaithi has been responsible for architecting the company’s strategic direction and leading Flex through a transformation that is defining a new era in manufacturing, according to her White House profile.

Advaithi is focused on driving technology innovation, supply chain, and responsible, sustainable manufacturing solutions across various industries and end markets.

Prior to Flex, Advaithi was President and Chief Operating Officer for the electrical sector business for Eaton, a company with over $20 billion in sales and 102,000 employees. She had corporate responsibility for the Europe, Middle East, and Africa regions.

Previously, Advaithi was President of Eaton’s electrical sector, Americas, and was responsible for North, South, and Central America. In addition to her time at Eaton, she worked at Honeywell for six years.

Advaithi is a Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Advanced Manufacturing CEO Community and joined the WEF Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders. She serves on the Board of Directors of Uber and Catalyst.org.

Advaithi was recognized on Fortune’s Most Powerful Women in Business list for four consecutive years and named one of Business Today’s Most Powerful Women in India. She holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Birla Institute of Technology and Science and an MBA from the Thunderbird School of Global Management.

During his 25-year career, Bapna’s leadership roles have focused on tackling the root causes of poverty and climate change with strategies that are equitable, durable, and scalable, according to his White House profile.

Bapna led NRDC has been behind many of the most significant environmental milestones of the last half century—from the creation of bedrock environmental laws, to landmark legal victories, and foundational research, it says.

Today, its staff of more than 750 policy analysts, lawyers, and scientists—backed by the power of more than 3 million members and online activists—are standing up for climate, nature, health, and equity in the United States and around the world.

Most recently, Bapna served as Executive Vice President and Managing Director of the World Resources Institute, a research organization focused on the intersection of the environment and human development, for more than 14 years.

An economist by training, he got his start at McKinsey & Company and the World Bank before pursuing a career in advocacy at the Bank Information Center.

He has master’s degrees in Business and Political and Economic Development from Harvard University and a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from MIT.

The committee, according to the White House was established to provide overall policy advice to the US trade Representative on matters arising in connection with the development, implementation, and administration of the US trade policy.

Read: President Biden Announces Key Appointments to Boards and Commissions (March 10, 2023)

This includes negotiating objectives and bargaining positions before entering into trade agreements, the impact of the implementation of trade agreements, matters concerning the operation of any trade agreement once entered into, and other matters arising in connection with the development, implementation, and administration of the US trade policy,

The Committee includes up to 45 members recommended by the US Trade Representative who are appointed by the President and have expertise in general trade, investment, and development issues, including representatives of non-federal governments, labor, industry, agriculture, small business, service industries, retailers, nongovernmental environmental and conservation organizations, and consumer interests.