January 16, 2015: Azure Power, the leader in the Indian solar industry recently announced the induction of Diane Farrell as the director of the Azure Power Board. This appointment comes shortly after the company appointed Robert Kelly as the director on Azure Power Board in early December.
Reinforcing Azure Power’s leadership in the Indian solar industry, Diane’s appointment will help in strengthening Azure Power’s policy making, advocacy and government relations expertise.
Commenting on the appointment, Inderpreet Wadhwa, founder and CEO, Azure Power, said, “We are extremely pleased to welcome Diane as a new board member at Azure Power. With an illustrious career under strategic policy making and advocacy leadership roles, Diane’s appointment will help Azure Power continue its fast paced growth, to become the largest solar power provider globally, which in turn will help the country achieve its clean energy objectives under the National Solar Mission, JNNSM.”
Currently, Diane Farrell is also serving as the acting president at US-India Business Council (USIBC) after being appointed as the executive vice president in July 2011. During her tenure as executive VP, she led business advocacy and membership service for financial services, real estate, and infrastructure development. Prior to USIBC, she served on the board of directors at the US Ex-Im Bank, where she was responsible for voting on transactions exceeding $10 million as well as imparting expertise on significant policy matters. Her key responsibilities also included overseeing small businesses across India, Southeast Asia, and some parts of Latin America. During her tenure, India transactions expanded drastically and diversified; aircraft sales and conventional and green energy projects, among others, led to India becoming the second largest country by US dollar allocation in the bank’s overall portfolio.
Diane also served as the chairwoman of the Southwestern Connecticut Regional Planning Agency (Metropolitan Planning Organization). As a select member of the National League of Cities Transportation and Infrastructure Steering and Policy Committee, she helped set policy goals for transportation and infrastructure initiatives in support of cities and towns across US.
Commenting on her appointment, Diane Farrell said, “Azure Power is an established leader in the solar industry in India and it gives me immense pleasure to join its esteemed board. I look forward to supporting company’s endeavour in sustainable policy development for solar in India to compete effectively with fossil fuels.”
