Pia Dandiya
Pia Dandiya | |
|---|---|
| File:Pia Dandiya WHF.png | |
| Illinois P-20 Council | |
| In office 2022–2023 | |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Navneet Alag |
| Education | Harvard University (BA) Boston University (MEd) |
| Occupation | Educator |
| Website | piaforcongress |
Pia Dandiya is an American educator and government official, and political candidate from Jupiter, Florida. After founding a high school in New York,[1] she was selected to serve as a White House Fellow from 2020 through 2021.[2] In June of 2025, she announced her candidacy for Florida's 21st congressional district.
Early life and education
Dandiya is a first generation Indian American[3] and daughter of Bharati Dandiya,[4] founder of the Turtle River Montessori School in Jupiter, FL. She completed a BA in Government from Harvard University, was a college intern for Senator Bill Nelson, and completed a Master of Education from Boston University.[5][6] After college, she served as an AmeriCorps member in the greater Boston area,[7] was a Manager of Teacher Leadership Development for Teach For America,[8] and taught at Excellence Boys Charter School in Brooklyn, NY.[9]
Professional career
At the age of 28, Dandiya founded Democracy Prep Endurance High School in Harlem, NY.[10] As the founding principal, she was responsible for leading the school towards its mission of "empowering young people with the skills and values to flourish as community leaders who will strengthen our American democracy and change the world."[11][12] During her tenure, Democracy Prep was named a “Recognition School” for the 2018 - 2019 school year, served a student population of which 88% of students were economically disadvantaged, and yielded a 100% college admission rate.[13][14][15]
In 2020, Dandiya was selected to serve as a White House Fellow by the Presidents Commission on White House Fellowships. During her appointment, she served in both the Trump and Biden administrations. This included serving as a senior advisor at the Department of Education[16] and as a special advisor on President Biden's Domestic Policy Counsel.[17]
Upon completing her service in Washington, DC, Dandiya worked at Apple Inc. in Chicago, Il.[18] During this time, she was appointed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker to the Illinois' P-20 Council as a council member. In this role, she co-chaired the Scaling P-12 Computer Science working group.[19]
Political candidacy
On June 2, 2025, Dandiya announced her candidacy for Florida's 21st congressional district as a democrat. Florida's 21st is currently represented by republican Brian Mast.[20][21] She has been endorsed by Indian American Impact Fund and former U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy.[22][23]
References
- ↑ "2020–2021 White House Fellows" (PDF). White House Fellows Foundation & Association. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
- ↑ "Indian American among 14 White House Fellows announced this year". The Times of India. 2020-11-07. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2025-06-15.
- ↑ "Pia Dandiya for Congress". Pia Dandiya for Congress. May 31, 2025. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
- ↑ "Staff". Turtleriver Montessori. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ↑ "Indian American Pia Dandiya appointed the White House fellow for 2020-21". livemint.com. November 7, 2020. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
- ↑ Kumar, Arun (2025-09-01). "Indian American Impact Fund endorses Pia Dandiya for Congress". The American Bazaar. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
- ↑ "Teach for America". www.thecrimson.com. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ↑ "Teaching Programs Attract Students Looking For Jobs". www.thecrimson.com. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ↑ "Indian-American among 14 White House Fellows announced this year". Press Trust of India. Archived from the original on 2021-02-05. Retrieved 2025-05-31. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Pia Dandiya Has Been Appointed The White House Fellow". Lokvani. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ↑ "Indian Ambassador in US Taranjit Singh Sandhu interacts with White House fellows". Financialexpress. 2021-07-02. Retrieved 2025-06-01.
- ↑ "The Democracy Prep Difference". Democracy Prep. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ↑ Shah, Raj (2025-07-04). "Pia Dandiya Launches Congressional Bid in Florida's District 21". Global Indian News Network -. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
- ↑ "Democracy Prep Endurance CS Enrollment (2023–24)". data.nysed.gov. 2024. Retrieved June 1, 2025.
- ↑ "Recognition School for the 2018–19 School Yearfho". New York State Education Department. 2019. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ↑ "White House Appoints 2020-2021 Class of White House Fellows – The White House". trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ↑ "Re: Vote-A-Rama Day!" (PDF). functionalgovernment.org. August 10, 2021. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ↑ "Council Members". p20.illinois.gov. Archived from the original on 2025-05-27. Retrieved 2025-05-31. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Get Involved". p20.illinois.gov. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ↑ Scheckner, Jesse (2025-06-02). "'Floridians deserve better': Pia Dandiya launches campaign to flip Brian Mast's seat in CD 21". Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government. Retrieved 2025-06-02.
- ↑ katem (2025-06-04). "Pia Dandiya launches campaign to flip Brian Mast's seat in CD 21". The South FL 100. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
- ↑ Scheckner, Jesse (2025-07-24). "'An ideal candidate': Pia Dandiya's CD 21 bid adds nods from Dave Aronberg, Patrick Murphy". Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
- ↑ Kumar, Arun (2025-09-01). "Indian American Impact Fund endorses Pia Dandiya for Congress". The American Bazaar. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
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