MUMBAI (Diya TV) — The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) has appointed Isha Ambani and Louise Bawden to its Board of Administration for the 2024–2028 Olympic cycle, signaling a strategic move to enhance the board’s diversity, inclusion, and global perspective.
Ambani, the Executive Director of Reliance Retail and a key figure in the executive leadership of Reliance Industries Limited, joins the board as a member representing the gender-in-minority category. Her appointment falls under Article 2.4.1.5 of the FIVB Constitution, which allows the President to nominate up to four additional members to broaden representation across various categories (FIVB press release, 2024).
In the same round of appointments, Louise Bawden—a three-time Olympian and current President of the FIVB Athletes’ Commission—was elected to the board by fellow commission members. Bawden, who has represented Australia in both indoor and beach volleyball at the Olympics, brings decades of elite athletic experience and a strong advocacy background to the FIVB’s leadership.
Ambani’s addition to the FIVB Board reflects a broader effort to infuse global sports governance with business leadership. Known for spearheading Reliance Retail’s rapid expansion and pushing digital and e-commerce initiatives across India, Ambani also leads the company’s Diversity and Inclusion programme. She is widely recognized for her commitment to empowering women in the workplace and advancing innovation through inclusive practices.
In a statement, the FIVB praised Ambani as “a dynamic leader in the business world,” noting her ability to blend commercial strategy with a focus on inclusion and innovation. “Her unique perspective will be a valuable asset to the FIVB Board,” the organization added.
Ambani’s presence marks a significant milestone for Indian representation in global sports bodies, particularly for women. Her role is expected to contribute to broader discussions around equity, development, and modernization within the sport of volleyball.
Meanwhile, Bawden’s election to the board reinforces the FIVB’s commitment to athlete representation at its highest levels. As the newly elected President of the FIVB Athletes’ Commission, Bawden will serve a four-year term, continuing the work she began in 2021 when she first joined the Commission.
Her dual Olympic background in both indoor and beach volleyball positions her uniquely to represent athlete concerns across disciplines. The FIVB emphasized her “deep dedication to championing athletes’ voices” and recognized the value of her on-the-ground insights in shaping policies and decisions that impact players worldwide.
With the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles on the horizon, the FIVB Board’s composition is poised to influence the global growth and governance of volleyball in the years to come.
