Vinai Thummalapally is an American diplomat and business leader. In 2009, he became the first person of Indian origin to serve as a U.S. ambassador when President Barack Obama appointed him Ambassador to Belize. A longtime entrepreneur and civic leader before entering government, he later served as Executive Director of SelectUSA, promoting foreign investment in the United States. His appointment marked a diplomatic milestone and opened the way for greater representation of Americans of Indian origin in the U.S. Foreign Service.
