Ronnie Dante

Where It Didn’t Begin As Planned

Ronnie Dante’s journey did not begin with a clear roadmap. When his father’s company shut down, he had to discontinue his studies after HSC. The idea of becoming an engineer was put aside, and at 17, he entered the workforce as an apprentice at Otis.

What could have remained a compromise became the foundation of something far greater. Curiosity replaced uncertainty. Within months, he was not just installing elevators, he was understanding them, questioning them, and going deeper into the systems behind them.

Curiosity That Built a Career

By his third year, Ronnie was already handling high-speed gearless elevator installations at the Reserve Bank of India. Alongside hands-on work, he pursued a diploma in Electrical Engineering, building both practical and technical depth simultaneously.

Over time, projects, responsibilities, and geographies expanded. From leading large installations like the Gandhinagar Secretariat to resolving challenges internationally, each step strengthened not just his expertise, but his confidence.

Building, Scaling, Leading

His transition to Schindler during its early India phase marked a defining shift. Moving into a greenfield environment meant building from scratch, systems, suppliers, and credibility. It demanded belief before results.

That phase shaped his leadership. What followed was a global journey across Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and eventually Switzerland, leading technical compliance, audits, and global safety and quality functions.

The Second Innings

Retirement did not slow him down. It simply redirected him. In 2026, he helped establish Liftinstituut Certification India and now leads it as CEO, building its presence and contributing to the next phase of industry safety and certification in India.

Beyond Work

What defines Ronnie beyond his professional journey is discipline. During the COVID period, at the age of 60, he began jogging at home. What started small became a routine.

Today, he runs over 12 km, multiple times a week. He has also taken up golf post-retirement, continuing to stay active, engaged, and constantly improving.

The same mindset that built his career continues to shape his life, consistency, curiosity, and the willingness to keep moving forward.