Steven Swartz

Steven Swartz
Name	Steven Swartz
Birth date	1960s
Birth place	United States
Occupation	Business executive
Title	Chief Executive Officer, Xylem Inc.
Years active	1990s–present
Spouse	married
Alma mater	Northwestern University; Harvard Business School

Steven Swartz is an American business executive known for leading global industrial and technology companies in the water and infrastructure sectors. He has served as Chief Executive Officer of Xylem Inc., where he guided strategic transformation, operational integration, and international expansion. Swartz's career spans roles in engineering firms, capital markets, and multinational corporations, with notable involvement in corporate governance and sustainability initiatives.

Early life and education

Swartz was raised in the United States and completed undergraduate studies in engineering at Northwestern University where he engaged with campus organizations and regional industry networks. He earned a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School, participating in case studies and executive programs that connected him with alumni from McKinsey & Company, Bain & Company, and The Boston Consulting Group. During his formative years he trained alongside peers destined for leadership roles at General Electric, Siemens, Emerson Electric, and Honeywell International.

Career

Swartz began his professional career in operational and strategic roles at engineering and technology firms, working on projects with partners such as ABB Group, Schneider Electric, and Eaton Corporation. He moved into senior management at multinational industrial companies, taking on responsibilities that interfaced with capital markets including Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, and Morgan Stanley. His tenure in executive leadership included overseeing mergers and acquisitions involving firms like Tyco International, Ingersoll Rand, Rockwell Automation, and Emerson Electric. Swartz's operational focus covered product development, supply chain integration, and global sales channels linked to customers such as Veolia, Suez, Siemens Gamesa, and General Motors.

Throughout his career he has been involved with strategic transactions and restructurings alongside advisors from Lazard, Evercore, and Rothschild & Co., and engaged with regulatory frameworks from agencies such as the Securities and Exchange Commission and standards bodies like ISO. Swartz also worked with public-private partnerships and multinational development banks including the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank on infrastructure and water projects.

Leadership at Xylem (CEO)

As Chief Executive Officer of Xylem Inc., Swartz led initiatives to expand the company's footprint in water technology and infrastructure, aligning product lines with customers such as American Water Works Company, Suez, Veolia, and industrial OEMs. He directed acquisitions and integrations that involved targets similar to Badger Meter, Pentair, Itron, and A. O. Smith Corporation, and coordinated financing strategies with institutions including Bank of America, Citigroup, and Wells Fargo. Under his leadership Xylem pursued sustainability partnerships with organizations like The Nature Conservancy, World Wildlife Fund, and the United Nations Environment Programme, and participated in forums such as the World Economic Forum and COP climate conferences.

Swartz emphasized digital transformation initiatives involving Internet of Things platforms, working with technology partners from Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, IBM, and Cisco Systems to deploy smart metering, remote monitoring, and predictive maintenance solutions. He represented the company in investor engagements with indexes and standards overseen by entities such as MSCI, Sustainalytics, and the Dow Jones Sustainability Index.

Board memberships and affiliations

Swartz has served on boards and advisory councils for a range of corporations, non-profits, and academic institutions. His board roles have connected him with organizations like Northwestern University, Harvard Business School, American Heart Association, and trade groups such as the American Water Works Association and National Association of Manufacturers. He has participated in advisory capacities with financial institutions including Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase, and with international bodies such as the United Nations Global Compact.

He has been active in industry coalitions and standards committees intersecting with ISO, IEEE, and sectoral alliances that include stakeholders from Siemens, Schneider Electric, Emerson Electric, and Honeywell International.

Personal life and philanthropy

Swartz resides in the United States with his family and is involved in philanthropic activities focused on water access, public health, and education. His charitable work has supported organizations like Charity: Water, The Nature Conservancy, United Way, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation initiatives, and university scholarship programs at Northwestern University and Harvard University. He has been a speaker at conferences hosted by Harvard Business School, Stanford University, and industry events organized by Water Environment Federation and American Water Works Association.

Category:Living people Category:American chief executives Category:Northwestern University alumni Category:Harvard Business School alumni