Indian-American Sonal Shah has been appointed as an advisory board member by US President-elect Barack Obama.

She will assist Obama team in smooth transition of power.

40-year-old Sonal is an eminent economist who heads Google's philanthropic arm by profession.

The advisory team will offer their expertise in their respective fields to Obama's transition team, US media reported today.

 She has earlier worked as Vice President at Goldman, Sachs and Co. She has also served as the Associate Director for Economic and National Security Policy at the Centre for American Progress.

Shah was named the 'Person of the Year 2003' by 'India Abroad' publication.

A native of Gujarat, Sonal's father moved from Gujarat to New York in 1970 and she along with her sister and mother joined him in 1972.