Sheela Dandeker was born in Maharashtra, India.  She married Kamlaker Dandeker in 1952.

In 1957, she and her two-year-old daughter immigrated to the United States of America where she joined her husband who was studying in Chicago, IL. 

After finishing his studies, they moved to the Washington, D.C. area where they worked with international students, diplomats from various embassies, AID workers, and immigrants from around the world to help them navigate through American work culture as well as provide guidance in raising children in the U.S.

Kamlaker and Sheela Dandeker started a non-profit organization, International Families, Inc. (IFI)  to better serve the growing population of international families in America. 

After the untimely death of her husband in 1999,  Sheela continues to manage IFI, helping newcomers, guiding in spiritual matters, organizing conferences and retreats, and just being a friend to many.

Sheela and Kamlaker have 4 children, 9 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren in their growing family.