Born in 1973, Iwan gained his Bachelor degree in Business Administration from the University of Portland, Oregon, USA. Besides pursuing his studies he was also President of the Indonesian Students Association. Other activites included promoting Indonesian culture through festival he organised together with fellow students. Besides his native tongue Indonesia he speaks fluently English.

After graduating in 1996, Iwan returned to Indonesia and to pursue a career in the Banking Industry. He was appointed General Manager of PT. Bank Perkreditan Rakyat Diar Artha in Cirebon. In 1998 he then joined a general contractor and supplier in Cirebon, as Managing Director.

Seeking to further expand his career he joined Balagi Rattan in 2000 where he oversees the production facilities of Balagi Rattan