From a small town in Nagpur to the boardrooms of global organisations, from pursuing dreams that seemed too big, to winning coveted business awards, my journey has been interesting to say the least. Looking back, I see a path shaped by challenges and wins — one where every step forward presented an opportunity to learn, grow, and inspire. And as I reflect on the experiences that brought me here, I am reminded that excellence isn’t about milestones, it’s about resilience, the people who shape our journey, and the lessons that turn obstacles into stepping stones.

Small Town, Big Dreams

Despite growing up in a small town, I was driven by a desire to make my own mark in the world and carve out a path of success. I knew I wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself, and that drive pushed me to keep chasing excellence. My family and friends were always my greatest champions, reinforcing my belief in myself and my dreams. Their support, and my own determination to excel, led me to pursue an MBA at IIM-K, which turned out to be one of the most transformative decisions of my life.

But the journey to get there wasn’t quite so straightforward. Finding my purpose and channeling my passion in the right direction took time. For years, I carried a sense of guilt for having spent four years collecting an engineering degree only to realise that it was never my true calling. However, I realised as time went on that while the degree itself may not have been too beneficial, the skills I developed during those years serve me even today. It encouraged me to take a problem-solving approach to complex situations, developed my critical thinking abilities, and fostered a passion for innovation. And when I finally stepped into the world of marketing, it felt like everything had fallen into place, like the stars had aligned to bring me exactly where I was meant to be.

From Expertise to Execution

Armed with the knowledge and support I needed to succeed, my path after MBA has been one shaped by continuous learning. I was eager to prove my worth and excited to make a difference. This drive took me to cities across the country as I accepted bigger responsibilities and more diverse roles. From Area Sales Manager at Cargill to Head of Marketing - India at pladis Global, in a span of approximately 12 years, I had gotten a very hands-on experience of sales in different states and marketing for different products and categories. From handling shampoos to cakes and cookies, my learning has helped me navigate the complexities of a dynamic business landscape and embrace the evolving role of leadership.

In my current role at pladis, where I joined a little over a year ago, my goal has been to bring all these learnings in a way that translates into tangible business growth. And for a brand as globally renowned as ours, success is not just defined by having a great product — it’s about bringing people together and fueling moments of happiness with every bite. It’s about delivering on our promise, while leading with our legacy of excellence and integrity. It’s about balancing that legacy with a forward-thinking outlook that drives innovation.

This philosophy has shaped my leadership approach, which prioritises agility and innovation to enable market-driven growth. At pladis, we leverage our extensive market research and consumer insight capabilities to develop our products, ensuring that they don’t just meet consumer expectations but actually surpass them. A prime example for this is the launch of the new McVitie’s Tasties range with new flavours and revamped packaging — a project that was executed in record time and yet made a significant impact, thanks to our ability to turn consumer insights into real business results. 

I’ve also long understood that the way you market products is as important as the quality of those products. In today’s fast-evolving landscape, where content must truly resonate with consumers, maximising marketing opportunities is critical. This is where my strategic mindset, shaped by both my MBA and lived experience, comes into play. A standout example is how we integrated McVitie’s into Indian Premier League (IPL) marketing, leveraging the tournament’s excitement to create high-impact, engaging content that strengthened brand affinity. My single, unwavering goal throughout this project was on brand-building driven by purpose, strategy, and consumer-centric innovation.

Continuous Learning and A Passion for Greatness

There are many lessons I have learned throughout my professional journey — lessons that have been pivotal in bringing me to where I am today. As much as I’d love to list them all one day, here are some of the simplest yet most powerful ones:

1. Strengthen your fundamentals by getting your hands dirty from day 1 — this is something that I keep emphasising. I tell my team to look at it as a ‘low effort, high gain’ task. The stronger your fundamentals are, the higher you can build your success.
2. Prepare yourself for the role a level above your current position — be always ready to take on the next challenge and come up with the next big idea. It’s how you remain a step ahead in the game and open up new avenues for success for the organisation as well.
3. Lastly, seek out mentors you look up to in your field — the people around you play an important role in shaping your journey. Seek out colleagues and leaders who can guide you and elevate that journey. It’s one of the most impactful ways to learn and thrive in your work.

I believe that the process of learning and growing doesn’t stop just because you reached a certain level or designation. It’s just another step in an ongoing journey, not the finish line. There is always more to learn, new opportunities to unlock, and experiences waiting to be created. The road ahead is filled with possibilities, and I am excited to see what’s next — the next challenge, the next breakthrough, the next big milestone!