Neela is Prachi's dear friend from her Schaeffler, USA days. More than just a colleague, she played a role of friend and mentor in her life. Neela is originally from Hyderabad. After completing her Engineering from India, she did her masters from Clemson University, USA. She had a fairly long stint at Schaeffler group and now is the Director of Product and Process Optimization in GE Healthcare, USA. As a woman in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Management), which is perceived as a male dominated field, she has proved herself time and again on every scale.
Before COVID-19
Q: We would love to know you and your journey so far.
N: When I look back, It feels like I have been a lot of things in my career, I began working as a manufacturing engineer on the shop floor in automotive industry. I transitioned into roles that included process improvement, training, coaching and managing projects and programs. I now work in Healthcare. I love learning new things. It could be related to my job or a hobby, learning something new gives me a lot of joy. At the age 17, When I told my parents, I wanted to study mechanical Engineering, they were happy and supportive of my decision. However, that didn’t stop many others to question my choice. I was asked, questions like-, “Will companies hire a female Engineer?”, “As a girl, why not computers?” “Does it even have a future?” Initially, I would patiently explain why I wanted to do this and question how my being a girl had to do with anything if this is the work I want to be doing! Over time, I was tired of answering these questions and chose to save my energy instead. During my undergraduate years, we had machine workshop classes, working hands-on during these workshops made me realize that I really enjoyed this work. I decided that I wanted to build a career working with machines and manufacturing processes. I then moved to USA to pursue a master’s in mechanical engineering. That was the first time I stayed away from home and that change was something new. I missed home terribly but I learned a lot of things in those two years. Post my master’s, I began working with Schaeffler Group USA and now I work with GE Healthcare.
Q: What is your profession? What do you do for feeding your kitchen and your soul? These two may be different as well. You can give us how you spend your typical day if that’s more suitable to your profession.
N: I am currently working as Director for Product and Process Optimization in GE Healthcare. I work on problem solving projects, fixing product defects and optimizing processes to be more efficient and effective. I get to work with teams located globally within the organization and supply chain management. The fulfillment I get through my contributions feed my soul. In addition to that, I like going on long walks, gardening and painting. I can spend hours at a lake or an ocean just watching light rays reflecting off water. I like to travel, especially to places that make me feel insignificant. Huge mountains and vast water bodies help me soothe.
Q: We would love to know how you came to be who you are now. What were the most important turning points in your childhood that made you YOU?
N: I learned early in my life that life does not give everything you want, but it also presents you with a million other opportunities to which you must be open to. So, I stuck to my plan at its core but amended the rest of the aspects, depending on the opportunities available. There were many turning points in that sense. Looking back, my parents have been a huge influence since my childhood. They never advocated anything but just by being THEM, they taught me a lot for which I am super grateful.
Q: Before COVID lockdown what was the first thing on your mind to do in your business/life? What move you wanted to make to grow? This includes short term goals.
N: My plan for this year was to visit a few national parks in USA and couple of places in India that I’ve always wanted to visit. Work wise, we have made changes to processes to fit the current situation and adapt accordingly.
Q: What was your 3-5 year plan before COVID? We would like to know your long term goals before this unexpected phenomenon.
N: Like I mentioned before, I have a core idea. 3 years is a long time and I believe many things change in that time frame.
Q: Among the people you have worked with who do you admire and why? Past and present people included.
N: I have and currently am working with a lot of great folks. I cannot name one in particular but everyone has taught me something that helped me grow and shape my personality. I cannot imagine not knowing them. My first boss ever, Melody Huitt was a great mentor and helped me step into my professional career. She is strict and compassionate. We try to meet at least once an year and catch up on life. Since then, I’ve had other bosses and amazing Colleagues at Schaeffler Group from whom I’ve learned so much!
Q: Any experience with best and the worst bosses/employees? Any story? Don't worry! We'll change the names of those individuals! ;)
N: I have had both- Best and worst -Bosses and Colleagues. The bosses I enjoyed working with most were open to new ideas and coached their employees when needed. They encouraged improvements, conversations, teamwork, flexibility in plans, hours and genuinely trusted and believed in their employees. My worst experiences were when I was working for a micromanager and someone who didn’t believe in two-way conversations.
Q: What new culture you wanted to bring to the profession you are working in? (before COVID-19 of course!)
N: I believe collaboration is a particularly important organizational culture for progress and efficiency. I’ve always tried to create open communication lines and be transparent with the teams I work with.
After COVID-19
Q: How are you holding up the fort of your home and your profession in these trying times? How are you entertaining yourself if you have more free time on your hand now?
N: I am learning to deal with uncertainty. Personally, Accepting is the first step. Then, trying to work on the things you can control and letting go of the things you cannot is helping me. It is easier said than done but I am working on it. And, I do not have more free time.
Q: What changes are you experiencing in your job? What changes you had to make in your working style?
N: Normally my job requires visiting suppliers and manufacturing plants. Since the Pandemic, all of the communications have been electronic. Our teams had to make numerous changes to make sure we have communication going on and meeting customer demands in a timely manner. I think part of this is going to be the new normal.
Q: Everyone is talking about how this virus is going to permanently change the way we live now. What do you think will be the biggest change after this Pandemic situation is over?
N: Like I said, there are going to be changes in the way we conduct business. Numerous businesses have already adapted to these changes. Adapting to change is crucial for any business/ individual. Post COVID is going to be one more of those adaptations.
Q: Do you think this will affect area/industry you are working in? If yes, why and on what scale? If no, why not?
N: It has already affected the industry that I am working in. GEHC from day 1 of the pandemic has employed additional resources and manufacturing lines to support Ventilator needs throughout the world. We are building product 24/7 hoping to support as many hospitals as we can. Each and everyone of us have taken up additional tasks to make sure the supply chain can support, and we can deliver product to our customers during this difficult time.
Q: Some of us are optimistic that this is just a small bump in our progress story and won't majorly affect how we lived. Do you agree? Do you think we can get back to where we left before this pandemic?
N: There will be few changes, but yes, we can surely get back to where we were. The world always does.
Q: If a kid walked up to asking for your advice for starting his/her venture and you only had a few minutes to give them your best tip, what would it be? Considering the pandemic.
N: Irrespective of the pandemic, It is important to like what to do! Don’t let the fear of failure stop you from choosing things you really want to pursue. Pitfalls will happen. It is OK to fall but it is also important to be brave and continue YOUR journey. Life has a lot to offer!
Q: Which direction you think that we all - as a world - responsibly need to act and think? You can say in whichever sense you feel is most important.
N: We collectively need to be more respectful of our planet and work towards incorporating environmentally friendly practices. Past few weeks are only a small proof to what few days of reduced pollution can do to earth. As we go back to new normal, we need to be more responsible. We can start small, but we need to start now.
Q: We should not ignore the silver linings that you noticed in this scare. After all, hope is what makes the world go round. What positive thing you experienced during this pandemic?
N: Resilience, more family time, home cooked meals and spotting wildlife.
Q: Do you think you and the world need to set new milestones? Will sustainability and earth-friendly business practices be an important factor now? How will you ensure you fit in this new picture in your respective profession?
N: Absolutely! We need to work towards earth friendly practices globally. I have started recycling few months back. Made small changes at home about plastic usage and working towards few more..
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