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From humble beginnings in Rourkula to becoming the CEO of India's largest auto giant, Suman Mishra's journey is a story of passion and resilience. “My own struggle has been very internal: managing the competing demands of career and family. The real challenge is finding a balance between being a CEO and prioritizing my personal life. It was about mastering the craft. It wasn't about superhuman multitasking, it was about strategy.” “Choices and ruthless prioritization. It's a constant dance, following your passions and instincts. I have to surrender and move on. My family has always stood by me as an unwavering support system. Thanks to their understanding and shared responsibility, I not only survive, but also make the best of it. You can put your best foot forward and do your job,'' said Mishra, CEO of Mahindra Last Mile Mobility.
As MD and CEO, she is writing a new chapter in the automotive industry. When asked about the issue she is trying to tackle, she explained, “We aim to make India's last mile, three-wheelers and light commercial vehicles electric.”
Currently, the electric tricycle industry as a whole produces more than 600,000 vehicles annually. The company sold 16,945 three-wheeled EVs in fiscal 2022, and 43,693 in fiscal 2023, saying it is “on track to surpass this number this fiscal year.”
As part of her leadership, she has significantly expanded business in the electric three-wheel market by selling over 1.4 million three-wheel EVs over the past few years. This has doubled her direct employment and given over 40,000 customers small business opportunities.
So was there a glass ceiling to break? “There were a lot of microaggressions, but I'm focused on getting results, having an impact, and having a thick skin, so this The problems didn't matter. My greatest satisfaction is building a sustainable career and maintaining my energy and passion as a CEO and mother. A path paved with driven and balanced choices.”
One of her greatest achievements was securing investment from the International Finance Corporation (IFC). This fueled growth, and the company achieved its first automotive PLI certification, strengthened its commitment to domestic manufacturing, and attracted further investment.
As a female leader, she strives to empower other women. “At our offices in Mumbai, Zaheerabad, Haridwar and Bengaluru, we employ women in a variety of key roles.Today, we are proud to say that we have women representation in every department, be it product development. Manufacturing, quality, sales, strategy, marketing, human resources, finance, etc. We make every effort to actively recruit women (according to their abilities) and provide them with opportunities to realize their full potential, and we are always looking for the best talent to join our company. . This electrification journey,” the CEO added.
