Three women pilot global aircraft engine maker’s fortunes in India
They have proven that Pratt & Whitney is in safe hands with their astute leadership qualities and envious track-record
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It was a befitting International Women’s Day salute to Ashmita Sethi, Dr. Dheepa Srinivasan, Chief Engineer, Pratt & Whitney R&D Centre, and Rema Ravindran, General Manager - India Engineering Centre, as each boasts of a remarkable track-record
An event held to mark the International Women's Day at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bangalore on Wednesday brought to limelight two extraordinary women, who piloted the course of global aircraft engine maker Pratt & Whitney in India.
Pat should also go to Pratt & Whitney India as it is headed by Ashmita Sethi, the third woman steering their Indian prospects.
It was a befitting International Women’s Day salute to Ashmita Sethi, Dr. Dheepa Srinivasan, Chief Engineer, Pratt & Whitney R&D Centre, and Rema Ravindran, General Manager - India Engineering Centre, as each boasts of a remarkable track-record.
The Bengaluru-based Dr. Srinivasan was in the spotlight as the co-convener of the programme ‘Celebration of Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Medicine, Education and Entrepreneurship’.
Apart from being armed with over 34 patents, she has developed over 50 technologies and process applications that are now running in several gas turbines. Dr. Srinivasan’s two-decade experience in developing advanced materials and manufacturing technologies for gas turbines includes association with GE - power, oil and gas businesses.
A pioneer in the area of Metal Additive Manufacturing (AM), she has developed several applications for metal laser AM as a unique technology enabler for aerospace, automotive, healthcare and engineering sectors.
She has won laurels for outstanding contributions in new technology areas like advanced thermal spray and cold spray coatings, turbine component lifing, from ideation to prototyping to production, in an accelerated manner and gas turbine advancements.
Dr. Srinivasan has played a key role in developing and qualifying over 25 Indian suppliers, in casting, forging, and fabrication for turbo machinery components.
Coming up with equally envious credentials is Rema Ravindran who was earlier with Collins Aerospace as Director-Engineering; was metier manager, Train Control Systems at Alstom, and vice-president (Engineering) at Faiveley Transport.
In her corporate career, Ravindran has a long tenure at GE Transportation where she worked as manager for over 12 years.
At Pratt & Whitney, she plays a key role in recruiting engineers for its India Engineering Centre, Bengaluru, which focuses on providing contract engineering services and works closely with centres in the US, Canada, Puerto Rico and Poland.
Meanwhile, Sethi belongs to a rare breed of professionals. Very few corporate communication managers rise up to the level of a CEO and enter the corporate boardroom. She is one such achiever.
As President and Country Head for Pratt & Whitney, United Technologies Corp India, she provides strategic direction for the company's growth in the country. She drives all of their new initiatives and existing operations.
Prior to the present assignment, Sethi was the vice-president (Communications and Public Affairs), South Asia, for Rolls Royce and Director (Communications and Corporate Affairs) at Boeing, as per her LinkedIn page.
