If you read about women who have pushed the societal narratives and have brilliantly shined to show way to others, you will find that there are some common characteristics that often emerge – resilience, perseverance, self-belief, and confidence. 

We’d like to introduce you to Neha Mishra, our Technical Director, Corporate Shared Services, and Aftermarket Engineering, whose excellence challenges us to think – Are engineers born or made? 

Neha was born and raised in Jabalpur at a time when women were allowed to pursue only seemingly safe career choices. When she was in high school, she was offered two options - medicine and engineering. An academic achiever throughout her school life, Neha was fascinated with engineering and its possibilities. She says, "Since I have always been fascinated by the idea of magic, engineering felt like the right choice for me - a field I could explore and create things that almost feel magical."

Neha’s hard work and determination led her to the Master of Technology in Control Systems at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi. When college placements for her batch started, ISRO (Indian Research Space Organization) came knocking. 

"ISRO was looking to recruit fresh and young talent and came to IIT Delhi campus. After multiple and rigorous rounds of interviews, I was selected and what made me really happy was that I was the first campus-hired recruit at ISRO. I joined the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in Thiruvananthapuram which is the lead center of ISRO responsible for the design and development of launch vehicle technology."

For a young scientist like Neha Mishra, the experience at ISRO was life-changing. "In my eight-year stint at ISRO as the Autopilot Design and Validation Scientist Engineer for launch vehicles, I had the incredible opportunity of meeting and interacting with Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam - not once, but thrice. I also had the good fortune of meeting Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan, Head of ISRO from 1994 to 2003, and Professor Yash Pal, an eminent Indian scientist. While at ISRO - I contributed to two Chandrayaan missions which is one of the most gratifying experiences in my career."

These experiences not only made Neha confident about her expertise, but also prepared her to be agile and resilient as a professional. After a fulfilling tenure at ISRO, Neha joined Eaton as her family relocated to North India, where she worked on technical capability development. 

Experiencing the Cummins culture

In the vast expanse of career choices, some moments stand out as pivotal. When Cummins reached out to Neha in 2017, it was an affirmation of her expertise and trailblazing spirit, fueled by curiosity and innovation. 

For Neha, Cummins was different. While her career had seen a fair share of external factors – college placements and family relocation, Cummins was the first company she independently chose to work with. This signified her confidence in the company’s vision, the value system and her belief that it was the right fit for her. 

"As a lateral hire, it was an inspiring and a motivating start. At Cummins, for the first six months, I was exposed to different verticals to understand the nuances of the work that we do here and comprehend the work culture - a practice that is uncommon in the corporate world. I engaged with diverse projects and carefully chose the ones that resonated the most with my passion. The opportunities that I received during this time speaks volumes of the uniqueness of the work culture at Cummins India, which genuinely takes interest in nurturing new talent and supporting employee growth."

Neha now heads Corporate Shared Services and Aftermarket Engineering, leading a team of over 500 employees – a collective that rivals the size of many contemporary startups put together. 

"As I reflect, I realize how Cummins India emerges as a special place to grow and innovate. The empowerment to embrace projects that ignited my curiosity became the beacon, guiding me toward my purpose. It forged my path, transforming me into a resolute leader."

One of the key things that caught Neha's attention then and continues to hold her attention even now is the culture of innovation and impact that Cummins fosters. Her leadership journey is punctuated by the empowerment to initiate new projects, flexible work hours, and a hybrid work culture - all emblematic of Cummins' ethos. This enablement, far from being a mere convenience, propels her toward excellence and helps her realize her full potential. 

"Cummins India functions very differently from organizations out there. In my initial days, if I ever had to leave early, I felt obliged to justify it. Operating from a mindset of internally validating actions, I felt compelled to explain myself. I eventually realized that justification was never required. If a task was assigned, it simply needed to be completed on time - irrespective of when and how you do it."

Integrating work and life

Neha's leadership extends beyond her work at Cummins India, as she deftly integrates the ever-dynamic professional life with a rich and fulfilling personal one. As the leader of a vast team, she takes challenges head-on and delivers reliable solutions. But as she steps into her home, her compass shifts. Family takes centerstage and she navigates its course, ensuring harmony and strength. 

While she was always keen to inspire innovation among young STEM enthusiasts, something struck a chord when her son and his friends, who had recently joined their school's Robotics club, started approaching her whenever they felt stuck. This gave her life a new dimension as she started volunteering with the club, offering guidance and insights that were both educational and inspirational. Neha's engagement with the club not only supported her son and his friends' innovative pursuits, but also affirmed her belief in the power of learning and mentorship.

Powering to make an impact

"Over the last 60 years, Cummins has been driving India's growth story. What truly powers my purpose is to leave behind a better world for generations to come. With Destination Zero strategy in focus, Cummins is moving toward pioneering applications that emit no to very low emissions when in use. Through continuous product innovations and process improvements, we will continue to set industry benchmarks, significantly reduce our environmental footprint, and empower communities."

Neha's journey at Cummins India is driven by a profound sense of patriotism and the values that her parents instilled in her. As she looks ahead, she is excited about the exemplary work that she is doing to propel Cummins India toward Destination Zero. Along with that, she is passionate about mentoring and supporting tech startups that not only fuel India's economic growth but also nurture a culture of innovation and responsibility toward a sustainable future.