Comfort does not create a trailblazer, and Geetha Ramamoorthi, Managing Director, KBR India. Her journey has been about showing up and never settling. This episode of DiversiTea, a podcast series by Avtar Group and CII, is all about a journey in which evolution makes the difference.
Rooted in Discipline, Raised by Values
“I grew up in Chennai, born and raised, a typical middle-class nuclear family,” says Geetha Ramamoorthi. With a cost accountant father and a homemaker mother, her upbringing was grounded in purpose. “Focus on your education. Excel in your academics,” was the recurring mantra – one she took seriously, shaping her academic and professional journey with intention.
Finding Belonging Through Belief
Transitioning from a neighborhood school to a large convent, Geetha remembers feeling out of place. “Will I fit in? Will I be accepted?” she wondered. But her performance helped her find her place: “That changed my self-image. I understood that self-belief, discipline, and consistency can help you overcome any barrier.” This mindset carried into her international career – from navigating ‘Singlish’ in Singapore to adapting to global cultures. “Can I make it here? Am I good enough?” she asked and answered with self-learning and resilience.
Leadership that Listens and Questions
“I always remembered the loneliness of being the only woman at the table. I never wanted others to feel that way.” Geetha observed how women were overlooked based on assumptions: “She won’t relocate.” “She might not travel.” Instead of reacting emotionally, she chose to question: “Did we ask her?” “Do we know her aspirations?”
Inclusion as a Mindset, Not Mandate
“Inclusion isn’t an initiative; it’s a mindset,” Geetha affirms. At KBR, she champions ERGs, male allyship, and equity-driven hiring. “We can’t grow unless we have a diverse workforce.” When facing resistance, she reminds colleagues: “It’s not to take away from what they have — this is to make them more successful.”
Courage, Authenticity, and the Future
“To be courageous to take risks do not be afraid of failure,” is the advice she wishes she’d received earlier. “As we evolve as a leader, it is possible for someone to balance being likeable and effective.” For Geetha, leadership begins with authenticity and ends in impact. Catch the full episode of Diversitea for more on inclusion and culture– one story at a time! Click Here
