Meet Prashansa
Continuous Improvement and Production Excellence lead for India & Sri Lanka
At a time when Indian girls were only taught enough to get married, Prashansa’s parents taught her to break barriers and prepare for success in both her personal and professional life. She began her career in 2011 after earning a master’s degree in Microbiology, joining one of India’s largest consumer foods manufacturers as a PQA Microbiologist. She went on to build a successful career, working with several global FMCG companies.
In 2020, Prashansa challenged herself once again by completing a master’s degree in Leadership and Change Management from XLRI – Jamshedpur Institute, one of India’s top-ranked institutes.
In 2021, her dedication, passion, clear vision, strategic alignment, and business experience earned her the opportunity to become the first female Plant Manager at Cargill, one of the world’s largest organizations.
How have feedback and challenges shaped your career?
Throughout my career, many people have appreciated my work ethic and the development I bring to organizations. I have also received critical feedback along the way. I’ve always seen this criticism as part of my learning journey – turning it into a source of strength and a personal mantra for success.
What impact do you focus on at Cargill?
At Cargill, I continuously work to strategically redirect the business to reduce waste, conserve water, use renewable energy sources, and promote recycling. This approach positively impacts both organizational culture and the environment. I call it performance with a purpose, and it has received an overwhelmingly positive response.
How do you define your leadership philosophy?
As a leader, I help shape, inform, and reinforce an organization’s culture and climate – both the visible and unspoken social dynamics. Leadership directly influences people’s attitudes and behaviors. We recognize that business is a human, relational endeavor, and our teams actively drive authenticity and a sense of belonging as core elements of the organization’s vision, mission, and culture. Our focus remains on building a compelling, innovative, and growing business that can lead in a global marketplace.
How does Cargill’s culture resonate with you?
I have experienced and observed Cargill’s strong commitment to building and sustaining a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and competitive organization. Across functions and teams, intentional and authentic leadership is visible at every level. We clearly understand our purpose and how each of us contributes to the global vision of nourishing the world in a safe, responsible, and sustainable way.
Which values matter most to you at Cargill?
What resonates most with me are Cargill’s strong values – integrity, collaboration, and systems that empower and create opportunities for both women and men. There are countless diverse role models who inspire others through authentic leadership, emotional and cultural intelligence, and strong interpersonal communication skills. I’m proud to be part of the Cargill family and excited to encourage many more women to build their careers with us.