{"id":2144,"date":"2025-03-11T11:19:42","date_gmt":"2025-03-11T03:19:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/?post_type=profile&#038;p=2144"},"modified":"2025-03-11T11:19:44","modified_gmt":"2025-03-11T03:19:44","slug":"ramya-mahakali","status":"publish","type":"profile","link":"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/profile\/ramya-mahakali\/","title":{"rendered":"Ramya Mahakali"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Leading with Purpose: How Ramya Mahakali Balances Engineering, Leadership, and Parenthood with the UCLA-NUS Executive MBA<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For Ramya Mahakali, bringing ideas to life is what she does best. As a Project Manager at Shell, she thrives on translating vision into execution, collaborating with diverse teams, and delivering value early in projects. But her ambitions extend beyond the workplace. As a mother of two, she is determined to set an example of lifelong learning and resilience for her children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI pursued the <a href=\"https:\/\/ucla.nus.edu.sg\/landing-2-world-class-mba-degrees\/?utm_source=mba_women&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=womens_campaign_jan_mar_2025&amp;utm_content=ucla_nus_emba_ramya_mahakali\">UCLA-NUS Executive MBA<\/a> to deepen my understanding of business operations, especially the financial and commercial aspects, and to enhance my leadership skills through exposure to different leadership styles,\u201d she explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Beyond academics, she was drawn to the program\u2019s peer-to-peer learning environment, a concept NUS EMBA Professor Emir emphasised and deeply resonated with her. Balancing career, studies, and motherhood, she wanted to show her children that continuous learning and growth are key to success. \u201cThis program perfectly aligns with my personal and professional goals,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Mastering the Art of Prioritization<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Juggling an Executive MBA, a demanding career, and a family required a structured approach. Ramya quickly realised that time management and prioritisation would be critical to making the most of the experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhen it rains, it pours, and without preparation, it\u2019s hard to make the most of the program,\u201d she reflects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Knowing that the intensity of the EMBA was temporary, she honed her ability to time-box tasks and prioritise efficiently. \u201cThe biggest lesson I learned was to say NO without feeling guilty\u2014because I was clear on why I had to say NO,\u201d she explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She credits her family and work team for their unwavering support, recognising that having the right mindset and a strong support system made all the difference. With a laugh, she says, \u201cI think my kids would say I travel too much and have become an expert at packing!\u201d Between work, family, and the EMBA, Ramya has traveled extensively\u2014something her children have certainly noticed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But beyond the humor, she hopes they see a more profound lesson in her commitment to learning and growth. \u201cI want them to look back at this time and find inspiration in it,\u201d she shares. \u201cEverything we do as parents is for our children, and through this journey, I\u2019ve realised they are more independent and adaptable than I ever imagined.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Above all, she hopes they learn the value of resilience and see challenges as opportunities for growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Leading with Tough Standards and a Kind Heart<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ramya has always believed in a leadership approach that balances accountability with compassion. Early in her career, she was told that kindness and high standards couldn\u2019t coexist\u2014but she proved otherwise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI delivered results while maintaining care as a core value, and the EMBA has given me even more confidence that this approach works\u2014even in tough business conditions beyond my industry,\u201d she explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For her, leadership is about earning trust, fostering collaboration, and maintaining integrity\u2014values she believes are essential for long-term success in any organisation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cResults come from people, and when you lead with fairness and respect, your team will go above and beyond,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ramya has always been a strong advocate for safety and worker welfare, and the EMBA has reinforced her commitment to integrating these values into business strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe program broadened my understanding of business opportunities, helping me see how safety and well-being can be integrated without compromising efficiency,\u201d she explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Exposure to different leadership styles has helped her develop innovative ways to balance high performance with human-centered leadership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Applying the EMBA to Real-World Challenges<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The EMBA experience has directly influenced how Ramya approaches project management, particularly prioritising and optimising outcomes. \u201cManaging the program&#8217;s demands has honed my ability to prioritise\u2014an invaluable skill both in life and in my role at Shell,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Exposure to various industries expanded her perspective, reinforcing how her leadership skills could extend beyond the energy sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She credits the entrepreneurial capstone project with helping her push past perceived limits and embrace new challenges. \u201cIt taught me to push the limits of what is doable and never shy away from challenges,\u201d she explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her perspective on project success has also evolved. \u201cWe often glorify problem solvers, but we must also recognise and appreciate those who design systems to prevent problems in the first place,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This proactive approach has reshaped how she leads teams and delivers results in a complex, capital-driven industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While the academic learning was invaluable, Ramya\u2019s most significant personal growth came from her relationships with her fellow EMBA candidates. \u201cThe selection panel did an excellent job bringing together people with shared values,\u201d she notes. This experience&#8217;s transformative power has left her feeling inspired and motivated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her cohort was diverse yet like-minded, reinforcing her confidence in working with leaders from across industries and backgrounds. \u201cBeing part of a group of people I deeply respect has been transformative for me,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Shaping the Future of the Energy Sector<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ramya\u2019s connection to the energy industry is both professional and deeply personal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cGrowing up in a middle-class family in a developing economy, I experienced firsthand the vital role of energy in driving progress,\u201d she shares.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This background has made her highly conscious of energy conservation and sustainability, values that she brings to her work today. \u201cRather than seeing this as a challenge, I see it as an opportunity to lead the energy transition and shape a strong future through innovation,\u201d she explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She believes the EMBA&#8217;s global exposure has given her the insights and tools to drive this change effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For women considering an Executive MBA, especially those in engineering and project management, Ramya\u2019s advice is simple: \u201cTake charge and lead the way! Don\u2019t wait for opportunities to come to you\u2014create them.\u201d She believes women are resilient, strong, and capable of handling uncertainty and adversity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cStay humble, keep calm, and never stop learning. Be a role model for others by breaking barriers and showing what\u2019s possible.\u201dShe also highlights the importance of a strong network of female leaders, something she found in her cohort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIf it sounds unbelievable, just look at Intake 19! I am surrounded by incredible women who \u2018can do\u2019 and constantly cheered on to do even better. #Intake19, we rock!!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Final Thoughts: A Path of Growth and Impact<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The UCLA-NUS Executive MBA has given Ramya more than just a degree. It has strengthened her leadership, broadened her perspective, and reinforced her belief in leading with care and accountability. \u201cThe program has given me the confidence, knowledge, and network to push my limits and drive meaningful change.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So for anyone considering the UCLA-NUS EMBA, she has one message:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou can do it. Your journey will inspire others to follow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Like Ramya Mahakali, are you ready to take your leadership to the next level? Learn more about the UCLA-NUS Executive MBA today.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"parent":0,"menu_order":10,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"programme":[10],"class_list":["post-2144","profile","type-profile","status-publish","hentry","programme-ucla"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.8.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Ramya Mahakali - NUS Women in MBA<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/profile\/ramya-mahakali\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Ramya Mahakali - NUS Women in MBA\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Leading with Purpose: How Ramya Mahakali Balances Engineering, Leadership, and Parenthood with the UCLA-NUS Executive MBA For Ramya Mahakali, bringing ideas to life is what she does best. As a Project Manager at Shell, she thrives on translating vision into execution, collaborating with diverse teams, and delivering value early in projects. But her ambitions extend...\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/profile\/ramya-mahakali\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"NUS Women in MBA\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-03-11T03:19:44+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/profile\/ramya-mahakali\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/profile\/ramya-mahakali\/\",\"name\":\"Ramya Mahakali - NUS Women in MBA\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2025-03-11T03:19:42+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-03-11T03:19:44+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/profile\/ramya-mahakali\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/profile\/ramya-mahakali\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/profile\/ramya-mahakali\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Profiles\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/profile\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Ramya Mahakali\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/\",\"name\":\"NUS Women in MBA\",\"description\":\"\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/#organization\",\"name\":\"NUS Women in MBA\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/149\/2024\/05\/logo-nus-businessschool.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/149\/2024\/05\/logo-nus-businessschool.png\",\"width\":280,\"height\":64,\"caption\":\"NUS Women in MBA\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"}}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Ramya Mahakali - NUS Women in MBA","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/profile\/ramya-mahakali\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Ramya Mahakali - NUS Women in MBA","og_description":"Leading with Purpose: How Ramya Mahakali Balances Engineering, Leadership, and Parenthood with the UCLA-NUS Executive MBA For Ramya Mahakali, bringing ideas to life is what she does best. As a Project Manager at Shell, she thrives on translating vision into execution, collaborating with diverse teams, and delivering value early in projects. But her ambitions extend...","og_url":"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/profile\/ramya-mahakali\/","og_site_name":"NUS Women in MBA","article_modified_time":"2025-03-11T03:19:44+00:00","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"5 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/profile\/ramya-mahakali\/","url":"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/profile\/ramya-mahakali\/","name":"Ramya Mahakali - NUS Women in MBA","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/#website"},"datePublished":"2025-03-11T03:19:42+00:00","dateModified":"2025-03-11T03:19:44+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/profile\/ramya-mahakali\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/profile\/ramya-mahakali\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/profile\/ramya-mahakali\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Profiles","item":"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/profile\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Ramya Mahakali"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/#website","url":"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/","name":"NUS Women in MBA","description":"","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/#organization","name":"NUS Women in MBA","url":"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/149\/2024\/05\/logo-nus-businessschool.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/149\/2024\/05\/logo-nus-businessschool.png","width":280,"height":64,"caption":"NUS Women in MBA"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/profile\/2144","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/profile"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/profile"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/profile\/2144\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2147,"href":"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/profile\/2144\/revisions\/2147"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2144"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"programme","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/programme?post=2144"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}