Khanjari D Kumbhar, General Manager, Burns & McDonnell Engineering India Private Limited.

Tell us a little about your venture into the business world and the journey that brought you to your current role.

My journey started with a passion for engineering during my academic years, where I pursued a degree in Instrumentation, laying the foundation for my career. Early on, I held different technical roles, gaining hands-on experience in design Engineering execution leading all phases of diverse technology projects across process industries in India and internationally. These roles not only built a strong technical base but also gave me a deep understanding of project complexities. As I progressed in my career with Burns & McDonnell India, I took on more responsibilities, eventually moving into leadership roles. Here, I used my technical expertise to lead teams, manage projects, and deliver innovative solutions. In this career journey of 25 years, I've come across many challenges and overcome those successfully, contributing to my growth as an engineer.

Can you share an experience from your leadership journey where you were confronted with a tough decision? What was your approach to dealing with it?

Once I had the opportunity to lead a significant project with potential benefits to the company. However, I hesitated due to a coworker's previous unethical behavior. Prioritising ethical standards, I declined the project. I communicated my concerns and proposed alternative staffing solutions to my supervisor. Despite initial resistance from stakeholders focused on the project's gains, I stood firm, emphasizing the company’s values. Ultimately, my decision was respected, and the project was staffed with a team aligned with ethical standards. This decision upheld my commitment to integrity and safeguarded the company’s reputation.

Can you shed light on the leadership style you employ and its role in shaping your success?

I aim to inspire and empower my team, acting as both a mentor and facilitator to support their growth. A key focus is building trust, respect, and open communication, creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued. Embracing creativity and innovation, I challenge my team to think outside the box, which has helped us stay ahead in our industry. Additionally, I prioritise serving my team's needs and removing obstacles to their success. This leadership style has played a significant role in achieving exceptional results, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation in our projects.

How do you balance professional responsibilities with personal life?

I think maintaining a balance between professional duties and personal life is really important for overall well-being and success. My organisation Burns & McDonnell India has been a great contributor to help work life balance though flexi work policies. Also, I prioritise tasks based on their urgency and importance, allowing me to complete my professional responsibilities efficiently and make time for personal commitments. Communication with colleagues about my availability and personal commitments is vital, as is prioritising self-care through discipline, exercise, and adequate rest. This approach ensures I can excel in both spheres with mindfulness and self-awareness.I will want to mention here the unwavering support I receive from my husband, Deepakkumar Kumbhar which contributes to a great extent to help me balance these responsibilities.

How do you approach mentorship, and do you actively mentor others?

Mentorship plays a crucial role in my professional life, where I actively engage in being mentored as well as mentoring others. I seek out mentors who can provide valuable guidance and insights based on their experiences, viewing the mentor-mentee relationship as a mutual learning opportunity. When being mentored, I approach the relationship with an open mind, valuing constructive criticism and feedback. As an active mentor, I prioritise active listening and empathy, tailoring my guidance to the specific needs and goals of the mentee. I aim to empower mentees to take ownership of their development, encouraging them to set goals and seek out learning opportunities. Overall, mentorship is an integral part of my commitment to continuous learning and professional growth.

In what ways do you prioritise your personal growth and continuous learning?

Prioritising personal growth and continuous learning is essential for my success in the Engineering industry. I start by setting clear goals that align with my long-term aspirations, which serve as a roadmap for my development. Seeking feedback from colleagues, mentors, and supervisors is crucial to identifying areas where I can improve. I see challenges as opportunities for growth and actively seek out assignments that push me out of my comfort zone. Lifelong learning is a priority for me, and I make sure to stay updated on industry trends and best practices. Networking with peers and participating in professional organisations keeps me connected and provides valuable insights. Reflecting on my experiences allows me to adapt and improve, while maintaining a healthy work-life balance is vital for my overall well-being. This approach ensures that I am equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the dynamic engineering industry.

Can you share examples of initiatives you have implemented to ensure a diverse and equitable workplace?

At Burns & McDonnell India, we embrace Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and I have been an integral part of several initiatives aimed at fostering diversity and equity in our workplace. One initiative involves introducing DEI moments during our monthly meetings emphasizing to the team about these important topics. Additionally, I have been proactive in promoting diversity in our recruitment processes by creating diverse interview panels to reduce bias. Furthermore, I proposed the implementation of a ‘Returnship Program’ designed to support women on career breaks. Another significant contribution has been my leadership of the NOW (Network of Women) resource group, which aims to foster networking opportunities beyond immediate work circles, bridge gender inequity, and create a safer and more professionally conducive environment for women in our workplace. Currently, I am working with the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) to revive the Mumbai Chapter, which will provide a vital platform for networking, experience sharing, and building a strong community where members can find mentorship, guidance, and professional connections. Additionally, I had the opportunity to serve as the Program Sponsor for the Lead Certification Program, which has been instrumental in helping Lead Engineers and aspiring Lead Engineers build relationships, identify competency gaps, enhance project execution predictability, and improve overall client satisfaction. These initiatives are crucial in cultivating a workplace where all employees feel valued and empowered to contribute.

What books, mentors, or experiences have had a significant impact on your leadership style and approach?

The books ‘You Can Win’ by Shiv Khera and ‘The 5 AM Club: Own Your Morning, Elevate Your Life’ by Robin Sharma have had a profound impact on my career. On the mentorship front, I've been fortunate to have outstanding mentors whose advice and guidance have been crucial in shaping my career path, leadership style, decision-making process, project management skills, and team leadership abilities. By observing their leadership methods and strategies, I've gained insights into creating a positive and productive work atmosphere. Also, as I reflect on my career journey, I owe a significant part of my success to my parents – Gopaldas Badamwala and Devmani Badamwala, who have been all-time mentors in shaping my professional growth with their experiences and advice.

Can you discuss a failure or setback and the lessons that taught you?

A few years ago, I was interviewed for a mid-management-level position. Though I was qualified and experienced, I was not selected for the role. I felt disappointed for a while, as I had invested a lot of time and effort in the interview process.

However, this experience taught me several valuable lessons. Firstly, I realized the importance of constructive feedback on my interview performance. Secondly, this experience reinforced the importance of perseverance and maintaining a positive attitude. While I was initially disappointed, I remained focused on my long-term career goals and continued to seek out new challenges and opportunities within the company. This also prompted me to reassess my skills and qualifications to further develop my expertise in areas that were identified as needing improvement. It turned out to be a valuable learning experience that helped me grow both personally and professionally.

What advice do you have for other women with aspirations for leadership roles or venturing into entrepreneurship?

I’d say confidence is the key. Leaders must have faith in themselves and be able to overcome self-doubt. Meanwhile, it’s equally important to have faith in your teammates while being open to new ideas. Knowledge lies everywhere, and constant learning helps a long way. It leads to consistency, which eventually helps growth. While accepting a challenging role like this, it’s natural to face numerous challenges on the way. Therefore, one must always be ready to bounce back from setbacks. Teamwork leads to success. Hence, building a supportive community plays a key role. Apply sportsmanship in daily life, lifting other women while moving forward. Focus on developing a strong personal brand; it can make huge impact. Along with all of this, it is crucial to keep one’s work-life balanced.

How would you describe your life in 3 words?

Never Give Up!

What would you write on your own fortune cookie?

Believe In Yourself, You Are Your Best Judge!

Khanjari D Kumbhar is a General Manager at Burns & McDonnell Engineering India Private Limited. With more than 25 years of experience, she has significant technological contributions in the areas of Instrumentation Engineering and Automation, IT and Engineering innovations. Mrs Kumbhar holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Instrumentation.

Mrs Kumbhar has extensively worked on various project phases like Concept/Pre-FEED, FEED, Detail Engineering & EPC. Her experience working as a Lead Engineer on multiple projects in Oil & Gas, Refinery, Petrochemical, Chemicals, and Offsite & Utilities has always been resourceful. Keeping sustainable development paramount, Mrs Kumbhar also worked on some green initiatives, including proposals like Carbon Capture & Green Hydrogen, Zeeco-IOCL flare system package, and IOCL-SN SRU.

Mrs Kumbhar’s white paper on "Making the Most of Safety Integrity Levels" was published in Chemical Today. She also has a white paper published on "The Evolution and Future of Engineering: The Path to A Better World". Mrs Kumbhar has been an active part of the Business Development team, identifying the right global business partners to develop long-term relationships. Considering community development as her social responsibility, Mrs Kumbhar works with the CSR team to evaluate permanent CSR projects which have a long-term impact on the global community.

Mrs Kumbhar has significant achievements with her name, including TUV Functional Safety IEC 61508/61511 Certification Level 1. She was recognised by Burns and McDonnell with "Rich Mahaley CSR Award" for outstanding contribution to community welfare and the "BMI Mentorship Trophy" for guiding and developing young engineers. Mrs Kumbhar has mentored 20+ fresh graduates and 15+ engineers to Lead Level.

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