For Meera Ravi, values and beliefs are the foundation of an organization’s culture, shaping behavior, influencing norms, and driving change. Since the beginning of her career, she has been fueled by her values and passion for impact. When COVID disrupted life globally, it served as a catalyst for her transition. She found herself aligning her leadership aspirations with her family’s manufacturing business—an opportunity to create meaningful change and build a lasting legacy.
As Chief Operating Officer at Viyoma Manufacturing Private Limited, a 35-year-old precision manufacturing firm, Meera oversees operations, strategy, and people development. Over 90% of the firm’s product portfolio is exported by their customers to North America and Europe.
Her multidisciplinary education—degrees in Design, Cognitive Science, and an MBA in General Management from New York University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology—has equipped her with a unique perspective in running her family-owned business.
Finding Purpose in Manufacturing
Growing up in her family’s manufacturing business, she was influenced by her father’s hands-on leadership and the talented engineers around him. However, even as a child, she noticed the stark absence of women in engineering and manufacturing—an issue that remains largely unchanged to this day.
Now, as a leader, Meera feels a deep responsibility to address this gap in diversity. When she first joined, hiring was based on convenience, and most mechanical and production engineering graduates were men. She believes the problem runs deeper. Universities produce far fewer female graduates in these fields, and industries fail to challenge the status quo. She insists true change requires a systemic approach—“Educational institutions must encourage more women to pursue careers in hardware engineering, and businesses must actively work towards bridging the gender gap. Policymakers and industry leaders also play a critical role in making manufacturing more inclusive.”
Learning from Everyone
Determined to forge her path, Meera chose to study and build a career beyond India’s borders. However, India’s rapid growth and her responsibilities as an only child led her back home. She recalls that transitioning into the family business was challenging but deeply rewarding. “The steep learning curve and personal growth I’ve experienced leading the firm far exceed what I might have had if I had stayed in the US,” she reflects. Leading a company of 100 employees and working with major global brands has instilled in her a strong sense of duty.
Building a network as an adult, after years abroad, was one of her biggest challenges. In her early days, she leaned on her senior management team—some of whom have been with the company for over 30 years. While their guidance was invaluable, she also learned by immersing herself in the factory floor, reading extensively, and engaging with industry leaders. “If you can’t find a mentor, put yourself in environments where you can learn from others’ behavior,” she advises.
Leadership by Example
For her, leadership is rooted in values. Respect is more important than being liked. Her approach is simple: lead with integrity, build trust, and stay true to her principles. “We take great pride in hiring and training first-generation engineers—many of whom are the first in their families to graduate. Over 35 years, we’ve trained over 2,000 engineers, empowering them with not just technical expertise but the confidence to excel. Investing in people and this legacy of skill development is something we deeply value.”
Beyond training, the company prioritizes employee well-being—providing nutritious meals at no cost, maintaining a non-hierarchical workspace, and embracing the Kaizen philosophy of continuous improvement. Meera firmly believes that lasting success is impossible without a strong team. She has driven digital transformation at Viyoma, implementing software and data-driven processes to enhance efficiency. By shifting to a data-first approach, the company has empowered employees to make better decisions, fueling long-term growth.
Sustainability and Industry Evolution
Meera’s interest in manufacturing extends beyond business. She has advised startups founded by her MIT peers to tackle the challenge of climate change. She recognizes that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) like Viyoma lack financial incentives for investments in decarbonization activities, making sustainability transitions expensive. Her participation in the World Economic Forum at Davos reinforced the need for collaboration between sectors to ease this burden. Without systemic support, manufacturing remains one of the toughest industries to decarbonize.
The Future of Women in Manufacturing
To attract more women to manufacturing and engineering, Meera believes in creating equitable opportunities and fostering inclusive workplaces. “Supportive workplace policies benefit everyone, not just women. Expanding access to capital for female founders and increasing access to mentorship are critical steps. Institutional investors should actively seek and fund women-led hardware ventures, inspiring the next generation.”
When it comes to work-life balance, she believes it is deeply personal. “What matters most is finding work that fulfills you. If you love what you do, long hours don’t feel like a burden.” Women often juggle both career and care giving responsibilities, so finding joy in both personal and professional life is key. “Manufacturing may seem unconventional, but women should bet on themselves and seek support when needed. Reaching out to impact-driven leaders for guidance can open doors. More women need to take chances on themselves—it leads to greater fulfillment and success.”
Meera’s journey is proof that transformation is possible—with the right vision, perseverance, and commitment to change.
