“It is difficult to recruit female workers in factories because of domestic issues, but we found a way to work around”. At the K K Nag plant in Ranjangaon, female workers faced domestic resistance, with husbands disrupting their jobs and questioning their right to work. Mitali and her colleagues tried to support the women ensuring their safety and stability. Her efforts empowered women with financial independence and a stronger role in manufacturing, turning workplaces into spaces of true empowerment.
Journey Forged in Determination
Mitali Irani is the Director of brand, innovation and technology at K K Nag Private Limited. Born and raised in Pune, Mitali attended St Mary’s School before moving to Kodaikanal International School for her higher secondary education. She began her undergraduate studies at Symbiosis Liberal Arts but later transferred to Indiana University, Bloomington, earning a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management. Initially set on a career in clinical psychology, her journey took a different turn- “when I first started my education, I was convinced that I was going to go into clinical psychology. But somewhere along the line, when I started taking business classes, I realized that I have a good aptitude for business. And so I started exploring those avenues more”.
After completing her education, she took her working experience from ENKEI and Deloitte and in 2019 she joined her family business after realising ‘consulting is not for her’.
The early years were tough—gaining acceptance, acquiring technical knowledge, and earning respect in an environment where women were a rarity. Challenges were numerous, and so was her passion. She spent like two months with each department to learn all the facets of manufacturing because she believed that if you want to sell a product then you should know how it is being made, thanks to her father. So earlier she worked in all the departments to understand the process of manufacturing, like Production department, Maintenance team, and Quality department, “And I learned everything ground up. After spending time in all the different departments, quality, production, maintenance, the tool room, all of that, then I moved into accounts, HR and IT. And then I finally came into the corporate role as a general manager”.
Challenging the Status Quo
Beyond her personal growth, Mitali took on the larger mission of creating an inclusive workplace. Recognizing the gender gap in manufacturing, she supported initiatives to encourage more women to join the sector. She established marketing and branding, spearheaded new product development, introduced ERP, CRM, and IOT, driving technological transformation.
Breaking stereotypes was never easy. From being the only woman in boardroom discussions to leading production teams, she faced resistance. She recalls that during customer visits with her father, she noticed some customers would direct their responses to her father or the head of sales, rather than to her—even when she asked the question. Initially, this was frustrating, but she realized that breaking such perceptions takes time. Instead of confronting it directly, she chose to address it with patience and professionalism, ensuring her presence was acknowledged without disrupting the customer’s comfort.
But her leadership and results spoke louder than words. By implementing innovative workflow strategies and technology-driven solutions, she not only improved efficiency but also showcased how diversity in leadership leads to business success.
Mitali gained valuable mentorship from industry leaders, including a software entrepreneur who taught her change management and business phases. She also learned about diversification strategies to navigate challenges in plastics. Emphasizing an external perspective, she applies cross-industry insights to drive innovation, adaptability, and sustainable growth in her company.
#AccelerateAction – Driving Change in 2025 and Beyond
Mitali acknowledges that female workers demonstrate higher efficiency, leading to increased hiring. However, like Ranjangaon, domestic challenges arose, with husbands disrupting work. To counter this, the company introduced day shifts and transport services, ensuring safety and stability. Mitali believes that with mutual understanding, we can see more women participation in manufacturing.
A Legacy of Strength and Transformation
Mitali strongly believes that manufacturing is no longer what it used to be—modern machinery is easier to operate, and women’s technical expertise, meticulousness, and multitasking abilities make them invaluable. She encourages women to ask for what they need instead of assuming limitations. Her journey has been met with strong support, proving that belief and hard work lead to success. Her philosophy is simple: “do your best, stay satisfied with your work, and remember—success is never achieved alone; the team is everything”
