Design2occupancy Services LLP
Women in Coolings: Include me in the International network for Women in Cooling
As a firm believer of “The best is yet to come” I relish every moment and opportunity that comes my way. I began my career in mechanical engineering in 1988 and entered the HVAC industry in 2002. A seven-year career break did make me bit nervous, especially since I was starting from scratch in a new field as we had automobile engg and not RAC in college.
As a mother of two sons now in their late twenties, having two brothers, and feeling like one of so many boys in the engineering days, I was never conscious of my gender and never considered having any limitations as a woman. I sincerely thank my parents for providing me with a balanced upbringing.
From being a shop floor supervisor in a thermostat manufacturing company to joining a product sales company, I relished the opportunity to travel to remote parts of my country with no restrictions. From 2002 to 2014, I learned a lot about HVACR by working in Sales, Projects, Procurement, and Finance before venturing out to try my hand at entrepreneurship. My experience as a businesswoman in Water Treatment projects taught me a lot, but I quickly realised it was not a financially viable venture. In retrospect, I should have applied for government financing schemes for female entrepreneurs. Everything happens for a reason.
In 2017, I entered the sustainability sector and became a certified professional of GRIHA & IGBC, and I’ve been the business development manager for Design2occupancy in my city since then.
While the professional sine wave was occurring, ISHRAE & ASHRAE kept me energised with several positions that I held at the chapter and Society levels. The low number of women in the cooling industry and ISHRAE prompted me to spearhead the Women in ISHRAE initiative in 2017. Since then, the Society has gained at least 100 female members. As of today, the number of active women ranges from 4 to 80+.
After serving as the ISHRAE Chapter President and Society Treasurer, my term as the ASHRAE Mumbai Chapter President begins on July 1, 2022. Cooling’s growing female population is undoubtedly a pleasing sight. The day is not very far when we discontinue gender bias talks.
