Nivea's Geetika Mehta Charts A Path Of Transformation & Inclusion
Entering 2024, Geetika Mehta embarked on a fresh chapter as the Managing Director of Nivea India. Her professional trajectory underscores her adeptness at steering transformative change, a quality evident during her tenure as Managing Director at Hershey India. In this role, she orchestrated initiatives that propelled double-digit topline growth. Renowned for her prowess in strategising the 'go-to-market' approach, she earned accolades as a visionary leader in the consumer goods sector.
Reflecting on her journey, Mehta shares her guiding principle, “My journey all through has been about embracing challenges and staying curious. That is a value I would encourage everyone in my team to emulate.”
As a leader, Mehta embodies core values of resilience, curiosity and continuous learning, traits she strives to instill in her team at Nivea India. "Great leaders are constantly asking questions and understand that everyone is on a learning journey," she emphasises. “By embracing curiosity with openness, you grow. With growth comes more confidence and willingness to be brave, which then is the fountainhead for innovation and creativity.”
Perseverance is Key
Mehta acknowledges that the corporate world in India continues to face concerns such as gender bias, lack of representation and unequal opportunities. Her brand of leadership has been about addressing these hurdles, and the commitment continues at Nivea.
Mehta has seen her share of challenges. Two decades ago, she faced gender bias and work-life balance challenges as a woman in sales leadership. “By delivering results, seeking mentorship and prioritising self-care, I broke through barriers and advanced in my career. Despite the challenges, resilience and proactive learning helped me achieve success,” the woman leader advises, adding, “It’s heartening to see more women assuming leadership positions.”
A Year of Achievements
During her tenure at Hershey India, Mehta spearheaded initiatives at the manufacturing facility in Mandideep, Madhya Pradesh, that created a significant impact. “From having zero women working on the factory floor in 2022, I am proud to share that in just 10 months we achieved a significant milestone of one hundred women employees working in the manufacturing facility,” she says. This achievement symbolises her dedication to fostering gender diversity and inclusivity in traditionally male-dominated spaces.
Mehta's commitment to diversity and inclusion extends beyond her professional endeavours, as evidenced by her advocacy for initiatives supporting women's development within organisations. At Nivea India, she spearheads an Employee Resource Group dedicated to empowering women employees through mentorship programs, networking opportunities, and inclusive practices. "Our consistent focus on women representation and building a culture of inclusion helped move women representation to a first-time ever highest representation of 32 per cent at a certain grade," she shares proudly.
The Balancing Act
In the fast-paced corporate world, Mehta underscores the importance of work-life balance. She advocates prioritising well and investing in personal growth. “Invest in yourself was a brilliant advice someone had shared with me,” she recalls. Mehta attributes her balanced approach to being a voracious reader and dedicating focused time to personal and professional development.
For young women aspiring to leadership roles, her advice is rooted in self-belief, continuous learning and authenticity. She encourages leading with integrity,
embracing challenges and building supportive networks. “Take risks and celebrate successes, viewing setbacks as opportunities for growth,” she asserts.
Mehta’s message is about leveraging collective strength and potential. Highlighting the importance of continuous learning, collaboration and resilience to create a future where every woman can thrive, she remarks, “Have confidence in your abilities and take risks without fear.”
