Soma Mondal, the former chairperson of the Steel Authority of India (SAIL), has been recognized as one of the World’s Most Powerful Women for 2023 by Forbes magazine. She shares this prestigious list with three other influential Indian women: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, HCL Technologies chairperson Roshni Nadar, and Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw. The 2023 Power List by Forbes was curated based on four key metrics: money, media, impact, and spheres of influence.
A Trailblazer in the Steel Industry
Soma Mondal’s tenure as the chairperson of SAIL began on January 1, 2021, and concluded with her retirement in April 2023. She has the unique honor of being the first woman to hold the positions of functional director and chairman at SAIL. An electrical engineering graduate from the National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, Mondal brings over three decades of experience in the metal industry to the table.Mondal’s journey began as a Graduate Engineer Trainee at NALCO, where she steadily rose through the ranks to become the director (commercial) in 2014.
She transitioned to SAIL in March 2017 as the director (commercial). Her tenure at SAIL was marked by significant contributions, including the implementation of marketing strategies outlined in the Comprehensive Turnaround Roadmap, which led to increased sales and expanded market reach year after year. Her branding efforts resulted in the successful launch of new brands like “NEX” and “SAIL SeQR” for PF Structural Sections and TMT Bars, respectively. Record-Breaking Achievements Under her leadership, SAIL achieved a remarkable milestone in FY2022 by crossing the revenue threshold of Rs 1 lakh crore for the first time, joining an elite club of Indian companies with a turnover exceeding this amount. Revamping Sales and Marketing Understanding the importance of retail channels for boosting sales, Mondal overhauled SAIL’s distribution network. She spearheaded the “Gaon Ki Ore” workshops nationwide, responding to the evolving demands of the domestic market. Mondal also introduced significant reforms in SAIL’s marketing organization structure by creating three distinct verticals: Sales, Marketing, and Services. This restructuring aimed to better manage and market the increased volumes resulting from SAIL’s modernization and expansion. Her contributions extended to being a member of numerous committees of the industry body, CII. Soma Mondal’s inclusion in Forbes’ World’s Most Powerful Women list is a testament to her exceptional leadership and impactful contributions to the steel industry, making her a role model for aspiring leaders across the globe.