Her Story
About Savithri
Leading with Purpose, Passion, and the Drive to Deliver
In industries defined by constant change, complex technology, and demanding execution, true leadership requires more than technical expertise. It calls for vision, resilience, adaptability, and the ability to bring people together around a shared purpose. These qualities define the career of Savithri V. Raman, MBA, a global program-management executive and engineering leader whose professional journey reflects an unwavering commitment to excellence.
Savithri currently serves as Global Director of Program, Launch Management and Execution at Methode Electronics. In this role, she provides strategic leadership across global programs, product launches, and execution initiatives, helping transform organizational priorities into measurable results. Her strength lies in seeing both the larger business objective and the critical details required to deliver it—connecting strategy, engineering, manufacturing, customers, and cross-functional teams across regions.
With more than 25 years of experience in the automotive and technology industries, Savithri has built her career by successfully navigating complexity. Her background spans global program execution, product development, engineering leadership, manufacturing operations, risk management, and business transformation. She has led sophisticated programs from concept through production while supporting prominent global customers, including General Motors, Ford Motor Company, Ferrari, Tata Motors, and Apple.
Before joining Methode Electronics, Savithri held leadership positions at Continental AG and HARMAN International. At Continental, she contributed to global project-management initiatives involving vehicle networking, connected-car technologies, and head-up display programs. At HARMAN, she managed major connected-vehicle and infotainment programs. Each experience expanded not only her technical and commercial knowledge but also her capacity to lead diverse teams through uncertainty, innovation, and change.
Passion for Learning and Transformation
Savithri began her career as an electrical engineer, later moved into highly software-driven products, and subsequently expanded her leadership into businesses involving complex mechanical systems. This progression illustrates one of her greatest strengths: the willingness and ability to learn continuously.
Rather than allowing technological disruption to become a barrier, she views it as an invitation to grow. She immerses herself in new domains, asks thoughtful questions, and quickly develops the understanding necessary to lead with credibility. That intellectual curiosity has allowed her to remain effective as products, markets, customer expectations, and business models have evolved.
Her academic achievements reinforce this commitment. Savithri earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Oakland University and an Executive MBA from Michigan State University’s Eli Broad College of Business. Together, her engineering foundation and business education give her a valuable dual perspective: the analytical discipline to understand how complex systems work and the strategic judgment to determine how they can create business value.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Savithri
01What do you attribute your success to?
The Drive Behind the Accomplishments
Savithri attributes her success to hard work, preparation, resilience, timing, and grace. Throughout her career, she has learned that strong performance may not always receive immediate recognition. Nevertheless, she believes consistent effort, readiness, and perseverance eventually create opportunities.
One principle has remained particularly influential: leaders must be completely invested in the work they undertake. Savithri brings that philosophy to every responsibility and encourages her teams to examine information thoroughly, challenge assumptions, and prepare beyond the expected level. This rigor is not about perfectionism; it is about building the confidence that comes from knowing a decision has been carefully considered.
Her drive is also rooted in purpose. Savithri does not pursue achievement solely for professional recognition. She is motivated by the opportunity to solve meaningful problems, help organizations improve, develop future leaders, and create a lasting positive impact.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I received from my previous CEO was that it doesn't matter if you're a woman leader or a male leader, you have to make sure you are 200% vested in the work that you are part of. That creates refinement in the job you do. I always tell my team to vet information 200%. Resilience is key too.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Opening Doors for the Next Generation
As a woman who has built a distinguished career in engineering, automotive technology, and global operations, Savithri is passionate about encouraging other women to pursue fields where they have historically been underrepresented.
Her message is direct and empowering: women should never allow traditional expectations to define the boundaries of their ambitions. With passion, self-belief, competence, and a strong support system, they can enter—and excel in—any field.
Savithri also recognizes the importance of lifting others while advancing professionally. Her advocacy for diversity, leadership development, education, and community service reflects her belief that leadership carries a responsibility to create opportunities for those who follow. Her volunteer involvement with Aim for Seva and youth leadership initiatives further demonstrates her commitment to education and community impact.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in our field is that the industry is so dynamic and technology is very disruptive. People have to keep on learning. I started as an electrical engineer, moved into highly software products, and now my industry is all mechanical, so I learned fast.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity is the foundation of that approach. Honesty, clarity, perseverance, and follow-through guide the way she leads and the relationships she builds. Colleagues and teams know her as someone who can be counted on—especially when circumstances are difficult and leadership matters most.
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