Alumni Series #16

Meet Ashutosh Naik, Senior Director – Digital Strategy, Schneider Electric

Before pursuing his management education, Ashutosh worked as a Systems Engineer at Infosys, developing custom software solutions and managing critical client deliverables. His early years in technology were defined by curiosity and a drive to learn, from contributing to design documentation to managing stakeholder communication and user acceptance testing. Yet, amid this technical depth, a realisation began to take shape: he wanted to lead larger teams, influence strategy, and deliver impact at scale. That pursuit of accelerated growth led him to Great Lakes Institute of Management.

The PGPM program, as Ashutosh recalls, was a transformative chapter, one that reshaped his understanding of success and leadership. It taught him that management isn’t about working harder, but about working smarter, prioritising effectively, and adapting swiftly. The experience went beyond academics, peer learning, guest lectures, industry projects, and interactions with faculty offered insights that textbooks could never capture. The program challenged him to balance intensity with reflection and helped him evolve into a more grounded, strategic thinker.

Today, as Senior Director – Digital Transformation at Schneider Electric, Ashutosh leads large-scale global initiatives spanning mobile app development, low-code platforms, cybersecurity transformation, and digital workplace rollouts for over 150,000 employees worldwide. Across all his roles, his focus remains clear: to build high-performing teams, nurture future leaders, and ensure long-term goals are never overshadowed by short-term challenges.

To current Great Lakers, his message is simple yet powerful: “Invest in your network and learn from your peers; their experiences will teach you as much as your professors. Be bold in your choices and open to change; true growth happens beyond the classroom.”