“I like doing new things, and I never like to repeat anything.”  

It’s a seemingly simple philosophy, but these words have underlined Dr Reena Bibals professional journey. She came to Godrej as a 21-year-old fascinated by science. She’s now Vice President, Research & Development, at Godrej Consumer Products.  

Through it all, her love for science has held steadfast.  

A bachpan ka pyaar, in true Hindi film style – a childhood love. She says, "I loved studying chemistry, zoology, and botany. It was just fascinating!” It was a love encouraged by her mother who supported Reena while she completed a master's degree in chemistry. “My mom always believed in me. She’d tell me, “You're really smart. You get top marks in maths!”  

 Her education brought her to Godrej. “This was my first job!” she recalls – and not an easy one. Her early days were tough; involving long days of travelling to remote factories. "There were times when I’d be away for weeks, without a way to contact my family. It wasn’t glamorous, but I learned so much,” she says.  

 There were times when Reena acutely felt the experience of being a woman in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Despite her know-how and dedication, she found herself having to prove her worth. "When you’re a woman in the corporate world, you sometimes feel like you have to work twice as hard to be taken seriously. It’s not just about being good at your job; you have to constantly prove yourself." 

 One of her defining moments came during a tense meeting with senior government officials in New Delhi — she was the only woman in a room full of men. "I was representing GCPL with a male colleague, and the room was full of people doubting our capabilities. They thought they could overwhelm us," she remembers. "But we stayed calm, spoke clearly, and in just a few minutes, we turned the conversation around.” 

 That was a lesson that remained with her. She now places a strong emphasis on making sure every voice is heard, especially when it comes to the women in her team. "We have a team that’s about 50% women, and they are some of the most brilliant, confident people I know," she says with pride. "But sometimes, in a room full of men, a woman’s voice might get overlooked. I make it a point to step in and make sure everyone has a chance to contribute." 

 Even if being heard as a woman scientist is a complicated ballgame, Reena believes that science is not gender-specific. “I think science is about the way your mind works—how you think, question, and understand the world around you. It’s not gender-specific.” Women do bring unique perspectives to the table, of course: “We’re good at bringing people together, and that can make a huge difference in leadership,” she says.  

Now a senior leader of GCPL and the Group, she mentors young women and advises them on the secret ingredient for a long career – passion. Her advice for the next generation of scientists, especially women, is: "Work hard. It’s not going to be easy, but if you’re passionate and dedicated, you’ll get there. Don’t let anyone tell you you can’t.”  

She pauses before she follows up on that thought. “You know, with passion and with love and with curiosity you can create magic. You don't need the world's biggest setup to create something magical. Just passion is enough.” 

Text and Image by Rolie Breja