A journey of growth and courage – Vidya Santhanaraman’s career story at UPM in India

As UPM continues to expand in India, growth is driven not only by new investments and opportunities, but by the people driving it forward. For Vidya Santhanaraman, it has been a journey of continuous learning, the courage to step into new roles, and build leadership across functions.

Vidya joined UPM in 2013 and has now spent nearly 13 years with the company. She began her career in Business Control before moving into Human Resources, where she supported people and organisational development for more than a decade. Most recently, she transitioned into Operations and is now working as a Terminal Manager in Mumbai. Taking on this new role has been a rewarding challenge for Vidya, allowing her to broaden her skills and perspective.

Each step has brought new insights, pushing her to learn, adapt and see the business from different angles. Therefore, Vidya feels that “UPM offers excellent opportunities to grow and build a diverse career,” and says that “for those willing to embrace new challenges, the possibilities are broad.”

A journey shaped by learning and leadership

Vidya’s leadership journey has been strongly influenced by the people around her. Through learning from mentors and experienced colleagues and leaders at UPM, she has developed a leadership approach built on trust, empathy and strong focus on people.

For her, leadership goes beyond roles and titles – it’s about creating an environment where others can succeed. “I believe leadership is about leading by example, recognising individual strengths and creating opportunities for others to grow,” she explains.

Supporting individuals in their development is at the core of her philosophy, helping them build confidence and progress in their careers. In a fast-evolving environment, this mindset is especially important as collaboration and continuous learning are the key to success.

Driving change as a woman leader

Working as a woman in leadership in a fast-growing market like India is both motivating and meaningful. While progress has been made, Vidya sees further opportunity to strengthen representation, especially in operational roles where women are still underrepresented.

“In my current role, I’m the only woman in the terminal,” she shares. “That motivates me even more to encourage other women to explore their potential, take on new challenges, and to hire more female team members to promote diversity in the team.”

Vidya thinks that change starts with mindset. Confidence, courage and willingness to try something new are essential in breaking barriers and opening doors. “There is nothing stopping a woman except herself – we need to explore our potential and be fearless.”

At the same time, she highlights the important role organizations play in enabling that change. At UPM, she has experienced a culture where opportunities are based on capability and potential, supported by a genuine commitment to diversity and inclusion, creating an environment where people can grow and succeed with equal opportunities.

A culture that enables growth

For Vidya, one of the most meaningful aspects of working at UPM is the company culture. Built on trust, renewing with courage and a shared ambition to aim higher, it creates an environment where people feel supported, recognized and valued. “When you feel valued, it creates a strong sense of belonging and makes the journey more meaningful,” she says.

That sense of trust is also closely connected to the opportunities UPM offers for growth. Internal mobility and open career conversations encourage employees to explore new roles, build diverse career paths and develop their skills. Vidya’s own journey is a good example of this – moving across functions, embracing new challenges and learning along the way.

Combined with a truly global working environment, this creates a unique experience. Collaborating across regions has broadened her perspective and strengthened her understanding of different cultures and ways of working. The global environment has also opened opportunities to travel to different areas of the world and explore new cultures.

India – a market full of opportunity

For Vidya, India stands out as one of the most dynamic and fast-evolving markets today. Strong economic growth, increasing foreign investments and a rapidly expanding consumer base are driving continuous momentum. “This is a country evolving quickly, with strong potential for innovation, entrepreneurship and growth,” she explains.

With the ‘Make in India’ initiative, Indian Government is further accelerating this development and opening doors for new growth opportunities. With policies that actively support investments, simplify processes and strengthen infrastructure, India is creating an environment where businesses can grow and new ideas can thrive.

UPM’s increasing focus on India is already visible in everyday work. Expansion plans – including the recently announced opening of UPM Adhesive Materials terminal near New Delhi – are creating a strong momentum and opening up new opportunities for employees to develop their skills and take on broader responsibilitites. “With expansion and investment, this is a golden opportunity for employees to grow and explore bigger roles,” says Vidya.

Beyond the growth itself, India offers a unique working environment shaped by diversity, strong relationships and a collaborative mindset. While adapting to cultural differences may take time, Vidya highlights the warmth and openness of the local culture. “India is a country full of opportunities and diversity. It’s an exciting place to work and grow,” she says. People value connection and take pride in welcoming others, creating a supportive and inclusive atmosphere that makes it easier to build relationships and feel at home.

Driven by values, inside and outside of work

Outside of work, Vidya enjoys traveling and discovering new places, often gaining inspiration from different cultures along the way. As Vidya also has a strong sweet tooth, she likes to try local desserts whenever she travels. One of her favourites is a croissant with pistachio cream inside. Her favorite local sweet is RasaGulla, a popular Indian dessert made from ball-shaped dumplings of cottage cheese soaked in light sugar syrup.

Animal welfare holds a special place in her life. In her spare time she works with local shelters to support community and abandoned animals through vaccination and care initiatives. Her personal choices also reflect these values – as a vegetarian, she is passionate about conscious living and avoids products made from animal materials.

A future built on people and potential

For Vidya, the link between individual development and business success is clear. UPM continues to strengthen its presence in India but it’s the people who remain at the heart of that journey. She says: “UPM is a company of endless opportunities and if you have the willingness to grow, only the sky is the limit.”

Her story highlights how you can grow into different roles inside a company and how succeeding in a fast-growing market is not only about expansion, but about empowering people to develop, lead and make an impact.

A meaningful career is built not just on progression, but on staying true to your values and creating a positive difference, both at work and beyond – and that’s what has been guiding Vidya along the way.

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