March 8, 2024
Celebrating International Women's Day: Employee Spotlight
Meet Zenit, Preeti and Deeksha. In honor of International Women's Day, we are highlighting three Thermo King engineers who are helping to forge a more inclusive world for women.
Although they all share Southeast Asian heritage, these women bring unique global perspectives and proudly #InspireInclusion every day as they work to challenge what’s possible for a more sustainable world!
Zenit Winfield
Product development engineer
Where did you grow up?
State of Virginia & Lahore, Pakistan
How long in the U.S.?
I was born in Virginia, but I spent my late elementary school and middle school years in Lahore.
Where did you attend university/college?
B.S. Mechanical Engineering at the New Jersey Institute of Technology
Time with Trane Technologies?
2 ½ years
What other roles have you held here?
I was in the company’s Accelerated Development Program so this is my fourth role. I have worked as a compressor engineer in the network of excellence (NOE), manufacturing engineer for Trane Commercial, and modeling & simulation engineer for Thermo King.
What motivates you to succeed every day at Thermo King?
Knowing that I play a role developing products that help reduce our carbon footprint as an industry.
How do you inspire inclusion?
Being an active member in the Thermo King Women Engineering (TK WE) group is one of the ways I promote inclusion. As one of the leadership team members, I amplify the voices of women engineers and tailor events to help or promote other women, as well as educate myself on inclusive practices.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Bring your authentic self to work. Your experiences in life are a big part of who you are and there is no reason to fit into a mold.
How do you spend your free time?
I spend a lot of time outdoors. I do several backpacking trips a year and try to hike regularly. I also love weightlifting and being creative with activities like crafting or making clothes.
Preeti Subramanian
Senior product manager, large truck
Where did you grow up?
Born in Chennai, South India, then went to school in Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, Bangalore!
Fun fact: Growing up as a nomadic Indian is foundational to the foodie I am and the multiple languages I learnt.
How long in the U.S.?
13 years. Minnesota is the longest I have stayed in a single state in my life thus far.
Where did you attend university/college?
Chennai. I am currently pursuing an MBA from Gies College of Business, University of Illinois.
Time with Trane Technologies?
I’ve been in the same role since January 2022.
What motivates you to succeed every day at Thermo King?
Show resilience with new product innovation, keeping the customers at the heart of every decision. Build human capital and trust as the foundation of cross functional teams to succeed.
How do you inspire inclusion?
I am always up for a Zumba dance! I listen to Indian music and play songs during team events. I include a slide into my presentations for the introverts to voice their opinion. I intentionally connect 1:1 with teammates I have met only virtually. I also host town hall meetings with my product growth team once a month to share updates and the business impact of the work they do.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
These are from my late father:
- Everything in life is a choice, so choose wisely.
- Measure twice, cut once (I can totally relate to this as I make tiny human clothes in my free time).
- Expectation leads to frustration; give wholeheartedly without any expectations.
How do you spend your free time?
I am a bookworm so always have a fiction and a non-fiction book going at the same time (currently it is The Christie Affair and Destiny Disrupted). I like to dance with my four-year-old. I also enjoy nature things (skiing/hiking). I am going on a backcountry hike in August to the Rockies, so I better start training!
Deeksha Naidu
Senior engineer
Where did you grow up?
Bangalore, India
How long in the U.S.?
More than a decade.
Where did you attend university/college?
Master’s in computer science from University of New Haven, Connecticut
How long have you been with Trane Technologies?
3 years
What motivates you to succeed every day at Thermo King?
I am motivated by the opportunity to learn and grow at Trane Technologies and the recognition I receive for my contributions.
How do you inspire inclusion?
For me, inclusion means creating an environment where everyone can feel comfortable to be their whole selves and can feel like they belong. Inclusion starts with 'I', and in 2024, I will #InspireInclusion by championing those who are paving the way to an equitable future for women.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
One of the best pieces of advice I have received is to embrace authenticity and stay true to myself. It reminds me that I don't have to conform to societal expectations or fit into a specific mold. Instead, I should celebrate my individuality, embrace my strengths and weaknesses, and be proud of who I am. This advice encourages me to have the courage to pursue my passions and create my own path in life. By being authentic, I can inspire others to do the same and contribute to a more inclusive and empowering world for all women.
My favorite quote: “Strong women – may we know them, may we be them, may we raise them.”
How do you spend your free time?
My favorite thing to do is spending quality time with my daughter.
