Prism Award

Sameera Shaikh is manager, R-1 Business Solutions for John Deere India Pvt Ltd. (JDI). In this role, she is responsible for the regional business solutions group that supports India, China, Southeast Asia, Europe, Brazil, and U.S. parts distribution centers.

Shaikh chose engineering as her path in childhood, influenced by her father, a mechanical engineer. With supportive and broad-minded parents, she completed her education and began her John Deere career in supply chain management as an engineering recruit and the only woman on the engine factory floor. She moved through positions in strategic sourcing, IT, projects, and service parts, taking on increasing responsibilities and gaining 20 years of experience from these challenging roles.

In addition, she leads John Deere’s women’s employee resource group and continuously works to strengthen and expand the organization’s culture of inclusion. She strongly believes that women are capable and must create success stories that overcome prevalent unconscious biases and work stereotypes. She has given motivational talks at polytechnic colleges and to women who work on the shop floor. Throughout her career and life transitions, Shaikh has been a sought-after mentor of men and women engineers for her professional guidance and support.

Shaikh’s SWE journey began in 2014 as factory lead for SWE activities, running events such as “Wow! That’s Engineering!,” roundtables, panels, and development sessions. She led SWE Lakshya for three years, receiving accolades such as the D&I Partner Award, Outstanding Professional Development Event Award, Outstanding Outreach Award, and most recently, a WE Local Sustaining Benefactor Award. Through her award-winning leadership in these activities, John Deere has helped advance SWE’s mission in the subcontinent. She led JDI’s hosting of the first SWE India Corporate Roundtable in 2019 and has been a SWE international ambassador for the past three years.

Shaikh always reaches back to inspire girls’ interest in STEM especially those in rural areas. Under her leadership, SWE Lakshya held the first-ever SWE event in Nagpur, a remote village. About 80 female students from Paramananda Vidyalaya School participated — a major milestone for John Deere and SWE India that was recognized with a WE Local Outstanding Outreach Event Award in 2020.

Shaikh participated in the American Chamber of Commerce in India NextGen Global Leadership Program this year and completed a DEI champions certification from Strengthscape, a global business- and people-focused consulting group. Outside of work, she volunteers in her community. She also helped establish a delivery service for the needy through a local grocery store.

Shaikh holds a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering from Government Polytechnic, Pune and Master of Management Sciences from the University of Pune. She is mother to three young children and partners with her husband, Saif, also a mechanical engineer, to nurture and raise them in an environment grounded by humane values.