Ms. Ruchi Natekar is a distinguished leader in project management, currently serving as the Assistant Vice President of PMO at Runwal Group in Mumbai. A civil engineer with an MBA, she is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) from the Project Management Institute (PMI), USA, an internationally renowned association for project managers. She is also a Fellow member of the Institution of Engineers, India. With over 25 years of experience in the real estate sector, She has been instrumental in enhancing integrated program and portfolio management, particularly in high-rise residential and commercial projects.

Currently pursuing a doctorate in Project Management in Geneva, She has been widely recognized for her contributions. She was honored with the Best Women Leader Award 2023 in the real estate sector and the Iconic Women Leadership Award for Excellence and Leadership in Project Management by the Golden Aim Awards in 2024. Her illustrious career includes over a decade at Larsen & Toubro Realty, where she emerged as a trailblazer for women in the industry. She was featured in L&T’s internal magazine, The L&T-ite, in the “Sheroes” section, earning the title “Radiating @ Realty” for her impactful work. Additionally, she served as the Presiding Officer for the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) committee and won the Inter IC competition at the ATL Bizathon 2020, a marathon for innovative project management.

As the head of PMO at Runwal Group, She plays a pivotal role in overseeing time management for complex residential and commercial real estate projects. She leads the transition of the business model to an asset-light approach, focusing on actionable performance metrics that engage employees and partners across the value chain. Her expertise lies in addressing critical challenges such as resource allocation, risk management, and stakeholder communication, all of which are integral to navigating the intricate landscape of real estate project management.

Her responsibilities extend to construction management, where she ensures the effective management of scope, schedule, and resources while mitigating schedule-related risks. She is at the forefront of digitizing project controls through Business Intelligence (BI) solutions and MSP server applications, which streamline project monitoring and ensure timely completion. By establishing service level agreements (SLAs) for project delivery, she collaborates with stakeholders to improve processes and address regulatory compliance challenges.

Beyond her professional achievements, She is a devoted homemaker and parent. Her children, who have graduated in Computer Science, are actively pursuing their dreams, reflecting the supportive and nurturing environment she has fostered. Balancing a demanding career with family responsibilities, She exemplifies the ability to manage multiple roles effectively.

A member of the South Asia Champion Program by PMI, She actively contributes to the project management community through volunteering and mentoring. She shares her knowledge and experiences to guide young professionals, fostering their growth and confidence in the field. Her dedication to uplifting the next generation of project managers underscores her commitment to the profession.

Her journey is a testament to her belief in preparation, perseverance, and lifelong learning—a philosophy epitomized by the Colin Powell quote, “Success is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.”

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