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How SPJIMR shaped Mridu Khanna’s path in strategy at PwC Strategy&
SPJIMR Marketing and Communications Dept.
Mridu Khanna’s career reflects the strength of grounded learning, people-first values, and the courage to grow through real-world challenges. A PGDM 2012 alumna of S.P. Jain Institute of Management & Research (SPJIMR), she has built a decade-long career at PwC India and is now a Director at PwC Strategy&. Her journey is a compelling example of how SPJIMR’s distinctive approach, rooted in action, empathy, and applied learning, shapes leaders who not only think strategically but also know how to execute with clarity and confidence.
Early years: Learning to go beyond the textbook
When Mridu looks back at her time at SPJIMR, one lesson stands above all: learning does not stop at theory. She shares that the Institute pushed her to step outside the comfort of classrooms and engage deeply with real-world situations. This blend of academic rigour and experiential learning became a defining foundation for her career.
Over the years, as she interacted with peers from other institutions and colleagues in the industry, she realised how distinctively SPJIMR alumni were shaped. “SPJIMR students have this ability to roll up their sleeves and actually get the work done,” she reflects. It is a quality she believes continues to differentiate SPJIMR professionals across organisations.
The PGDM programme gave her the ability to craft a strategy, but also the exposure and confidence to make that strategy come alive, an essential combination for a career in consulting.
Developing a love for action and execution
As Mridu moved into her professional journey, she found herself consistently applying what SPJIMR had instilled in her: think deeply but act decisively. “You don’t have to be a winner every day, but you have to be consistent. Consistency is the key,” she states.
She notes that both planning and execution are equally critical in building a successful career. SPJIMR’s emphasis on ‘learning by doing’ ensured she wasn’t limited to theoretical problem-solving. Instead, she was prepared to create impact at ground level, something that became invaluable in her work in strategy consulting, where clients expect both vision and tangible outcomes.
This balance of strategic thinking and hands-on execution became a key thread running through her decade-long journey at PwC.
A decade at PwC: Growing as a strategist and a leader
Since completing her PGDM in 2012, Mridu has built her entire career at PwC India, moving through roles of increasing responsibility before becoming Director at PwC Strategy&.
Being part of one organisation for over 10 years gave her the chance to work on complex business problems, lead teams, and collaborate with stakeholders from diverse sectors. She also credits the SPJIMR network for enriching her professional life, whether through referrals, talent connections, or returning to campus to hire from PGDM batches.
Her time at PwC reflects a career shaped by consistency, resilience, and a strong foundation in applied learning. “Whatever I am today”, she says, “is because of the foundations SPJIMR gave me.”
The SPJIMR advantage: A culture of care and collaboration
For Mridu, one of SPJIMR’s strongest differentiators is its people-first culture. She recalls how the Institute placed immense emphasis on empathy, relationships, and emotional intelligence. “SPJIMR has a culture of care… giving more importance to people, relationships, emotions, and feelings in some or other way.”
Programmes like DoCC and Abhyudaya created a sense of belonging and responsibility, values she carries forward even today. “Thanks to DoCC, Abhyudaya… these programmes instil this element of care and belongingness amongst us so that we have to give back to society,” she shares.
She believes that while businesses revolve around products, technology, and processes, success ultimately depends on people. Learning how to work with others, understand their motivations, and support one another has been one of SPJIMR’s most enduring gifts.
This emphasis on care, collaboration, and community shapes SPJIMR alumni into grounded leaders who uplift teams and organisations.
“At the end of the day, we work with people… and if you know how to take care of each other, that will make you a more accomplished and satisfied person.”
Friendships that last far beyond campus
The relationships forged at SPJIMR continue to be a source of strength in Mridu’s life. Many of her closest friendships today were formed during the PGDM journey, through shared projects, long nights spent on campus, celebrations, and difficult moments.
She describes these friendships as “All my close friends are from the SPJIMR network… those people are your family for life.” The alumni network remains an integral part of her personal and professional world, offering support, camaraderie, and a sense of home.
Her continued involvement with SPJIMR, including travelling from Delhi to attend alumni meets or hiring from recent batches, reflects how deeply she values this connection.
Advice to future SPJIMR leaders
Looking back, Mridu acknowledges that the two years at SPJIMR were intense and often overwhelming. It was easy to compare oneself with peers who seemed to achieve faster or excel in specific areas.
Her advice to students is anchored in this personal reflection:
Do not compare your journey with others. Everyone grows at their own pace. She reassures, “Don’t compare yourself. Each and every person in SPJIMR is great; that’s how you made it here.”
Consistency matters more than winning every day. Showing up and staying committed creates long-term success.
Avoid overplanning. Be open to experiences and let the journey shape you.
Every moment counts. Even on difficult days, the SPJIMR experience is moulding you into the person you are becoming.
She believes that each student who makes it to SPJIMR is already exceptional, and the two years on campus only enhance that potential.
A journey shaped by values, action, and lifelong learning
Mridu Khanna’s career stands as a reminder that leadership is built through a blend of knowledge, real-world experience, and an unwavering commitment to people.
Her story is also a testament to SPJIMR’s philosophy, where learning extends beyond the curriculum, where care and collaboration matter, and where individuals are encouraged to become both thinkers and doers.
For every aspiring business leader, her journey offers a simple yet powerful message: trust your path, stay consistent, and carry forward the values that shape you into not just a capable professional but a grounded and empathetic human being.
Learn more about the PGDM programme here.