Corporate Communications Leader · 16+ Years

Ruchi Sharma
Borude

Head of Communications  |  Strategic Advisor – Energy, Infrastructure & Global Asset Platforms  |  Cross-Border Leadership Communications  |  Ex-Brookfield, Nayara Energy, Shoppers Stop, WPP

Shaping narratives that matter — across boardrooms, newsrooms, and global stages. Strategic counsel to C-suite leaders in regulated industries: maritime, energy, telecom, retail, and fintech.

Ruchi Sharma Borude
Expertise

Core Competencies

Click any skill to see where it was applied.

Career

Professional Experience

Aug 2024 — Present

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL)
World's 2nd Largest Shipping Co.

Mumbai

Head of Corporate Communications,
South Asia & Middle East
  • Built and scaled internal and external communication strategy across India, UAE, Oman, and Qatar — anchoring MOL's presence as a B2B maritime and infrastructure leader.
  • Led high-stakes journalist engagement, securing exclusive coverage with Tier 1 media — The Economic Times, Business Standard, and key energy publications.
  • Directed crisis communication response frameworks aligned with MOL Japan, ensuring reputation continuity and strategic messaging under pressure.
  • Positioned MOL's leadership in global forums including India Energy Week, integrating thought leadership with policy alignment.
  • Collaborated with PR agency partners to craft CXO narratives, manage interviews, and amplify influence across earned media.
  • Institutionalised internal communication platforms (Yammer, video, newsletters), engaging 1,200+ employees across regional clusters.
  • Advised CXOs on messaging across ESG, innovation, and transformation — combining leadership communication with cultural nuance.

Jan 2021 — Aug 2024

Brookfield — Summit Digitel

Mumbai

National Head of Marketing
and Communications
  • Architected the brand voice of Brookfield's telecom venture from inception — blending B2B brand strategy with global equity positioning.
  • Strengthened media equity through proactive journalist engagement and deep partnerships with national media houses and business publications.
  • Handled sensitive messaging and crisis communication during regulatory shifts and merger developments, ensuring proactive narrative control.
  • Designed and deployed full-funnel internal and external communication strategies — from leadership messaging to digital-first storytelling.
  • Led employee engagement campaigns, DEI programs, and nationwide office branding that embedded Brookfield's values into daily culture.
  • Drove 360° communication during key global events like Mobile World Congress and TowerXchange.

Dec 2018 — Jan 2021

Nayara Energy

Mumbai

Senior Brand Lead,
Marketing and Communication
  • Spearheaded Nayara's post-merger brand refresh, building a strong external communication framework across digital, media, and on-ground platforms.
  • Partnered with PR agencies to craft high-impact campaigns including India's most successful Women's Day initiative with 1M+ views.
  • Managed crisis communication responses during sector disruptions, working closely with leadership for timely, clear stakeholder outreach.
  • Elevated brand visibility at national platforms including Vibrant Gujarat and CERAWeek, positioning Nayara as a forward-looking energy brand.
  • Led award-winning CSR campaigns with national media recognition, enhancing Nayara's reputation among journalists and policymakers.
  • Delivered two consecutive annual reports and investor-focused narratives that enhanced credibility in the B2B energy ecosystem.

Oct 2016 — Nov 2018

Shoppers Stop

Mumbai

Brand Lead, Marketing
and Communication
  • Launched new product lines and seasonal collections, elevating brand visibility through strategic print, radio, social media, and celebrity collaborations.
  • Implemented digital campaigns with Google and Facebook that effectively drove online traffic to offline stores.
  • Managed social media platforms, cultivating a product interest base of 10 million users.
  • Developed strategic campaigns with celebrities and beauty brands to drive substantial customer footfall.

Oct 2010 — Nov 2016

Icontract · Webmaffia · Pinstorm

Mumbai

Senior Business Partner
  • Spearheaded 360° strategic communication campaigns for the India launch of Hotstar and Zee5.
  • Crafted communication strategies for iconic brands — Cadbury Dairy Milk, Asian Paints, HSBC, and various OTT platforms.
  • Led diverse projects in website development, mobile campaigns, and performance marketing.
  • Cultivated long-term client relationships, acquiring new accounts and building partnerships that fuelled sustained growth.

Jun 2006 — Mar 2007

Centurion Bank of Punjab

Solan

Branch Operations Officer
  • Drove operational enhancements yielding savings and improved profit margins. Supervised branch banking operations and coordinated daily activities.
  • Gained specialized expertise in Finacle banking software through professional training.
The Person

Beyond the Brief

I've always believed that the best way to learn something is to just begin — ask questions later. I pick things up fast, not because I'm in a hurry, but because curiosity doesn't really let me slow down.

I tend to make decisions quickly. I'm not reckless about it — I just don't enjoy sitting in ambiguity longer than I need to. Once I see the path, I'd rather take it and adjust than wait for a perfect map that may never come.

Outside of work, I'm a wife and a mother — and honestly, those two roles have taught me more about patience, presence, and priorities than anything else. My family keeps me grounded in the best way. We also technically share a home with two cats, Tara and Mau — though if you ask them, it's their house and we simply live in it.

"She is a curious mind, full of ideas — honest, hardworking, with an innate ability to carry everyone along."

— P Manoj, Maritime & Policy Writer, MOL

A Few Other Things About Me

🐱 Tara & Mau's Human
💃 Dancer
🎨 Painter
💪 Gym Regular
🏠 Interior Design
🧘 Certified Yogi

I paint when I need to think without words. I dance because it's the one place where execution is the only point. I'm drawn to spaces and how they feel — something about the way a room comes together isn't very different from the way a good campaign does.

These aren't hobbies I've collected. They're just parts of me that have always been there.

The Person Behind the Portfolio

Dimensions

🧘
Wellness

Certified Yoga Teacher

A certified practitioner who believes that the discipline of breath and stillness translates into sharper, more centred leadership — both in the boardroom and beyond.

♻️
Responsibility

Certified ESG Professional

Committed to sustainable business practices, with formal credentials in ESG — bringing a lens of long-term responsibility to every communication strategy she shapes.

🌏
Perspective

Cross-Cultural Communicator

Having built communication ecosystems across India, the UAE, Oman, and Qatar, Ruchi brings a rare multicultural intuition to both strategy and storytelling.

📖
Curiosity

Lifelong Learner

From MBA foundations to ESG certification, Ruchi consistently invests in expanding her intellectual horizons — staying ahead of the curve so her clients never have to.

Background

Education & Credentials

Academic

MBA, Marketing

Himachal Pradesh University · 2004–2006

Certifications

Certified ESG Professional
Certified Yoga Teacher
Recommendations

What Colleagues Say

HM

Hari Menon

Chief HR Officer · Ex Forbes HR Council Member · Ex Board Member, Alstom India

"

It was a privilege to collaborate with Ruchi during our time at Mitsui, where she held the critical role of Head of Communication for South Asia & Middle East. Ruchi's expertise in regional communication was evident in every project. She has a remarkable talent for understanding complex issues and translating them into compelling narratives. Beyond her professional acumen, Ruchi is also a fantastic colleague — collaborative, insightful, and always willing to go the extra mile. I wholeheartedly recommend her as a top-tier communications leader.

DG

Devesh Garg

Visionary Executive Leader · M&A Excellence & Market Leadership · Summit Digitel (Direct Manager)

"

At Summit Digitel, I had the opportunity to hire Ruchi as the Head of Corporate Communications, and she quickly became instrumental in building the Summit Digitel brand from the ground up. Her ability to articulate complex ideas with clarity and creativity was key in defining and strengthening our brand's voice and presence. One of Ruchi's standout qualities was her expertise in crisis management — she handled crises with poise and precision, often turning potential setbacks into opportunities for positive brand reinforcement. Her blend of creativity, strategic vision, and dedication to delivering top-tier results made her an outstanding leader in corporate communications. I wholeheartedly recommend her for any role that demands vision, innovation, and the ability to transform ideas into impactful outcomes.

DJ

Dhananjay Joshi

Managing Director / CEO / Independent Director / Board Member / Advisor · Summit Digitel

"

Ruchi played a critical role in shaping Summit Digitel's identity and communication strategy during her tenure as Head of Corporate Communications. Summit Digitel's prominence in the industry can be attributed to her sharp articulation and creative vision. Ruchi's dedication to her work is unparalleled. In her capacity as a communication strategist, she consistently delivered innovative strategies that resonated deeply with our stakeholders. She brought a unique perspective to Summit Digitel by thinking outside the box. Her commitment to excellence and ability to turn challenges into opportunities made her an invaluable member of our extended leadership team. She's got a unique combination of creativity, strategic thinking, and relentless dedication. If you're looking for visionary leadership in corporate communications, I recommend Ruchi.

KI

Kensuke Ito

MD – MOL Middle East FZE · Ex-MD, MOL (India) Pvt. Ltd. · Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (Direct Manager)

"

Ruchi's vast knowledge and experience in the social communication arena has opened my eyes to understand the great importance of the same for the rapid and efficient growth of all organisation. Thank you, Ruchi, for your patient and excellent guidance.

PM

P Manoj

Writes on Maritime, Logistics, Infrastructure & Policy · Mitsui O.S.K. Lines

"

Ruchi brings a lot of dexterity, strategic thinking and perseverance into her role as a corporate communications professional. This is evident from the companies in diverse industries she has helped manage to raise the bar in brand building and media relations. My interactions with Ruchi, during her current role at Mitsui O.S.K Lines, has demonstrated that she is honest and hardworking with an innate ability to carry everyone along. Above all, she is a curious mind, full of ideas. I strongly recommend Ruchi to anyone looking for a strategic communications role in their organisation.

AB

Anindita Bagchi

Building Reputation, Resilience & Reach Lead – Corporate Communication

"

It is my pleasure to recommend Ruchi for her exceptional work in the Corporate Communication Domain. She brings a combination of strategic insight and creativity, effectively shaping stories that resonate with audiences and delivers excellence. Her ability to manage and execute complex communication projects — from content development to multi-channel campaigns — is truly impressive. Her ability to build strong relationships across teams, fostering a collaborative environment that elevates each project, is commendable. Her innovative approach and attention to detail have consistently driven impactful results. It's been a pleasure working alongside someone so skilled and genuinely committed.

SM

Shweta Munjal

ESG & Stakeholder Influence · Brand Leadership · Crisis Command · Nayara Energy (Direct Manager)

"

I have the privilege of working with Ruchi at Nayara Energy. She is a thorough professional and a creative thinker. She surely knows digital and brand marketing very well and is a great asset to our Brand and Communications team. Most importantly, she is very reliable, sincere and passionate about her work — always ready to learn and implement something new! A gifted multitasker she has the skill to see through multiple projects at a time. Armed with strong interpersonal skills, the ability to be agile yet calm during changing or challenging circumstances, Ruchi handles situations and initiatives at hand with great ease. Keep shinning!

VS

Vishal Soni

Founder – The Slow Yoga · Ex-Shoppers Stop · Marketing Professional, Dubai

"

Have worked with Ruchi first as a client while she was with the agency and also as a colleague once she joined the marketing team at SS. Ruchi has grown immensely in the digital marketing space and is great with follow through on any project on hand. Her understanding of retail marketing clubbed with digital brought in a lot of innovative campaigns. Wishing Ruchi all the best for all her projects.

VR

Veera Roy

Co-founder & Business Head · Webmaffia (Direct Manager)

"

Ruchi is an efficient and organised person at work. Someone who is proactive and responsible and comes with good management skills. Another important aspect is that she was a great team player and also contributed in areas beyond KRAs. Was great to have her as a part of our team.

9 recommendations on LinkedIn ↗

Let's Connect

Say Hello

Open to strategic conversations, consulting engagements, or simply a good exchange of ideas. Reach out — she reads every message.

📧 [email protected]

📍 Mumbai, India

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