UC grad shares path to success, from biochemistry to corporate president
Sujata Malhotra receives the A&S alumni Special Achievement Award
As an undergrad in UC’s College of Arts and Sciences, majoring in biochemistry, Sujata Malhotra dreamed of going to medical school.
But upon graduation she decided to go into the food and beverage industry, beginning her career at Cargill, Inc. She held various positions — quality assurance chemist, technical services manager, sales manager — while earning a master’s in business administration from Capital University, focusing on international marketing.
Sujata Malhotra, A&S grad and recipient of the 2024 Special Achievement Award for alumni. Photo/Provided.
For her career accomplishments, Malhotra received the 2024 Special Achievement Award from UC’s College of Arts and Sciences. Each year, the award is given to an alumnus for notable achievement in their field, continued service, and involvement with the university and community. A Darwin Turner Scholar and STEM program grad, Malhotra earned her bachelor’s in biochemistry in 1998.
“Reflecting on my time at UC, I’m filled with gratitude for the transformative experiences and invaluable lessons that have shaped me both personally and professionally,” she said. “Your unwavering support and commitment to academic excellence have played a pivotal role in shaping my journey.”
From her early beginnings at Cargill, Inc., Malhotra gained experience in commodities and ingredient procurement at Treehouse Food Inc. in Chicago. She later propelled herself into a lucrative sales career at Ingredion, Inc., then to Sethness Roquette where she moved up the ranks to eventually become President of the Americas.
I firmly believe that success is not just about individual achievements, but also about making a positive impact and giving back.
Sujata Malhotra UC alum and recipient of the A&S Special Achievement Award.
Malhotra implements the company strategy to drive optimum profitability, product mix and customer satisfaction; leads negotiations and collaborations to secure major contracts and partnerships to drive revenue growth and market penetration; cultivates a high-performance culture by inspiring and leading cross-functional teams toward shared business objectives while prioritizing employee safety; and acts as a visionary leader to modernize processes to increase efficiency.
During this time, Malhotra became the secretary on the board of directors with Candy Production Club of Chicago, a professional organization of candy makers; most recently she was the organization’s president. In addition, she is a Dean’s Advisory Board member for the UC College of Arts and Sciences. As a strong believer in higher education, she started the Sujata Malhotra Scholarship Fund for students majoring in chemistry or biochemistry.
Featured image at top: Main Street on UC's Uptown Campus. Credit/UC Creative + Brand.
By Mark Osborne
Program Director, Alumni Engagement, UC Alumni Association
mark.osborne@foundation.uc.edu
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