Chandana Pairla, a seasoned leader has held various leadership roles in organizations such as Intel and Qualcomm, including startups working primarily in wireless and connectivity technologies, starting from 3G, 4G, WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS. At Renesas Electronics, she is responsible for 800+ teams spread across the globe, focusing on Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, audio, ultra-wide band, NFC, and a wide portfolio of connectivity technologies.

In a recent conversation with the Global Woman Leader Magazine, Chandana talks about dealing with a disrupted supply chain in the semiconductor industry and how companies like Renesas are building inclusive leadership to achieve agility and innovation. She emphasises the need to bring more women in leadership positions in the semiconductor industry and their impact on transforming product strategy. Chandana also weighs in on her experience in the Wi-Fi & wireless environments while highlighting the next frontier technologies that could disrupt the semiconductor industry.

 Read out the article below to know more.

Given the current market volatility, especially in semiconductor shortages and supply chain disruptions, how can semiconductor manufacturers future-proof their operations?

This problem has recently gained attention, especially due to the supply chain constraints experienced during the pandemic. Semiconductor manufacturers are addressing these challenges by building more resilient supply chains. At Renesas, for example, we have both internal and external fabs, and we prioritize establishing a diverse supplier base. By working with multiple foundries in parallel, we can ensure a steady supply and adapt to any unforeseen shortages.

To support this diversity, we build strategic partnerships and secure long-term contracts with key suppliers. We also invest in initiatives to enhance our agility, allowing us to respond quickly to changes in market demand. This agility is essential for managing fluctuations in supply, demand, and market conditions, which are inherent in our industry. The pandemic underscored the need for this approach, making it a key focus for us moving forward.

With the rapid rise of disruptive technologies in the embedded systems space, how do you see the role of women in leadership transforming the product strategy for these advancements? What unique perspectives do women leaders bring to balancing innovation and practicality?

I believe that being a woman leader in my role, despite my efforts to bring more women into leadership positions, there remains a significant lack of representation. For example, when I recently sought to expand my team, I engaged an executive search firm, which provided a list of 64 candidates—only one of which was a woman. This is the current ratio we're dealing with, and it’s clear that focused efforts are needed to change it.

Women bring a balanced approach to innovation and execution, particularly through their focus on inclusion and collaboration. Soft skills like these are invaluable in addressing day-to-day challenges and developing holistic solutions that cater to diverse customer needs. I believe this balance is a key strength that women bring to leadership, and it’s something I aim to contribute as well. We need more of this—more of us, more representation.

The semiconductor industry has traditionally been male-dominated. What strategies can be implemented to attract and retain more women talent in technical leadership roles? How can leaders foster an inclusive environment?

When I look at the companies I’ve worked with and my team at, Renesas I see plenty of talent, ambition, and drive in women. We have fair representation, though we’re not where we need to be—it’s not yet 50%. There’s a strong female workforce, especially at entry levels, but as you navigate the corporate ladder, the number of women in leadership positions thins out.

In my own career, mentorship and sponsorship from my mentors and management were crucial. I believe self-advocacy is essential, and I'd like to see more women seek out sponsorship and mentorship. Companies should also invest in these programs to support ambitious women.

While early-career representation is solid, many women leave as life progresses, often due to family responsibilities. Flexible work environments and career development paths are essential for those who wish to take time off and return. Companies should focus on recruitment efforts that address unconscious biases and support women in navigating life transitions. With this supportive culture, more women can thrive, lead projects, and deliver value.

In an industry where product lifecycle and development timelines are long, how can companies remain agile without sacrificing the depth and precision required in silicon development?

In my experience, it's essential to allocate bandwidth to focus on forward-looking innovation—areas that may not impact short-term revenue but could drive significant future growth. The challenge is balancing agility and speed with consistency to avoid disrupting engineering teams.

My approach, the 60-20-20 principle, has been invaluable in my career and personal life. This means dedicating 60% of time and resources to planned work, 20% to unforeseen issues like urgent requests or customer escalations, and the final 20% to strategic initiatives, such as funding research or learning new skills. This principle helps maintain steady progress on current projects, allows for strategic initiatives, and ensures a buffer for unexpected challenges.

How do you foresee the semiconductor industry's relationship with government regulations evolving, especially as the need for domestic chip production increases globally? What role can women in leadership play in influencing policy and driving strategic partnerships?

Recently there has been significant government engagement in the semiconductor industry, from the U.S. CHIPS Act to India’s “Make in India” initiative to attract semiconductor manufacturing. The industry's relationship with government and regulatory bodies is becoming increasingly important, and industry leaders need to play an active role in shaping policy.

Is this unique to women? Not necessarily. However, women in leadership are especially equipped with collaboration skills and the ability to build strategic partnerships with governments, private companies, and other stakeholders. As governments promote greater female participation in the industry, they could also introduce incentives for companies that create inclusive cultures and safe spaces, enabling women to thrive. Such measures could greatly enhance women's representation in corporate structures.

Wi-Fi infrastructure is evolving at a breakneck pace. As a woman leader who has managed a product portfolio in this space, what are the next frontier technologies that could disrupt the semiconductor industry?

With over a decade in Wi-Fi and more than two decades in wireless environments, I’ve seen the industry evolve steadily. In Wi-Fi, a new generation standard typically emerges every four years, with Wi-Fi 7 now available and Wi-Fi 8 on the horizon. Wi-Fi 8 will focus heavily on IoT and sensing. We will see a growing intersection between Wi-Fi and cellular communications. This convergence marks the next wave of innovation.

To leverage this shift, early investment is crucial. At,Renesas we actively participate in industry standards bodies, allowing us to anticipate and shape future advancements. Our engineering task force contributes to these forums and explores emerging technologies, aligning our product roadmap with upcoming innovations. This approach gives our engineers the chance to work on forward-looking projects—an exciting opportunity to engage with future technology and contribute creatively.

Messages For Readers

To my fellow leaders, congratulations on reaching your positions. I urge you to pay it forward. Reflect on the support you received throughout your career and extend the same to young women and aspiring professionals who look up to you. Take time to mentor, guide, and nurture their budding careers. I do this myself, and it’s incredibly rewarding. It truly takes a village—be that village for others.