Alumni Spotlight: Suyash Shrivastava on Global Careers & Clean-Energy Leadership
From Hamburg to the renewable energy frontlines of Eastern Europe, Suyash Shrivastava (MSc Global Logistics & SCM, 2018) embodies global leadership in action. As Area Sales Manager at Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, he combines a multidisciplinary background with a passion for sustainability, driving strategic partnerships and delivering clean-energy solutions across diverse markets. Guided by a mindset of continuous improvement and cultural sensitivity — values shaped during his time at KLU — Suyash has built a career rooted in strategic thinking, operational agility, and meaningful impact. His journey reflects not only personal resilience and international ambition, but also his dedication to supporting a greener future and empowering others pursuing careers abroad.
Name: Suyash Shrivastava
Program: MSc Global Logistics and SCM 2018
Position, Company: Area Sales Manager, Eastern Euope, Siemens Gamesa
Best about my degree program:
Reflecting on my time at KLU often fills me with a warm sense of nostalgia. Moving from my home country to Hamburg was a big cultural shift, and at times it felt overwhelming, but KLU’s welcoming community made that transition much smoother and comforting. The close-knit international environment and small class sizes allowed me to form meaningful relationships and truly engage in learning both inside and outside the classroom. Through my interactions with professors, staff, and fellow students, I discovered a lesson that has stayed with me: the value of cultural sensitivity and open-mindedness. This insight has been a guiding light throughout my career, helping me navigate different professional settings with empathy and effectiveness.
Best about my job:
I am fortunate to be part of the wind power industry, which gives me a deep sense of purpose and fulfillment. Knowing that my work helps build green energy infrastructure and supports the global shift toward a sustainable future truly motivates me. Beyond this meaningful impact, what drives me every day is the chance to grow and develop my career continuously. As an Area Sales Manager, I lead cross-functional teams of very diverse professional backgrounds. I embrace the challenge of strategic leadership and operational mindset—it allows me to stay proactive, manage internal and external stakeholders and craft customized solutions that benefit everyone involved, and nurture strong relationships. What I love most is creating value not just for my company and customers, but also for the wider community and environment.
At this point in my life and career, I feel personally motivated to connect with, and encourage current students at KLU, who may be in a similar situation, living and working abroad. Navigating today’s corporate world can feel overwhelming, especially with the many changes we've seen over the past five years—and it’s even more challenging when you’re starting or restarting your career in a new country. If you’re building your career in Germany in 2025, focusing on key skills can make a real difference. Learning German to a B1/B2 level will help you connect and communicate more confidently, while developing digital skills like programming and data analysis will keep you competitive in a tech-driven world. Beyond technical abilities, adaptability, empathy, and strong communication are vital to thrive in the diverse and multicultural workplaces. Gaining relevant certifications and hands-on experience shows your commitment and readiness, and building genuine networks can offer the support and opportunities you’ll need to grow in Germany’s dynamic job market. It’s a journey, but with the right preparation and mindset, it’s a path full of potential and growth.
How KLU helped me get there:
The American author Robert Collier said, “Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” For me, KLU was the place that gave me the stage and environment to put in those efforts. I grew so much personally by being part of its international student community, forming meaningful friendships that I cherish to this day, and learning from a diverse group of people. The university’s career services were incredibly helpful in giving me a clear understanding of what German employers look for in both applications and candidates.
My advice to students who are building their career in Germany in 2025 is to embrace the career services’ guidance, invest time in building a genuine network, and most importantly, believe in yourself—because you’ve already achieved so much just by reaching this point.
How do you incorporate an operations mindset into your daily life?
As I mentioned earlier, in my role as an Area Sales Manager, I have the responsibility of selling wind turbines to a diverse range of customers - governments, municipalities, consortiums, and private equity firms and/or debt. Leading a team with professionals from various cross-functional backgrounds adds to the complexity and demands of the job. This role carries significant responsibility, and to meet its challenges, I’ve learned that having both a strategic leadership perspective and a strong operational mindset is essential. It means maintaining a comprehensive, big-picture view while staying holistic, ethical and agile, because every situation is dynamic. Success in this role depends on approaching problems with a solutions-oriented attitude and embracing true ownership of outcomes at every step.
