Mahindra Group Pioneers Innovative ‘Returnship’ Program to Empower Women Resuming Careers

Mumbai, 17th January 2025: The Mahindra Group has launched a groundbreaking program, SOAR: Seamless Opportunity for Amazing Returnships, aimed at providing women professionals who have taken a career break with full-time, meaningful opportunities to restart their corporate journeys. Unlike traditional programs that often restrict returning professionals to short-term or part-time roles, SOAR offers women positions aligned with their prior experience and provides a robust framework of mentorship, upskilling, and ongoing professional engagement.
Ruzbeh Irani, President of Group Human Resources at Mahindra Group, emphasized the value of women returning to the workforce, saying, “Women who return to their careers after a break bring with them invaluable resilience, fresh perspectives, and rich experience. At Mahindra, we view this initiative as an opportunity to offer not just a job, but a career journey—one that is fully supported with mentoring, skill development, and opportunities for long-term growth. SOAR embodies our commitment to ensure that every woman rejoining the workforce feels not only supported but also empowered to excel.”
The SOAR program targets women with a minimum of five years of prior work experience and a career gap of six months to three years. The program begins with a comprehensive induction at the Mahindra Leadership University (MLU), which encourages networking and collaborative learning. The goal is to foster a sense of belonging and purpose among participants. Each woman in the program is matched with both a mentor and a “buddy,” ensuring they have a solid support system throughout their transition back into the workplace.
In addition to mentorship, the program offers flexible work arrangements, including job-sharing and part-time roles, to accommodate personal responsibilities alongside professional aspirations. With structured check-ins, continuous feedback loops, and leadership reviews, SOAR ensures participants can progressively enhance their skills, re-establish their professional identity, and achieve success in their long-term careers.
With a reputation for promoting inclusive growth, Mahindra Group believes that empowering women to re-enter the workforce is an essential part of fostering innovation, resilience, and sustainable success. The launch of SOAR reflects the company’s longstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion, aligning with its “Rise” philosophy that strives to drive positive change in both individual lives and society at large.
Through SOAR, the Mahindra Group not only provides an opportunity for women to return to their careers but also sets a new standard for inclusive talent management, creating a supportive environment that benefits both the professionals involved and the broader communities they serve.
Founded in 1945, the Mahindra Group is a global federation of companies with over 260,000 employees across more than 100 countries. The Group is a leader in farm equipment, utility vehicles, information technology, and financial services in India and is the world’s largest tractor manufacturer by volume. Mahindra also has a strong presence in industries such as renewable energy, agriculture, logistics, hospitality, and real estate.