LiveTALK How to Do Business with Trane Technologies

KeeKee joined Trane Technologies in April 2021, before joining Trane Technologies, she worked in the automotive industry for thirteen years at Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. where she was the Supplier Diversity Manager. Her accolades include an array of awards, acknowledgements, and nationwide recognitions including but not limited to 2017 and 2022 Corporation of the Year and Corporate Representative of the Year for (TSMSDC) TriState Minority Supplier Development Council and 2022 USPAACC Corporation of the Year. She has been recognized for many years as one of the Top 30 Diversity Professionals and Women Leading Diversity on a national level as a leader in the Supplier Diversity community. She has held many board seats and has chaired many boards across the nation. She is a graduate of Leadership Chattanooga, Urban League’s Inclusion by Design, YALP, and is a part of the current cohort of Leadership Tennessee. KeeKee brings more has more than 26+ years within purchasing which includes supporting as a regional buyer, service buyer, supply chain support, key user for all the purchasing systems and continuous improvement such as (TPM) Total Planned Maintenance, QCDSM, and Lean Management. She is committed to mentor diverse suppliers but also to build strategic “partnerships” and “alliances” with diverse suppliers. Now, also leading supplier sustainability within her organization her role is the integration of social, ethical, and environmental performance factors into the process of selecting suppliers. The goal is to build strong, long term relationships with suppliers as we “Boldly challenge what’s possible for a sustainable world.”

KeeKee holds has a Bachelor of Science degree in business management from University of Phoenix, Chattanooga, TN.

Sushumna Roy Jalajam began her career in Human Resources over twenty years ago.  With an ability to quickly understand the needs of a customer, coupled with dedication and commitment to excellence within her profession, Sushumna co-founded Softpath System, LLC in 1999. Softpath is owned and operated by Sushumna Roy Jalajam, President and Ravi Chander, CEO. Based in metro Atlanta, Softpath provides innovative IT consulting services and cutting-edge staffing solutions to clients across multiple industries. As a certified Women and Minority-Owned Business Enterprise, Softpath has been widely recognized for its customer-centric and collaborative approach to business for the last twenty years.

Under Sushumna’s leadership, Softpath System was recognized by the National Diversity Council as one of the “Top 50 Inclusive Brands” in 2022. Softpath System became the official staffing agency of the Atlanta Gladiators in 2021 and received the USPAACC SE Top 10 Asian American Businesses in Georgia award. Her influence and guidance have also propelled Softpath forward in the world of diversity and inclusion. Sushumna was honored with the EY entrepreneur of the Year Southeast Region in 2018, 2022 GMSDC Supplier of the Year Class IV ,2017 GMSDC (Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council) MBE of the Year Class III, 2022 MBE advocate of the year by GMSDC, 2016/2018 Georgia Women Business Council (GWBC) LACE Trailblazer Award, Women Presidents Organization - Fast 50, and the WBENC WBE Star in 2019 honoring Softpath as ‘best in class’ for inspiring, engaging, and empowering women-owned businesses.

Sushumna is very active within civic organizations and serves on the BOD of GWBC as well as the Taskforce Committee. She has served as Board Member to the U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce – Southeast Chapter (USPAACC-SE) and as Trustee to multiple non-profits and community organizations.

Sushumna holds a master’s degree in Literature with honors from Osmania University, India and has earned a Master’s in Business Management from the prestigious IMS, India.  She is married to Ravi Chander, co-founder of Softpath System and has three daughters.