Rithusha Kamma is one of our newest employees, working as a commercial product manager for our seating and positioning products, where she tackles business problems, forecasts outcomes, and builds business cases for innovations. This role matches her skills in math and science, with her interest in solving business problems. When she isn’t at work, she enjoys food, dancing, and learning, taking in new cultures wherever she goes.
Growing up in India
I grew up in Hyderabad, India. Hyderabad is renowned for its delicious biryani, and I’ve had the pleasure of tasting 20 different kinds over the years! The city’s rich food culture has deeply influenced my love for food.
I have an amazing older sister who is incredibly talented and someone I look up to in many ways. As a kid, I was a bit of a geek and absolutely loved school. Meeting friends, participating in cultural activities, and enjoying weekends at home with my family were some of my favorite things. My mom made incredible food, and watching movies was a huge part of my childhood.
I went through a few phases of what I wanted to be when I grew up – from a psychologist to a therapist to a dancer. I eventually leaned toward business.
College life and beyond
After high school, I stayed in my hometown and attended Chaitanya Bharathi Institute of Technology, where I majored in Chemical Engineering. I’ve always loved chemistry and math, so it felt like the right fit for me. One of my all-time favorite memories from college is competing at the college fest during my final semester. Performing in front of 4,000 people was such an adrenaline rush!
One of my proudest achievements was earning my master’s degree from Duke University – it was truly a dream come true for me.
My journey with Permobil
I joined Permobil as a commercial product manager about five months ago, and I was drawn to the company because I truly believe in its purpose. The role of a product manager aligns perfectly with my interests and skills in solving business problems.
My main priorities right now are developing the new Asgard product, the Permobil store, and the durability project. Additionally, I stay on top of field communication, monitor ROHO sales and margins, and work closely with operations. Gathering feedback from the S&P reps and understanding market trends are also key parts of my job.
What excites me the most about my job is working on new products. It’s thrilling to tackle business problems, forecast outcomes, and build solid business cases for innovations. My day is filled with meetings, brainstorming sessions, and some administrative tasks. It’s fast-paced and requires a lot of juggling! Although it’s still early to say for sure, I’m proud of how I’m learning to adapt to change and immerse myself in a new industry. The ROHO Durability project has been one of the most exciting projects I’ve worked on so far, and it excites the chemical engineer in me!
Life outside of work
Outside of work, I’m all about fitness and yoga. Staying active keeps me feeling good both physically and mentally. I also love dancing! I’m currently taking both classical dance and salsa, which has been a fun and challenging way to express myself. My family is incredibly close-knit. Though they’re in India, I talk to them almost every day. They mean the world to me.
When it comes to vacations, you can often find me in Washington, D.C. I love spending time at museums and places that are rich in history and art. There’s something about being surrounded by such cultural significance that really inspires me.
Rapid fire questions:
Favorite restaurant or place to order takeout food from?
Any Thai restaurant
What's your favorite season and why?
Summer. I’m not a fan of chilly weather, and I love how active everyone gets during the summer. Plus, there’s more to do!
If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be?
SPB (S. P. Balasubrahmanyam), the legendary Indian singer. His voice and musical contributions have touched so many lives
What is your favorite movie of all time?
It’s hard to pick just one, but The Shawshank Redemption, Ford vs Ferrari, and Sleepless in Seattle are definitely at the top of my list
