Schuyla J.'s Impactful Leadership Journey at Cummins: Innovation, Risk-Taking, and Empowerment
In the evolving world of corporate careers, Schuyla J. exemplifies the power of pursuing potential through her 14-year journey at Cummins Inc., marked by seizing opportunities and embracing calculated risks. Currently serving as the Executive Director of Ethics and Compliance, Schuyla oversees multiple critical areas, including Investigations, Diversity Compliance, Data Privacy, and Corporate Quality. She also acts as the Chief of Staff to the Chief Administrative Officer. Schuyla attributes her career growth to her commitment to innovative problem-solving and strategic risk-taking. She believes in building collaborative, trusting relationships as a foundation for both individual and collective success.
Reflecting on her roles at Cummins, Schuyla finds them both challenging and rewarding, emphasizing the importance of adaptability, openness to change, and positivity during tough times. Early in her career, Schuyla applied her 18 years as a practicing attorney and her experiences in Maragoli, Kenya, to tackle complex problems creatively. As Director of Commercial Special Projects, she established Cummins’ inaugural office in Casablanca, Morocco, which allowed her to deepen her understanding of the company’s mission and values while expanding its presence across Africa. This work in culturally diverse settings helped position Cummins as a leader in marketing and communications across emerging African markets.
Her role then grew to encompass Cummins Business Services (CBS), where she managed shared services delivery across Africa. Acknowledging the importance of "back-of-house" functions, she led efforts in areas like payroll, IT, and accounts receivable, learning the value of high-quality support for internal operations. This experience prepared her for her appointment as Managing Director of Southern Africa, where she led sales and service operations in 11 countries.
After more than a decade in Africa, Schuyla returned to the U.S. in 2016, taking on the role of Operations Vice President in the Pacific Northwest. She later moved to Indiana, where she led procurement efforts within Supply Chain, creating the Contracts, Risk, and Compliance Center of Excellence to streamline supplier contracting and risk management processes.
In her current role in Ethics and Compliance, Schuyla and her team are essential to ensuring Cummins adheres to legal and regulatory standards worldwide. She emphasizes the importance of fostering ethical behavior and encourages employees to speak up, recognizing them as the company’s first line of defense against misconduct. Schuyla is dedicated to upholding Cummins' mission of "Making People’s Lives Better by Powering a More Prosperous World," reinforcing trust and transparency across the organization.
A highlight of Schuyla’s career has been hiring some of the first female technicians in Africa, empowering them to build successful careers. One notable story involves a young woman she mentored from high school, who eventually secured a full-time role at Cummins, advancing into various positions and achieving personal milestones.
Schuyla is also dedicated to promoting inclusivity, working with the Cummins Black Network (CBN) and Women’s Empowerment Employee Resource Group. In 2020, she launched "CBN First Fridays," an event that connected the Cummins community, featuring live music, knowledge sharing, and support for small businesses.
As Schuyla reflects on her journey, she remains committed to embracing direct feedback, maintaining joy, and knowing when to pause and recharge. Her career is a testament to the impact of seizing opportunities, taking thoughtful risks, and using creativity to drive progress.
Reflecting on her roles at Cummins, Schuyla finds them both challenging and rewarding, emphasizing the importance of adaptability, openness to change, and positivity during tough times. Early in her career, Schuyla applied her 18 years as a practicing attorney and her experiences in Maragoli, Kenya, to tackle complex problems creatively. As Director of Commercial Special Projects, she established Cummins’ inaugural office in Casablanca, Morocco, which allowed her to deepen her understanding of the company’s mission and values while expanding its presence across Africa. This work in culturally diverse settings helped position Cummins as a leader in marketing and communications across emerging African markets.
Her role then grew to encompass Cummins Business Services (CBS), where she managed shared services delivery across Africa. Acknowledging the importance of "back-of-house" functions, she led efforts in areas like payroll, IT, and accounts receivable, learning the value of high-quality support for internal operations. This experience prepared her for her appointment as Managing Director of Southern Africa, where she led sales and service operations in 11 countries.
After more than a decade in Africa, Schuyla returned to the U.S. in 2016, taking on the role of Operations Vice President in the Pacific Northwest. She later moved to Indiana, where she led procurement efforts within Supply Chain, creating the Contracts, Risk, and Compliance Center of Excellence to streamline supplier contracting and risk management processes.
In her current role in Ethics and Compliance, Schuyla and her team are essential to ensuring Cummins adheres to legal and regulatory standards worldwide. She emphasizes the importance of fostering ethical behavior and encourages employees to speak up, recognizing them as the company’s first line of defense against misconduct. Schuyla is dedicated to upholding Cummins' mission of "Making People’s Lives Better by Powering a More Prosperous World," reinforcing trust and transparency across the organization.
A highlight of Schuyla’s career has been hiring some of the first female technicians in Africa, empowering them to build successful careers. One notable story involves a young woman she mentored from high school, who eventually secured a full-time role at Cummins, advancing into various positions and achieving personal milestones.
Schuyla is also dedicated to promoting inclusivity, working with the Cummins Black Network (CBN) and Women’s Empowerment Employee Resource Group. In 2020, she launched "CBN First Fridays," an event that connected the Cummins community, featuring live music, knowledge sharing, and support for small businesses.
As Schuyla reflects on her journey, she remains committed to embracing direct feedback, maintaining joy, and knowing when to pause and recharge. Her career is a testament to the impact of seizing opportunities, taking thoughtful risks, and using creativity to drive progress.
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