Waiting for me on our garden patio, Natnisha Ahuja has an aura that extends beyond her physical self. Her attire is sleek, corporate, and put together, accented by her silver jewellery. After a quick hello, I guide her to our conference room, where she reveals her story: volunteering with Speaking Hub, spearheading social-impact initiatives in the Youth for SDGs at Mahidol University International College, and honing the very skills that now, at 25, have made her Guardian Industries’ Strategic Communications Partner. She’s confident, charming, and incredibly articulate, choosing each word with care, and it’s clear why she’s risen so quickly. As she settles in, Nisha shares more with Masala about her education, her passions, and the company she loves.
What first drew you to Guardian Industries, and how has your role evolved?
Honestly, I just clicked ‘Apply.’ Coming from an international school background, I wanted that same international atmosphere at work. During my online interview in the middle of COVID, I ended up chatting with my future boss—another MUIC grad and third-culture kid. We veered off into real talk: fitting in, navigating office social norms, and even the drinking expectations. That instant connection sold me more than any big name could.
How has being based in Bangkok shaped your approach to your regional role?
Bangkok taught me adaptability. Growing up here—international schools, family business hustle, street-level realities—I learned to pivot fast. When global teams visit, they’re often surprised by our English fluency and professionalism. I see my role as proving we’re more than ‘the rest of the world.’ We’re innovators, trendsetters, and leaders.
What makes Guardian Industries’ work culture so different from other companies?
After I graduated, another multinational company offered me a strict job description—translating documents and knocking out a few posters. Meanwhile, at Guardian, they handed me full ownership of a customer loyalty program: admin through execution. Six months in, I sat down with Europe-based leadership, made my case, and swapped into a marketing role that matched my creative side.
It all comes back to contribution over credentials. Our ‘Contribution Motivation’ framework means your impact, not your CV, drives your pay and promotions. Here, there’s no fixed JD—just co-written Roles, Responsibilities & Expectations (RR&Es) that evolve with what I do best. It is principle-led management under Koch Industries: self-actualization is baked into everything and you can reshape your role two or three times a year based on where you add the most value.
With Guardian Glass spanning five continents, how do you keep Asia-Pacific messaging local yet on-brand?
With over 30 years in Thailand, we operate as a borderless organisation—no regional silos. If I’m known for graphics, I’ll pitch in on campaigns in Latin America or Europe. To stay aligned, every sustainability or social message goes through our ESG (environmental, social, and governance) and stewardship teams. Global legal signs off on copy. The result? A consistent brand voice everywhere—even when local competitors stick to a more “บ้านๆ” approach to marketing. This is because when it comes down to it, clients pick us because our glass actually does the job. It keeps the heat out, blocks nearly all UV, won’t shatter into dangerous shards, and even dials down traffic noise.
Your glass projects span Bangkok to Seoul. How does the product adapt to tropical versus cold climates?
Glass isn’t just a window—it’s a climate-control system. Our coated glass is engineered so you can flip the coated side inward in winter to trap heat, or outward in summer to reject solar gain. And then there’s build type:
• Monolithic: single pane, basic function
• Laminated: two panes plus PVB film—safety, sound reduction
• Insulated Glass Units (IGUs): multiple panes with an air gap for superior thermal performance, noise dampening, and UV protection
In Bangkok, building codes mandate laminated glass above 2,000 sq. ft for safety (no shards) and UV block. Condos next to the BTS love our Guardian LamiGlass® Acoustic for noise control. We even offer triple-silver coated glass—best-in-class solar control and crystal-clear views—but local adoption is still ramping up.
You co-founded Speaking Hub. What sparked your passion for language education?
I saw so many brilliant kids, often kids of my parents’ staff, held back by English barriers. Language opens doors. In high school, I ran small tutoring sessions for family friends and was also a teaching assistant for the third grade; it was energizing, not draining. Later on, when a former MUN teammate launched Speaking Hub, I jumped in: recruiting, HR setup, and sponsorship outreach. Even late-night and weekend Zooms felt like passion projects. Today, I’ve kept my mission for education advocacy alive through Guardian’s partnerships with Teach for Thailand and Teach for All.
Many young people struggle to find their voice—what advice would you give to a student leader just starting out?
I’ve been there myself. First, start with honest self-reflection: ask yourself, ‘Is this really what I want?’ Don’t be afraid to experiment—join different activities, try new roles, and see what clicks. It’s okay to fail; I switched from a biology major to marketing, finished a semester late, and even picked up Fs along the way. Each setback taught me something.
If a big leap feels scary, begin small—take on a minor project or volunteer for one task. Pay attention to which parts energise you and which drag you down. No role is perfect, but if you enjoy the core of it—if it gives you that spark—you’re on the right path. Keep reflecting, keep tweaking, and over time, you’ll build both your confidence and your unique voice.