Believe it or not. Energy, power, and infrastructure are the future of humankind. Dr. Muralidhar MS always believed it. That is why his professional calling has always been closely aligned with infrastructure and energy sectors that directly impact national growth and quality of life. The idea that reliable power systems and efficient transportation infrastructure can transform societies has guided his career from the very beginning.
“What truly inspired me was the realization that infrastructure touches everyday lives—whether it’s electricity powering homes, metro systems enabling mobility, or renewable energy shaping a greener future,” says Dr. Muralidhar MS as his role evolved from execution to strategy, where he could influence long-term planning, operational excellence, and talent development.
Starting in public utilities and later moving into global multinational organizations allowed him to witness the full spectrum of infrastructure development—from policy-driven execution to technologically advanced, globally benchmarked projects. At ABB, Schneider Electric, Alstom Transport, and Linxon, he was privileged to manage high-voltage power systems, metro electrification, and large-scale transportation projects across multiple geographies.
These experiences shaped Dr. Muralidhar’s understanding that infrastructure is not just about engineering—it is about coordination, risk management, stakeholder alignment, and long-term vision. Working across India, Southeast Asia, and international markets refined his ability to lead multicultural teams and deliver projects under diverse regulatory and operational environments.
Today, as Executive Vice President at JAKSON Limited, Dr. Muralidhar MS views leadership as a responsibility—to build lasting institutions, empower people, and contribute meaningfully to India’s infrastructure and energy transformation.
The business philosophy he follows is simple: sustainable growth comes from strong fundamentals, ethical practices, and people-centric leadership. Every challenge encountered—be it regulatory changes, market volatility, or execution risks—strengthened his conviction that adaptability and innovation are critical. “Over time, this approach has helped us build resilient teams, trusted partnerships, and scalable solutions aligned with India’s development goals.”
At JAKSON Limited, this collective experience translates into strategic leadership focused on integrated energy solutions, sustainability, and execution excellence. The underlying idea has always remained consistent: build infrastructure that is reliable, future-ready, and impactful—today and for generations to come.
Laying the Foundation
Earlier, coming from a middle-class Indian family where values such as integrity, discipline, and respect for hard work were deeply ingrained in Dr. Muralidhar from an early age, his formative years were shaped by a strong emphasis on education and responsibility, which laid the foundation for both his personal and professional journey. He pursued his education with a keen interest in engineering and management, believing that technical depth combined with business understanding is essential for creating long-term value.
A strong foundation of discipline, perseverance, and purpose has shaped his journey. He pursued a bachelor’s degree in Electrical & Electronics Engineering, followed by an M. Tech in Power Systems, driven by a deep interest in energy systems and nation-building infrastructure. To complement his technical grounding with global business perspectives, Dr. Muralidhar earned an International MBA in Project Management from Ulyanovsk State University, Russia, and later strengthened his leadership capabilities through the Leadership Excellence and Development Program at the Indian School of Business [ISB], along with Project Management certifications from IPMA and CSCPM Certification from Avanta Global, Singapore.
He began his professional career with Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL) as a Contract Assistant Engineer, where he gained firsthand exposure to public infrastructure systems and ground-level execution. “This early experience instilled in me a strong sense of accountability and public responsibility,” says Dr. Muralidhar, whose transition to the private sector with ABB India Limited marked a significant milestone, where he handled complex projects and learned the importance of precision, safety, and global standards.
Over the years, his career progressed through leadership roles at Schneider Electric, Alstom Transport across India, Singapore, and the Philippines, and later as Project Director at Linxon Philippines. Each phase brought its own challenges—cross-cultural teams, high-stakes projects, and demanding timelines—but also invaluable learning. These experiences shaped Dr. Muralidhar’s belief that resilience, adaptability, and ethical leadership are essential for sustained success.
“Family has remained my strongest anchor. Their support has helped me stay grounded despite professional demands. Friends and mentors across my journey have played an equally important role, offering perspective and honest feedback.”
Value Creation Through Purposeful Growth
Dr. Muralidhar’s appetite for business is driven by purposeful growth and long-term value creation. He is motivated by opportunities that strengthen institutions, improve systems, and contribute to sustainable development.
Having worked across global organizations and geographies, he approaches business with both ambition and discipline—embracing innovation while remaining grounded in risk management and governance. “Transformation excites me, whether through operational excellence, adoption of new technologies, or expansion into renewable and sustainable energy solutions.”
For Dr. Muralidhar, ethical practices, trust, and reputation are strategic assets. Growth achieved without integrity is short-lived. Sustainable success comes from aligning people, processes, and purpose. “The passion that drives me is building systems that last—organizations, teams, and infrastructure that create impact beyond individual tenures. I am deeply motivated by the idea of contributing to India’s development story through reliable energy and infrastructure solutions.”
Equally important is people development. “Watching individuals grow into leaders, gain confidence, and achieve their potential gives me immense satisfaction,’ adds Dr. Muralidhar, believing leadership is incomplete without mentorship and knowledge sharing.
He is also passionate about innovation and sustainability. The transition towards cleaner energy and smarter infrastructure is not just a business opportunity but a responsibility. “Being part of this transformation energizes me and keeps me future-focused. At its core, my passion lies in purposeful leadership—doing meaningful work while enabling others to succeed.”
A People-Centric Visionary
Dr. Muralidhar’s core strengths include strategic thinking, resilience, and people-centric leadership. “I could remain calm under pressure and make balanced decisions even in complex situations. I value collaboration and believe diverse perspectives lead to better outcomes.”
One area he consciously works on is impatience for results. “While a sense of urgency drives performance, I have learned that sustainable outcomes require patience and nurturing.” Another learning has been letting go—trusting teams fully and allowing space for independent decision-making.
Recognizing and working on one’s limitations is essential, feels Dr. Muralidhar, while believing that self-awareness and self-reflection are powerful leadership tools, and continuous improvement is a lifelong journey.
Recalling the global testing times, Dr. Muralidhar says that the COVID-19 pandemic was an unprecedented challenge that tested businesses, leadership, and resilience. “Like many organizations, we faced disruptions in supply chains, workforce mobility, and project execution.”
Their priority was people—ensuring safety, health, and emotional well-being. Clear communication, flexible working arrangements, and strong safety protocols helped maintain trust and morale. Digitization played a crucial role, enabling remote collaboration, virtual reviews, and continuity of critical operations.
Strategically, they focused on liquidity management, cost optimization, and prioritizing essential projects. Scenario planning and agile decision-making helped us adapt quickly to changing conditions.
The pandemic also accelerated digital adoption and reinforced the importance of resilient systems. “We emerged stronger, more agile, inclusive, responsible, and better prepared for future uncertainties. It reaffirmed my belief that crises, when handled with clarity and compassion, can become catalysts for transformation.”
Dr. Muralidhar also feels that leadership in infrastructure demands high levels of commitment, resilience, and adaptability. “Over the years, I have learned that balance is not about dividing time equally, but about aligning priorities consciously.”
Professionally, he focuses on building empowered teams and leadership depth. Delegation and trust are critical—especially when managing large, geographically dispersed projects. Creating a culture of accountability and ownership allows teams to perform independently while maintaining alignment with organizational goals.
Personally, family has been his strongest source of stability and perspective. Their support during international assignments, demanding project phases, and leadership transitions has helped him remain grounded. He makes a conscious effort to disconnect periodically, reflect, and recalibrate—understanding that clarity of thought is essential for effective decision-making.
Continuous learning, physical discipline, and mindfulness help him manage stress and complexity. He believes that leaders must first lead themselves before leading others. “True balance emerges when personal values guide professional ambition, and when success is measured not only by outcomes, but by well-being and integrity.”
A Legacy of Lasting Impact
For other aspiring leaders taking on leadership roles in their respective fields, Dr. Muralidhar’s advice is logical: Leadership is about responsibility, not position. Build strong fundamentals, remain ethical, and never stop learning. Embrace challenges—they shape character and capability. Measure success not by titles, but by the impact you create and the people you uplift.
And for the readers, his success mantra steeped in growth and development is that ‘True success comes from consistency, integrity, and purpose. Stay curious, stay grounded, and lead with empathy. Growth may be gradual, but perseverance and ethical leadership always create lasting impact.’
He adds that the future belongs to the leaders who combine vision with responsibility and innovation with compassion. “As industries evolve, our role is to lead change thoughtfully and inclusively, building systems that serve both present and future generations.”
In this regard, he says he has been privileged to lead and contribute to several landmark infrastructure and power projects across India and international markets. “Professionally, building high-performing teams and delivering complex projects successfully remain my most valued achievements.”
A Journey of Prestige & Honor
Dr. Muralidhar’s leadership journey has been recognized with several prestigious honors, including:
*ACES Award – 2025
*Prestigious “Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel – Jeevan Gaurava Puraskar” award from M/s Global Scholars Foundation for Best Business Personality of the year, in 2024.
*Prestigious “Udyog Bhushan Puraskar” award from M/s Global Scholars Foundation for Best Project Director for Metro Railway Electrification, in 2024.
*Prestigious “Diamonds of India” award from M/s Global Scholars Foundation for Best Project Director for Metro Railway Electrification, in 2024.
*Prestigious “Bhartiya Udyog Ratna” award from M/s Global Scholars Foundation for Best Project Head for Metro Railway Electrification, in 2023.
