Be Yourself Spotlight: Kumudra Aung

At TRI, one of our values is “Be Yourself,” which encourages team members to bring their full selves to work every day. Our diverse views, history, personality, character, and experiences are invaluable to the work we do at TRI and Toyota.

May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. As we recognize the contributions Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders have made to our country, TRI is proud to recognize the AANHPI trailblazers within our organization. Meet Kumudra A. ! 

What do you do at TRI?

As part of the Battery Factory of the Future (BFF) team, I work closely with my teammates to enable the development of tools that address manufacturing problems by leveraging data and physics. These solutions can then be applied to various challenges and factories, including Toyota’s first battery factory, Toyota Battery Manufacturing, North Carolina (TBMNC). We call this approach “data-driven kaizen.”

A key part of my role as the Senior Technical Program Manager is fostering collaborations and liaising with our talented counterparts and teams across the Toyota ecosystem. I feel incredibly humbled and blessed to work with and learn from such knowledgeable individuals every day.

What inspired you to get into your field?  

I am from Myanmar, and growing up, I would often visit family back home and be reminded of the importance of mobility and access to transportation. I wanted to help people achieve their day-to-day goals without mobility constraints, which inspired me to pursue an education and career focused on the automotive industry. However, automobiles contribute significantly to greenhouse gases, and I firmly believe that mobility for all should not come at the expense of our beautiful planet. Joining a team dedicated to accelerating Toyota’s path to carbon neutrality allows me to address both passions.

May is AANHPI Heritage Month, which honors the contributions Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders have made throughout U.S. history. How do you celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month?

Music and food are very important to me. This month, I focused on celebrating rising AANHPI artists (thank you for the awesome playlists, Spotify!) and attending a few food festivals across the city. 

Who are some of the most important AANHPI figures in your life?

One of the most important AANHPI figures in my life is Bruno Mars! I can always count on his heartfelt lyrics and catchy melodies to entertain me and uplift my mood. His music also reminds me of middle and high school days when I would go to karaoke with my friends after exams to celebrate! 

What do you like to do for fun?

I love to travel, whether on day trips or extended adventures. When I am not traveling, I enjoy planning future trips and drawing inspiration from others’ experiences. This year, despite growing up in Japan, I am very excited to finally hike up Mount Fuji for the first time. Hiking Mount Fuji has long been on my bucket list, and I look forward to seeing the sunrise from the summit!