Shruti Patel – Ashland

Shruti Patel grew up surrounded by the rhythm of small business. Her parents owned hotels and dry-cleaning shops, and their work depended on long days, careful planning, and plenty of legal paperwork. She watched them sift through contracts at the kitchen table, reach out to attorneys when something seemed unclear, and handle every decision with both caution and optimism. Those moments shaped her more than she realized at the time. They showed her how influential legal guidance could be in protecting a dream and opening new opportunities.

Shruti Patel | Ashland | Senior Counsel, Commercial & Regulatory Law

While many children found inspiration in classrooms or sports fields, Shruti found hers in conference rooms and business offices. As she watched her parents interact with lawyers, she began imagining a career where she could offer the same kind of clarity and confidence to others. Her interest deepened as she discovered a love for reading and writing, coupled with a clear sense that science and technical fields were not her calling. Law felt like the place where she could help people, meaningfully contribute to her family’s enterprises, and someday build a career rooted in partnership rather than distance.

By the time she entered law school, Shruti already knew she did not want the traditional firm experience. The idea of juggling many clients, litigating disputes, or focusing on narrow slices of law did not appeal to her. She wanted something different. She wanted to understand how a business really worked, participate in long-term decisions, and develop trusted relationships with the people she supported. That meant building a path toward going in-house from the moment she began her legal training.

Early ambitions

Shruti’s early career only reinforced her instincts. Her internships and first legal roles gave her glimpses into what she enjoyed most: collaborating with business teams, solving problems with practicality, and seeing how legal decisions could increase efficiency rather than simply prevent risk. She realized that working in-house would allow her to have one client, one mission, and the opportunity to grow with the organization rather than simply advise it from a distance.

That goal led her to positions that would build the breadth she wanted. At MTBC, now CareCloud, she stepped unexpectedly into a senior role that tested her adaptability and expanded her understanding of corporate governance. She was tasked with responsibilities she had not expected to take on so early. In one case, she had to file an 8-K for the first time with little time to prepare. With determination and support from others in the company, she figured it out.

In reflecting on that experience, she says it taught her to trust her instincts, ask for help when she needed it, and embrace challenges that seemed intimidating.

“The only way to grow is to take on what scares you a little,” she says.

That mindset carried her forward. She learned to become resourceful, confident under pressure, and comfortable moving across different areas of the business. Those skills would later serve her well when she transitioned into a new and unfamiliar industry.

Finding the right fit

Shruti joined Ashland after leaving Mattress Firm, a move driven by both internal uncertainty at her previous role and a desire to take on something new. She initially applied for a different position but was encouraged to explore another opening more closely aligned with her goals. The timing, culture, and opportunity felt right.

Ashland, a global additives and specialty ingredients company serving industries such as personal care, pharmaceuticals, coatings, and life sciences, offered exactly the kind of environment Shruti had hoped to find. The company is known not only for its scientific expertise but also for its collaborative, people-first culture. As she began speaking with team members, she sensed that this was a place where she could stretch her skills, develop trusted partnerships, and make meaningful contributions beyond the strict boundaries of her job description.

She was right. As Senior Counsel for North America, Shruti handles commercial contracts, regulatory and environmental matters, and a variety of corporate and M&A responsibilities. Her role requires understanding the business from multiple angles and working closely with teams across functions, geographies, and technical specialties.

“The best part of my job is that I get to collaborate with so many different people,” she says. “Every project teaches me something new.”

Her colleagues quickly recognized her willingness to dive into unfamiliar territory, ask thoughtful questions, and propose solutions that balanced legal requirements with business goals. As she grew into the position, she became known for her practical mindset, steady communication style, and ability to turn complex issues into clear action steps.

That approach proved particularly helpful in her work with commercial teams. In one case, Shruti spotted a high-risk term in a potential contract that could have exposed the company to significant challenges down the road. She raised the concern immediately and worked with the team to find an alternative path. Her attentiveness not only prevented a negative outcome but also built trust.

“I want people to see me as a partner,” she says. “My job is not to say no. My job is to help find a way forward that protects the business.”

Leadership, mentorship & meaningful work

Shruti’s most high-profile project to date involved serving as the lead in-house counsel on the divestiture of Ashland’s Avoca business to Mane. It was her first time taking such a central role in a transaction of that scale, and the deal required navigating environmental issues, coordinating with outside counsel, and working closely with internal subject matter experts.

She found the experience both challenging and energizing. It pushed her to grow her M&A skills, strengthened her decision-making confidence, and helped her deepen relationships throughout the organization.

“What I loved most was the teamwork,” she says. “Everyone wanted the deal to succeed, and we all supported each other throughout the process.”

Mentorship has played a significant role in her development. Leaders like Robin and Marieke Kusterman encouraged her to explore her interests beyond the confines of her title and take on opportunities that aligned with her career goals. The company’s internal mentor-mentee program also gave her a structured way to learn from others and build a network of support.

She pays that support forward by offering guidance to colleagues and newer professionals who are building their own in-house careers. She often shares stories from her early days, emphasizing curiosity, humility, and willingness to try something new.

“You cannot grow if you are afraid to make mistakes,” she says. “At Ashland, I feel encouraged to take initiative and learn from every experience.”

Charting a path forward

After several years with the company, Shruti continues to see herself as a generalist who thrives on variety. She enjoys corporate work, M&A, governance, and commercial matters, and she values roles that allow her to stretch into new areas. With each project, she aims to expand her understanding of the business and find new ways to support its growth.

Her goals for the future include broadening her leadership responsibilities, taking on more complex matters, and deepening her expertise in areas she has only begun to explore. She wants to continue building a career rooted in partnership, curiosity, and forward momentum.

“I never want to stop learning,” she says. “There is always something new around the corner, and that is what makes this work exciting.”

For Patel, in-house practice was never a fallback. It was the path she envisioned from the start. Today, at a company that values collaboration, innovation, and personal growth, she is fulfilling that vision while helping others achieve theirs.