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12

BizVoice/Indiana Chamber – May/June 2017

Not anymore. These days, she says, global firms

like Cummins recognize that succeeding in other markets

requires an appreciation for how people in those

markets use their products. It means creating solutions

that don’t simply address engineering challenges but

that also consider the human beings who will confront

those challenges. It means appreciating the cultural

differences that will influence engineering outcomes.

In other words, it means understanding that

success emerges from the place where science, math

and engineering intersect with the humanities.

Rumsey’s role puts her right in the middle of that

place. As leader of Cummins’ global research and

development team, she helps to develop products used

in more than 190 countries. She travels around the

world to visit customers and employees. And she

eagerly immerses herself in the customs, cuisine and

cultures she encounters along the way.

Crucial background

This global reach sits in sharp contrast to Rumsey’s

childhood. She grew up not far from Cummins’ headquarters

in Columbus and while she traveled quite a bit in the

U.S. and later lived in Boston, she left North America only

once, on a trip to Germany during her school years.

Fortunately, what Rumsey lacked in global

exposure she made up for with educational experience.

“I do not describe myself as a stereotypical engineer,”

she states. “I grew up definitely strong in math and

science, but that was complemented by a lot of the arts

and humanities: music, drama, language.”

That background in the humanities, Rumsey notes,

gave her what has proven to be essential in her career:

the ability to think beyond engineering, beyond her

own backyard and beyond obvious answers.

Of course, it helps to work for a firm where that

kind of thinking is engrained in the culture and at the

heart of its creation story. Cummins got its start when a

banker (William Irwin) believed in the vision of a

mechanic and chauffeur (Clessie Cummins) who saw

opportunities for innovation in a new technology (diesel

engines) created by a German inventor (Rudolf Diesel).

The partners found news ways to put this new technology

to work and, before long, the company’s engines were

being used – and produced – all over the world.

While much has been made of the engine

technology Cummins pioneered, Rumsey notes that the

company created what might be an even bigger

competitive advantage through its respect for the

diversity of humanity. “The roots of the company are in

this idea of leveraging diversity, of creating an

Keira Amstutz

AUTHOR:

Keira Amstutz

is president and CEO of

Indiana Humanities. This is

the second of a “Take the

Leap” series, which focuses

on individual Hoosiers who

are making a difference

by merging STEM and the

humanities. Learn more at

www.indianahumanities.org/

QuantumLeap

Power of Cummins

CTO Combines STEM and the Humanities

Not so long ago, says Cummins Inc. Chief Technology Officer Jennifer Rumsey, the process

for preparing a product for a global market was pretty simple.

“A decade ago, Cummins would take a product we made for a U.S. market and simply

tweak it and take it to other markets,” Rumsey says.

GUEST COLUMN

Continued on page 39

Jennifer Rumsey, shown with Srikanth Padmanabhan (president of the Engine Business segment of Cummins), says the

company is committed to meeting the cultural demands of its markets.