Dr. Radha Jalan is retiring from clean energy firm ElectroChem, Inc. after nearly 30 years as its president and CEO.

Planning for a career as an educator, Jalan earned graduate degrees in literature and education from University of Calcutta, India and University of Florida, Gainesville. After her husband’s untimely passing, however, she was compelled to pivot: Jalan took the reins of ElectroChem in 1992, only six years after scientist Dr. Vinod Jalan had founded it.

During her tenure at the helm of ElectroChem, Jalan renewed its focus on fuel cell research and development. She also led the expansion of the business’ commercial operations by pursuing government contracts and developing its product sales segment. It was under Jalan’s leadership that the firm became profitable, and internal sources credit her strategic planning as a major source of the company’s success in the fuel cell market and fuel cell technology development.

A 2014 case study explores Jalan’s accomplishments through ElectroChem, as well as the challenges she overcame as a female leader in a male-dominated industry. “Radha Jalan and ElectroChem, Inc.: Energy for a Clean Planet” was published in the peer-reviewed academic journal “Entrepreneurship, Theory and Practice.”

An active member of the local and business communities, Jalan cofounded multiple organizations, including U.S. Fuel Cell Council, Mass Hydrogen Coalition, and—along with Desh Deshpande and others—TiE Boston. Among the many commendations she has received are Asian Business Woman of the Year Award (1997), Woman’s Business Magazine “Woman to Watch” (2002), Mass High Tech All-Star Award in the field of Energy (2004), and Mountain States Hydrogen Business Council Award for Lifetime Contribution to Hydrogen Energy (2009).

In 1993, Jalan, a Concord resident, created The Vinod Jalan Memorial Scholarship Fund to award funding each year to a female student in Concord or Carlisle who is pursuing higher education. She has also donated her time to Cummings Foundation, whose annual $25 Million Grant Program operates with assistance from a skilled network of approximately 150 volunteers.

Jalan became acquainted with the Cummings organization through ElectroChem’s long-term business relationship with Cummings Properties. Located at Cummings Park in Woburn, the renewable energy firm has been a Cummings leasing client for more than 30 years.

“It has been wonderful to locate my business within the Cummings community all these years,” said Jalan. “I will miss my friends at Cummings Properties, but I will enjoy the opportunity to continue the association through volunteer work at Cummings Foundation.”

Jalan recently visited Cummings Properties’ Woburn headquarters to visit with founder Bill Cummings and Operations Manager Erica Wright.

“It has been an honor to work with this fellow entrepreneur these past few decades,” said Cummings. “Her life and career have been an exercise in rising to the occasion, and she remains a great inspiration to all who know her.”

Cummings Properties’ portfolio of 10 million square feet of prime space accommodates offices, healthcare facilities, labs, restaurants, retail storefronts, warehouses, executive suites, and more in 11 suburban communities north and west of Boston. Most of these properties are owned by Cummings Foundation, with 100 percent of all rental profits supporting hundreds of local charities. The Cummings organization just announced $20 million in grants to greater Boston nonprofits, and it has awarded more than $280 million to date. More information is available at www.cummings.com.

ElectroChem Inc. strives to provide leading edge research and development in the fuel cell industry. Its mission is to perform research; install fuel cell laboratories across the globe; and provide fuel cell assembly education and training, MEA fabrications, and fuel cell testing for its customers. Its product offerings include fuel cell power systems, test equipment, research supplies, humidification systems, and more. Additional information is available at www.fuelcell.com.