Who are the game‑changing CHROs shaping Asia’s future of work? In a region where business, technology, and talent converge more rapidly than ever, the role of the Chief Human Resources Officer is no longer just about people operations — it’s about strategic growth, digital agility, and cultural innovation.
The “Top 10 CHROs You Should Follow” for 2025 have each demonstrated exactly this: they are steering their companies through transformation, leveraging data and AI, while championing inclusive and sustainable workforce practices. Keep reading to discover why these HR leaders are at the forefront of Asia’s talent revolution.
Highlights
Rajkamal Vempati
Rajkamal Vempati is one of the CHROs You Should Follow, as she has led HR at Axis Bank since September 2015 — and beyond that, she was elevated into a Group Executive role in 2025, reflecting the strategic role HR now plays in banking. Notably, she has driven distinctive talent programmes such as “Gig-A-Opportunities” and the “Come as You Are” initiative to nurture diversity and internal mobility.
Moreover, through a career spanning over 27 years across financial services, she has blended business acumen with people strategy — and as a result, she is helping Axis scale not just in branch networks but in human capability too.
Aarti Srivastava
Aarti Srivastava, one of the CHROs You Should Follow, brings more than 20 years of experience in human resources, with deep expertise in employee relations, leadership development, and organisational design.
As CHRO of Capgemini India since 2022, she has led strategic HR transformations across one of India’s largest IT services workforces. Previously, her roles at FIS and Deutsche Bank equipped her with a robust global outlook. Above all, she excels in aligning HR solutions with fast-changing business demands — especially in the digital space.
Sonali Roychowdhury
Sonali Roychowdhury stands out among CHROs You Should Follow for her dynamic leadership across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. At Kellanova, she oversees people strategies across culturally diverse and high-growth markets. She is known for her blend of commercial acumen and strategic thinking, which she brings to human capital.
Having previously held leadership roles at Procter & Gamble, she brings extensive experience in building high-performing, cross-functional teams across supply chains and global functions. Furthermore, her passion for coaching, championing technology, and her advocacy for inclusive leadership demonstrate how she elevates talent ecosystems while embracing the human side of HR.
Suryo Sasono
Suryo Sasono earns his place among the CHROs You Should Follow by uniquely blending HR and business transformation expertise. As CHRO at Prudential Syariah, he leads strategic HR functions in one of Indonesia’s most dynamic financial sectors.
Previously, he served as Chief Talent Officer at Bukalapak and was a Project Leader at BCG. His accolades — from Mercer’s 40 under 40 to ETHR’s HR Icons — reflect his impact across industries. Importantly, his ability to drive large-scale transformation with agility makes him a top voice in Indonesia’s talent landscape.
Najib Makarem
Najib Makarem is a seasoned executive and clearly among the CHROs You Should Follow. With over 25 years of experience spanning HR, strategy, and organisation transformation, he currently leads as Group CHRO at National Holding.
His past roles include senior leadership at BEEAH Group and Korn Ferry, where he spearheaded operational improvement and change management projects across the Middle East. With a strong footprint in public and private sector reform, Najib is shaping future-ready workplaces rooted in excellence and efficiency.
Cap Thi Minh Trang
Ms. Cap Thi Minh Trang currently holds the position of HR Director, Schneider Electric Vietnam & Cambodia. With 20 years of working experience, she has always played critical Human Resources Management roles in various types of organizations, including local Human Resources Services companies and Multinational corporations such as Deloitte, America Indochina Management, British American Tobacco, Abbott Nutrition International & Schneider Electric.
At Schneider Electric, Trang is a member of the Vietnam Cluster Leadership Team as well as the Regional HR Leadership Team in East Asia and serves as the primary strategic partner to the Business leaders by developing Human Resources strategies, organization needs assessments, and resulting Human Resources solutions.
Over the past seven years with Schneider Electric, Trang has successfully led organizational transformation by fostering a diversified workforce and cultivating an inclusive, caring culture. Her efforts have supported business growth through the implementation of a customer-centric organizational structure, driving high efficiency and enabling sustainable success.
Besides her HR professional work, Trang is also the owner of Capdesign, her own fashion brand targeting professional working women. Interestingly, Trang was born in a family of musicians and became a professional pianist since her early age. This actually makes her profile become very unique and diversifies the values that she brings to her stakeholders, colleagues, and clients.
Meena Kumari R
Meena Kumari R is undeniably one of the CHROs You Should Follow for her forward-thinking leadership in tech and SaaS. As VP of HR at Hiver, she champions remote-first cultures and digital transformation. Her journey includes building award-winning HR practices at Airmeet, Circles.Life, and Capillary Technologies.
Recognised with numerous accolades like ETHR’s HR Leader of the Year and HR 40 Under 40, Meena is also the founder of The HR Folks — a global HR community. Her superpower? Turning chaos into clarity, all while scaling inclusive, innovation-driven teams.
Dr. Syukri Sudari
Dr. Syukri Sudari, a multifaceted HR leader, ranks high among CHROs You Should Follow. Currently Group Chief People Officer at Affin Bank, he brings deep cross-sector experience in finance, telecom, and aerospace.
His contributions span HR digitalisation, employee experience, and talent development — as well as national leadership roles including Board Member at Malaysia’s HRDF and Council Member of MEF. Notably, he blends strategic HR leadership with public policy influence, making him a rare voice at the intersection of corporate and national HR innovation.
Larissa Murmann
Larissa Murmann is one of the CHROs You Should Follow for her global expertise and pioneering work in digital HR. As Digital CHRO of Unilever International and founder of InfinAIte Frequency, she leads culture transformation across regions while integrating AI into talent strategies.
With roles across eight countries and programs at NUS and MIT under her belt, Larissa brings a fusion of business, technology, and emotional intelligence to her leadership. Her results — like a 30% productivity uplift — show that digital HR, done right, transforms more than just systems.
Aaron Lim
Aaron Lim rounds out the CHROs You Should Follow with a people-first philosophy that scales globally. Currently Global HR Director at International SOS, he champions inclusive, performance-driven cultures. Previously at Park Hotel Group, Klook, and ZALORA, he led HR transformations that ranged from pandemic resilience to talent tech integrations.
His regional expertise and impact in Southeast Asia have earned him multiple recognitions, including Southeast Asia’s Top 100 HR Icons. Most importantly, Aaron’s vision combines culture, strategy, and execution with inspiring clarity.
The Future is People: What These CHROs You Should Follow Are Building Next
The “CHROs You Should Follow” in 2025 are more than talent leaders — they are architects of agile, inclusive, and future-ready workforces. As Asia navigates digital disruption, demographic shifts, and rising employee expectations, these HR visionaries are turning challenges into innovation.
Whether redefining employee experience, embedding AI into HR, or shaping culture at scale, they are proving that great companies are built not just on tech — but on people. So, follow their work closely — because how they lead will shape how Asia works, thrives, and leads on the global stage.
Highlights
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