India’s rapid economic and technological rise is being matched by a quieter but equally powerful shift — how organisations think about people, leadership, and culture. The Top 10 Voices in HR, Leadership & People Strategy in India stand at the center of this transformation.
From steering workforces of hundreds of thousands to reshaping leadership pipelines and capability models, these leaders are influencing how Indian organisations grow, adapt, and stay human in an era of constant change. Their perspectives offer not just professional guidance, but a deeper understanding of what it takes to build resilient, future-ready workplaces.
Highlights
Harjeet Khanduja
Harjeet Khanduja’s influence comes from operating at a rare scale while retaining intellectual originality. At Reliance Jio, he has shaped people strategy within one of India’s largest digital and enterprise ecosystems, navigating complexity that few HR leaders encounter.
At the same time, his work as a bestselling author, TEDx speaker, and HR tech innovator — with over 30 enterprise products and multiple patents — reflects a mind constantly exploring how technology, leadership, and human decision-making intersect. His perspective resonates with leaders who want to move beyond conventional HR and think systemically about people and performance.
Dr. Ankita Singh
Dr. Ankita Singh brings together strategic leadership and community-building in a way that feels both structured and deeply human. As Chief People Officer and Board Director at Relevance Lab, she influences organisational direction at the highest levels, while her role as Founder of the HR Association of India extends her impact across the wider HR ecosystem.
Recognised as a member of the Forbes HR Council, she consistently bridges corporate practice with professional advocacy, offering insights shaped by governance, growth, and the responsibility of developing people leaders at scale.
Rajiv Naithani
Rajiv Naithani’s work reflects a belief that strong cultures are built intentionally — by putting employees first, not by chance. As Chief People Officer at Persistent Systems, and previously at Infogain and Dassault Systèmes, he has led people strategies grounded in trust, inclusion, and employee-centric leadership, which have directly translated into higher engagement and organizational performance.
His experience navigating global technology environments and M&A-led change gives his voice credibility, while his consistent sharing of real-world, employee-first lessons makes his insights practical and relatable for leaders managing transformation on the ground.
Shaji Mathew
With decades at Infosys, Shaji Mathew represents continuity, scale, and long-term stewardship of people strategy. As CHRO, he oversees leadership development, workforce planning, and capability building for one of India’s most globally recognised technology organisations.
Beyond the organisation itself, his involvement in education, social impact, and industry leadership reflects a broader view of HR’s role in shaping institutions and talent ecosystems. His perspective is especially valuable for leaders thinking about sustainability and legacy, not just short-term results.
Lakshmi Chandrasekharan
Lakshmi Chandrasekharan’s leadership is defined by her ability to humanise scale. As Senior Managing Director and CHRO at Accenture in India, she leads human capital strategy for hundreds of thousands of professionals across diverse roles and geographies.
Her long career within Accenture has given her a deep understanding of how inclusion, mentoring, and equitable cultures can be embedded into large organisations without losing agility. Her voice speaks to leaders navigating growth while striving to keep people’s experience at the center.
Mahalakshmi R
Mahalakshmi R brings a distinctly global lens grounded in operational reality. As Global CHRO at Apollo Tyres, she leads the people agenda for a multi-billion-dollar organisation spanning Asia, Europe, and North America.
Her earlier roles across FMCG, telecom, and manufacturing — including leadership positions at Mondelēz and Airtel — have shaped her approach to transformation across cultures and markets. Her insights reflect how strategic HR leadership can directly influence business outcomes in complex, multinational environments.
Ankit Jhamb
Ankit Jhamb’s voice stands out for its focus on learning as a strategic lever rather than a support function. As Chief Learning Officer at Grant Thornton Bharat, he designs capability-building initiatives for over 11,000 professionals, aligning learning closely with business needs.
His work as an author and TEDx speaker, coupled with his advocacy for mental well-being and inclusive leadership, brings a thoughtful, human dimension to conversations about future skills and leadership readiness.
Richard Lobo
Richard Lobo is widely respected for aligning people strategy with organisational transformation in technology-led businesses. As Chief People Officer at Tech Mahindra, and previously EVP HR at Infosys, he has worked at the intersection of talent, culture, and large-scale change.
His engagement with industry bodies such as CII and NASSCOM further strengthens his perspective, offering insights shaped by both enterprise experience and broader industry collaboration.
Aparna C
Aparna C represents the strategic HR leader who thrives in growth-focused environments, as CHRO at Torry Harris Integration Solutions, where she is shaping culture, capability, and leadership for the future of work, yes, including AI, and no, without forgetting humans.
She brings clarity where there is complexity, and courage where change feels uncomfortable. Her experience across healthcare, technology, and services gives her a grounded, execution-oriented outlook, making her perspective especially relevant for organisations balancing speed, scale, and people priorities.
Carmistha Mitra
Carmistha Mitra adds depth through her long-standing focus on leadership capability and the future of work. With senior HR roles at Axis Bank and the Mahindra Group, and now as Managing Partner at a leadership consortium, she has shaped succession planning, reskilling, and DEI strategies across multiple industries. Her insights reflect a belief that sustainable organisations are built by investing deliberately in leadership pipelines and human potential.
What the Future of Work in India Can Learn from These Leaders
Together, the Top 10 Voices in HR, Leadership & People Strategy in India illustrate how people leadership is evolving from an operational function into a core driver of business resilience and innovation.
Their experiences reveal a common thread — that the future of work will be shaped not just by technology or policy, but by leaders who understand people deeply and act with intention. As India continues to influence the global economy, these voices offer a clear signal of how leadership, culture, and strategy will define the next chapter of work.
Highlights
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