People Matters Unplugged

Today, AI is emerging as one of the most defining forces shaping the future of work. As it reshapes roles, redefines skills, and raises complex ethical questions—from bias and surveillance to data privacy—it’s also compelling organizations to rethink how they support, protect, and empower their people. The challenge for leaders is no longer just adoption, but responsibility: how to move beyond reactive workforce strategies and actively shape the development and use of AI.In this episode of People Matters Unplugged, Cheshta Dora, Head of Content and Community at People Matters, is joined by Laura Maffucci, VP and Head of HR at G-P. Bringing a pragmatic yet forward-looking perspective, Laura unpacks what it takes to navigate ambiguity, adopt AI with intent, and build organizations that balance innovation with accountability.

Today, organisations are confronting a reality where skills expire faster than they are acquired, and traditional education systems alone can no longer prepare the workforce for constant disruption. The question for leaders is no longer whether to invest in learning, but how to build lifelong learning at scale.In this episode of People Matters Unplugged, Cheshta Dora is joined by Shana Kruse, VP – HR, Starbucks Asia Pacific. Leading people strategy across one of the most dynamic regions in the world, Shana is embedding learning into the very fabric of the Starbucks Partner Promise — from frontline baristas to regional leaders. Together, they explore what it takes to democratise access to education, design micro and cohort-based learning experiences, and create cultures of belonging that fuel continuous growth. This conversation unpacks how organisations can move beyond episodic training to build scalable, purpose-driven learning ecosystems that prepare people, and communities, for the future.

Today, organisations are grappling with intertwined challenges across talent, business and societal wellbeing. For Priyank Parakh, Director–HR at Haleon India, health, safety and wellbeing are no longer compliance mandates — they are leadership and performance priorities that shape culture, productivity and long-term resilience.In this episode of People Matters Unplugged, Priyank joins Cheshta Dora to discuss how organisations can embed wellbeing into everyday systems — from flexible work and caregiver support to capability building across sales, supply chain and corporate teams — and what it takes to move from policy intent to cultural impact.

Hiring and retaining talent today goes far beyond merely paying them a salary to do work. For Dr. Guruvayurappan PV, CHRO of Omega Healthcare, it is a commitment employers make: to ensure that people are equipped not only for their roles, but also to advance in their careers at the organisation.In this second episode of Season 4 of People Matters Unplugged, Dr. Guru tells us about the work that he and his team have done to bridge the employability gap and ensure that talent in his organisation has the opportunity for lifelong learning.

What do you do if AI can perform parts of your job better and more consistently than you yourself can? For Larissa Murmann, Digital CHRO of Unilever International, the answer was clear: use it to augment her and her team's productivity.In this first episode of Season 4 of People Matters Unplugged, Larissa shares her journey with AI and her thoughts about how to use it responsibly and thoughtfully.

A leader’s most powerful tool is their ability to communicate with the organisation. For Seema Nair, CHRO of Flipkart, this means ensuring that people know the culture, the ethos, the successes, the failures. It’s about finding your voice as a leader and using it to advocate for yourself and your team. In this episode, Seema joins host Cheshta Dora, Head of Research & Community at People Matters, in a dialogue about the power of communication and transparency.Key TakeawaysAdvocate courageously for yourself and your teams, even if everyone else thinks differently.It’s HR’s job to communicate who and what the company is: what the culture is, what kinds of skill sets you’re looking for, and what ethos you want to continue building within the organisation.Communicate your successes and failures from all across the organisation, so that people know what worked and what didn’t.Over-communicate: people understand different things in very different ways, so be ready to use different means, different modes, different methods, or different languages, whichever works.You can establish consistency across the board, or you can let the system evolve in the way it needs to - there’s no one correct way to make a decision.People managers are the fulcrum that connects multiple different parts of the organisation, and leaders must continue to inspire, motivate, guide, and provide clarity to them.Empower your HR partner teams to customise people solutions based on what their businesses need.

Only you can truly build and shape your organisation’s culture. To Sitaram Kandi, CHRO of Tata Motors, every leader must take ownership of the shared values that make a company special. With that foundation, it becomes possible to drive business direction, to engage and keep talent, to make your people future-ready. In this episode, Sitaram joins host Cheshta Dora, Head of Research & Community at People Matters, to share the approach that has kept the culture and values of Tata Motors so strong over the years that people come and stay just for it.Key TakeawaysBusiness owns the teams, and business must drive the culture; HR is the facilitator helping the action plan to happen.Ask yourself: How can we do more for our people, more for society, more to give back to society? That brings a fresh burst of energy to every conversation.Engaging people is about giving them the opportunity and the foundation to better themselves in multiple different ways, so that they in turn can better the business.Challenge your high performers, give them the opportunity to compete, and appreciate their efforts; that is the best way to keep them with you.Make your niche capabilities broad-based, spread them to as many people as possible, in order to be future-ready.Organisations must remain agile with their policies and systems, constantly revisiting and reviving them to ensure that they meet the expectations and aspirations of each new generation.Keep structure, process, and people part of every discussion, so that your talent needs are pre-emptively met as part of every initiative.

What is a company’s culture really about? For Anna Ho, CHRO of Vena Group, it is the one overarching thing that connects all the important aspects of the organisation: values and purpose, business performance and results, strategy and advancement, people and heart. Culture is the glue that unites everyone, and shaping it so that it can shape the organisation is HR’s life work. In this episode, Anna joins host Cheshta Dora, Head of Research & Community at People Matters, to converse about how culture can be created and supported.Key TakeawaysHR’s work is about building a sense of belonging and engagement, using culture to unite people with a shared purpose and propel everyone forward together in the same direction.An organisation’s core purpose draws people who believe in it, and the interactions those people have around that purpose is the foundation of culture.Building culture involves empowering people to recognise and be recognised, to celebrate others and in turn be celebrated for what they’ve achieved.Culture is not a one time achievement: it lives and constantly evolves, and what matters at any point in time is the next step.When HR leaders play a role in shaping the business agenda, they have a platform to connect purpose with results, results with strategy, and strategy with heart.Respect, empathy, and inclusion are the key elements that allow people to build an organisation together.With the support of the executive team, HR is no longer fighting for a seat at the table but actively helping to shape the agenda.

What does it take to become an inspiring leader? For Niren Srivastava, CHRO at Motilal Oswal Financial Services, it’s less about titles and more about traits. In fact, being inspirational is hierarchy agnostic. If you support people and create a safe space for them, then you’re an inspiring leader. In this episode, Niren joins host Cheshta Dora, Head of Research & Community at People Matters.Key TakeawaysInspiring leadership is hierarchy-agnostic – anyone, from a CEO to a frontline manager or even an Uber driver, can be a source of inspiration.Talent follows inspiration – people join organisations not just for money, but to work with leaders who empower, appreciate, and uplift.Culture is not proximity – in distributed and hybrid workplaces, belonging stems from authenticity, purpose, and empathy, not physical presence.Culture documents matter – these serve as a playbook for how performance should be driven respectfully and meaningfully.Respect in exits matters as much as entries – employees will remember not just how they were welcomed, but how they were let go.Empathy ≠ leniency – leaders must be firm on performance but soft on people; the “how” matters as much as the “what”.Great workplaces feel like home – employees stay when work relationships go beyond transactional, evolving into meaningful bonds.

How can companies grow exponentially without losing sight of their core values and people? In this episode of People Matters Unplugged, Purvesh Kapadia, CHRO of Refex Group, sits down with Cheshta Dora, People Matters’ Head of Research & Community, to explore the fine balancing act between ‘build, buy, and borrow’ talent strategies. Purvesh also discussed the importance of employee ownership in shaping future-ready leaders and why exponential growth starts with ethical intent. From growth equations to ESOPs, this is a masterclass in HR strategy that bridges culture, competence, and capability.Key TakeawaysGrowth isn’t just about numbers: it’s about pivoting from addition to multiplication to exponential impact.A hybrid approach to talent: buying, building, and borrowing is essential to navigating both speed and sustainability.Embedding ethical language into your corporate vision changes the trajectory of company culture.Empowered employees, through initiatives like ESOPs, think and act like partners – not just staff.The true measure of leadership success lies in building future capabilities today for problems that don’t yet exist.

What if HR wasn’t just a support function – but the architect of future-ready business success? In the latest episode of People Matters Unplugged, AIA Singapore’s CHRO, Aileen Tan, takes us behind the scenes of a transformation that starts not with technology, but with trust. Catch this insightful interview hosted by Cheshta Dora, Head of Research & Community at People Matters.

In this episode of People Matters Unplugged, Soumitra Das, Global CHRO at Redington Limited, shares how the company is building a self-perpetuating culture rooted in trust, ownership, and empathy. With operations across 38 countries, Das offers a deep dive into creating a globally aligned yet locally relevant employee experience supported by agile practices and inclusive leadership.Hosted by Cheshta Dora, Head of Research, Content, and Community at People Matters, this conversation is packed with practical takeaways for CHROs leading culture and performance in the age of transformation.

Workplace culture is no longer just a buzzword—it’s the heart of any successful organization. But how do you create a culture that isn’t just talked about but truly lived? In this episode, we’re joined by Prasad Menon, the Global Chief People Officer at Amagi, who has been at the forefront of HR transformation in some of the world’s leading companies like Flipkart, Cleartrip, and McAfee.Prasad shares his invaluable insights on how culture evolves, especially during periods of rapid growth, and why it’s so critical for businesses to get it right. With Amagi’s core principle of “freedom”

In this inspiring Women's Day special of People Matters Unplugged, we’re joined by Megha Goyal, Chief Human Resources Officer at Godrej Properties, to explore how she’s breaking barriers and driving real change in the traditionally male-dominated real estate industry.Godrej Properties has been at the forefront of gender diversity with initiatives like the Collective of Real Estate Women Crew, empowering women to thrive in real estate, construction, and allied sectors. Megha takes us through her remarkable journey from her early career at JP Morgan to becoming a transformational leader at Godrej.She shares powerful insights on career growth, overcoming workplace challenges, and creating inclusive workplaces. Discover how women can break barriers, step into leadership roles, and shape the future of the industry.Don’t miss this inspiring conversation, hosted by Cheshta Dora, Head of Research, Content, and Community at People Matters.

In an era of constant change, how can leaders build resilient cultures, embrace agility, and integrate AI responsibly?In the latest episode of People Matters Unplugged, Ruth Gellert-Neale, Chief People Officer at JLL Technology, shares insights on how learning management systems drive continuous growth, scenario planning enhances agility, and how ethical AI guidelines ensure technology supports, rather than replaces, human decision-making.Don’t miss this inspiring conversation, hosted by Cheshta Dora, Head of Research, Content, and Community at People Matters.

AI is revolutionizing HR, enabling talent management leaders to make smarter decisions, optimize planning, and maintain a human-centric approach. From ethical considerations to fostering a culture of innovation and play, this new episode of People Matters Unplugged features Narelle Burke, CHRO, Human Resources, Insights APAC & Global Consulting at Kantar. Burke offers practical insights for CHROs redefining their roles amidst rapid digital transformation. Don't miss this inspiring conversation, hosted by Cheshta Dora, Head of Research, Content, and Community at People Matters.

Resilience is an essential mandate for HR. It is also the foundation for employees' recovery, adaptation, and thrive. In the latest episode of People Matters Unplugged, Megan Reed, a global HR leader with over two decades of experience, illustrates how, through psychological safety in the workplace, HR can build individual and systemic resilience. The key? A holistic approach that combines personal empowerment with collective support, to build self-efficacy.

With competition for top talent intensifying, Asian organisations must develop value propositions that align with workforce aspirations, while redefining business culture and engagement strategies. In this episode of People Matters Unplugged, we welcome @Charles Ferguson, Managing Director and Corporate Development Leader at G-P, to explore the changing role of HR in shaping business strategy in Asia's complex talent market. Charles shares his insights on how HR professionals can become strategic partners, leveraging business vision to influence organisational success.

HR function has evolved beyond administrative or facilitative processes to become a key rol in the success of organisations. Helen Snowball, HR Director at PropertyGuru Group, joins People Matters Unplugged to share her insights on shaping culture and capability through innovative HR strategies. With a people-centric approach, Helen illustrates how HR can redefine its role as a strategic business partner and custodian of culture. In addition, she explores the transformative power of HR in co-creating impactful organisational cultures, where digital skills, resilience and agile decision-making drive business success. A conversation with innovative insights and practical strategies for HR leaders who want to empower themselves in their role.

HR leaders are far more than traditional support—they are strategic partners, shaping and guiding the company’s culture and values. Simar Deep Kaur, Chief Human Resource Officer of, joins the new episode of People Matters Unplugged to share her invaluable perspective on the role of HR in fostering an aligned, purpose-driven workplace. With over 19 years of experience, Simardeep offers actionable insights on how HR leaders can influence and collaborate with CEOs to drive long-term vision, uphold core values, and cultivate deep engagement across all teams. From building strong connections with business managers to wearing the "business hat" and continuously learning, this episode provides a roadmap for HR professionals who aim to lead with purpose and facilitate meaningful, company-wide impact.

Today's HR leaders must deeply understand their business and go beyond traditional functions to become strategic partners. This requires agility, adaptability, and technological competence. Time of silos is over. Talent management implies upskilling, reskilling, retraining, and promoting diversity, equality and inclusion. Ruhie Pande, Group Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) at Sterlite Power and guest on the new episode of People Matters Unplugged, shares her inspiring thoughts on how HR professionals can meet the challenges of the new context.

Organizational culture goes beyond traditional policies and benefits. It is a ‘way of life’ that directly impacts employee satisfaction and retention. @Loganathan A/L Balakrishnan, Chief Human Resources Officer at Habit Group, and guest on the new episode of People Matters Unplugged, shares his inspiring thoughts on the evolving role of HR in the age of AI. This leader, with more than 20 years of experience in talent management, believes that while technology tools and artificial intelligence can improve efficiency, true success in retaining employees and creating a workplace culture depends on maintaining a people-centric approach.

An ‘entity’ that lives in every part of the company and in the vision that each member of the work team has of the business. Corporate culture is not an abstract concept, but a collective and permanent construction, based on trust, training and empowerment of employees. It is an ‘organism’ that evolves on its own and adapts and learns from its environment.

The "Five Bs Framework" for managing talent pipelines—Buy, Build, Borrow, Bridge, and Bounce—is a key strategy to help organizations acquire, develop, and retain top talent. Creating a strong employer brand, aligning HR policies with business objectives, and leveraging data analytics can revolutionize recruitment and retention practices. In the second episode of People Matter Unplugged, we're thrilled to host @Khim Tan, a seasoned HR strategist with three decades of extensive experience in human capital management. Khim dives into the critical role that talent management plays in driving business success and shares her expertise in data-driven HR practices to make informed decisions, reduce bias, and enhance employee engagement. This episode is a must-listen for anyone committed to mastering the art of talent management.

A positive work environment, centered on safety, learning, and holistic well-being, is key to attracting top talent and ensuring that employees feel valued. By offering growth opportunities and promoting core values, organizations can foster agility and address new contextual challenges. In a new episode of People Matters Unplugged, we have the privilege of speaking with Ashwani Prashara, Chief Human Resource Officer - Hydrocarbons at @Reliance Industries Limited, who shares his unique insights into how encouraging cross-functional collaboration and empowering employees to take ownership drives success and cultivates a thriving workplace.

Radical self-inquiry - a courageous inward journey - must be a leader's first priority. Only with this clarity can they lead teams where everyone shares purpose and a sense of commitment. This principle inspires Jerry Colonna, founder and CEO of @Reboot.io, in his work to help hundreds of leaders find their deepest mission.  In a new episode of People Matters Unplugged, we have the privilege of speaking with Jerry, who shares his unique insight into how a leader's unattended wounds can affect their role and effectiveness.

When business and talent leaders are aligned in their mission, employees are able to understand the impact of their work more clearly. This alignment is what fosters a sense of purpose and motivation. In this episode of People Matters Unplugged, we speak to a leader who believes in translating vision into impact: Rizwan Khan, Vice President of People & Culture, at Porter.

Stewardship is all about having a holistic approach to leadership and organisational success. Individual contributions have a direct impact on the organisation. When we aim high as a team, we do it for our collective good. That's a lesson we learned from our guest, Saurabh Govil, President and CHRO at Wipro.

In times of crisis, compassion and empathy set apart great leaders from ordinary ones. It's a test of character for those placed in charge of others. This is one of the many lessons we learned from Elisa Abalajon, CHRO and Agile Transformation Lead at Universal Robina Corporation.

HR leaders aren't just business partners but business leaders in their own right. That's the message of Arun Dinakar Rao, Chief People Officer at Birlasoft. Arun believes maintaining strong employee connections is at the heart of thriving organisations. Listen to his views 

Where does a great work culture start? In this episode of People Matters Unplugged, we revisit real-world examples from Ewan Clarkson, Piyush Mehta and Susie Gleeson-Byrne about how they build a culture of excellence in their respective organisations.

Susie Gleeson-Byrne takes us through the concept of cultural dexterity and how it applies to leadership in global organisations. In this conversation on People Matters Unplugged, she provides practical tips for uniting teams with diverse cultures.

Revisit the words of wisdom of three inspiring women who graced People Matters Unplugged with their presence: Jaclyn Lee, Mukta Arya and Priyanka Anand. Each of them offers insights into how they lead with courage and conviction at a time when women are taking on more prominent roles as business leaders and culture curators.

Innovate. Experiment. Execute. This continuous cycle of improvement is at the heart of Genpact's culture. With its proprietary tools – from Genome to Amber – the company has been on the leading edge of innovation, using technology to empower its people. Piyush Mehta, CHRO of Genpact, tells us all about it in this episode of People Matters Unplugged.

From London to New York, to all across Asia, Ewan Clarkson has found a lot more unites global work cultures than divides them. The best experiences at work have been around creating a meaningful environment where people can be the best version of themselves. As Chief People Officer of PwC Mainland China and Hong Kong, Ewan recommends an "outside-in" approach to understanding a company's external environment and situating their people development programmes at the heart of the solution. Ewan shares his insights in this episode of People Matters Unplugged.

India, along with Brazil and Japan, are among the countries where it is most difficult for employers to retain talent. Competition is fierce and winning over the right people in an emerging market is not easy. Our guest Kevin Freitas, CHRO of fantasy sports platform Dream11, shares with us how HR teams are working to enhance the candidate experience.

The narrative of talent development isn't a monolith. Instead, it's a constantly evolving story of individuals who embrace continuous learning as a vocation. They welcome change and strive to stay ahead in their chosen fields. In this episode of People Matters Unplugged, we speak to a leader who has become one of the most highly regarded speakers and thinkers in the realm of People & Work – Peter Attfield, Chief Talent & Learning Officer at Jardine Matheson.

Mukta Arya, CHRO for APAC at Societe Generale, knows very well the intricacies of turning an organisation into an employer of choice, while cultivating a high-performance culture. Mukta embodies the idea of a modern talent leader. She is both creative and adaptable, and ready to take on challenges innovating in the space of people & work. Today, she shares the secrets of unleashing the potential of talent in Asia Pacific.

In this week's episode of People Matters Unplugged, we're steering our focus towards a topic that has become increasingly crucial in the wake of the digital revolution and the pandemic's transformative impact on the business landscape – organisational culture change.Before the pandemic, the world was already navigating the challenges of Industry 4.0, prompting businesses to reevaluate and adapt their organisational strategies. However, with the advent of new tech innovations, the pace of change has tripled. Our guest, Jaclyn Lee, a distinguished figure in the HR discipline with over 25 years of experience in both Singapore and the Asia Pacific region, sheds light on the complexities of culture transformation.

Animesh Kumar, President – HR and Transformation at Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited, is our guest for episode two of the second season of People Matters Unplugged. An expert in orchestrating and leading transformation processes in global businesses, Animesh believes that the key to success is to understand change as a whole and not as the sum of its parts.

Our first guest of Season 2 has more than two decades of experience delivering HR programs that transform business: Priyanka Anand, vice president and head of HR at Ericsson, for South East Asia, Oceania, and India. On People Matters Unplugged, she talks about how Ericsson invests in a learning culture where employees are the architects of their career trajectory.

HR transformation involves many moving parts. A critical aspect of transformation is realising the potential of people and raising them to be courageous in the face of challenges. In this episode of People Matters Unplugged, our CEO Ester Martinez speaks to Archana Bhaskar, CHRO at Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, on the art of courage in business.

When People Matters launched TechHR 10 years ago, the team envisioned a space that would bring together business, people and technology leaders under one roof. With the evolution of work technology and practices, the path once foreseen at the beginning of the journey has definitely changed. What makes 2023 different? In this episode of People Matters Unplugged, our CEO and Editor in Chief Ester Martinez delves into the art of the possible.

Let's rewind to some of the best moments of Season 1 so far in our interviews with Peck Kem Low, Sunil Setlur and Krating Poonpol. HR leaders are often seen as leading from the front, but in this candid snapshot of what it takes for leaders to bring their A-Game, we learn that it takes a great deal of self-care, commitment to growth and impact, and team spirit for leaders to set a positive example for their people.

In a diverse continent like Asia, the evolution of HR is happening parallel to another trend: the rise of a diverse and highly skilled talent pool. How can HR leaders ride the momentum? To answer this question and more, we ask a highly experienced leader who has a front-row seat to the talent trends in the region – Rajeshwar Tripathi, CHRO of the Automotive & Farm Sectors of Mahindra & Mahindra.

Thinking to blaze your own trail in HR? Meet Olivia Chua, CHRO at Jebsen & Jessen, whose own career path doesn't follow the conventional route. Olivia embraced work at an early age, was classically trained in statistics, learnt from HR and non-HR roles, and gained insights from her time working in major cities across the world. How does this tenacious global citizen bring flair into her work as HR leader? Olivia gives practical advice in this episode of People Matters Unplugged.

In the most innovative and collaborative work cultures, great leaders know that 'ideas come from everywhere'. Engaging with team members from all walks of life – and allowing them to turn ideas into action – is what results in an enriching experience at work. This episode of People Matters Unplugged features a champion of the concept of 'deep listening': Krating Poonpol, Group Chairman of KBTG. A seasoned professional who worked for Google at the heart of Silicon Valley, he brings an innovative mindset and a fresh take on talent development.

Krish Shankar is a pillar of talent development in India, providing the community with foresight into the future of talent and business in the region. With three decades of experience in human capital management, the author of 'Catalyse' has built stellar teams in some of the most talent-intensive industries, such as telecommunications and IT. In this episode, he uncovers ways to empower People & Culture teams to usher in transformation in the HR industry.

In our milestone episode, People Matters Unplugged celebrates International Women's Month by looking back at the lessons shared by three remarkable women: Monica Watt, Chin Yin Ong and Renu Bohra. The episode provides a recap of their own experiences of transforming the very spaces they inhabit as business leaders.

It is not only about breaking the “glass ceiling". Both, professional and personal empowerment of women, are not just an individual responsibility. It takes an entire community to increase this representation. Renu Bohra, Chief People Officer at logistics company DB Schenker explains in this episode of People Matters Unplugged.