People Matters Unplugged

If conversations around fairness, inclusion, and workplace equity often feel limited to policies and promises, this episode takes the discussion several layers deeper. From unconscious bias and equitable hiring to supporting working mothers, artisan communities, and differently abled employees, this conversation explores what it truly takes to build workplaces where opportunity is genuinely access...

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 rea...

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...

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...

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 h...

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 Matt...

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 & Communit...

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, An...

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....

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...

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 Che...

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 sh...

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 , e...

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,...

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 CH...

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 persona...

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...

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...

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 i...

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 an...

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...

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,...