In the fast-paced world of unicorn startups, it is people who truly make the difference. Behind every big achievement, whether it is building teams, shaping culture, or driving growth, there are inspiring HR leaders who make it all possible. The HR 100: People Leaders Shaping the Future of Startups celebrates the top 100 HR heads of India’s unicorns who are not just managing talent, but also creating workplaces where people thrive. They guide companies through change, nurture culture, and lay the foundation for tomorrow’s success stories.
Ashish Kumar Singh (CHRO, Meesho): Ashish Kumar Singh is an HR professional specializing in developing best-in-class people practices within tech-led startups. With expertise in human resources, leadership development, organizational culture, and organizational development, he helps shape high-performance, innovative workplaces that align talent strategies with business objectives and foster growth for both employees and organizations.
Ayush Shukla (Human Resources Business Partner, CRED): Ayush Shukla, Human Resources Business Partner at CRED, is a seasoned HR professional dedicated to empowering talent and fostering culture in a fast-paced fintech environment. With expertise in talent and performance management, HR process optimization, leadership development, and compensation, he has driven impactful initiatives across acquisition, learning, diversity, and wellness, enhancing engagement, retention, and organizational transformation at CRED.
Anjan Das (Vice President Human Resources, Pristyn Care): Anjan Das specializes in strategic leadership and people transformation. He partners with founders and business leaders to shape HR strategy, optimize cost structures, and drive organizational growth. With expertise in talent acquisition, M&A integration, and compliance, Anjan leads HR functions end-to-end, fostering employee development, culture, and business alignment.
Arooshi Singh (Head of Human Resources, Unacademy): Arooshi Singh, recently promoted to Head of Human Resources at Unacademy, leads employee engagement, talent acquisition, and workplace culture initiatives. Having joined as Senior HR Business Partner, she has been pivotal in shaping HR strategies. Her promotion reflects Unacademy’s commitment to nurturing internal talent while supporting its rapid expansion in the EdTech sector.
Amit Mehta (CHRO, UpGrad): Amit Mehta is an experienced HR leader with 16 years of expertise in business partnering, employer branding, talent management, and organizational design. He has a proven track record of aligning people strategies with business goals, fostering employee engagement, and building strong organizational cultures that drive growth and long-term success.
Ajay Tripathi (CHRO, ReNew Power): Ajay Tripathi brings over 32 years of diverse experience across business and HR functions in industries such as steel, cement, media, banking, automotive, and R&D. With expertise spanning organizational development, talent acquisition, M&A integration, and HR consulting, he is a business-focused HR leader who aligns people strategy with organizational growth and success.
Ajoy Clement Salve (Chief Human Resources and Administration Officer, Xpressbees): Ajoy Clement Salve is a senior HR leader with 30 years of experience driving transformational initiatives across industry-leading corporations. With expertise in human relations and organizational development, he has consistently delivered strategies that enable long-term growth, cultural strength, and people-focused success, positioning organizations to thrive in dynamic and competitive business environments.
Ashish Soni (Director Human Resources, Pocket FM ): Ashish Soni is the Director of Human Resources at Pocket FM, bringing over 16 years of expertise in employee engagement, relations, POSH investigations, and HR governance. Skilled in business partnering, litigation management, and driving impactful initiatives, he is known for fostering positive workplace cultures with strategic thinking, adaptability, and strong stakeholder management.
Anurag Verma (Head of People & Culture, ShareChat): Anurag Verma is a strategic CHRO with 30 years of global experience across India, the US, the UK, the UAE, Israel, Singapore, and Japan. He has built resilient, high-performance cultures at Flipkart, Uniphore, and ShareChat, specializing in culture-driven growth, M&A integration, leadership alignment, and human-centered workplaces, while also offering executive coaching and talent consulting.
Chitbhanu Nagri (Senior Vice President People Operations, Razorpay): Chitbhanu is the Senior Vice President of People Operations at Razorpay, bringing over 19 years of HR experience across multinational corporations and leading Indian startups. An alumnus of TISS, he has led HR at prominent companies such as Flipkart, Accenture, and Dell, with a strong focus on building humane, inclusive, and future-ready organizational cultures.
Charles Godwin (HR Leader, Zoho): Charles Godwin is an experienced HR professional with over 21 years in the IT industry, specializing in talent management, engagement, retention, and organizational development. Skilled in navigating mergers and high-growth phases, he has delivered impactful HR interventions. A prominent industry speaker, he has inspired thousands through over 2,500 guest lectures to students and professionals.
Daminee Sawhney (VP, Human Resources & Operations, Zomato): Daminee Sawhney, bringing rich experience in operations and people strategy. She has previously contributed to organizations such as Radisson Hotel Group, The Oberoi Group, and Universal Solidarity Movement NGO, and served on the Board of Studies at Amity University. An LSE graduate, Daminee excels in driving organizational growth and talent development.
Deepa Chadha (CHRO, 1mg): Deepa Chadha, CHRO at Tata 1mg, brings nearly 30 years of rich professional experience across leading organizations. She has held leadership roles at Ranbaxy, Oracle, Genpact, Airtel, and Jabong, and served as Senior Vice President of Human Resources & Corporate Affairs at Vistara, driving strategic people practices and organizational growth.
Deepika Thakur Singh (Director Human Resources Operations, Delhivery): Deepika Thakur Singh, Director of Human Resources Operations at Delhivery, is a result-oriented professional recognized for driving high-performance cultures. With the ability to adapt seamlessly in dynamic and challenging environments, she plays a pivotal role in aligning people strategies with business objectives, ensuring operational excellence, and fostering organizational growth.
Deepti Gupta (Vice President Human Resources, Dream11): Deepti Gupta is a global HR leader with over 18 years of experience in building and scaling people strategies for high-growth tech and product organizations. She specializes in driving HR transformations, digital initiatives, and leadership development, creating high-trust, high-performance cultures that align with business imperatives and fuel organizational innovation and growth.
Dipti Manchanda (Deputy Director of Human Resources, VerSe Innovation): Dipti Manchanda is an experienced HR leader with over 18 years in human resources, holding a postgraduate degree from IIM-Shillong. She specializes in HR business partnering, talent management, innovation, and employee relations, and is recognized for creating positive, productive work environments that align people strategies with organizational goals.
Dinesh Ramamurthi (CHRO, OYO): Dinesh Ramamurthi is the Global CHRO at OYO Hotels & Homes, responsible for shaping a high-performance, meritocratic culture and building a global leadership team. He drives organizational excellence, talent acquisition, and employee engagement, positioning OYO as an aspirational workplace and fostering a performance-driven environment across its worldwide operations.
Girish Menon (Head HR, Swiggy): Girish Menon is a seasoned HR leader with over a decade of experience in building HR processes for Indian and multinational startups. At Swiggy, he drives people practices, talent management, and organizational development, aligning HR strategy with business growth. With expertise in restructuring and employment laws, he has been instrumental in scaling Swiggy’s workforce across India.
Gaurav Kriplani (Head of People Strategy & Development, MPL): Gaurav Kriplani is an experienced professional specializing in people practices, with a focus on culture change, organizational design, and creating best-in-class employee experiences. He partners with organizations to align people strategies with business goals, driving transformation and long-term value by fostering collaborative, high-performance cultures that enable both organizational success and employee growth.
Jahangir Shaikh (Head – HRBP, Zepto): Jahangir Shaikh is an accomplished HR professional with nearly two decades of experience across retail, telecom, logistics, and edtech. He brings expertise in talent management, diversity and inclusion, culture building, and HR transformation. Known for driving growth and expansion, Jahangir has successfully led people strategies, policies, and programs that foster organizational excellence and sustainability.
Kapil Vardhan (Human Resources, Mensa Brands): Kapil Vardhan is a business-focused HR leader with nearly 26 years of experience across energy, oil & gas, technology, and retail sectors. Passionate about enabling people and organizations to achieve their potential, he has led culture-building at scale, organizational design, strategic resourcing, learning interventions, and change initiatives across diverse geographies and business contexts.
Kalpana Swaminathan (Head of Human Resources, Groww): Kalpana Swaminathan brings rich expertise in talent management, organizational development, and strategic HR practices. With an MBA and BE from Anna University, she has led HR functions across sectors, including logistics, retail, and finance. Her career spans roles at Deutsche Post, Reliance Digital, and Spencer’s Retail, driving initiatives in employee engagement, recruitment, and compensation
kailash Tickoo (Vice President Human Resources, EaseMyTrip): Kailash Tickoo is an HR professional with 12 years of experience in human resource management within IT organizations. He brings a pragmatic approach and strong dedication to his work, aiming to leverage his skills to drive organizational effectiveness, foster employee growth, and further develop his career in the HR domain.
Karan Bajwa (CHRO, Mamaearth): Karan Bajwa, Chief Human Resources Officer at Mamaearth, leads HR for one of India’s fastest-growing beauty and personal care house of brands. He is responsible for driving people strategy, talent management, and culture building, enabling the company’s rapid growth while fostering a dynamic, inclusive, and high-performing workplace aligned with its business vision.
Meenakkshi Mahadik (Head- HR Business Partners, The Good Glamm Group): Meenakkshi Mahadik brings over a decade of experience in shaping HR practices for beauty and retail startups. She specializes in building high-performance workplace cultures, bridging organizational gaps, and implementing practical people solutions that drive business growth while fostering collaboration and innovation across teams.
Manish Kumar (CHRO, PayTM): Manish is a seasoned HR leader with 29 years of diverse experience across retail, pharma, banking, manufacturing, and more. Having served nearly two decades as CHRO and Head of HR in leading organizations, he excels in strategic HR, governance, employee relations, and business partnering. Beyond work, he writes Hindi poetry and contributes thought pieces on social issues.
Manmeet Sandhu (Chief People Officer, PhonePe): Manmeet Sandhu brings her extensive HR expertise to foster sustainable growth by blending strategic automation with a strong focus on culture and inclusion. She highlights how technology and AI are transforming HR practices at PhonePe while addressing the challenges and strategies of building a future-ready, inclusive, and resilient workplace.
Manas Ranjan Mishra (Senior Director Human Resources, Moneyview): Manas Ranjan Mishra is an empathetic HR leader with 17 years of experience spanning large public enterprises, gaming, SaaS, and fintech startups. Skilled in HR business partnering, people analytics, and M&A integration, he has successfully led complex projects across the HR spectrum. Passionate about building, scaling, and sustaining organizations, he aligns people strategy with business goals to drive growth and resilience.
Marita Dsantos (Human Resources Director, Glance): Marita Dsantos is an accomplished HR professional with experience across e-commerce, retail, and consumer durables in India and Southeast Asia. She specializes in learning and development, talent management, organizational design, employee engagement, performance management, and talent acquisition, bringing a well-rounded expertise in building people strategies that drive growth and organizational success.
Madhuri Nandgaonkar (Vice President Human Resources, Gupshup): Madhuri Nandgaonkar is a seasoned HR leader with over 22 years of experience in shaping organizational culture. At high-growth tech organizations, she focuses on attracting top talent, fostering innovation, optimizing productivity, and encouraging employees to think creatively and execute efficiently, driving both individual performance and overall business success.
Manjula Rao (CHRO, FirstCry): Manjula Rao is a seasoned CHRO with over 27 years of experience across e-commerce, manufacturing, publishing, and health sectors. Known for scaling HR systems during hyper-growth, she drives engagement, innovation, and workforce adaptability. At FirstCry, she played a key role in the 2025 IPO, talent acquisition, and culture-building initiatives.
Manish Wadhwa (CHRO, CarDekho Group): Manish Wadhwa is an accomplished HR and business leader with extensive experience across telecom, banking, and consumer tech sectors. Skilled in human capital management, stakeholder engagement, and leading large teams, he has driven business growth in Southeast Asia, scaling organizations to $2 million ARR while overseeing sales, operations, marketing, product, and technology functions.
Nitin Sachdeva (Head- HR Business Partnering, BharatPe): Nitin Sachdeva is an HR professional with an entrepreneurial mindset and strong emotional intelligence. With diverse experience across IT, Media, and Consumer Durables, he has expertise in HR business partnering, talent management, employee engagement, and learning & development. Passionate about culture building and change management, he believes in creating high-performing workplaces where people and business grow together.
Naveen Kumar Nerlaje (Head Human Resources, Licious): Naveen Kumar Nerlaje brings extensive experience in shaping organizational culture, employee relations, and talent development across the automobile, FMCG, and retail sectors. Previously Director of Partner Resources at Tata Starbucks, he has also worked with Hindustan Unilever, Nestlé India, and Toyota. At Licious, he leads HR strategy to drive growth and scale.
Nimesh Mathur (CHRO, Cure.fit): Nimesh Mathur oversees talent acquisition, capability development, performance management, and culture building. With nearly two decades of cross-functional experience, he has led HR and business roles at Jio Haptik, Pluralsight, HackerRank, and Branc Metrics. Previously, he founded his own HR consulting firm, bringing entrepreneurial and strategic expertise.
Nidhi Prasad (Director- Human Resource & Labour Compliance, Ather Energy): Nidhi Prasad is an HR leader with over 21 years of experience in building high-performing, customer-centric organizations. Currently Director of HR and Labour Compliance at Ather Energy, she has led HR functions at GE Healthcare, Tata Power Solar, and HAL. Known for her expertise in industrial relations and business partnerships, she successfully drove culture-building at Ather’s greenfield factory in Hosur.
Neha Srivastava (Head – People & Culture, LeadSquared): Neha Srivastava is an accomplished HR leader and culture architect with over 21 years of experience across diverse industries. Recognized by Forbes India and World HRD Congress, she is known for aligning business goals with people-first strategies, driving organizational transformations, pioneering innovative HR frameworks, and building future-ready, high-performing, and engaged workplaces.
Neha Bhandari (Head-People and Culture, Cars24): Neha Bhandari is an HR leader with 22 years of experience driving strategic people initiatives across Fortune 500 companies, startups, and growth brands in IT, SaaS, and product sectors. She excels in talent management, HR business partnering, organizational restructuring, and culture-building, helping senior leaders create high-performance, purpose-driven, and customer-focused teams.
Priyanka Lekhi (Sr. Vice President- People and Culture, Open Financial Technologies): Priyanka Lekhi is an accomplished HR professional with over 22 years of experience across startups, social sector organizations, and mid-sized corporations. She has led initiatives in performance management, culture building, rewards, and compensation, while enhancing employee experience. Known for her energy and strategic leadership, Priyanka specializes in organizational development and driving scalable HR practices.
Piyush Raghuvanshi (Head – Human Resources, Apna): Piyush is an accomplished HR leader with extensive expertise in strategic people advisory, talent growth, and transformational delivery models. With experience across diverse sectors, including consumer internet, SaaS, e-commerce, and global banking, he specializes in building high-performing teams, leadership hiring, succession planning, and HR-tech transformation, driving sustainable growth from startups to large-scale global organizations.
Puneett Raheja (Director Human Resources, Games24x7): Puneett Raheja is a business-focused HR leader with expertise in managing compensation and benefits, performance management systems, HR digitization, shared services, and business partnering. He is known for aligning people practices with organizational goals, driving efficiency, and building impactful HR frameworks that support business growth and enhance employee experience.
Pooja Madappa (Senior Vice President- HR, Netradyne): Pooja Madappa is an accomplished HR professional with 20 years of experience across staffing, talent management, employee engagement, rewards, learning solutions, change management, mergers and acquisitions, and diversity and inclusion. Deeply passionate about fostering equity, she is committed to building inclusive workplaces that drive both organizational success and a truly equal world.
Prasad Menon (Chief People Officer, Amagi): Prasad is a seasoned HR professional with over two decades of experience across e-commerce, IT, manufacturing, and consulting. Leading Global Human Capital at Amagi Media Labs, he has held strategic HR roles at Flipkart, McAfee, and Cleartrip. Passionate about sustainability and community service, he founded GIVEPrakruti EcoVentures and contributed pro bono to the CoronaSafe Network.
Rohan Das (Vice President Human Resources, Slice): Rohan Das is a strategic HR leader with expertise in career development, succession planning, and performance management. He has successfully led branch expansions, optimized HR costs, and managed large-scale workforce operations. Skilled in compensation strategy, talent management, and governance, Rohan drives HR automation, transformation projects, and culture-building initiatives, fostering organizational growth, leadership development, and a strong pay-for-performance culture.
Rohit Kasbe (Head of Human Resources Operations, Rebel Foods): Rohit Kasbe is the Head of Human Resources Operations at Rebel Foods, the world’s leading internet restaurant company. He leads HR strategy, operations, and employee engagement, playing a key role in strengthening the company’s people practices. His leadership supports Rebel Foods’ mission to enhance operational efficiency and scale its global growth journey.
Rohini Singh (Chief People Officer, Fractal Analytics): Rohini Singh leads the company’s people strategy with a focus on cultural transformation, change management, talent acquisition, and talent development. She plays a pivotal role in shaping a high-performance workplace, fostering employee growth, and aligning HR initiatives with organizational goals to drive sustainable business success and innovation.
Rohit Sandal (Vice President Human Resources, Freshworks): Rohit Sandal, Vice President of Human Resources at Freshworks, is a seasoned HR leader with extensive experience in shaping people strategies. He has held leadership roles at Lenovo India and Dell, and earlier worked with Mercer and Agilent Technologies. An alumnus of Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies, he specializes in driving organizational growth through effective HR practices.
Swati Singh (Vice President & Head of HR, MobiKwik): Swati Singh is a seasoned HR leader with over 23 years of experience in driving comprehensive HR functions across diverse industries. She specializes in HR business partnering, talent management, leadership hiring, and organizational design. With strong expertise in people strategy, performance management, and employee engagement, Swati has successfully implemented HR models that support matrix structures while fostering growth, retention, and development.
Satheesh K V (Chief People Officer, Acko): Satheesh K V brings extensive expertise in HR and talent management, driving the company’s people strategy and organizational growth. With a strong background in building high-performing teams and fostering workplace culture, he plays a pivotal role in shaping Acko’s talent agenda, aligning people practices with business goals to enable sustainable growth and innovation.
Shambhavi Solanki (Head – Human Resources, Policybazaar): Shambhavi Solanki serves as Head Human Resources at PolicyBazaar. With a career spanning leading organizations such as Paisabazaar.com, Squareyards.com, Validor Capital, and Tata Capital, she brings expertise in driving HR strategy and organizational development. Shambhavi has played a key role in shaping people practices and fostering growth across diverse sectors.
Shubhayu Sengupta (Chief People Officer, Zeta): Shubhayu Sengupta is a seasoned HR leader with over 27 years of global experience across consulting, financial services, and BPM in healthcare. Currently leading the people function at a founder-driven banking technology firm, he has built organizations end-to-end, specializing in talent management, performance, compensation, and culture, while shaping high-performing, innovative workplaces worldwide.
Shravan Kumar Dullur (Head of Human Resources, Darwinbox): Shravan Kumar spearheads the company’s people strategy, talent development, and organizational culture. With extensive HR leadership experience, he focuses on building high-performing teams, driving employee engagement, and aligning HR practices with business goals. At Darwinbox, he plays a key role in supporting growth and innovation.
Surender Mehta (CHRO, Nykaa): Surender Mehta is a seasoned HR leader with over 25 years of experience across e-commerce, IT, telecom, hospitality, and manufacturing. Formerly Director of Human Resources at VOIS India and Board Member for Vodafone Group entities, he specializes in culture building, talent vitality, diversity and inclusion, organizational design, and driving people strategies for high-performing, future-ready organizations.
Sunil Dubey (Head HRBP, Lenskart): Sunil Dubey, an energetic and values-driven HR leader, currently heads HR for Global Supply Chain and Customer Service at Lenskart after a successful stint as Director HR at Flipkart. With expertise in change management, talent strategy, and engagement, he also champions social impact as Founder & CEO of GreenLungs, driving large-scale environmental and educational initiatives.
Sulabh Kulshreshtha (Head – Human Resources, Livspace): Sulabh Kulshreshtha leads the people agenda at Livspace, Asia’s largest omni-channel home interiors and renovation platform. With prior experience at Nykaa and across retail, F&B, telecom, insurance, and manufacturing, he has driven employee experience, HR tech, and organizational growth. Passionate about diversity, advocacy, and building high-performing teams, Sulabh enables people and businesses to thrive.
Satyajit Menon (Global Head of People Experience, Innovaccer): Satyajit Menon is an outcome-focused HR leader with over 20 years of experience in employee relations, leadership consulting, policy design, and compliance. A certified People & Leadership Coach, he has built robust succession planning frameworks, driven recruitment at a global scale, and advised top tech startups in India and the US on people strategy and growth.
Savita Sharma (CHRO, PharmEasy): Savita Sharma is an experienced HR leader with expertise in enabling business growth through effective people strategies. She has a strong track record of shaping high-performance organizations, driving change, and building values-based cultures. Savita’s leadership focuses on aligning HR practices with business goals to foster sustainable growth and organizational excellence.
Sarah Oliveira Fernandes (Head of Human Resources and Administration, Molbio Diagnostics): Sarah Oliviera Fernandes is the Head of Human Resources and Administration at Molbio Diagnostics, bringing 18 years of HR experience in the manufacturing sector. A science graduate with an MBA, she has held leadership roles at Syngenta India, IFB Industries, and Deccan Fine Chemicals, specializing in talent management, organizational development, and people strategy.
Simriti (Head of People & Culture Office, Vedantu): Simriti, Head of People & Culture Office at Vedantu, plays a pivotal role in shaping the company’s cultural fabric and aligning it with its long-term vision. With over a decade in EdTech, she serves as an integrator, communicator, and trusted advisor, ensuring Vedantu’s values remain central while driving growth and innovation.
Satish Khengre (CHRO, Physics Wallah (PW)): Satish Khengre is a seasoned HR leader with 21 years of experience in managing end-to-end HR operations across industries. Known for his strategic vision, he has driven transformations through talent management, culture building, and change leadership. Passionate about mentoring future HR professionals, Satish leverages innovation and analytics to build resilient, future-ready organizations.
Shilpi Pandey (Chief People Officer, BlackBuck): Shilpi Pandey, Chief People Officer at BlackBuck, leads the overall strategy and management of human resources operations. With a focus on aligning people practices with business goals, she plays a key role in fostering growth and culture at BlackBuck, a tech-driven logistics platform transforming transportation and positively impacting livelihoods across India.
Salil Chinchore (CHRO, ElasticRun): Salil Chinchore is a seasoned HR leader with 28 years of diverse experience across human resources and general management. He has successfully led initiatives in organizational strategy, talent and leadership development, employee engagement, labor relations, and global HR. Skilled in change management and M&A, Salil is recognized for driving impactful people strategies.
Surya Omar (Head – Human Resources, Ninjacart): Surya Omar is an empathetic yet business-driven HR leader with over 21 years of experience in enhancing organizational effectiveness, profitability, and people engagement. With expertise in talent management, leadership development, diversity and inclusion, and HR transformation, he partners with business leaders to build inclusive, high-performance cultures that align people growth with business success.
Saumya Khare (Head HR, Moglix): Saumya Khare, an MBA graduate from the Indian School of Business, Hyderabad, is a seasoned HR leader with over 20 years of experience in people and culture development, strategy, and operations. She has a proven track record of driving organizational growth, fostering high-performance cultures, and aligning HR initiatives with business objectives.
Seema Nair (CHRO, Flipkart): Seema Nair is a seasoned HR leader with nearly 31 years of global experience, now serving as Head of Human Resources at Flipkart. She specializes in performance transformation, culture, diversity, and leadership development, and previously led HR digitization and strategic initiatives at Reliance Industries, while actively contributing to industry D&I and MSME efforts.
Tanuja Tewari (CHRO, BigBasket): Tanuja Tewari leads the company’s people strategy and organizational development initiatives. With extensive experience in HR leadership, she focuses on talent management, employee engagement, and culture building. At BigBasket, Tanuja plays a pivotal role in driving workforce excellence and aligning HR practices with the company’s growth vision.
Viji Swaminathan (Chief People Officer, Pine Labs): Viji Swaminathan, Chief People Officer at Pine Labs, is dedicated to building collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing workplaces. With leadership experience at Amazon India and as co-founder of an HR consulting firm, she brings expertise in talent strategy, operational excellence, and integration. Beginning her career at Unilever, Viji remains passionate about guiding organizations through growth and transformation.
As startups continue to grow and redefine industries, these HR leaders remind us that success is never just about numbers or valuations. It is about people, purpose, and culture. Their vision and leadership ensure that the journey of building unicorns is also a journey of building meaningful workplaces where innovation and humanity go hand in hand.
–by Bhumika Rawat
Disclaimer
The selection process involves rigorous evaluation but is based on subjective criteria, which may lead to variations. Parameters include industry influence, reputation, experience, contributions, education, accolades, and followership. While comprehensive assessments may not capture every aspect of a candidate’s profile. Selection does not imply endorsement or guarantee future performance. Feedback is welcome for improvement.
