Kiran Punjabi: Building People, Shaping Possibilities

Kiran Punjabi: Building People, Shaping Possibilities

From the Shop Floor to the Strategic Table

Kiran Punjabi, a seasoned Senior HR Managerwith over 12 years of experience, stands as a living example of how human resource professionals are not just enablers but transformational leaders in their own right. Raised in Mumbai within a conservative setup where women stepping out for work was met with resistance, her journey is as much about professional success as it is about personal courage.

“I’m grateful that my parents chose to support and believe in me when it wasn’t the easiest choice for them. Their confidence laid the foundation for my entire career,” she shares.

Her story is not about rebellion—it’s about graceful assertion, consistency, and building a bridge between tradition and progress.

Choosing HR: Where Passion Meets Purpose

Kiran found her calling in Human Resources not by accident, but through a deep-seated desire to help people realize their full potential.

“It’s not just about managing processes. It’s about guiding individuals through their journeys—understanding their aspirations and aligning them with a company’s vision,” she explains.

This passion led her to craft impactful environments where people could grow, thrive, and contribute meaningfully. She finds HR to be the perfect blend of strategic thinking and human connection.

The Journey That Shaped Her

Her career kicked off with a bold move—she became the first woman HR professional on the shop floorof an Indian MNC. It was a pioneering role that involved designing foundational policies and spearheading culture-building activities that would shape the organization for years.

Later, a stint at a startup exposed her to the high-risk, high-learning environment of early ventures. Despite the venture not succeeding, she calls it a “courageous ride”—one that added layers of wisdom to her approach.

At Valvoline Cummins, she contributed to a greenfield project, and then joined Philips Healthcare, where she further refined her skillset working within a global framework. Her focus always remained the same: people-first leadershipbacked by tangible, systemic results.

Defining Success, One Initiative at a Time

Among her many milestones, Kiran considers the Progressive Workforce Modeland High-Performing Teamsproject during Pune’s site transformation to be her most rewarding.

Some of the major outcomes include:

• 68% gender diversityin new engineer hiring

• A holistic onboarding and development modelcombining classroom training, practical exposure, and personal growth

• Creation of team scorecards and upskilling platforms

• Development of managers as coaches to foster a transparent, learning-centric culture

But her most cherished project?

“When we invited parents of young female employees to Philips to celebrate their daughters’ growth—seeing their pride was indescribable. That moment reminded me that real impact often lies beyond metrics,” she says, visibly moved.

Challenges That Became Growth Stories

Like any meaningful journey, hers wasn't free of challenges. During the global pandemic, as workforce plans were derailed, Kiran and her team pivoted by focusing on building support systemsfor newly hired employees and engaging with their families to offer reassurance.

“At a time when the world paused, we pushed forward—balancing safety, empathy, and continuity for our people and patients,” she shares.

Leading with Values

Kiran’s leadership philosophy is built on openness, boldness, and clarity. Her four guiding principles:

• Be open and transparent

• Take bold standswhen required

• Embrace boundaryless behavior

• Be firm and conclusivein decision-making

She believes that HR is most effective when it marries compassion with consistency—keeping both people and business goals in sight.

Driving Culture at a Global Level

Currently, Kiran is leading a global “Culture Activation” initiative for Philips, focused on aligning with the company’s Play to Win strategy (2024–2026). This strategic work aims to reimagine organizational culture through the lens of innovation, inclusivity, and empowerment—areas where Kiran’s influence is especially evident.

What Keeps Her Going

For Kiran, motivation comes from purpose—the chance to shape people, families, and organizations through her work.

“Every success story—every transformed life—tells me that I am where I’m meant to be,” she says.

And when it comes to balance?

“There’s no such thing as perfect work-life balance. It’s about knowing what matters most and being present for it—at home or at work,” she shares candidly.

The Road Ahead

Kiran aspires to lead HR with deeper social impact—designing people strategies that not only serve business goals but also uplift families and communities.

“Leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about influence and intention. My aim is to leave people and systems better than I found them.”

A Quote That Moves Her

“We are all born with a purpose, and when we hear words of wisdom, we often expect nothing less than a miracle. It's those guiding words that remind us to reach higher.”

Her Advice to Young Women

“Embrace your uniqueness. Be bold enough to choose your own path, and strong enough to walk it. And never forget to support at least one other woman on your way up.”

Kiran Punjabiis more than an HR professional—she’s a quiet force shaping futures with intention, empathy, and unshakeable clarity. Her work reminds us that leadership doesn’t always have to roar; sometimes, it simply builds—with care, courage, and conviction.