Vantage Influencers Podcast

Whenever we talk about the future of work, technology almost always takes center stage, AI, data, automation, all of it. But there's one important question: if everything becomes digital, then where does the human side of work fit in? Because at the end of the day, what makes work meaningful isn't just the tools we use, it's how we feel, how we connect, and how we grow.

And that's exactly what we're exploring today: how do we build a workplace that's digitally enabled, but still deeply human?

Joining us for this conversation is someone who knows this balance inside out- Sangeeta Shetty, Head of People & Culture (HR) – Global Practice & Delivery at Ascendion.

Host of this Episode: Sanjeevani Saikia

HR is more than just policies and paperwork—it's about people, purpose, and performance coming together to create workplaces where everyone wants to show up.

Joining host Shabana in this episode is Ayesha Tallat, Founder of LinkedUp, sharing how a human-first HR approach transforms workplace culture, boosts engagement, and drives real business results. Discover how recognition, empathy, and agile leadership are reshaping the future of work.

Tune in to learn practical strategies from a seasoned HR leader with 17+ years of experience across multinationals, startups, and family businesses in the Middle East, Pakistan, and Southeast Asia. Ayesha blends sharp business strategy with deep human connection—proving that when people feel valued, performance follows.

Host: Shabana Shahnaz Guest: Ayesha Tallat, HR visionary, fractional HR partner, and career coach, passionate about building workplaces where people truly want to show up.

In this episode of the Vantage HR Influencers Podcast, Courtney King, Senior Vice President of People & Culture at BeatBox, discusses how recognition plays a crucial role in scaling company culture without losing its authenticity. She shares how HR leaders can drive growth while preserving core values during periods of hyper-growth, ensuring culture stays strong from the inside out.

You know, we often talk about company culture like it's this one big, unified thing. But the reality inside most organizations is way more nuanced. Sometimes, what you feel in one team is completely different from what you'd experience in another, even though they're technically part of the same company. That's where the idea of micro-culture becomes really interesting—and honestly, really important.

So, to dive deeper into this, I'm really excited because today we have with us Rashi Ramani, Head of Human Resources at Care Insurance. She's someone who has seen these dynamics play out firsthand, and I think her perspective on how micro-cultures form, evolve, and even sometimes turn toxic is going to be super insightful.

Host of this Episode: Sanjeevani Saikia

Dive into the fast-evolving world of learning in the Middle East, where diverse cultures meet cutting-edge technology. This episode of the Vantage Influencers Podcast features our guest, Parth Sachdeva, Assistant Manager of Learning and Development at Americana Restaurants.

Our host, Shabana, in conversation with Parth, discovers how companies are breaking barriers to build powerful, adaptable learning programs that spark growth, ignite mentorship, and prepare talent for the future—across borders and beyond expectations.

Step inside a candid conversation that unpacks the high-stakes world of Pay Transparency—where trust, power, and reputations hang in the balance.

Join our host, Shabana in talks with our guest, Debolina Bhattacharya, a Senior Talent Acquisition Manager from BETSOL, as they peel back the layers of what it really takes to open the books on compensation without triggering chaos.

From bold company experiments to hidden fears and game-changing strategies, this episode of the Vantage HR Influencers Podcast reveals why the future of fair pay is both a challenge and an opportunity you can't afford to ignore. Prepare to rethink everything you thought you knew about compensation transparency.

You know, starting a new job used to mean getting your laptop, a quick orientation, and maybe a few awkward intros over coffee. But now? Onboarding has become a whole different game, especially in a world where remote work, AI tools, and culture-first thinking are reshaping the employee experience from Day One.

So today, we're diving into what great onboarding actually looks like in 2025. What's changed, what matters more than ever, and how companies can get it right.

And to unpack all of this with me is Aakash Thakur, Managing Director & CEO, TheHRBP Consulting & Advisory someone who's been in the HR space for years and brings some rich, real-world insight into what employees truly need when they're just getting started.

Host of this Episode: Sanjeevani Saikia

This episode of the Vantage Influencers Podcast features Shabana's engaging conversation with Sri Lak Jayathma, Lead – Employee Relations & Compensation, Al Fardan Exchange LLC, UAE, on the evolving dynamics of returning to office.

The discussion peels back layers on the real motivations driving the return-to-office push and explores shifting power balances between employers and employees. It delves into how workplaces might adapt work models for productivity, flexibility, and collaboration amid evolving employee expectations.

Sri Lak also casts an intriguing gaze toward the future, pondering whether a fully flexible work environment or traditional office setups will prevail.

Host of the episode: Shabana Shahnaz

This episode of Vantage Influencers Podcast, featuring Andreas Binnmyr, Director of HR Transformation, Strategy, and Digital HR, EY, explores the concept of the "Netflix of HR," which refers to hyper-personalized employee experiences powered by AI, people analytics, and innovative technology. They emphasize the shift from traditional one-size-fits-all HR approaches to individualized, data-driven HR solutions that enhance internal mobility, career development, and productivity. Andreas highlights the importance of business alignment, governance, and change management for successful HR transformation through hyper-personalization.

We often hear people say "HR is evolving." But when you really zoom into moments of big change like rapid growth, layoffs, restructures, or mergers, it's clear that HR's role isn't just evolving, it's being tested. And maybe even redefined. The expectations placed on HR go way beyond policies and payroll now. They're expected to lead through ambiguity, navigate emotional waters, and still keep everything moving forward.

So, in this episode, we're diving into what it truly means to lead HR in times of change. Not just from a strategic lens, but from a deeply human one.

Joining me is Amrita Singh, Head of HR – Infotainment (JV) at Uno Minda. With rich experience across fast-paced, high-impact environments, she brings a grounded perspective on what it takes to steer people, culture, and processes through complexity while still keeping empathy at the center.