Jan 2023 – Jan 2024 · 1 yr · Remote

• https://www.brainzmagazine.com/post/journey-from-corporate-leadership-to-pioneering-hr-solutions-interview-with-desma-rovina-d-souza
• https://www.brainzmagazine.com/post/traicy-revolutionizing-hr-with-ai-inspired-by-a-true-story
• https://www.brainzmagazine.com/post/disrupting-hr-s-k-consulting-s-ai-journey-and-its-impact-on-smes
• https://www.brainzmagazine.com/post/unlocking-5-secrets-to-keeping-your-top-talent

Jul 2020 – Dec 2023 · 3 yrs 5 mos · Cincinnati, Ohio, United States

• Eyes Open International (EOI) is a non-profit group focused on combating human trafficking through empowerment. Based in Cincinnati, USA, EOI consults at various levels of government and develops methods of cultivating resilience, hope, and freedom in vulnerable populations as well as organizes and participates in talks, seminars, group discussions, and special events that promote human trafficking awareness and survivor-led methods.
• https://www.eyesopeninternational.org/eoi-announces-desma-dsouza-as-global-outreach-director/

Jan 2020 – Present · 6 yrs 2 mos · Dubai, United Arab Emirates · On-site

• S&K HR Consulting is an award-winning boutique firm with over 45 years of experience across the GCC.
• We support UAE-based businesses and international companies setting up in the region by building strong HR foundations that mitigate risk and drive sustainable growth.
• Our senior HR team combines strategic insight with operational know-how, offering hands-on expertise across industries and business stages. Whether you’re starting up, scaling, or streamlining, we guide you through every step of the employee lifecycle.
• From HR setup and compliance to recruitment, performance management, and HR outsourcing, our services are tailored to your business goals—keeping you compliant, agile, and future-ready.
• With offices in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, we support clients across the UAE and GCC, including those established in both Mainland and Free Zone jurisdictions.
• Keep Learning with S&K
• 📌 Weekly Videos
• 📌 Monthly Podcast
• 📌 Monthly Blogs
• 📌 Free HR Resources

May 2019 – Feb 2020 · 9 mos · Dubai & Canada

• As the saying goes, "Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom". I took this time to re-prioritize both my personal and professional goals and aspirations.
• On a professional level, I've embarked of the exciting journey of entrepreneurship and have a couple of exciting projects in the making!

Oct 2018 – Jul 2023 · 4 yrs 9 mos · Dubai, United Arab Emirates

• With almost 70K members, Best Bites is the leading food community in the UAE as well as the leading provider of restaurant listings, reviews and incentives across Abu Dhabi and Dubai, with a view to expanding to the full seven emirates. Through strong digital and social platforms, Best Bites brings people together over food and is an essential part of the food and beverage industry in the UAE.

Mar 2017 – Apr 2019 · 2 yrs 1 mo · Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

• Designed, developed and led the People Strategy to commission and activate 3 Medical Centres and a 100 bed multi specialty hospital across Abu Dhabi & Dubai
• Led all HR activities for a successful DHA inspection of 2 medical centres and the hospital
• Collaborated with senior leadership to develop strategic goals, policies, and programs that align with business initiatives
• Coached senior leaders and their direct reports on their leadership effectiveness and performance
• Developed business leadership to support of positive employee relations and ensure consistent and unbiased implementation of policies and procedures
• Led talent review sessions to identify top talent, succession planning strategies and create development initiatives to grow talent
• Led change management initiatives to influence a recognizable shift in culture including creating and implementing change programs, as required
• Measured and analyzed effectiveness of HR to identify opportunities for continuous improvement
• Managed the operational demands of the HR Department to ensure that all activities are clearly defined and communicated to various departments
• Led a team of HR professionals, instilling a culture of collaboration, accountability and transparency, to ensure the highest levels of performance and productivity

May 2014 – Mar 2017 · 2 yrs 10 mos · Abu Dhabi

• Partnered with the Leadership team (circa 45 Directors/Senior Directors) to develop and deliver the people strategy for the business
• Led key HR programs i.e. Performance Management and Engagement initiatives to improve employee engagement and organization effectiveness
• Led the Talent Management agenda to create robust succession plans
• Developed first line management to maximize performance and drive effective people solutions and exceptional business results
• Developed and supported implementation of policies, procedures and employee feedback tools to promote a positive employee relations climate
• Evaluated HR metrics and recommended improvement initiatives to increase organizational effectiveness
• Led complex cross-functional HR Projects such as HR Communication Re-Branding to deliver the ‘voice’ of HR
• Developed HR team members(UAE Nationals) to become future HR Business Partners

May 2011 – Apr 2014 · 2 yrs 11 mos · Abu Dhabi

• Single point of contact for 700+ employees across UAE, Manchester & Mumbai
• Developed and delivered People Strategy for the department aligned with the business plan
• Advised Senior Leadership to promote best HR practice and ensured consistent application of HR policies and procedures
• Led key organizational development initiatives i.e. succession planning, workforce engagement, change management and continuous improvement
• Led HR working groups to develop new policies and procedures, process re-engineering to increase operational efficiency, cost saving studies and service improvement initiatives.

Jan 2011 – Apr 2011 · 3 mos · Abu Dhabi

• Key support to the HR Leadership Team to drive planning and tracking of HR operational activities and special assignments

Jan 2009 – Dec 2010 · 1 yr 11 mos · Abu Dhabi

• Implemented best practice HR and change management processes to continuously drive HR service improvements increasing levels of employee engagement and retention.
• Analysed business intelligence reports to identify issues and develop recommendations for improvement
• Participated in HR working groups to develop and/or improve HR policy and procedures, operational efficiency and service improvement initiatives
• Established strong and effective working relationships with fellow HR Generalists to ensure consistency, avoid duplication and share expertise

Apr 2008 – Dec 2008 · 8 mos · Abu Dhabi

• Provided specialist HR knowledge and expertise to line managers within the department in the areas of people management, succession planning, employee relations, local employment regulations, corporate HR policies & procedures and ad-hoc HR projects
• Delivered a customer focused, proactive and professional HR service to line managers, with the goal of maximizing individual, team and organizational effectiveness.
• Ensured that performance management is thoroughly embedded within the business unit
• Reinforced and role modeled the integration of the EY values into the department, supporting employee engagement initiatives as required

Jan 2008 – Apr 2008 · 3 mos · Abu Dhabi

• Built a strong HR partnership with the department to EY business goals to the department’s functional objectives.
• Provided a consultancy service to line managers and championed best practice in all areas of policy, organizational structure, performance / productivity, process and people management and development.

Apr 2006 – Dec 2007 · 1 yr 8 mos · Abu Dhabi

• Translated operational objectives and manpower recruitment needs of the assigned departments into recruitment plans to broadly outline candidate sourcing initiatives
• Managed third party agency agreements and processes
• Project managed recruitment campaigns both in and outside of the UAE
• Reviewed job descriptions to prepare appropriate competency based questions for interviews
• Liaised with Line Managers to facilitate professional selection interviews/assessment centers
• Performed reference checks where required and effectively negotiated contracts with preferred candidates
• Ensured that all necessary recruitment procedures, process documentation and file maintenance are updated and maintained in a timely fashion per departmental protocols.