Karishma Manchanda CDP, CDT

CEO

Gurugram, Haryana, India16 yrs 3 mos experience

Key Highlights

  • Led HR transformation during 10X revenue growth.
  • Improved employee engagement scores from 54% to 90.8%.
  • Implemented DEI initiatives resulting in 40% growth in visibility.
Stackforce AI infers this person is a strategic HR leader specializing in diversity and inclusion within high-growth environments.

Contact

Skills

Core Skills

Strategic Human Resources LeadershipOrganizational ManagementCoachingDiversity & InclusionTalent ManagementTalent Acquisition

Other Skills

Learning & Organizational DevelopmentOrganizational EffectivenessPeople ExcellenceCulture & InclusionQuality & AuditLeadership DevelopmentCulture TransformationCareer DevelopmentEntrepreneurshipEmployee ExperienceInclusive LeadershipCulture EnablementEmployee EngagementFeedback MechanismsTalent Strategy

About

With over 17 years of HR leadership across high-growth and global environments, I specialize in building people strategies that translate business ambition into scalable organizational capability, leadership readiness, and high-performance cultures. Currently serving as Assistant Vice President – Human Capital & Strategic Initiatives (Head -HR)) at Vertex Group, I work closely with the Founder and CXO leadership to drive Vertex 2.0 — the company’s next phase of hyper-growth and enterprise transformation. My role focuses on translating business strategy into enterprise capability frameworks, leadership pipelines, and future-ready people systems. I provide strategic leadership across People Success, People Experience, Learning & Organizational Development, Organizational Effectiveness, People Excellence, Talent Acquisition, Culture & Inclusion, Talent Management, and Quality & Audit, while strengthening corporate governance and people operating models for the Vertex Group of Companies. A key focus is building the capability required to scale the organization from ~1,000 to 7,000+ employees over the next three years, ensuring leadership, systems, and culture evolve alongside business growth. Previously at Newgen Software, I led Corporate HR, driving transformation across Talent Management, Inclusion & Belonging, and Employee Experience during a pivotal growth phase where revenue scaled 10X (₹168 Cr → ₹1400 Cr) and the workforce expanded 4X (1,100 → 4,000+) across 4 global subsidiaries and operations in 106+ countries. Business Impact Highlights 🚀 +145% per capita productivity increase (₹11L → ₹27L) through performance-linked career frameworks 📉 Attrition controlled under 15% in high-turnover units through internal mobility & engagement design 🌟 Glassdoor rating improved from 2.4 → 3.4, reflecting a measurable culture shift 👩‍💼 +12% increase in women in leadership via mentorship and succession frameworks 📈 Engagement scores improved from 54% → 90.8% YoY through employee listening & trust-based people programs 🧾 Zero audit non-compliances, ensuring governance maturity across CMMI, ISMS, ISO, BRSR, & ESG frameworks At Expedia Group, I further strengthened culture and leadership capability through DEI, coaching & employee experience initiatives to shape India’s multi-year DEI roadmap and deliver leadership coaching programs Earlier in career, I worked with HCL Technologies as an HR Business Partner. I also served as Site HR with Serco Global Services, managing end-to-end employee lifecycle operations, employee relations, and engagement

Experience

16 yrs 3 mos
Total Experience
2 yrs 8 mos
Average Tenure
1 mo
Current Experience

Vertex group

Associate Vice President – Human Capital Transformation & Strategic Initiatives (HR Head)

Mar 2026Present · 1 mo · Gurugram, Haryana, India · On-site

  • Partnering with the Founder and CXO leadership to build a scalable, compliant and future-ready people, leadership and culture architecture to drive Vertex 2.0 hyper-growth.
  • Enterprise People Leadership
  • Lead the end-to-end people function across Talent Management, Talent Acquisition, L&D, HRBPs, Workforce Management, Employee Experience, Culture & Inclusion, and Quality & Audit
  • Drive workforce scaling strategy from ~1,000 to 10000+ employees over three years
  • Build enterprise people operating models across group companies including acquisitions.
  • Governance, Compliance & Process Excellence
  • Establish HR governance frameworks, standardized policies and risk-aware operating models
  • Strengthen statutory compliance, internal controls and audit readiness
  • Implement maker–checker frameworks, documentation standards and lifecycle process audits
  • Lead HR digital transformation through HRMS, automation and workforce analytics
  • Organization & Talent Transformation
  • Translate business strategy into enterprise talent, leadership and culture initiatives
  • Lead organization design, workforce planning and operating model evolution
  • Build leadership pipelines, succession architecture and capability frameworks
  • Strengthen performance, productivity and accountability systems aligned to business outcomes
  • Leadership Development & Capability Building
  • Design leadership journeys for first-line, mid-level and senior leaders
  • Build enterprise learning strategy aligned to future capability needs
  • Enable leadership readiness and internal mobility at scale
  • Culture, Experience & Engagement
  • Drive culture transformation aligned with Vertex 2.0 vision
  • Strengthen employee experience, engagement and retention frameworks
  • Use people analytics to enable strategic workforce decisions
Talent ManagementTalent AcquisitionLearning & Organizational DevelopmentOrganizational EffectivenessPeople ExcellenceCulture & Inclusion+3

Self-employed

Founder & Lead Coach

Jul 2025Mar 2026 · 8 mos · India · Remote

  • Elevate Women’s Entrepreneurship & Career Coaching
  • Lead a high-impact coaching platform dedicated to helping women entrepreneurs step into financial independence, leadership confidence, and purpose-driven business growth.
  • Through a combination of group coaching programs and personalized 1:1 mentorship, I work with ambitious women who are ready to move beyond limitations, shift their mindset around money and leadership, and build sustainable, profitable ventures aligned with their strengths and vision.
  • The coaching approach blends strategic business thinking with deep mindset transformation—empowering women to move from uncertainty and self-doubt to clarity, confidence, and decisive action.
  • Key Areas of Impact
  • Design and lead structured group coaching programs focused on entrepreneurial growth, financial independence, and leadership development
  • Provide personalized 1:1 coaching to support women founders in navigating business challenges, scaling their ventures, and making confident strategic decisions
  • Facilitate mindset shifts around wealth creation, self-worth, visibility, and leadership presence
  • Support aspiring entrepreneurs in transitioning from employment to building their own businesses
  • Mentor women in building aligned offers, attracting ideal clients, and creating sustainable revenue streams
  • Cultivate peer learning communities that encourage accountability, collaboration, and shared growth among women founders
  • Through this work, I help women transform ideas into viable businesses, develop strong entrepreneurial identities, and create economic empowerment not only for themselves but also for the communities they influence.
CoachingCareer DevelopmentEntrepreneurship

Expedia group

People & Culture Leader – Employee Experience & Enablement, India Region

Jun 2024Jul 2025 · 1 yr 1 mo · Gurugram, Haryana, India · Hybrid

  • Driving Culture Enablement, Inclusive Leadership, and Scalable People Strategy Across the India Region
  • As the India People & Culture Lead at Expedia Group, I translate global people strategies into high-impact, region-specific programs that drive employee experience, leadership capability, and cultural belonging. I partner cross-functionally with HRBPs, TA, L&D, DEI, and Global Ops to align people priorities with business outcomes—creating workplaces where trust, performance, and purpose converge.
  • Strategic Achievements & Measurable Outcomes:
  • Embedded the “Empower Every Voice” framework across India teams, enabling 100% participation in continuous feedback loops, resulting in +28% improvement in team sentiment scores within 2 quarters
  • Launched “Coaching Circles for Managers”—upskilling 150+ first-line and mid-level people leaders in inclusive decision-making, empathy-based leadership, and performance accountability; program received 4.85/5 average feedback score
  • Designed a mentorship ecosystem for high-potential women across functions, resulting in 2X increase in promotion readiness and +40% growth in cross-functional visibility
  • Expanded and activated 5 ERGs (IBGs) across India, including programs for LGBTQIA+, caregivers, mental health allies, and persons with disabilities—driving 40% YoY increase in ERG participation
  • Forged partnerships with 6+ community organizations/NGOs to align CSR impact with employee advocacy—boosting volunteer participation by 65% YoY
  • Delivered localized learning experiences on bias, microaggressions, and inclusive team culture—reaching 2,000+ employees with a 92% relevance score
  • Partnered with compliance and legal to strengthen POSH awareness and reporting frameworks, reinforcing Expedia’s commitment to ethical, inclusive leadership
  • 💡 My role is equal parts culture strategist, leadership coach, and experience architect—shaping environments where people feel safe to belong, empowered to perform, and inspired to grow.
Employee ExperienceInclusive LeadershipCulture EnablementDiversity & Inclusion

Newgen software

5 roles

Senior Global Diversity and Inclusion Manager (Global D&I Lead)

Promoted

Jul 2023Jun 2024 · 11 mos

  • DEI & Culture Transformation Leader | Embedding Inclusion into Talent Strategy with Measurable Impact
  • Drive enterprise-wide DEI integration across performance, succession, rewards, and workplace culture, partnering with HR, ESG, and business leaders to embed equity across the talent lifecycle.
  • 📌 Key Achievements:
  • Co-authored India’s DEI Roadmap; led 12+ focus groups across Women, PwDs, LGBTQIA+; drove +18% increase in self-ID rates
  • Embedded DEI into 4 core talent systems; enabled real-time bias checks, achieving 20% more diverse succession slates and 13% attrition drop
  • Designed “Mission – Mount Everest” program and led 30+ inclusion labs; reached 750+ employees via Women of Wonder leadership talks
  • Launched DEI Mentorship Program (100+ participants); expanded flexibility & sabbatical policies, driving +37% policy uptake
  • Rolled out “Unconscious Bias” training for managers; 15% rise in women’s promotion velocity
  • Partnered with ESG to boost gender-diverse hiring by +22% in tech; ensured 100% compliance in DEI, POSH & CoC audits
  • 💡 Championing inclusion as a business enabler, not just an HR initiative.
Diversity & InclusionTalent StrategyPerformance Management

HR Manager ( Diversity & Inclusion, POSH, Organizational Development and Engagement)

Jul 2020Jul 2023 · 3 yrs

  • Inclusive Culture, Policy & Experience Strategist | Building Equitable Workplaces Backed by Data & Governance
  • Drive people-first transformation through DEI strategy, policy innovation, audit-readiness, and tech-led HR enablement, creating workplaces where diversity thrives, voices are heard, and compliance meets culture.
  • 📌 Key Highlights:
  • DEIB Strategy & Belonging:
  • Designed and executed org-wide DEI initiatives to embed equity into hiring, advancement, and decision-making; strengthened sense of belonging across employee communities
  • Survey & Sentiment Insights:
  • Led Great Place to Work (GPTW) initiatives, Global D&I Sentiment Surveys, and L&D feedback loops; applied data analytics to surface experience gaps and drive targeted action planning
  • Policy & Governance:
  • Drafted and reviewed HR policies aligned to compliance and culture goals; provided policy advisory across functions to drive clarity, fairness, and legal adherence
  • Audits, POSH & Risk Management:
  • Independently managed internal/external audits and HR inputs for RFPs; ensured zero non-compliances in audit cycles
  • Delivered Train-the-Trainer POSH programs for ICC members; strengthened organization-wide awareness and ethical accountability
  • Internal Communication & Employer Brand:
  • Spearheaded internal comms strategies to reinforce culture, align values, and boost engagement, amplifying internal brand equity
  • HR Tech & Process Optimization:
  • Led automation of key HR workflows—self-service, onboarding, and performance management—driving efficiency, accuracy, and experience improvement
  • 💡 Enabling HR to be compliance-strong, data-smart, and culture-forward—where systems serve people, and people power performance.
Diversity & InclusionPolicy GovernanceEmployee Engagement

Deputy Manager Human Resources (Talent Management and Transformation)

Jul 2017Jul 2020 · 3 yrs

  • People Strategy & HR Operations Leader | Driving Engagement, Compliance & Scalable HR Excellence
  • Delivering employee engagement, policy governance, and talent enablement through strategic HR programs, system automation, and culture-first practices that drive retention, performance, and trust.
  • 📌 Key Contributions:
  • Aspiration-Led Engagement & Succession:
  • Developed career roadmaps and progression plans for high-potential talent; enabled critical role succession planning and career visibility, boosting retention and internal mobility
  • Policy Governance:
  • Formulated and reviewed HR policies aligned with evolving business needs and regulatory updates; ensured seamless implementation and cross-functional adherence
  • Audit, Compliance & POSH:
  • Conducted HR audits to ensure 100% compliance with labor laws and regulatory frameworks
  • Delivered awareness and training programs on POSH; implemented preventive systems to foster a safe and inclusive workplace
  • Employee Relations & Grievance Management:
  • Strengthened employee trust through open-door grievance redressal, conflict resolution coaching, and fair case handling; achieved faster resolution cycles and improved ER metrics
  • Internal Comms & Employer Branding:
  • Designed internal communication strategies to boost transparency and alignment, while elevating internal brand visibility to improve engagement and employer perception
  • HR Operations & Automation:
  • Streamlined HR processes—payroll, data management, benefits—via digitized workflows and integrated HRMS tools, driving process accuracy and operational efficiency
  • 💡 Aligning HR systems with employee aspirations and business goals—where engagement is intentional, compliance is proactive, and growth is systemic.
Talent ManagementEmployee EngagementPolicy Governance

Assistant Manager Human Resources (Talent Management, Transformation, HR Operations)

Promoted

Jul 2015Jun 2017 · 1 yr 11 mos

  • HR Strategy & Organizational Development Leader | Building High-Performance, Values-Aligned Workplaces
  • Shape future-ready organizations through strategic HR interventions in culture building, talent management, performance design, and compliance—backed by data and driven by purpose.
  • 📌 Core Contributions:
  • Organizational Development & Change:
  • Advised leadership on OD, high-performance culture design, and change management strategies to improve agility and team alignment
  • Talent & Performance Management:
  • Led manpower planning, skill optimization, and appraisal design; launched leadership development programs to build internal capability pipelines
  • Career Progression & Succession:
  • Designed career pathways and succession planning frameworks; launched targeted talent development programs to drive internal mobility and bench strength
  • Employee Engagement & Retention:
  • Implemented R&R frameworks, pulse-based early warning systems, and retention levers; boosted engagement and reduced regrettable attrition
  • HR Operations, Processes & Policy:
  • Streamlined HR operations through automation and SOP optimization; authored policy frameworks aligned with business growth and compliance
  • Internal Communication & Employer Branding:
  • Drove employee orientation, survey cycles, and communications strategy; strengthened internal brand affinity and onboarding experience
  • HR Analytics & Dashboards:
  • Delivered real-time dashboards on attrition, hiring velocity, and performance trends; enabled data-informed decisions through robust HRIS insights
  • Ethics, Governance & Compliance:
  • Conducted HR audits and investigations; ensured ethical conduct and regulatory compliance across all HR practices
  • 💡 Bridging people, process, and performance—to build organizations where strategy meets soul.
Talent ManagementEmployee EngagementPolicy Governance

Senior Executive Human Resources (HR Business Partner, POSH, Processes & Policies)

Jan 2013Jun 2015 · 2 yrs 5 mos

  • HR Generalist & Corporate HR Leader | Strategic People Partner Across 250+ Employees
  • Managed end-to-end HR responsibilities for a business unit of 250+ employees, and later transitioned to Corporate HR, overseeing central org-wide HR initiatives across talent, performance, compliance, and culture.
  • 📌 Key Contributions & Impact:
  • Talent Acquisition:
  • Hired over 180+ professionals across tech and business functions through strategic sourcing and proactive workforce planning; reduced TAT by 22%
  • Onboarding & Orientation:
  • Delivered seamless induction experiences for 250+ new hires, improving new-joiner satisfaction scores by 30% YoY
  • Employee Engagement & Relations:
  • Led regular connect forums, pulse check-ins, and grievance handling for assigned units—achieving <8% attrition and employee satisfaction scores above 85%
  • Retention Strategy:
  • Developed retention dashboards and implemented stay interview programs, leading to a 12% improvement in retention of critical talent over 2 cycles
  • Performance Management:
  • Drove annual and mid-year reviews for business units; introduced real-time feedback models, improving goal alignment metrics by 25%
  • Compliance, R&R, L&D:
  • Facilitated POSH trainings, ensured 100% audit compliance, rolled out learning initiatives across 3 functional verticals, and managed R&R cycles with >90% participation
  • Corporate HR Projects:
  • Supported rollout of org-wide HRMS, streamlined policy frameworks, and assisted in revamping 5+ core HR policies to reflect evolving business needs
  • Process Optimization:
  • Initiated automation and HR workflow redesigns, reducing manual effort by 30%, enhancing accuracy, and supporting scalable people operations
  • 💡 Role blended hands-on HR partnering with strategic org-wide impact—ensuring people systems, policies, and culture scaled with business goals
Talent AcquisitionEmployee Engagement

Serco global services

Human Resources Team Lead

Jan 2012Dec 2012 · 11 mos · New Delhi Area, India · On-site

  • Site HR Business Partner | People & Culture Lead for 450+ Employees
  • Acted as the single-point HR interface for a dynamic workforce of 450+ employees, owning end-to-end HR operations, engagement, performance, and employee relations to drive floor-level excellence and strategic alignment.
  • 📌 Key Contributions & Achievements:
  • Served as primary HR liaison between employees and operations leadership—resolving 100% HR queries and escalations within SLA
  • Drove rollout of HR initiatives including employee engagement, pulse surveys, and IJP closures within defined SLAs; contributed to 25% internal mobility through timely talent movements
  • Facilitated KRA setting and appraisal cycles across all teams, ensuring 100% timely completion; conducted 15+ performance awareness sessions and post-appraisal audits
  • Designed and executed floor-specific engagement activities—resulting in a 30% improvement in team morale and survey scores
  • Spearheaded attrition control strategies, reducing voluntary exits by ~18% through retention interventions and trend-based exit analysis
  • Handled disciplinary actions and policy violations with fairness and transparency; conducted counselling support sessions and ensured adherence to Code of Conduct
  • Owned grievance resolution process; successfully closed 95%+ escalations within 72 hours, reinforcing employee trust and leadership confidence
  • 💡 Blending floor-level engagement with strategic compliance and people development, ensuring business continuity and employee wellbeing in fast-paced environments.

Hcl technologies

HR Business Partner

Jun 2010Nov 2011 · 1 yr 5 mos · Noida Area, India

  • BU HR & Employee Experience Lead | Managing 500+ Employees Independently
  • Led end-to-end HR operations for a 500+ employee base with minimal supervision—driving performance, engagement, compliance, and workforce optimization in high-demand environments.
  • 📌 Key Contributions & Achievements:
  • Solely managed the HR lifecycle for 500+ employees, ensuring smooth execution of all people processes with 99% SLA adherence
  • Acted as the primary HR-Operations liaison, resolving grievances and enhancing employee relations—contributing to a ~20% uplift in floor satisfaction scores
  • Spearheaded 25+ engagement initiatives, R&R programs, and open forums—improving participation and visibility by 40% YoY
  • Conducted 100% audit-compliant performance cycles, salary recommendations, and correction interventions—enhancing perception of fairness and manager trust
  • Investigated and managed disciplinary issues with zero escalations, while contributing to 10% cost savings via workforce optimization and resource utilization studies
  • Reduced attrition by ~15% through predictive exit analysis, stay interviews, and actionable retention strategies; ensured timely IJP rollouts with >90% closure rates
  • Prepared and presented monthly HR analytics reports covering attrition, job rotation, and productivity—directly influencing workforce planning and cost strategies
  • Facilitated training needs assessments and executed 30+ refresher trainings on HR policy awareness and compliance
  • Mentored new HR joiners, led HR process automation initiatives, and executed 100% timely background verification for all new hires
  • 💡 Delivering human-centric HR solutions that balance operational excellence with strategic people impact.

Planman consulting india p limited

Trainee

Jul 2009May 2010 · 10 mos · Delhi, India · On-site

  • Talent Acquisition & Employer Branding Specialist | End-to-End Hiring Excellence
  • Led full-cycle recruitment across diverse roles and functions, delivering quality hires, candidate experience excellence, and process efficiency—while championing employer brand presence and pipeline innovation.
  • 📌 Key Contributions & Highlights:
  • Managed end-to-end recruitment lifecycle across roles—from sourcing to offer—with 95%+ requisition fulfillment within defined TATs
  • Partnered with hiring managers to shape tailored hiring strategies, aligning talent needs with business goals
  • Created and optimized high-impact job ads, resulting in 3X increase in qualified applications and stronger cultural alignment
  • Conducted initial screenings, structured interviews, and skill evaluations to ensure talent fit and quality of hire
  • Streamlined interview scheduling and candidate coordination, improving process efficiency by ~30%
  • Maintained accuracy and compliance in the Applicant Tracking System (ATS), ensuring 100% audit readiness and data integrity
  • Rolled out innovative hiring campaigns—campus hiring, employee referral drives, and social media promotions—expanding talent pipelines by 40%+ YoY
  • Supported pre-onboarding processes, including offer letters and background checks, ensuring seamless transitions for new hires
  • Collaborated cross-functionally with HRBPs, L&D, and branding teams to enhance the overall recruitment funnel and EVP presence
  • Stayed ahead of industry trends and market intelligence to fine-tune sourcing strategies and ensure competitive talent acquisition
  • 💡 Building talent engines that deliver not just headcount—but high-performing, values-aligned delivery

Education

XLRI Delhi-NCR

Postgraduate Degree — Human Resource Leadership

May 2023Mar 2024

IMI Delhi

Master of Business Administration - MBA

Jun 2008May 2010

The ICFAI University, Tripura

PG Diploma

Jan 2008Jan 2010

Indian Institute of Planning and Management

Master of Business Administration - MBA

Jan 2007Jan 2009

Maharishi Dayanand University Rohtak

Bachelor of Technology - BTech

Jan 2004Jan 2007

Summer Fields School

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