Aug 2025 – Present · 10 mos · Voorhout, South Holland, Netherlands · Hybrid

• SAṂSĀRA by SONAM is more than a yoga space - it is a sanctuary built on the pillars of Traditional Haṭha Yoga, deep self-acceptance, and the ancient wisdom of my Indian heritage.
• This journey was not a career change but a reclamation of self - a return to wholeness beyond external narratives and societal ideals. I founded SAṂSĀRA to bring authentic, rooted yoga to modern life helping individuals and teams find balance, clarity, and purpose.
• For too long, wellness has been presented as performance. My practice revealed that true strength and healing begin within, when we cultivate stillness, awareness, and compassion.
• SAṂSĀRA, meaning the cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth, reflects our constant evolution. My approach is about finding freedom within the cycle, not escaping it. Grounded in the Traditional Haṭha Yoga lineage, my teaching goes beyond movement. It reconnects body, breath, and mind through:
• 🌬 Prāṇāyāma - breathwork to expand life-force energy and reduce stress.
• 🧘🏽‍♀️ Āsana - mindful movement to restore alignment and balance.
• 🌺 Dhyāna - meditation to calm the mind and build resilience.
• Each session blends ancient practice with modern mindfulness and wellbeing principles, supporting both individual transformation and corporate mental health in today’s fast-paced world.
• Offerings:
• Private & Group Haṭha Yoga (online & in-person)
• Corporate Wellbeing Programs: yoga, breathwork & mindfulness for focus and stress management
• Workshops & Retreats: traditional yoga, Ayurvedic living & philosophy
• Mentorship Programs: for practitioners seeking depth and authenticity
• Rooted in India, flowing through the world - every class, every breath, every moment of stillness at SAṂSĀRA by SONAM is an act of returning home.

Jan 2025 – Sep 2025 · 8 mos · Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands

Sep 2022 – Sep 2025 · 3 yrs · Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands

• ★ Senior HR Advisor to Function Leaders
• ★ HR Operations & Talent Partner - Netherlands, Germany & UK
• ★ International Payroll - Netherlands, Germany & UK
• ★ European Labour Law
• ★ Employer Branding & DEIB Initiatives
• ★ Change Management
• ★ Total Rewards
• ★ Performance Management
• ★ Vendor Management
• ★ HR Projects
• ★ Compliance
• ★ Case Management
• ★ LUCCA HRIS
• At EPEX SPOT, I lead HR operations across the Netherlands, UK, and Germany, driving critical initiatives in payroll management, staff administration, and total rewards programs. I partner with cross-functional teams and senior leadership to align HR strategies with both local and global business objectives, ensuring compliance with regional labor laws and regulations. I spearhead diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) initiatives and employer branding projects that enhanced employee engagement and strengthen organizational culture.
• My role also involves coaching managers and leadership teams to improve leadership effectiveness, while managing recruitment and employee relations across multiple countries with a strong emphasis on compliance, workforce development, and employee satisfaction.
• EPEX SPOT is a leading electricity exchange in Europe, established in 2008, that facilitates efficient and transparent electricity trading. The exchange operates in several European markets, connecting over 500 market participants and offering a comprehensive platform for electricity trading, data services, and more.
• EPEX SPOT is committed to promoting the integration of renewable energy sources and ensuring the efficient functioning of the electricity market across Europe.

Nov 2021 – Sep 2022 · 10 mos · Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands

• ★ International People Operations - Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Norway, Spain, UK
• ★ International Payroll - Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Norway, Spain, UK
• ★ Total Rewards administration
• ★ European Labour Law
• ★ Compliance
• ★ Kanban Practitioner
• ★ OKR Practitioner
• ★ HiBob HRIS
• As part of the International People Division, I provide advisory support to employees and line managers, manage people's services, and oversee payroll operations for various regions. Specifically, I handle West Europe, including Belgium, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom; South Europe, including Italy and Spain; and the Nordics, specifically Norway.
• Shell Recharge Solutions is the leading provider of intelligent charging solutions for electric vehicles (EVs) in Europe. With a strong presence in the Netherlands, Germany, France, and the UK, the company currently operates over 41,250 private charge points. Additionally, Shell Recharge Solutions offers access to a vast network of more than 80,000 public charge points across 28 European countries, serving more than 147,830 registered drivers with their charge cards.
• Having been in the market since 2009, Shell Recharge Solutions has played a pioneering role in the EV industry. In October 2017, the company was acquired by Shell, opening up new synergies and opportunities. Together, Shell Recharge Solutions and Shell are leveraging this partnership to further develop and enhance their cutting-edge services and products for existing and future EV drivers.

Mar 2020 – Nov 2021 · 1 yr 8 mos · Rotterdam Area, Netherlands · Hybrid

• ★ Oracle HCM Certified
• ★ Shared Service & HR Operations - Netherlands, Germany & Singapore
• ★ Total Rewards administration
• ★ Vendor Management
• ★ Global Implementation Oracle HRIS
• ★ HR Projects
• ★ Compliance
• Led HR operations across Europe (Netherlands and Germany) and Asia (Singapore) for 500+ FTE, supported by a team of five (2 site HR officers, 1 office manager and 2 payroll specialist) to ensure smooth HR administration and shared services delivery.
• Spearheaded the implementation of Oracle HCM across Europe and Asia as the Project Lead, ensuring the system's successful deployment, adoption, and integration into global HR processes.
• Managed Total Rewards administration, overseeing compensation, benefits, and performance management programs, ensuring alignment with business strategy and employee satisfaction.
• Oversaw vendor management, coordinating relationships with external HR service providers to optimize operational efficiencies and cost management.
• Supported HR business partners (P&O BPs) and leaders in handling employee relations, including performance management, disciplinary matters, and compliance with local legislation.
• Collaborated with finance and shared services, aligning HR operations with broader organizational goals and enhancing cross-functional communication.
• Implemented key HR processes including performance management cycles, benefits administration, contract renewals, and continuous improvements in HR service delivery.
• Streamlined HR operations, leading new hire orientations, onboarding, and training programs for 125+ employees across multiple regions.
• Monitored compliance outcomes, identifying trends and resolving non-compliant behavior through corrective actions.
• Drove change management initiatives, including structural changes within the organization, and facilitated communication to ensure smooth transitions.

Jul 2019 – Jan 2020 · 6 mos · Amsterdam Area, Netherlands

• ★ Workday HCM Certified
• ★ Global HR Operations Excellence Expert
• I was recruited by Booking.com HQ to join the Global HR Operation Excellence team for a special project. Booking.com is one of the world's largest e-commerce companies and the leading platform for booking accommodations, employing 17,000 employees worldwide.
• In this role, my primary responsibility was to verify and create GDPR compliant employee records and personnel data to be uploaded into the HRIS system, Workday. This ensured smooth day-to-day operation and administration of HR processes.
• Key accomplishments during my tenure at Booking.com include playing a vital role in the successful launch of Workday and overseeing the integration of all HRIS tools. I also took the lead in structuring personnel data and records to align with GDPR regulations, ensuring the privacy and security of employee information.
• In addition, I fostered a collaborative and positive team environment, promoting open dialogue and effective communication across the department. As part of the project, I successfully reviewed one million employee files across 12 countries in EMEA, including the headquarters in the Netherlands, contributing to the overall success of the project.

Oct 2017 – Jun 2019 · 1 yr 8 mos · Mumbai, Maharashtra, India · On-site

• ★ HR Leader - Digital Media
• ★ Scale-up specialist
• ★ Policies & procedures
• ★ 360° feedback
• Developed and implemented key HR initiatives, including the creation of an employee handbook, revamped onboarding and offboarding processes, and launched new hire orientation programs and employee surveys to improve engagement and retention.
• Acted as an internal consultant to assess and improve organizational effectiveness, focusing on employee retention, leadership development, and employee engagement.
• Proactively drove diversity initiatives, conducted attrition analysis, and developed retention strategies while leading change management efforts to align HR operations with strategic business objectives.
• Led full-cycle recruitment, managing hiring, onboarding, and talent planning sessions, and advising managers on compensation decisions to ensure internal equity and external competitiveness.
• Reviewed applicant qualifications and partnered with leadership to meet recruitment needs, defining compensation packages and total rewards strategies for new hires.
• Collaborated with senior leadership to assess, improve, and align HR policies, while also organizing and delivering special events to enhance employee engagement.
• Identified and addressed HR training needs, developing and delivering training programs for both employees and leadership to foster continuous improvement in productivity and business outcomes.
• Partnered with legal and compliance teams to handle employee grievances, harassment, and discrimination cases, ensuring compliance with labor laws and fostering a positive work environment.
• Devised recruitment policies, improving the hiring process and ensuring alignment with company goals and compliance standards.
• Liaised between business divisions, improving internal communications and promoting cross-functional collaboration to achieve organizational goals.

Jun 2017 – Present · 9 yrs

• As a brand, we represent diversity & inclusion. We know the power of representation especially the impact it has on growing children - girls & boys alike.
• Our brand's vision is to co-create a world which accepts real over perfect and celebrate each individual equally.
• Our mission is to change people's behaviour and perspective towards unrealistic beauty standards, break stereotypes that causes anxiety & restricts self-love.

Jun 2017 – Present · 9 yrs

May 2017 – Aug 2017 · 3 mos · Gurgaon, India

Dec 2015 – May 2017 · 1 yr 5 mos · New Delhi Area, India · On-site

• ★ Cross-border HR- India, Bangladesh, UAE, Kingdom of Bahrain
• ★ Sales HRBP
• Led cross-border HR operations for India, UAE, Bahrain, and Bangladesh, partnering with business leaders to deliver a wide range of HR services, supporting 400 employees.
• Managed and mentored a diverse team of 3 People Operations professionals, 7 office managers, 7 front desk staff, and 2 recruiters, ensuring effective operations and alignment with strategic goals.
• Established strong HR presence in international offices, building rapport with employees by addressing operational challenges and enhancing workplace engagement.
• Designed and implemented tailored recruitment and interviewing strategies, managing the full recruitment cycle to attract top talent and support business growth.
• Developed forward-thinking HR initiatives to improve employee engagement, enhance communication, and increase job satisfaction, driving operational efficiencies and employee retention.
• Provided strategic HR advice to senior leaders on employee corrective actions and policy alignment, ensuring compliance and promoting a positive work culture.
• Led vendor management, including reviewing and renewing annual contracts, while driving operational improvements and process optimization.
• Supported market expansion initiatives through process improvements, demand analysis, and alignment of HR operations with business growth objectives.

Oct 2015 – Dec 2015 · 2 mos · Kolkata Area, India

• ★ Vendor Management
• ★ Client Retention
• ★ Leadership Hiring
• Responsible for 2 major global vendor management & the complete recruitment cycle for the job shared by the client. Worked on positions across level in various functions (non-technical). Used various job portals for sourcing resumes, adverts/job postings & reaching out to potential applicants through mass/ bulk mail. Also, used LinkedIn & Facebook to map candidates for some industry specific job roles. Proficient in Head Hunting. Reported to Team Lead and handled a team of 2 recruiters.

Jan 2015 – Sep 2015 · 8 mos · Kolkata Area, India

Mar 2013 – Dec 2014 · 1 yr 9 mos · Kolkata, West Bengal, India

• ★ Community Outreach Champion
• Worked with NGOs and several Corporates pan India to place less-privileged and special needs individuals in entry level roles.
• Coached the youths on language skills, interview techniques, CV & Cover Letter preparation and facing the interview panel.
• Facilitated the entire recruitment drive & connected brilliant individuals to their 1st corporate job.

Aug 2012 – Feb 2013 · 6 mos · Mumbai Area, India

• ★ Campus Recruitment Drives
• ★ On-boarding
• I was responsible for managing all the HR operations within the company. It comprised of Recruitment, which formed a big part of my job profile, Pre and Post Joining Formalities, Induction & Training of new Joinees, Performance Management, Employee Grievance Handling, Campus Hiring, Job Fairs and other related HR functions.