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Gaurav Saini
Gaurav Saini
Global Chief Human Resource Officer - Wadhwani Foundation

Gaurav Saini is a seasoned HR and Business Transformation leader with over 20 years of global experience across the technology, IT services, financial, FMCG, and telecom sectors. Currently, as the Global CHRO for Wadhwani Foundation, He is responsible for aligning HR with business objectives, driving change, and enhancing organizational performance and capabilities.

Previously, Gaurav was the CHRO for HMD Global, overseeing HR for the core business unit in India, MEA, and APAC regions and leading global business transformation initiatives. At Happiest Minds Technologies, he served as Director of People Practice & Head of L&D, driving global people strategies and fostering a culture of employee happiness and engagement. As the Group Head of Human Resources at IMImobile, he focused on HR strategy, talent management, and employee relations across multiple regions.

Gaurav's core competencies include HR strategy, talent management, employee engagement, leadership development, change management, reorganization, wellness, happiness, and HR artificial intelligence. He is passionate about integrating people and technology, building a culture of excellence and innovation, and empowering the next generation of leaders. Gaurav is also a mentor, coach, advisor, and faculty for startups, CEOs, and management students, sharing his insights and expertise in HR and business transformation.

His leadership is marked by strong business acumen, empathy, and a commitment to fostering a culture of excellence and innovation, making him a transformative figure in the HR and business transformation landscape.

Q:How do you think PeopleFirst HR Excellence awards contribute towards felicitating exceptional contributions towards HR fraternity?
A:The PeopleFirst HR Excellence Awards celebrates exceptional contributions within the HR fraternity in several ways:

- Top HR professionals and teams for their innovative practices.
- Successful HR strategies that inspire creative solutions across the industry.
- Boosted morale and motivation for HR professionals to achieve even more.
- Shared best practices to help organizations improve and grow.
- Increased visibility and career opportunities for HR practitioners.
- Overall advancement of HR practices for a more productive workforce.

The PeopleFirst HR Excellence Awards use a rigorous selection process to identify the best:

- Clear criteria ensure fair evaluation.
- Multi-stage assessment with expert judges for thorough review.
- Diverse jury recognizes innovation across HR sectors.
- Focus on impactful results, not just efforts.
- Continuous improvement keeps the awards program relevant.
Q:What role does leadership development play in your HR strategy, and how do you identify and nurture leadership talent within your organization?
A:Wadhwani Foundation prioritizes leadership development as a core HR strategy. It fuels organizational success, cultivates a high-performing environment, boosts employee engagement, and ensures a smooth succession plan. We identify high-potential through performance reviews, competency assessments, and 360-degree feedback. We then nurture these leaders with targeted development programs, stretch assignments, mentorship, and continuous learning opportunities. This investment empowers our leaders to drive the organization forward, inspire their teams, and achieve strategic objectives.
Q:Mentorship and leadership development are crucial for organizational growth. Can you share your insights on how HR can facilitate leadership development programs effectively?
A:Wadhwani Foundation prioritizes leadership development through customized training, mentorship, stretch assignments, and feedback. HR facilitates this by identifying high-potential leaders, providing resources, and fostering a culture of learning.

- For aspiring HR professionals, here are the top five advanced and strategic pieces of advice:
- Strategic Mindset: Align HR with business goals.
- Data-Driven Decisions: Use data to forecast, identify issues, and make impactful choices.
- Emotional Intelligence & Transformational Leadership: Motivate and inspire employees.
- Champion DEI: Create an inclusive culture where diverse talent thrives.
- Leverage Technology: Use AI and machine learning to enhance HR processes.

Focus on these areas to excel in HR and drive organizational success.