Interview
Divya Pant
Head HR - Applus Idiada
Divya Pant is an HR leader with over 17 years of experience having worked with companies like Accenture, Deutsche Bank and Zensar Technologies. She is currently working as Head HR at Applus Idiada responsible for Talent Acquisition, enhancing leadership capabilities, Employer Branding, and designing tailored training and development programs to nurture talent and drive organizational success.
Divya has demonstrated success in working across the business at all levels developing trust and building effective partnerships.
Q:How do you define Excellence, and what does it mean to you personally?
A:Excellence means actualization of ones full potential irrespective of circumstances. It is very subjective and deeply personal and may vary from person to person based on individual aspirations, values and contexts. It is also about finding joy and fulfillment in my daily pursuits, relationships, professional life and personal growth. When you are happy you radiate positive energy and inspire others around you. This state of happiness fuels your creativity, resilience and ability to contribute meaningfully to the world.
Q:What has been your most rewarding experience as an HR leader?
A:As an HR Leader, the most rewarding experience for me is witnessing the collective success of my team, particularly in inspiring and empowering women within it. Mentoring individuals and cultivating a supportive environment where everyone can thrive professionally and personally are central to my role. This journey of empowerment, collaboration and success not only drives team's performance but also strengthens our commitment to fostering a progressive and high performing work culture.
Q:Can you share any one innovative HR practice your team has adopted recently?
A:I lead an all-girls team. We have built a sorority of sorts where we act as role models for each other. This approach encourages open communication, teamwork, and the exchange of ideas, ensuring that the team feels valued and supported in their professional and personal growth. We brainstorm new ideas and appreciate each other's contributions and strengths. This has enabled us to create a positive and thriving work culture within the team.
Q:How do you keep your HR team striving for excellence?
A:I believe that for anybody to achieve excellence there has to be a sense of joy and purpose in what they do. Empowering team members and encouraging creativity allows the team to find fulfilment in their work. Promoting a supportive and inclusive culture where everyone's contributions are appreciated builds a strong sense of camaraderie and commitment to achieving team goals.
Q:Can you share a successful D&I initiative you've led?
A:One successful Diversity and Inclusion initiative that I have lead focused on breaking the glass ceiling and empowering more women to attain leadership positions. This involved transforming the traditionally undervalued women's personality traits such as empathy, collaboration and inclusive decision making into powerful and recognized leadership traits within our organization. We implemented targeted leadership development programs tailored to women and prioritized increasing women mentors where experienced leaders could guide and advocate for aspiring female leaders. This comprehensive approach not only helped build greater representation of women in leadership but also built a culture of inclusivity and respect.