herSTORY: Anju Jumde, head-HR, Aditya Birla Money

How HR came calling

Anju Jumde wasn’t always in HR. Her LinkedIn profile tells a different story—one that begins in sales and customer service at Citigroup, where she successfully led teams long before she understood what truly captivated her. It wasn’t the targets or the numbers, though those mattered. It was something deeper: the challenge and beauty of managing people, making the right hires, training them well, upholding service standards. Slowly, deliberately, she realised that people management was the toughest yet most vital business lever. She migrated towards HR.

Today, as head of HR and administration at Aditya Birla Money and ARC, Jumde leads with a philosophy shaped by hard-won lessons. Asked what she would tell her younger self, her answer is immediate: “Trust your management and go with the flow. Do your best, and let Karma take care of the rest. You will see that everything just falls into place.”

“Resilience is your superpower. Quitting may seem easier, but staying the course is what builds strength”

It’s a philosophy rooted in influence—her multi-talented mother taught her the power of financial independence and resilience. Her husband and children became her anchors, reminding her that perfect balance is a myth, that chasing it would only exhaust her. And then there were the managers.

The managers who made her

Jumde’s managers across organisations shaped her with their wisdom. “Let your numbers talk,” they told her. “Trust the system,” they assured, pushing her to take up challenges. “Nip it in the bud,” they said, advising her not to let issues spiral. They encouraged her to “think abundance.”

One manager stands out—someone who sensed her silent struggle and created a safe space for her to open up. In that moment when she broke down and let it all out, she realised the power of empathy and the importance of being a good listener. She has held onto these learnings throughout her HR journey.

But perhaps the most defining moment came when a leader publicly scolded her. Having always chased learning over comfort, Jumde did something unexpected: she respectfully stood her ground, reasoned, and explained her point of view with confidence. To her surprise, that moment changed her relationship with that manager forever—for the better. Not only did she earn his respect, but the episode taught her that courage, even in discomfort, can reshape relationships.

She recalls another manager’s words: “Seeking validation gives others control over your behaviour.” To this day, she needs no validation when she chooses respect over being liked. She knows that’s the only way to flourish.

The decisions that test humanity

“As an HR leader, the hardest decisions are those that test your humanity,” says Jumde. She doesn’t think twice before leaving gatherings where she senses the absence of respect or inclusion. Always on the lookout for stimulating conversation, Jumde believes in listening and being heard.

“We still carry the invisible load at home, and no, affordable bots to handle daily chores haven’t caught up yet”

She would stand by even that one lone employee who has no support from leadership, as long as she believes she’s being fair. In case of dilemma, she puts herself in that employee’s shoes and asks whether she’s being fair to both the employee and the organisation.

Quick Fire Round

A book that changed you?
Authentic Leadership by Bill George, the former chairman and CEO of Medtronic.

Your mantra for tough days?
Do justice to your role, leave the rest to Karma.

What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
There are no shortcuts—learn with your head down.

One thing you wish people understood about being a woman in HR leadership?
We still carry the invisible load at home, and no, affordable bots to handle daily chores haven’t caught up yet.

Morning ritual that sets you up for success?
Tea, newspaper, and warm chats with my better half.

Prepping for the future

Being part of a conglomerate that thrives on diversity—dealing with all kinds of businesses, startups, and niche ventures—requires constant reassessment of strategy and alignment of HR transformation with business aspirations. Jumde admits that HR is at the heart of this evolution, driving agility and collaboration across groups.

“To keep ourselves agile, we constantly review our current state of affairs and strategy for the next 2-3 years,” she shares. “Once our strategy is frozen, our strategic aspirations then become our guiding principles with cross-business groups working together to make them come alive in transforming HR, businesses and our operating models.”

Her advice to young women in HR? “Resilience is your superpower. Quitting may seem easier, but staying the course is what builds strength. Surround yourself with a strong support system—at home and at work. Take it one day at a time, and don’t chase perfection.”

Behind every flourishing woman is a family that believes in her—and a manager who sees her humanity. Some days may be really tough, testing you deeply, but those are the moments of truth. And if you can touch even one life through your work, that’s a legacy worth leaving.