The HR profession stands at an inflection point. Digital transformation, evolving workforce expectations, and the rapid pace of organisational change have fundamentally altered what it means to be an HR professional in 2025. Yet, our recognition systems remain anchored in outdated paradigms that celebrate tenure over innovation, experience over impact, and hierarchy over potential.
Today, we change that narrative.
The launch of the HRKatha Rising Star Leadership Awards represents more than just another industry recognition programme. It embodies a philosophy that the future of HR leadership isn’t waiting in corporate boardrooms – it’s being shaped right now by professionals who may have just five years of experience but possess the vision to reimagine entire HR functions.
The innovation imperative
“The HR profession has evolved dramatically, and we need recognition platforms that reflect this transformation,” I believe firmly. “These awards aren’t about celebrating past achievements – they’re about identifying the leaders who will shape the future of work in India. We’re looking for professionals who think differently, act boldly, and create lasting impact regardless of their years in the industry.”
Consider the profound changes we’ve witnessed: the rise of people analytics, the integration of artificial intelligence in talent acquisition, the emergence of employee experience as a strategic discipline, and the elevation of diversity and inclusion from compliance function to business imperative. These transformations weren’t driven by decades-old playbooks. They were pioneered by professionals who dared to challenge conventional wisdom and experiment with new approaches.
Beyond the resume: Recognising true impact
Traditional recognition often falls into the trap of correlating years of service with leadership capability. The HRKatha Rising Star Leadership Awards deliberately breaks this pattern by focussing on seven distinct categories that represent the current and future landscape of HR excellence:
HR Tech Innovator recognises those who are leveraging technology to solve complex people challenges. These are the professionals who see possibilities where others see obstacles, who build solutions that didn’t exist in textbooks.
Talent Acquisition Expert celebrates those who have redefined how organisations attract and hire talent in an increasingly competitive market. They understand that great hiring is both art and science, requiring creativity and data-driven insights.
Diversity & Inclusion Champion honours those who are creating workplaces where everyone belongs. These leaders recognise that inclusion isn’t just morally right – it’s a business advantage that drives innovation and performance.
Employee Experience Architect acknowledges professionals who understand that employee experience is the new competitive battlefield. They craft journeys that inspire, engage, and retain talent in ways that traditional HR never imagined.
Organisational Change Leader recognises those who help organisations navigate transformation with grace and effectiveness. In an era of constant change, these skills are invaluable.
HR Business Partner of the Year celebrates those who have mastered the art of translating people strategy into business results, becoming true strategic partners to organisational leadership.
Emerging HR Leader specifically focusses on early-career professionals who demonstrate exceptional promise and leadership potential, ensuring we nurture tomorrow’s industry leaders today.
A jury of visionaries
The credibility of any recognition programme lies in the calibre of its evaluators. Our jury panel represents the pinnacle of Indian business leadership, bringing together CEOs and CHROs with over 350 years of combined experience across diverse industries.
Sandip Ghose (MD & CEO, Birla Corp),
Harit Nagpal (CMD, Tata Play),
Ramesh Mitragotri (Group Executive President – HR, Aditya Birla Group),
Ashwani Prashara, CHRO, Hydrocarbons, Reliance Industries
Saba Adil, (CHRO, Edelweiss Life Insurance),
Praveen Purohit (Dy CHRO, Vedanta Group),
Ayush Gupta (Director – HR , GAIL India,
Subir Verma, Executive Director & CHRO – Power Business, RP Sanjeev Goenka Group
Vinay Ranjan (Director HR) Coal India and
Rajorshi Ganguli (President & Global CHRO, Alkem Laboratories)
Pooja Minocha, CHRO, Bata India
Rupesh Tripathi, head people, performance & culture, KPMG??
The enthusiasm from our jury members has been remarkable. Sandip Ghose, MD & CEO, Birla Corporation Ltd., captured the essence of what we’re trying to achieve: “Delighted to be part of the HRKatha Rising Star Leadership Awards with such a stellar panel. HR has changed in a way we could not have imagined even a few years ago. So, greatly looking forward to the ideas the young trailblazers bring to the table. Sure, it is going to be an enriching experience for the jury as well.”
Praveen Purohit, Deputy CHRO, Vedanta Group, echoed this sentiment: “Superb opportunity to showcase best practices and leadership that can inspire many more to rise in time to come. For now, ‘own your rise’! I look forward to seeing some of the motivating entries along with my other jury colleagues.”
These responses reveal something profound: even the most senior leaders in our industry recognise that innovation and fresh thinking often come from unexpected places. They understand that true leadership isn’t about position – it’s about perspective, courage, and the ability to create positive change.
The Rising Star mindset
What defines a rising star in HR? It’s not about having all the answers – it’s about asking better questions. It’s not about following established processes – it’s about improving them. It’s not about managing people – it’s about inspiring them to achieve their potential whilst driving organisational success.
Rising stars share certain characteristics: they’re comfortable with ambiguity, they embrace technology as an enabler rather than a threat, they understand that employee needs are evolving and adapt accordingly, and they measure success not just in metrics but in meaningful human outcomes.
They also understand that HR is no longer a support function – it’s a strategic differentiator. In an economy increasingly driven by talent, knowledge, and innovation, HR professionals hold the keys to organisational success. Rising stars embrace this responsibility and leverage it to drive meaningful change.
Creating a movement
The HRKatha Rising Star Leadership Awards aims to do more than recognise individual excellence. We’re building a community of forward-thinking professionals who will collectively shape the future of work in India. Winners won’t just receive recognition – they’ll join an exclusive network of innovators, change-makers, and visionaries.
This community will serve as a catalyst for industry transformation. When rising stars connect, collaborate, and share insights, the entire profession benefits. We’re creating a platform for cross-pollination of ideas, peer learning, and collective advancement.
The road ahead
As nominations open for our inaugural awards, I’m filled with anticipation about the stories we’ll discover. I expect to see professionals who have transformed recruitment processes using AI, created inclusive cultures in traditionally homogeneous industries, designed employee experiences that rival consumer brands, and led organisational changes that seemed impossible just years ago.
These are the stories that matter. These are the professionals who deserve recognition. These are the leaders who will define the future of HR in India.
The traditional career path in HR – starting at the bottom and slowly climbing the hierarchy over decades – is giving way to a more dynamic model where impact and innovation can accelerate advancement. The HRKatha Rising Star Leadership Awards acknowledges this reality and celebrates those who embody it.
A call to action
To every HR professional reading this: if you’ve implemented something innovative, if you’ve challenged the status quo, if you’ve created positive change in your organisation or the lives of employees – consider yourself a potential rising star. The criteria for these awards isn’t about having the perfect resume or the longest tenure. It’s about having the courage to lead, regardless of your title or years of experience.
To senior leaders and mentors: help us identify the rising stars in your organisations and networks. Recognition is powerful, but it’s most impactful when it reaches those who need it most – the talented professionals who are creating change but might not yet have the platform to showcase their achievements.
To the broader HR community: let’s use this initiative as a catalyst for broader conversations about the future of our profession. What skills will tomorrow’s HR leaders need? How can we better prepare emerging talent for the challenges ahead? How can we create more opportunities for innovation and experimentation?
Conclusion: The future is rising
The launch of the HRKatha Rising Star Leadership Awards marks the beginning of a new chapter in HR recognition – one that celebrates potential over position, innovation over tradition, and impact over tenure. It reflects our belief that the future of HR leadership is already here, embodied by professionals who may not have decades of experience but possess the vision, courage, and capability to transform our profession.
As we prepare for our inaugural ceremony in August, I’m reminded that every established leader was once a rising star. Every industry transformation began with someone willing to challenge conventional wisdom. Every great organisation was built by people who saw possibilities where others saw limitations.
The HRKatha Rising Star Leadership Awards is our commitment to identifying, celebrating, and nurturing these visionaries. Because in a rapidly changing world, the future belongs not to those who have always led, but to those who are ready to lead.
The stars are rising. The question is: will you be amongst them?
By 2030, half of today’s HR practices will be obsolete. The professionals who will define what replaces them aren’t sitting in corner offices—they’re in cubicles, co-working spaces, and virtual meetings, quietly revolutionising people practices one innovation at a time. The HRKatha Rising Star Leadership Awards is our attempt to find them before everyone else does.
Nominations for the HRKatha Rising Star Leadership Awards are now open. Visit www.hrkatha.com/risingstarawards to learn more about the categories, criteria, and submission process. Join us in celebrating the future of HR leadership in India.