Jaya Azad
Global Head, People & Culture
“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou
Jaya Azad is a transformative people leader with over 20 years’ experience shaping organisational culture and human capital strategies across sectors as diverse as Automotive, FMCG, Media, and Consulting. Her expertise encompasses strategic HR, workforce design, capability building, talent management, and mental health and wellbeing—always grounded in a belief that people are the true drivers of sustainable growth.
A passionate advocate for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Jaya has spent her career challenging barriers and championing fairness. Having excelled in traditionally male-dominated industries such as manufacturing and automotive, she has broken glass ceilings and paved the way for greater gender representation in leadership. Her efforts to advance gender equity and embed inclusive practices have set new benchmarks for organisations seeking to create more representative leadership pipelines.
Jaya sees HR not as a back-office function but as a strategic partner at the heart of business success. She is deeply committed to building people-centred workplaces where diverse voices are heard, respected, and empowered to thrive. Through her leadership, she has not only delivered organisational impact but also inspired cultural change—proving that compassionate, inclusive workplaces are the foundation of both business excellence and societal progress.