Conference
One day. Many perspectives.
Previous edition
Culture and Community
A day of conversations on workplace culture, community, and the people who shape both. This is the full recap — 11 speakers, 3 moderators, the published agenda, photographs from the room, and the venue.
11
Speakers
3
Moderators
1 day
At Shangri-La
Bengaluru
City
Why unHRd exists
They happen over coffee, dinner, shared experiences, and honest discussions with people who understand the challenges you face. unHRd exists to create those moments. The conference brings the community together once a year. Collectives and experiences keep it going.
One day. Many perspectives.
Small groups. Deep conversations.
Learning beyond the boardroom.
Connections that continue long after the event.
Beyond the job description
They navigate business transformation, lead through uncertainty, shape strategy, embrace emerging technologies, and help organizations adapt. unHRd is a space to explore what leadership looks like beyond traditional HR.
The 2025 stage
Everyone who took the room last year — names, sessions, and photographs, in one place.
Expert on Team Culture
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM · with Sriram Sullia
Former international cricket star turned leadership coach, renowned for his dynamic approach to building team culture. Drawing from his high-pressure sports career, Jonty brings unparalleled expertise in fostering trust, resilience, and collaboration within teams.

The Underdog Story of Perseverance
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM · with Sriram Sullia
National Award-winning actor celebrated for his versatility on screen and unwavering grit and determination off it. Known for embracing challenging roles and pushing creative boundaries, Vikrant's journey is a testament to resilience in the face of adversity.
Food Culture: The Pulse of Community
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM · with Gully Tours
Vinesh Johny is a celebrated pastry chef, educator, and co-founder of Lavonne Academy, India's premier international baking school. Known for redefining pastry education in the country, Vinesh has been featured in Forbes Asia's 30 Under 30 and continues to inspire with his commitment to culinary excellence and innovation. At unHRd, Vinesh shares his unique perspective on food as a powerful expression of cultural authenticity — exploring how the stories we tell through cuisine can shape identity, foster belonging, and bring people together across diverse workplaces and communities.
Mental Wellbeing
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Captivating vocalist and celebrated musician known for blending folk and contemporary sounds, Raghu Dixit champions mental health awareness, sharing inspiring insight on fostering wellbeing and resilience in the workplace.
Harnessing NLP in HR
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Distinguished NLP Master Trainer, Nishith explores how transformative communication and leadership can unlock potential, ignite vision, and elevate human engagement.
Harmony at Work
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Better known as Bass man at folk fusion band Swarathma, this leadership strategist and organizational psychologist shares practical approaches to creating harmonious and collaborative workplaces where every voice is valued.
Enterprise AI strategy
4:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Kalpana Bansal stands at the intersection of enterprise AI strategy, platform architecture, and business storytelling. With over 25 years of leadership across conglomerates, consulting, and enterprise technology, she brings a rare ability to translate executive ambition into real, intelligent systems — and to narrate that transformation in ways that resonate deeply with decision-makers
Talent & Learning Leadership
With over two decades of distinguished leadership in human resources, Gautam has architected and directed Talent & Learning divisions, propelling organizational triumph across medium and large-scale enterprises. His proficiency encompasses talent management, learning, culture transformation, recruitment, leadership cultivation, learning ecosystems, succession frameworks, performance optimization, and transformative organizational development. Currently he is the Senior Vice President for Learning and Culture at Citi, overseeing global functions across the Asia South, JANA, and MEA clusters.
Analytics, AI & Digital Transformation
Saraswathi is a thought leader in Analytics and AI with over 25 years of global experience across Citi, Danske Bank, Cisco, FICO, Accenture, and Wipro. Currently Managing Director & Country Head at Lightcast India, she has built and scaled global capability centres and led high-impact data and AI initiatives driving digital transformation. A strong advocate of diversity and inclusion, she has chaired DEI councils, co-authored books on exponential technologies and enterprise innovation, and been recognised among India's top analytics leaders. She regularly speaks on AI, technology, and the future of work.
Leadership Advisory & Transformation
Unmesh Pawar is a globally experienced leadership advisor and transformation strategist with over 25 years across Accenture, KPMG, and now as Chief People Officer at dentsu South Asia. He partners with CEOs and Boards to shape people-first cultures, strengthen leadership pipelines, and drive large-scale transformations. Previously CHRO at KPMG India and Global HR leader at Accenture, Unmesh has led organisational restructuring, M&A integration, and leadership transitions for businesses worldwide. Recognised as a Top 20 HR Influencer, he is also an angel investor and advisor to startups, passionate about talent, culture, and the future of work.
CHRO/Board HR Advisor/Startup Mentor
25+ years of career spanning across multiple industries IT services, Manufacturing, Engineering, Product & Technology, SAAS. Rohit currently is CHRO, APJI for Sprinklr which is right at the centre of the AI revolution and other prominent roles that he has played are: Group CHRO- Ola, HR leader for GE healthcare, South Asia, HR leader for Infosys, Hyderabad to name a few. Rohit breathes the philosophy of having the Right people, in the Right roles, with the Right capabilities and mindset to deliver high business impact that enables organizations to meet their ambitious goals whilst building the Entrepreneurial Talent within.
Hosts of the room
Event Host & Community Builder
Passionate event host and community builder with a talent for creating engaging conversations. Sriram specializes in facilitating meaningful discussions and building connections between diverse groups.
AI & Technology Leadership
Experienced technology leader with expertise in AI and digital transformation. Suman brings deep insights into emerging technologies and their impact on business and society, making him an ideal moderator for AI-focused discussions.
Founder of Gully Tours & Leadership Coach
Founder of Gully Tours, one of India’s first experiential travel & learning company started in 2009. He has hosted more than 40,000 people from Heads of States, Global CXOs, Oscar winning Hollywood celebrities & ex-UN Chief Mr Kofi Annan, Apart from founding Gully Tours, he is a certified Leadership Coach & in training to be an organisation psychologist. Vinay has lived and worked in India, Singapore & UK. He is an engineer and an MBA from the University of Oxford
How the day ran
Culture and community, from morning cricket to an evening underdog story. Built from the published 2025 sessions.
Expert on Team Culture
Jonty Rhodes · Sriram Sullia
Mental Wellbeing
Raghu Dixit
Food Culture: The Pulse of Community
Vinesh Johny · Gully Tours
Lunch
Harmony at Work
Jishnu Dasgupta
Harnessing NLP in HR
Nishith Shah
Enterprise AI strategy
Kalpana Bansal
The Underdog Story of Perseverance
Vikrant Massey · Sriram Sullia
Additional voices on the 2025 stage included Gautam Duggal, Saraswathi Ramachandra, Unmesh Pawar, and Rohit Munjal — listed with the speakers above. Shangri-La Bengaluru.
Collectives & Experiences
Throughout the year, unHRd brings together small groups of HR leaders for intimate gatherings, shared experiences, and honest discussions that go beyond the stage.
Swipe to browse photos
Where it happened
56, Palace Road, Vasanth Nagar, Bengaluru. The 2025 conference lived in the same city the community still meets in.
View on the mapWho can join
unHRd is built for people who carry the human side of the business — and for the leaders who work next to them.
Chief Human Resource Officers
Senior HR leaders
People & culture heads
Business leaders who sit with HR
Presented by
Qykly curates bespoke corporate gifting experiences with premium, customizable selections that reflect elegance and intent. With meticulous attention to detail and punctual delivery, every gift leaves a lasting impression.
Same community. A sharper brief. Conrad, Bengaluru.
See unHRd 2026