Sonali Sarma

About Sonali Sarma

Human Resources, to me, has always been about balancing organisational priorities with human aspirations. With over 35 years of experience across India’s manufacturing and development sectors, I have had the opportunity to lead large-scale HR and Learning initiatives that not only advanced business goals but also shaped inclusive, future-ready workplaces. My professional journey has taken me through public sector enterprises, multinational corporations, and now the not-for-profit domain, each chapter enriching my understanding of how people, culture, and capability come together to build enduring organisations.Currently, as Head of Human Resources at the Deshpande Foundation, I focus on strengthening fair employment practices, ensuring process efficiency, and designing HR systems that support a progressive, high-trust culture. My role involves driving performance optimisation, introducing employee-centric policy changes, and integrating digital HR systems that enhance engagement and experience.Over the years, I have guided organisations through transitions, built learning academies, designed assessment and development centres, and shaped talent pipelines that have produced capable leaders across manufacturing and sales. Whether it was steering large-scale leadership programs at ACC and Ambuja, mentoring young professionals at Reliance, or supporting workforce rehabilitation efforts at IPCL, my goal has remained consistent to enable people to grow, adapt, and thrive through purposeful learning and leadership development.

Experience

1. Head of Human Resources

   Deshpande Foundation

   May 2023 — Present · Hubli, IN

   In this role, I lead human resources and organisation development strategies to enhance employee experience, workplace equity, and leadership capability, integrating technology, policy frameworks, and talent initiatives to support long-term career growth for women.Introduced a next-generation HR management system, improving workflows and employee experience across functions.Revamped policies to promote workplace equity, compliance, and employee-centric benefits organisation-wide.Led operational efficiency initiatives, integrating digital tools for attendance, payroll, and workforce optimisation.Designed organisational development programs to build employee ownership and leadership capability at all levels.Initiated a Women’s Forum to support long-term careers for women employees, fostering professional growth beyond the organisation.Launched a compensation benchmark survey based on internal job evaluation, ensuring pay equity and clarity in pay structures.

Education

• Tata Institute of Social Sciences

  MA, Personnel Management & Industrial Relations

  1987 — 1989

• Wilson College

  Bachelor's degree, Economics

• IMD

  Executive Leadership Development Course

• Society of Human Resources Management

  Professional HR, Human Resources Development

Skills

• Hris
• HR Policies
• Personnel Management
• Performance Appraisal
• Manufacturing
• Training
• Human Resources
• Coaching
• Employee Engagement
• Strategic HR
• Process Engineering
• Team Management
• Performance Management
• Employee Training
• Organizational Development
• Leadership
• Management
• Project Planning
• Industrial Relations
• Talent Management