Leaders

Connecting talent with the right opportunities in today's fast-evolving work environment is a challenge that calls for innovative solutions. Mahalakshmi M, Founder and Director of Maatrom HR Solutions, has been committed to this endeavour for over three decades.

She began as a Civil Engineer in Chennai and later moved to Human Resources, a change that was inspired by her love for people and her desire to make a positive difference in the workplace.

Her professional path has been enriched through diverse and rich experience. She was exposed to the US market globally, made a strategic move back to India and held HR leadership positions in the IT, manufacturing and allied sectors.

This experience inspired her to establish a new venture, Maatrom HR Solutions, a company focused on closing the skill gap and making organizational foundations stronger. Maatrom currently delivers an integrated HR services such as recruitment, staffing, payroll, compliance, organizational development, training and performance management.

At the heart of Mahalakshmi's dream was to empower women power; hence she envisioned creating a company with a majority female workforce and policies that supports continuous learning. Through her journey, she has transformed the lives of over 7000 professionals and has been able to create a culture where employees are empowered to build strong careers.

Could you walk us through your professional journey?

I was brought up in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and completed my Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering before working in the civil field for two years. Driven by a passion for working with people, I transitioned into HR, earning an MBA in Human Resources.

After a career break in the US due to family commitments, I formally began my HR career there and spent nearly nine years before returning to India in 2009. I gained cross-industry HR experience across IT, manufacturing, and interior firms, which prepared me to start my own venture.

What led you to establish Maatrom HR Solutions? What are your primary responsibilities as the Founder and Director of the organization?

With Maatrom HR Solutions, we focus on bridging skill gaps between employers and job seekers. Our services include recruitment, staffing, payroll management, training and development, organizational design, and performance management.

Women's empowerment, flexible work models, and continuous learning are core values. Beyond this, we support organizations with training programs, performance management systems, and organizational development initiatives, making Maatrom a one-stop solution for all HR needs.

The inspiration behind founding Maatrom comes from my passion for working with people and a strong belief in women empowerment, which remains a core vision of the firm.

We started Maatrom HR Solutions 10 years ago and today have around 80 associates, with 30–40 direct employees. Over two decades, we’ve evolved to provide comprehensive end-to-end HR solutions, creating meaningful economic and social impact.

As Founder and Director, my role focuses on leadership, strategy, and oversight. I ensure departmental efficiency, drive marketing initiatives, foster business growth, and uphold our core values, especially women's empowerment across the organization.

What are your HR and payroll growth plans?

At this stage, our focus is on strengthening payroll management and HR compliance services. Operationally, we have robust systems and technology to manage day-to-day activities efficiently, leveraging HR tools such as applicant tracking systems, payroll software, compliance platforms, and Zoho for recruitment, staffing, onboarding, and employee database management. All processes are closely monitored for accuracy and timely execution.

Looking ahead, we aim to integrate AI into HR, not to replace people, but to enhance efficiency. AI-enabled processes in recruitment and payroll will improve accuracy, speed, and decision-making.

From a growth perspective, we maintain a presence in the US, supporting past recruitment efforts, and also work with clients in the UK, Singapore, and Dubai. Our next growth phase is focused on expanding global HR operations across these markets.

What challenges shaped Maatrom HR’s journey?

Like any organization, we face challenges, especially around employee retention and balancing service quality with commercial sustainability. We follow ethical hiring, never charging candidates and assessing their skills for the right roles, while employers pay for our professional services.

Employee retention is prioritized through growth opportunities, cross-functional exposure, structured shifts, skill-gap training, and a performance management framework with KPAs and biannual feedback.

Personally, leaving a well-paying job to start Maatrom was challenging, with many questioning my decision. Over time, my progress proved them wrong. My greatest strength has been the unwavering support of my husband and son, which helped me navigate entrepreneurship with confidence.

Skepticism around women-empowerment initiatives like flexible work became opportunities, and today, after ten years, their value is evident. A positive mindset, faith, and support are key to overcoming challenges.

What are the key achievements and guiding principles behind your company’s success?

Over the years, we have positively impacted the careers of 7,000+ white-collar professionals by helping them secure the right job opportunities. We focus exclusively on white-collar hiring, as blue-collar recruitment is typically handled in bulk by specialized agencies.

To date, we have partnered with around 750 clients across industries and manage monthly payroll operations for 25 clients. Through our organizational development services, we have successfully restructured HR processes for 10–15 organizations.

Internationally, we have expanded to the US, UK, Singapore, and Dubai, consistently performing well with plans for further growth. A key achievement is building a women-centric workforce, with nearly 80% of our employees being women, supporting their growth and stability.

Mahalakshmi M, Founder & Director, Maatrom HR Solutions

Mahalakshmi M, Founder & Director of Maatrom HR Solutions, is an experienced HR profession­al with 28 years of cross-country experience across India and the US. Initially, she was a Civil Engineer in Chennai and later she made a shift to Human Resources, as she was inclined to work with people and also, she liked to make an impact at the workplace.