Leaders

As architects of organizational culture, women in HR bring emotional intelligence, empathy, and strategic vision to the table. Vaishali Azad Batra, APAC HR Head of Ecu Worldwide, is an accomplished HR leader with over 18 years of global experience. Starting her career in New York with P&O Nedlloyd, she gained invaluable insights into business, leadership, and cultural diversity. Upon returning to India, she joined Petronet LNG, leading transformative HR initiatives, including SAP implementation and driving performance management, engagement, and recognition programs. Vaishali continued her journey with Ecu Worldwide in Singapore, where her leadership has been instrumental in nurturing talent and aligning HR strategies with global growth.

Engaging in an interaction with Women Entrepreneurs Review magazine, Vaishali shares the details of her journey as one of the most accomplished HR leaders in the world. Let's read about it.

What are your key areas of expertise as an HR leader?
I have worked as an HR leader for more than 18 years in various cultures and regions, and my area of expertise is coordinating people strategies with business objectives to promote long-term growth. I hold a track record of working with leadership teams to put performance, engagement, and talent management strategies into action. To add to it, I have extensive experience leading organizational changes, streamlining automation, and digitizing HR procedures. I tend to establish dependable connections with management and staff which promotes teamwork in the workplace.

Can you introduce Ecu Worldwide and describe your key roles and responsibilities as the Head of HR?
Ecu Worldwide, a pioneer in multimodal transportation and LCL (less-than-container load) consolidation since 1987, has a robust global presence with over 300 offices in 180 countries. Our network ensures seamless, secure, and end-to-end cargo coordination across more than 2,400 direct trade lanes and 530 destinations. Supported by a dedicated team of 3,500 employees, we deliver excellence across the globe.

In my capacity as HR leader, I currently oversee HR operations, advancing tactics in leadership development, employee engagement, talent acquisition, and digital transformation. I work with company executives to match HR plans with corporate objectives and have helped APAC develop into a significant business hub and put programs like the Ecu Management Trainee Program into action.

What are the most critical challenges you face in your current role, and how do you address them?
In my current position, promoting alignment between global HR strategies and the distinct cultural, legal, and commercial requirements of APAC region is one of the most important challenges I face. I focus on empowering local teams, utilizing technology to facilitate smooth coordination, and fostering trust via open communication. I make sure that obstacles are turned into chances for the company to develop and innovate by coordinating HR initiatives with business objectives and fostering inclusive workplaces where everyone is respected.

What are the most significant milestones in your professional journey?
My professional journey's most important turning points have been influenced by a variety of experiences from different sectors and regions. My first significant experience was at P&O Nedlloyd in New York, where I learned the importance of establishing trusting bonds, being culturally sensitive, and coordinating HR with business goals from this experience.

After returning to India, I led Petronet LNG's SAP implementation, which was my first experience with change management and HR process automation. This gave my future endeavors a strong foundation.

I joined Ecu Worldwide after relocating to Singapore, where I progressed from HR manager for Southeast Asia to HR leader for APAC and, ultimately, leading People Performance, Analytics, and Culture. Driving HR digitalization across four continents, creating the People Analytics COE, and establishing a strong culture through engagement initiatives and core values are some of the major accomplishments.

How do you envision the evolution of the Asian HR industry, and which trends will have the most significant impact?
I see the HR sector in Asia changing dramatically, with a greater focus on digitalization and the use of AI to improve learning, predictive analytics, and people management. Employee experience will take center stage with a focus on career development, e-learning, and DEI initiatives that foster inclusive workplace cultures. More flexibility in work schedules will allow companies to access international talent pools and promote worker well-being.

As businesses place a higher priority on reskilling and upskilling their employees to meet the demands of a rapidly changing landscape, talent development will become ever more important. HR will create programs that prioritize soft skills like emotional intelligence and leadership as well as technical skills like digital literacy. 

Vaishali Azad Batra, HR Head (APAC), Ecu Worldwide
Vaishali Azad Batra has a Bachelor of Commerce from Delhi University and an MBA from Rochester Institute of Technology, New York. She has held leadership roles at Ecu Worldwide, Petronet LNG, and P&O Nedlloyd, specializing in strategic HR, people analytics, and culture building.

•The Top Most HR Leaders – ASIA
•Global HR Leader Award for 2022 – CHRM Asia
•HR Professional of the Year 2019 – CMO Asia Awards (Finalist)
•Best HR Leader Asia 2017 – HRM Asia
•Best HR Professional 2016 – CHRM Asia
•Young Achiever's Award Southeast Asia 2015 – CHRM Asia

A business leader you admire: I am inspired by my father, a world-renowned ophthalmologist and vitro retinal surgeon, who is passionate about helping people and giving back to the community.