Shikha Saxena is a business leader with over 25 years of global experience across BFSI and healthcare. An IIM Lucknow alumna, she has pioneered scalable, tech-enabled wellness solutions, earning global recognition, which includes the “Global Woman Leader of the Year in Healthcare – 2025.”
In an insightful interview with Women Entrepreneurs Review Magazine, Shikha shares her views on healthcare leadership and HCL Healthcare’s endeavor to strengthen health & wellness for corporate employees across India. She talks about a purpose-driven leadership style and the strength of technology in building inclusive and preventative wellness ecosystems.
To know more about redefining corporate health, empowering women leaders, and creating a future where technology enhances human care, read the entire interaction below.
How do you see India's healthcare sector transforming today, especially with organizations such as HCL Healthcare supporting access, trust, and innovation?
India's healthcare transformation is unprecedented; we're witnessing a fundamental shift from reactive treatment to proactive wellness ecosystems. Organizations like HCL Healthcare are democratizing access through our "hybrid" model, combining AI-powered clinical insights with human empathy.
Being part of the HCL Group gives us unparalleled technological capabilities, but our secret sauce is using that power to create deeply personalized healthcare experiences. Our condition management programs help in targeted lifestyle improvements.
When we integrate telemedicine with onsite care, or use AI to personalize wellness programs, we're not just treating symptoms - we're building healthier communities. The clients we work with rely on us to transform their employees into a more efficient and healthier workforce. This holistic approach is reshaping how corporate India views employee wellbeing, making prevention the new competitive advantage.
What does healthcare leadership mean to you beyond business growth?
Healthcare leadership is a sacred responsibility disguised as business strategy. True leadership in healthcare means listening deeply to understand not just what people need, but why they need it.
When we design wellness programs, I'm not thinking about productivity gains; I'm thinking about a diabetic employee who can now manage their condition effectively, or a working mother accessing mental health support without stigma. Leadership here means building systems where technology amplifies human care, and where every health intervention creates ripples of wellness across families and communities.
Can you elaborate on your leadership journey? How did your individual experiences in terms of inspiring and engaging your teams define leadership for you?
My 25-year journey across BFSI, healthcare, and wellness taught me that leadership isn't about having all the answers; it's about asking better questions. From investment banking's precision to healthcare's compassion, each role layered new dimensions to my leadership DNA.
At Marsh McLennan, risk became my teacher; at MediBuddy, accessibility became my mission, and at Practo, I learned scaling empathy.
These experiences taught me that vulnerability is strength, not weakness.
I share my failures openly with my team because authenticity breeds trust. I lead by curiosity, not authority. Every team member brings unique perspectives that shape our vision. My role is to be the catalyst that transforms individual brilliance into collective impact, ensuring everyone feels heard, valued, and empowered to drive meaningful change.
How have you turned challenging moments into opportunities to redefine your leadership style by making space for others in the health sector?
According to a recently released paper by the World Bank, India’s healthcare workforce includes a significant number of young women. Yet, their growth is often constrained by caregiving responsibilities and larger household demands. At HCL Healthcare, our leadership development programs are designed to empower and nurture the next generation of women leaders across clinical, technical, and managerial roles.
We take immense pride in being one of the most inclusive organizations in the sector, with a diversity ratio of 55:45.
Every woman we support creates a ripple effect of positive change across the healthcare value chain. I learned early in my journey that my own presence could open doors for others—an understanding that strengthened my commitment to mentorship. For me, creating space for others goes beyond gender—it’s about building ecosystems where diverse voices and perspectives lead to better health outcomes.
How is HCL Healthcare leveraging technology and its hybrid model to improve preventive health and wellness for India's corporate workforce and their families?
Our hybrid model represents healthcare's future, seamlessly blending human touch with technological precision. Through our Habit Health App, we're turning daily actions into lasting impact through real-time insights and gamified rewards, driving lifestyle change. Our 115+ physical centres provide comprehensive care, while our digital platform extends our reach across 10,000+ pin codes nationwide.
The magic happens in integration: onsite health screenings feed data into our AI algorithms, generating personalized wellness recommendations that employees access digitally. Our smart dashboards provide employers with real-time population health insights, enabling proactive interventions. This model has delivered 2 million+ consultations and 750,000+ health checks, proving that when technology amplifies human empathy rather than replacing it, we create healthcare experiences that are both scalable and deeply personal.
What unique initiatives or partnerships has HCL Healthcare launched recently to enhance mental health and holistic well-being for employees and clients across India?
Mental health is no longer optional; it's fundamental to organizational wellness. We've launched comprehensive Employee Assistance Programs that provide confidential counselling, stress management workshops, and peer support networks. We have onboarded some of the top counsellors to create a safe space for mental health conversations, removing stigma through education and engagement.
We've partnered with leading mental health platforms to provide 24/7 crisis support and specialized therapy services.
Our unique approach includes training managers to recognize early warning signs and respond with empathy, not judgment. Our holistic programs address work-life integration through mindfulness sessions, sleep hygiene workshops, and digital detox initiatives. These initiatives have resulted in significant improvements in employee engagement scores and reduced absenteeism, proving that investing in mental health creates measurable business value while transforming workplace cultures.
How do you envision the future of corporate healthcare in India evolving over the next five years, and what role will HCL Healthcare play in shaping it?
Over the next five years, employee health will shift from being seen as an expense to becoming a catalyst for organizational performance. Corporate wellness is moving beyond annual check-ups toward continuous, data-informed engagement that drives real behaviour change.
Currently, only about 15% of India’s corporate workforce is covered by wellness programs, a number projected to grow at nearly 20% annually.
As employers look for unified partners to manage all aspects of employee wellbeing, HCL Healthcare is stepping in to bridge this gap through its integrated 360° Holistic Health & Wellness framework.
LAST WORD: Advice for Aspiring Women Leaders in Healthcare
Your purpose isn't separate from your professional growth; it's the fuel that sustains it. In healthcare, authenticity is your superpower; your partners and customers sense genuine care versus performative leadership. Start with deep self-awareness: understand what drives you beyond external validation. For me, it was the realization that healthcare equity could transform entire communities.
Don't wait for perfect conditions; raise your hand for opportunities that align with your values, even if they stretch you. Build your advisory network intentionally—seek mentors who challenge your thinking and sponsors who advocate for your advancement. Most importantly, invest in continuous learning—healthcare evolves rapidly, and staying curious keeps you relevant. Your unique perspective as a woman in healthcare isn't a limitation to overcome; it's a competitive advantage to leverage for meaningful impact.
