Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], August 26: Against the backdrop of AI revolutionizing the workplace and hybrid models reshaping organizational dynamics, BIBS, in collaboration with the NHRDN Kolkata Chapter, successfully hosted the HR Leadership Summit 2025 at Taj Taal Kutir, Kolkata. The summit brought together some of the country’s most prominent HR leaders, practitioners, and thought experts to chart the roadmap for HR leadership in a rapidly transforming business landscape. The event was graced by Shri Snehasis Chakraborty, Hon’ble Cabinet Minister for Transport, Government of West Bengal, whose presence added further significance to the occasion.
The event began with an insightful keynote address by Mr. Prabir Jha, Founder & CEO of Prabir Jha People Advisory, who spoke on “HR Space Beyond Tomorrow.” He highlighted how AI, automation, and digital-first workplaces are demanding a complete reimagination of HR’s role—from transactional support to becoming a strategic driver of innovation, agility, and a people-first culture.
The first panel, “Mastering People Leadership in a Hybrid World,” examined how hybrid work models are redefining leadership approaches. Panellists Mr. George Thomas (CHRO – MISP Steel), Ms. Kassiopea Chaudhuri (Associate Director HR – IBM), Ms. Rashmita Parija (Head HR – Lexmark), Mr. Subrata Chatterjee (CHRO – AECOMTITAL Design & Engineering Centre), and Ms. Sudarsana Sanyal (Head HR & Admin – CESC) emphasized the need for empathy, adaptability, and strong communication skills to inspire diverse and distributed teams. The discussion was moderated by Ms. Vineeta Mehta (Head HR – Rollicks Ice Cream).
The second panel, “Future Ready or Left Behind: The Urgency of Upskilling in the Age of AI,” focused on how businesses must urgently reskill and upskill talent to remain competitive in an AI-powered era. Speakers Ms. Megha Chhabra (GM & Global HR Head – Cyber Security & Risk Services, Wipro), Ms. Prapti Lodh Roy (Managing Director Human Capital – PwC India), and Mr. Suman Banerjee (CHRO – ABP Pvt. Ltd.) discussed how organizations that invest in continuous learning and digital literacy will thrive, while others risk being left behind. The session was moderated by Ms. Sagorika Sanyal (VP – Talent Management, Apseconnect).
Sharing his thoughts, Mr. Vidur Kapoor, Chairman – BIBS, said:
“At BIBS, our constant endeavour is to ensure that management education is not confined to classrooms but connected to real-world challenges. The HR Leadership Summit reflects this philosophy—by bringing top HR leaders together to deliberate on AI, hybrid models, and future-ready leadership, we are preparing our students and industry stakeholders to thrive in workplaces that are evolving faster than ever before.”
Throughout the summit, one message stood out: the future of HR lies at the intersection of technology and human-centric leadership. As AI continues to transform roles and hybrid models challenge traditional structures, HR leaders must step up as architects of change, building workforces that are both digitally empowered and emotionally resilient.
The HR Leadership Summit 2025 concluded with a networking session, creating a platform for collaboration and knowledge-sharing, while reinforcing the summit’s central theme—HR leadership must not only keep pace with change but stay ahead of it.
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