Over the years, People Matters TechHR has evolved into more than just Asia’s largest conference on people and work—it has become a stage where some of the world’s most influential minds in leadership, HR, business, and creativity come together to shape the future of work. As we approach TechHR 2025, we take a moment to reflect on the sessions that didn’t just inform, but deeply inspired, provoked, and transformed the way we hire, lead, collaborate, and grow.

From David Ulrich’s timeless truths on building human capability to Daniel Kahneman’s revolutionary insights into decision-making, and Ester Martinez’s human-first calls to action, these sessions have left an enduring impact. Here’s a look back at the most unforgettable TechHR sessions and speakers that continue to shape conversations in boardrooms and beyond.

Dr. Shashi Tharoor: Envisioning a Sustainable & Equitable Future

At TechHR India 2023, author and public intellectual Dr. Shashi Tharoor delivered a compelling session on “Leading the Way Towards a Sustainable & Equitable Future.” He emphasized the value of thinking beyond conventional boundaries to imagine what’s possible in the 21st century—across disciplines and industries.

Papon: Music, Culture, and the Soul of Authenticity

In a fireside chat, acclaimed singer Papon shared lessons from his father, the King of Bihu Khagen Mahanta, and how traveling across India has helped him stay grounded in diverse cultures. He revealed how nature plays a central role in his melodies, offering listeners a window into authenticity and creativity.

Shaan: From Inspiration to Action

At TechHR India 2024, beloved Bollywood singer Shaan lit up the Night Fest with more than music—he shared his story of resilience, personal transformation, and how he lives by the motto of turning inspiration into action.

Lucky Ali: Unlocking Creativity as Your Greatest Superpower

The legendary Lucky Ali joined TechHR India 2022 as the Mega Closing Keynote speaker in conversation with Ester Martinez, then CEO and Editor-in-Chief of People Matters. Reflecting on his journey, Lucky spoke about embracing uncertainty, the meaning of happiness, and how stagnation can affect anyone—even the most privileged—unless we reconnect with creativity.

Aman Gupta: The Shark's Playbook

In “The Shark’s Playbook: Speed, Action & Winning Decisions”, boAt Co-founder Aman Gupta shared how interns played a pivotal role in the company’s meteoric rise. Far from mundane, these fresh minds pushed senior leadership to innovate, ultimately fueling boAt’s success through creative thinking, fast execution, and people-first strategy.

Nand Kishore Chaudhary: Love as a Business Strategy

Known as the ‘Gandhi of the Carpet Industry’, Nand Kishore Chaudhary, MD and Chairman of Jaipur Rugs, shared his inspiring story of building a business based on love, fairness, and dignity. In his keynote “Age of the Modern Leaders,” he recounted turning down a stable government job to pursue his passion—connecting the poorest to the richest through purpose-led enterprise.

Aditya Ghosh: Scaling Businesses Without Losing Soul

From leading IndiGo Airlines to co-founding Akasa Air, Aditya Ghosh offered a rare, behind-the-scenes look at building and scaling a business in a high-risk sector while preserving its core values. His keynote at TechHR India 2024 provided powerful lessons on resilience, leadership, and culture.

Leena Nair: Unleashing Human Potential Through Technology

At TechHR India 2019, then CHRO of Unilever and now CEO of Chanel, Leena Nair delivered a forward-looking keynote on using technology not to replace humans, but to empower them. Her message still resonates as organizations grapple with human-machine collaboration in the age of AI.

These sessions are more than memories—they’re milestones in the evolution of work. As we look ahead to TechHR 2025, these voices remind us why this platform matters: to challenge the status quo, celebrate creativity, and keep people at the heart of transformation.