Blossom D’souza has an infectious positivity and enthusasiams that helps her succeed in both personal and professional life. As the Deputy General Manager & Lead, Campus Resourcing & Employer Branding at Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), she is passionate about creating positive experiences, employer branding, recruitment & young talent management.

Passion for HR and people management 

Blossom’s journey into HR was driven by a passion for creating positive experiences and a deep-rooted interest in nurturing young talent. The dynamic world of recruitment and employer branding allows her to combine her passion with a meaningful impact. Her vision for HR in 2025 is a harmonious blend of technology and human touch, where HR becomes an even more important strategic partner in driving business success. "I believe that HR should be a strategic business partner, not just an administrative function. It's about understanding the business deeply and aligning people's strategies to achieve organisational goals," says Blossom.

Transforming talent at RIL

Leading a team dedicated to attracting, recruiting and nurturing future leaders, Blossom has been instrumental in shaping RIL’s talent landscape. Her focus on building business acumen within her team is evident in her efforts to foster a culture of continuous learning and understanding the company’s strategic direction. She believes that a deep-rooted comprehension of the business is essential for effective talent acquisition.

Blossom is a champion of recruitment excellence. She has significantly enhanced the organisation's hiring practices by emphasising standardised processes and the importance of meritocracy. Her commitment to training and development for recruiters and hiring managers has resulted in a more efficient and effective talent acquisition function.

HR and technology: A winning combination to solve people challenges

Recognising the transformative power of technology, Blossom has been a driving force in digitising the recruitment process. She has successfully navigated the challenges of change management, ensuring a smooth transition and widespread adoption of new tools and systems at RIL. Additionally, her emphasis on governance and feedback mechanisms has created a robust framework for continuous improvement.

Blossom says retaining top talent is a critical challenge in today's dynamic business environment. She addresses this by focusing on employee engagement, learning and development, and career growth opportunities. Her team’s efforts to develop a strong employer brand and foster a sense of belonging among new hires have also been instrumental in talent retention. "The biggest challenge for HR today is to adapt to the rapidly changing workforce dynamics. We need to be agile and responsive to the needs of our employees," Blossom emphasises.

Blossom’s insights into the evolving workforce are profound. She observes a stark contrast between the job security-oriented mindset of previous generations and the desire for flexibility and personal fulfilment among today’s workforce. This shift necessitates a nimble HR function that adapts to changing employee expectations.

Journey with Are You In The List Awards 2024

Participation in the People Matters Are You In The List 2024, Powered by Aon has been a valuable experience for Blossom. The assessment process gave her valuable insights into her strengths and areas for improvement. The mentorship sessions offered additional perspectives on building business acumen, further enriching her leadership journey. "Being recognised for our work through awards like Are You In The List is truly motivating. It validates our efforts and inspires us to continue pushing boundaries," she concludes.

Follow #AreYouInTheList to meet other leaders and winners of the People Matters Are You In The List awards.