In a world where technology is redefining the future of work, Ceipal stands at the forefront with its AI-powered talent management solutions. But behind the cutting-edge tech lies a people-first strategy driven by Sagarika M, Director of HR at Ceipal. Her unique journey from the armed forces to HR leadership brings a powerful blend of discipline, adaptability, and innovation. 

Under her stewardship, Ceipal has revolutionised recruitment, employee engagement, and workplace culture by merging advanced AI capabilities with human-centric leadership. In this exclusive interview with People Matters, Sagarika shares how AI-driven innovations and military-honed leadership are shaping the future of HR at Ceipal.

Your transition from the armed forces to leading HR at Ceipal is remarkable. How has your military background influenced your approach to HR leadership in a fast-paced, tech-driven environment?

Transitioning from the armed forces to corporate HR has provided me with a unique perspective on leadership, strategy, and operational efficiency. In the military, managing diverse teams while maintaining mission focus is paramount. This experience has strengthened my commitment to talent development, upskilling, and succession planning at Ceipal.

Military training instils operational discipline, process optimisation, and resource management—all of which I’ve applied to build scalable, outcome-driven HR initiatives. Working under high-pressure conditions taught me to adapt swiftly and manage change—an invaluable skill in the dynamic HR tech industry.

Additionally, my exposure to advanced military technologies fostered a natural inclination toward digital transformation. This has helped me seamlessly integrate AI-powered tools into HR processes at Ceipal, ensuring we remain agile, efficient, and innovative.

Given Ceipal’s reputation for AI-powered HR solutions, how do you see AI reshaping recruitment and HR practices in the future?

AI is transforming HR by automating tasks, enabling data-driven decision-making, and creating personalised employee experiences. At Ceipal, we have seen significant advancements through AI-driven tools that enhance recruitment and streamline HR operations.

For instance, automated candidate screening accelerates the hiring process by filtering CVs based on job criteria, saving recruiters valuable time. Predictive hiring models analyse historical data to forecast candidate success, leading to more informed hiring decisions. AI-powered matching algorithms ensure that job descriptions align precisely with candidate profiles, reducing hiring mismatches.

Beyond recruitment, AI-powered chatbots enhance employee engagement by addressing queries, conducting surveys, and providing instant HR assistance. In talent management, AI helps identify skill gaps, suggesting tailored learning and development programmes.

Looking ahead, technologies like augmented reality could merge with AI to create immersive virtual interviews and real-time performance feedback. As these advancements unfold, ethical AI use, transparency, and data privacy will remain crucial to ensure fair and responsible HR practices.

Every organisation faces its challenges. Could you share a key challenge you’ve encountered at Ceipal and how you and your team overcame it?

One of our biggest challenges has been attracting and retaining top tech talent in a highly competitive market where roles like software development, data science, and product management are in high demand.

To address this, we built a compelling employer brand that highlights Ceipal’s culture of innovation, career progression, and impact-driven work. We also leveraged AI-driven recruitment tools to identify and engage high-potential candidates quickly and accurately. Offering competitive remuneration packages and a strong employee value proposition further strengthened our talent retention strategy.

Additionally, recognising that tech roles can be demanding, we introduced flexible working arrangements, mental wellness programmes, and workload reviews to prevent burnout. These measures have helped us maintain productivity while ensuring a supportive, people-first work environment.

How do you create a workplace culture that aligns with Ceipal’s mission while keeping employees engaged and motivated?

At Ceipal, our mission is to provide affordable, intuitive, and intelligent talent management platforms, and we ensure that our workplace culture reflects this vision. We help employees see the direct impact of their work by clarifying how their contributions support the company’s broader goals.

We regularly share customer success stories to reinforce the real-world value of their efforts, inspiring teams to excel. Our recognition programmes celebrate mission-driven excellence, acknowledging employees whose work advances Ceipal’s goals.

We also foster innovation and collaboration by involving employees in brainstorming product enhancements and customer-centric solutions. To support continuous improvement, we use AI-backed feedback tools to gather insights and refine our workplace practices.

By promoting transparency, collaboration, and a shared sense of purpose, we ensure that employees stay engaged, motivated, and aligned with our organisational mission.

As a brand leader, how do you see your role in building Ceipal’s reputation, and what initiatives have you championed to strengthen its industry presence?

I believe that HR leaders play a vital role in shaping both internal culture and external brand perception. Internally, I’ve focused on cultivating a culture that fosters innovation, inclusivity, and career growth—qualities that naturally strengthen our brand.

Externally, I have championed thought leadership initiatives, sharing insights on emerging HR trends and best practices through industry forums and events. Additionally, I’ve led several corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes that reflect Ceipal’s core values. These include community welfare projects, education initiatives, and wellness camps to support underprivileged communities.

Our CSR efforts create social impact and enhance our brand reputation by showing that Ceipal is committed to ethical, people-centred business practices. As a result, we have gained industry recognition and strengthened trust among employees, clients, and stakeholders.

Looking ahead, what upcoming trends in HR and leadership do you believe will shape the future of organisations, and how is Ceipal preparing for them?

The future of HR will be defined by technological integration, personalised employee experiences, and adaptive leadership. At Ceipal, we are already preparing by leveraging AI-powered tools to automate recruitment, analyse performance, and personalise employee development plans.

We also place great emphasis on creating a holistic employee experience that covers career development, mental wellness, and work-life balance. Our AI-backed engagement tools continuously gather feedback, enabling us to improve employee satisfaction proactively.

Building diverse and inclusive teams is another top priority. Our platforms use AI to minimise unconscious bias during hiring, ensuring fair and inclusive recruitment. We are equally committed to sustainability and social responsibility, using our tools to track metrics aligned with responsible business practices.

Mental health and well-being remain critical, supported by dedicated wellness programmes, employee sentiment monitoring, and work-life balance initiatives. By embracing these trends, Ceipal is building an innovative, resilient, and future-ready workplace that empowers both employees and businesses.