In the fast-paced and ever-changing market, the role of the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) has gained immense importance. To ensure success, a competent CHRO offers a strategic outlook to develop efficient teams, improve the organizational culture, and propel business growth. They lead the company in acquiring and retaining top talent, fostering a productive workplace atmosphere, and providing employees with the necessary resources to excel. In today's highly competitive landscape, the presence of a proficient CHRO like Ravitha Devasenapathy is vital for any organization to navigate these challenges and thrive.

Ravitha Devasenapathy, a dynamic and accomplished Chief Human Resource Officer at EZEE.AI. With over 20 years of experience in the HR industry, Ravitha has a proven track record of building high-performing teams, enhancing organizational culture, and driving business growth. In addition, Ravitha is a strategic thinker and a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, and she has a passion for empowering people to achieve their full potential. Below is an excerpt of Ravitha Devasenapathy’s exclusive interaction with Women Entrepreneur magazine.

What are some important features of your expertise as a Human Resource leader?

As an HR leader, my approach toward strategic alignment goes beyond mere thinking and encompasses a deep understanding of the organization's culture, values, beliefs, competitive landscape, and industry trends. I invest my time in studying the organization's mission and values to develop a deep connection with its DNA. By aligning HR initiatives with the organization's unique needs, I create a culture that supports employee growth and development, leading to the overall success of the company.

Furthermore, I make critical decisions based on data, feedback, multiple perspectives, and my intuition, always committed to putting the organization's needs first. For me, building trust is essential for developing strong relationships with stakeholders. Also, authenticity in communication, high-quality HR services, and efficiency in HR processes foster a culture of trust and collaboration. To maximize ROI, I focus on delivering outcomes that have a visible and quantifiable impact on the business, consistently delivering high-quality results through standard procedures and evaluation.

Introduce us to EZEE.AI. Tell us about the various responsibilities you shoulder as the CHRO of the company.

At EZEE.AI, our mission is to revolutionize credit in India through the power of technology and drive positive financial outcomes for all. We believe that technology can be a force for good and strive to leverage the latest advancements in fintech and techfin to empower Banks and NBFCs to provide fast, reliable, and personalized credit to all customers. We are committed to making access to credit a fundamental right that is available to all. With our innovative platform, EZEE.AI, we are streamlining the entire credit lifecycle, leveraging data analytics and machine learning to expand credit access to a wider range of borrowers.

"I invest my time in studying the organization's mission & values to develop a deep connection with its DNA"

As the HR leader, I am responsible for driving our human capital strategy and initiatives that foster a culture of innovation, growth, and excellence. Moreover, I am passionate about developing the best talent, helping them to reach their full potential, and creating a positive and inclusive workplace culture.

Throw some light on the most challenging aspects of being an HR leader in today’s times. How do you work towards overcoming these challenges?

In today's dynamic business environment, agility and adaptability are the key attributes for an HR leader to succeed. The conventional approach of relying on years of experience is no longer sufficient. Instead, HR leaders must embrace the fail-fast, learn-faster philosophy to quickly adapt to the changing needs of the business.

Attracting and retaining top talent is another major challenge. Finding individuals with new skill sets in the market is a daunting task. Rather than focusing on years of experience, the emphasis should be on learnability and a willingness to constantly experiment and adapt. As an HR leader, my job is to identify such talent and bring them on board. Navigating legal and regulatory challenges is yet another critical responsibility for an HR leader. It requires staying updated with the constantly changing employment laws and regulations, while also ensuring compliance with all relevant policies. By working closely with internal and external stakeholders, we can ensure that our organization remains on the right side of the law and avoids any legal complications.

Tell us about the top three milestones you have achieved throughout your illustrious professional journey. What has been your Mantra for success?

My career journey has been full of milestones that I am proud of. Firstly, I have played an instrumental role in building and scaling two start-ups, successfully leading them toward growth. Secondly, I have successfully reshaped the talent portfolio in my previous roles, resulting in a significant increase in productivity by 25-30 percent. My experience across all facets of HR makes me a successful CHRO who can also function as a Centre of Excellence. My mantra for success is simple: I thrive on ambiguity, have a belief in the unseen, and I am always willing to take the non-traditional path for solutions while keeping the team motivated to achieve the end goal.

Ravitha Devasenapathy, Chief Human Resource Officer, EZEE.AI

Ravitha is a seasoned HR professional with a Bachelor's in Computer Application (2004) from GRG College of Technology and a PGD in HRM from St. Joseph's College of Business Administration. With multi-sector experience in education, healthcare, pharma, shared services, and IT product, Ravitha has a well-rounded perspective on HR.