Dr Sujiv Nair: Pioneering Sustainable Transformation Through Human Capital And Circular Economy Initiatives
Dr Sujiv Nair
CHRO
With over 30 years of diverse industry experience, Dr Sujiv’s professional arc is as inspiring as unconventional. From starting his career as a shop floor chemist to holding leadership roles across HR, business transformation, and sustainability, his journey has been one of relentless learning and reinvention. His time at IIT Hyderabad played a pivotal role in shaping his structured thinking and instilling a mindset of challenging the status quo.
What sets Dr Sujiv apart is his commitment to human development and sustainable impact. Whether it’s championing competency-based learning, advocating for circular economy practices, or coaching emerging leaders, he brings a rare blend of purpose and pragmatism to every initiative.
Engaging in an immersive interaction with CEO Insights magazine, Dr Sujiv shares his leadership approach, future roadmap, and much more. Let's read about it.
What was your most memorable experience during your time at IIT Hyderabad?
One of the most memorable experiences from my time at IIT Hyderabad was the deep realization that patience and practice truly makes a person perfect. I vividly remember the journey of publishing my first paper in a Scopus-indexed journal, a rigorous and demanding process.
That paper was rejected and rewritten over a dozen times before it finally got accepted. It tested my resilience, but it also taught me the importance of perseverance and refinement. That experience shaped my outlook not just academically, but professionally too.
Another defining memory was the research I undertook on the employability quotient in India. I was deeply struck by how few students secure jobs after
graduation, despite having academic credentials. My thesis focused on bridging that gap, leading to the design and launch of finishing schools, and simple modules aimed at enhancing self-esteem, psychological capital, and social capital. These finishing schools achieved an 80 percent placement success rate, far exceeding the national average of 35 percent. Implementing this model through the Telangana Academy for Skill and Knowledge for unemployed youth remains one of my proudest contributions.
As CHRO, what new industry trends and employee development strategies have you implemented, and what growth opportunities do you offer?
With the rapid evolution of digital tools and AI, people are picking up technical skills quickly but what’s lacking and often neglected is attitude. In our organization, we have moved to a competency-based training approach rather than generic learning modules.
We categorize training across four layers including domain competencies like municipal solid waste, hazardous waste, or recycling; functional competencies such as operations, finance, and sales; technical competencies like project management, data analysis, electromechanical systems; and leadership competencies, which cover ownership, problem solving and change management to name a few.
We also ensure every employee has a learning mandate based on their role, supported by digital learning tools. Two initiatives that I have personally championed are executive coaching and a concept celebrating ‘fail learning’, where my team reflects on failures, not with fear, but with curiosity to learn and grow.
What leadership principles define your approach as a leader?
I am a strong believer in integrity, respect, and punctuality, these are non-negotiable. I always ensure my team understands that values form the foundation of everything we do. I believe good leadership is about working on strengths of people and discipline. Balancing simplicity and creativity to bringing out the best in people through trust, clarity and shared purpose.
As CHRO, what new industry trends and employee development strategies have you implemented, and what growth opportunities do you offer?
With the rapid evolution of digital tools and AI, people are picking up technical skills quickly but what’s lacking and often neglected is attitude. In our organization, we have moved to a competency-based training approach rather than generic learning modules.
We categorize training across four layers including domain competencies like municipal solid waste, hazardous waste, or recycling; functional competencies such as operations, finance, and sales; technical competencies like project management, data analysis, electromechanical systems; and leadership competencies, which cover ownership, problem solving and change management to name a few.
We also ensure every employee has a learning mandate based on their role, supported by digital learning tools. Two initiatives that I have personally championed are executive coaching and a concept celebrating ‘fail learning’, where my team reflects on failures, not with fear, but with curiosity to learn and grow.
Helping individuals unlock their potential and grow both personally and professionally is something I want to continue doing in a deeper, more impactful way
What leadership principles define your approach as a leader?
I am a strong believer in integrity, respect, and punctuality, these are non-negotiable. I always ensure my team understands that values form the foundation of everything we do. I believe good leadership is about working on strengths of people and discipline. Balancing simplicity and creativity to bringing out the best in people through trust, clarity and shared purpose.
What are the sustainable practices you have adopted in your organization and what is your approach towards sustainability?
We have consciously built practices that reduce environmental footprint. One of the first steps we took was cutting down plastic usage significantly across operations. We have focused on building awareness and encouraging behavioral change, both within the organization and in the communities, we work with.
A major part of our sustainability efforts revolves around promoting the concept of a circular economy. We work closely with governments and institutions to enhance waste management awareness and ensure waste is collected, transported, processed, and repurposed responsibly instead of being unscientifically disposed.
What future goals or directions are you aiming for in your professional journey?
In the coming years, I see myself focusing more on two areas that I truly care about, sustainability and coaching. I want to be actively involved in creating awareness and promoting practical, everyday actions that contribute to protecting our environment.
Alongside this, I am also drawn towards coaching and mentoring. Having spent years in training, I have realized that real growth comes from experience-driven learning, not just theory. Many professionals already have access to knowledge, but they need guidance to apply it meaningfully. That’s where I feel I can add value.
Dr Sujiv Nair, CHRO, Re Sustainability
Dr Sujiv Nair, CHRO, Re Sustainability, is an alumnus of IIT Hyderabad with a PhD in Psychology (Skill Development). He has worked across diverse sectors with leading organizations including Asian Paints, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Tech Mahindra, DuPont, and the Government of Telangana (TASK).
Hobbies: Cooking, Badminton, DIY Repairs
Favorite Book: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
Favorite Travel Destination: Japan
Awards and Recognition: Six Sigma Black Belt, Charles T. Welch Junior Information Security Award for Intellectual Property and Trade Secret Protection, E-Governance Excellence Award, CHRO of the Year, Innovation Leadership Award, India's 20 most impactful L&D leaders, Asia Inc. 500 Award for Youth Transformation.
We have consciously built practices that reduce environmental footprint. One of the first steps we took was cutting down plastic usage significantly across operations. We have focused on building awareness and encouraging behavioral change, both within the organization and in the communities, we work with.
A major part of our sustainability efforts revolves around promoting the concept of a circular economy. We work closely with governments and institutions to enhance waste management awareness and ensure waste is collected, transported, processed, and repurposed responsibly instead of being unscientifically disposed.
What future goals or directions are you aiming for in your professional journey?
In the coming years, I see myself focusing more on two areas that I truly care about, sustainability and coaching. I want to be actively involved in creating awareness and promoting practical, everyday actions that contribute to protecting our environment.
Alongside this, I am also drawn towards coaching and mentoring. Having spent years in training, I have realized that real growth comes from experience-driven learning, not just theory. Many professionals already have access to knowledge, but they need guidance to apply it meaningfully. That’s where I feel I can add value.
Dr Sujiv Nair, CHRO, Re Sustainability
Dr Sujiv Nair, CHRO, Re Sustainability, is an alumnus of IIT Hyderabad with a PhD in Psychology (Skill Development). He has worked across diverse sectors with leading organizations including Asian Paints, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Tech Mahindra, DuPont, and the Government of Telangana (TASK).
Hobbies: Cooking, Badminton, DIY Repairs
Favorite Book: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
Favorite Travel Destination: Japan
Awards and Recognition: Six Sigma Black Belt, Charles T. Welch Junior Information Security Award for Intellectual Property and Trade Secret Protection, E-Governance Excellence Award, CHRO of the Year, Innovation Leadership Award, India's 20 most impactful L&D leaders, Asia Inc. 500 Award for Youth Transformation.