Rupali Rane: Transforming Workplaces With Strategic Talent Management & Organizational Development
Rupali Rane
CHRO
Growing up in a Maharashtrian household in Mumbai, she studied in a vernacular medium school and actively participated in extra curricular activities like elocution, acting, singing, and sports. She started her career in a government role upon the wish of her parents to secure a stable job but soon discovered her true passion for human resources after an inspiring encounter with the Industrial Psychology at college. She balanced work while preparing for exams and earned a merit seat for her Master’s in Management Studies from Mumbai University.
Rupali thrives in high-growth environments where HR plays a strategic role. Specializing in mergers and acquisitions, she has led over 22 successful M&A integrations, shaping business cultures and scaling companies from under ₹100 crores to over ₹800 crores in sectors like healthcare, Medtech, and now Dermatology led Aesthetic clinics with Oliva. An ‘accidental change manager’ with nearly a decade of experience, she has mastered the art of navigating complex transformations by fostering transparency, bringing people together, and making tough decisions. Her entrepreneurial approach to change management ensures that both people and organizations adapt, evolve, and thrive through periods of uncertainty.
Engaging in an immersive interaction with the CEO Insights magazine, Rupali shares her leadership approach, future roadmap, and much more. Let's read about it.
Could you articulate the importance of HR's operation being seen as an organizational strategy?
I believe HR is more than just a support function, it is a key part
of any business strategy. You can invest in buildings, technology, and finances, but without getting people to work together toward the same goal, success will always be out of reach. Every employee has their own values, beliefs, and experiences, and HR helps bring all these differences together to drive the company through the change towards success.
I have seen first hand how the right HR interventions can transform businesses, driving exponential growth. Across all my companies, we have achieved a 5x to 8x expansion within a span of five years. These achievements were not just about numbers but about building high-performing teams and defining clear career paths. The true success of HR lies in creating careers, strengthening teams, and shaping a resilient, future-ready organization.
What growth opportunities have you introduced to support and motivate your employees?
Growth opportunities in our organization are vast and rapid. Unlike traditional companies where career progression takes years, we accelerate growth based on performance, agility and readiness. PE-led companies get a much shorter time than regular companies to turn around the taken-over entity. We work as a startup. In fact, since joining Oliva, I have facilitated over 32 promotions in just seven months.
We use structured learning paths, on-the-job training, mentorship, and self-assessment tools to identify and bridge skill gaps. Instead of a one-size fits-all approach, we create customized career tracks, whether in leadership, individual contributor roles, or cross-functional growth. Gone are the days of super specialization, now we look for employees with entrepreneurial skills. At Oliva, we take pride in the fact that 80 percent of our leadership roles are held by women, which is not by accident, but by design. Our structured career paths and growth initiatives ensure that talented women progress into leadership, breaking traditional barriers.
How do you keep yourself up to date with the ongoing industry trends?
I stay updated on industry trends through active participation in industry forums, speaker engagements, and networking with peers. I also engage with management schools as a visiting faculty, where I interact with students and share industry insights. This not only helps shape future professionals but
The true success of HR lies in creating careers, strengthening teams, and shaping a resilient, future-ready organization
I have seen first hand how the right HR interventions can transform businesses, driving exponential growth. Across all my companies, we have achieved a 5x to 8x expansion within a span of five years. These achievements were not just about numbers but about building high-performing teams and defining clear career paths. The true success of HR lies in creating careers, strengthening teams, and shaping a resilient, future-ready organization.
What growth opportunities have you introduced to support and motivate your employees?
Growth opportunities in our organization are vast and rapid. Unlike traditional companies where career progression takes years, we accelerate growth based on performance, agility and readiness. PE-led companies get a much shorter time than regular companies to turn around the taken-over entity. We work as a startup. In fact, since joining Oliva, I have facilitated over 32 promotions in just seven months.
We use structured learning paths, on-the-job training, mentorship, and self-assessment tools to identify and bridge skill gaps. Instead of a one-size fits-all approach, we create customized career tracks, whether in leadership, individual contributor roles, or cross-functional growth. Gone are the days of super specialization, now we look for employees with entrepreneurial skills. At Oliva, we take pride in the fact that 80 percent of our leadership roles are held by women, which is not by accident, but by design. Our structured career paths and growth initiatives ensure that talented women progress into leadership, breaking traditional barriers.
How do you keep yourself up to date with the ongoing industry trends?
I stay updated on industry trends through active participation in industry forums, speaker engagements, and networking with peers. I also engage with management schools as a visiting faculty, where I interact with students and share industry insights. This not only helps shape future professionals but
also gives me fresh perspective in devising the strategy to lead Gen Z. In addition, working in the private equity keeps me on my toes as we constantly evaluate market trends to achieve accelerated growth within a short period.
How do you envision your journey unfolding in the future?
I see myself growing into a subject matter expert in private equity, advising multiple companies on strategy and growth. I want to create a lasting impact by guiding businesses and helping them avoid costly mistakes rather than just being a member of a large MNC. It gives an immense satisfaction and growth in a change management assignment. Five years from now, I would like to be known as the people transformation expert during the organization transition.
With your extensive industry experience, what advice would you offer to emerging leaders stepping into this role?
India is experiencing dynamic growth, with private investors reshaping businesses and larger players absorbing smaller ones. Change is the only constant, and the sooner professionals embrace this, the better they will thrive. My advice to emerging leaders is to develop an O.L.I.V.A. mindset, namely Ownership, Learning agility, Innovation, Valiance, and At-your service leadership. Take ownership of challenges, continuously learn & unlearn, innovate fearlessly, and be resilient. Most importantly, be a servant leader. Looking at someone whom you mentored becoming a leader is far more satisfactory than your individual growth, so build those careers.
Rupali Rane, CHRO, Oliva Skin & Hair Clinic
Rupali Rane, CHRO, Oliva Skin & Hair Clinic, has a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting & Industrial Psychology, a Master’s in Management Studies (HR) from the University of Mumbai, and an MBA in HR from California State University - East Bay. She also studied Economics and Accounting at R.A. Podar College and earned a Diploma in Computer Programming from Informatics. She has led HR functions at Nova IVF, Healthium Medtech, Fortis Healthcare, and Patni Computers.
•Hobbies: Travel, Dancing, Singing, Acting,
•Fitness, Teaching
•Favorite Cuisine: Thai, Maharashtrian
•Favorite Book: Thirteen Months in the Himalayas by Om Swami
•Favorite Travel Destination: Europe
•Awards and Recognition: Top HR Innovators - 2022, Top most HR Leaders of Telangana - 2024
How do you envision your journey unfolding in the future?
I see myself growing into a subject matter expert in private equity, advising multiple companies on strategy and growth. I want to create a lasting impact by guiding businesses and helping them avoid costly mistakes rather than just being a member of a large MNC. It gives an immense satisfaction and growth in a change management assignment. Five years from now, I would like to be known as the people transformation expert during the organization transition.
With your extensive industry experience, what advice would you offer to emerging leaders stepping into this role?
India is experiencing dynamic growth, with private investors reshaping businesses and larger players absorbing smaller ones. Change is the only constant, and the sooner professionals embrace this, the better they will thrive. My advice to emerging leaders is to develop an O.L.I.V.A. mindset, namely Ownership, Learning agility, Innovation, Valiance, and At-your service leadership. Take ownership of challenges, continuously learn & unlearn, innovate fearlessly, and be resilient. Most importantly, be a servant leader. Looking at someone whom you mentored becoming a leader is far more satisfactory than your individual growth, so build those careers.
Rupali Rane, CHRO, Oliva Skin & Hair Clinic
Rupali Rane, CHRO, Oliva Skin & Hair Clinic, has a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting & Industrial Psychology, a Master’s in Management Studies (HR) from the University of Mumbai, and an MBA in HR from California State University - East Bay. She also studied Economics and Accounting at R.A. Podar College and earned a Diploma in Computer Programming from Informatics. She has led HR functions at Nova IVF, Healthium Medtech, Fortis Healthcare, and Patni Computers.
•Hobbies: Travel, Dancing, Singing, Acting,
•Fitness, Teaching
•Favorite Cuisine: Thai, Maharashtrian
•Favorite Book: Thirteen Months in the Himalayas by Om Swami
•Favorite Travel Destination: Europe
•Awards and Recognition: Top HR Innovators - 2022, Top most HR Leaders of Telangana - 2024