ISHANI PRIYADARSHINI SINHA
Learning & Development | People & Culture | Hospitality Operations | Leadership Development
Kolkata
Summary
Strategic Learning & Development and People & Culture leader with over 25 years in luxury hospitality, IT services, consulting, and entrepreneurship. Directed Human Resources, Talent Acquisition, and Learning initiatives across diverse regions while establishing a thriving hospitality business. Expertise includes leadership development, talent strategy, executive coaching, and culture transformation, with a focus on creating high-performing teams and aligning people strategies with business objectives.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
Work History
Founder & Principal Consultant
Restaurant Social
01.2024 - Current
- Advised clients on restaurant setup, operational efficiency, menu engineering, workforce planning, and business processes.
- Designed learning journeys, induction programmes, competency frameworks, and training curricula to enhance skills and knowledge of hospitality teams.
- Delivered leadership, behavioural, customer service, and Train-the-Trainer programmes for managers and frontline employees.
- Delivered leadership, behavioural, customer service, and Train-the-Trainer programmes to empower managers and frontline employees.
- Designed learning journeys, induction programmes, competency frameworks, and training curricula for hospitality teams.
- Advised clients on restaurant setup, operational efficiency, and business processes to streamline operations and improve service quality.
Founder & Managing Director
SurFiré the Coastal Café
01.2018 - 01.2024
- Founded and successfully operated a specialty restaurant, leading business strategy, operations, talent development, and guest experience.
- Managed menu engineering, cost controls, vendor partnerships, compliance, and overall profitability.
- Established induction programs, service standards, operational SOPs, and quality systems.
- Managed menu engineering, cost controls, vendor partnerships, and compliance to maximize profitability.
- Fostered coaching culture emphasizing accountability and teamwork to enhance customer experience.
Independent Consultant
Talent Acquisition Strategy & HR Operations
01.2013 - 01.2018
- Partnered with organisations to strengthen talent acquisition, leadership hiring, and organisational development.
- Designed executive hiring strategies and competency-based assessment processes.
- Developed employer branding and employee engagement initiatives.
- Trained recruitment teams on behavioural interviewing and assessment methodologies.
- Advised leadership teams on workforce planning and organisational effectiveness.
Vice President – Human Resources
Polaris Financial Technology
01.2010 - 01.2013
- Directed Human Resources and Talent Acquisition across India, the Middle East, Africa, and ANZ.
- Led leadership hiring and campus recruitment strategies across multiple international markets.
- Developed employee engagement, succession planning, and leadership development programmes.
- Introduced competency-based hiring frameworks and structured assessment methodologies.
- Partnered with business leaders to align talent strategies with organisational growth objectives.
Head – HR, VBU SGL & FLCL Leadership Hiring
Satyam Computer Services
01.2007 - 01.2009
- Led the Human Resources function for the VBU SGL business unit while heading Leadership Hiring for the FLCL vertical.
- Partnered with senior business leaders to drive talent strategy, workforce planning, and organizational capability.
- Managed leadership recruitment through competency-based assessment and executive selection processes.
- Strengthened employee engagement, performance management, and succession planning initiatives.
- Advised business leaders on organizational effectiveness and strategic talent management.
Assistant Vice President – Human Resources
Genpact
01.2006 - 01.2007
- Re-engineered onboarding and background verification processes, establishing new organizational benchmarks.
- Led continuous improvement and Six Sigma capability development within HR.
- Mentored Green Belt projects, delivering measurable operational improvements.
- Enhanced employee experience through process redesign and technology-enabled onboarding.
Group Consultant
NIS Sparta
01.2005 - 01.2006
- Designed and facilitated leadership development, behavioral, and organizational change programs.
- Conducted management development workshops for diverse corporate clients.
- Supported organizations through large-scale change management initiatives.
Practice Head – Learning & Development
Careercruise
01.2004 - 01.2005
- Managed Learning and Development business, overseeing P&L to drive strategic initiatives.
- Designed and delivered leadership and behavioral learning programs to enhance employee competencies.
- Established a Virtual Learning Center for a leading IT organization.
- Trained and certified trainers ensured program quality and consistency.
Talent Transformation Consultant
Wipro Spectramind
01.2003 - 01.2004
- Designed and delivered Train-the-Trainer programmes to empower team leaders in knowledge transfer.
- Supported capability-building initiatives for large operational teams, enhancing their skills and performance.
- Developed learning interventions aligned to business performance, driving engagement and effectiveness.
Faculty Member
The Art Of Living
04.1998 - Current
- Led curriculum development for diverse programs aligned with organizational goals.
- Mentored faculty members to enhance teaching methodologies and student engagement.
- Implemented strategic initiatives to improve learning outcomes across multiple disciplines.
- Facilitated workshops and training sessions for staff and students, fostering community building.
Advertising & Media Manager
Multichannel Advertising & Productions
01.1993 - 01.1994
- Managed advertising campaigns, client servicing, and strategic communications.
- Coordinated creative development and media execution for multiple clients.
Hotel Operations Management Trainee
Taj Bengal
01.1992 - 01.1993
- Completed a structured management training program across Front Office, Food & Beverage Service, Housekeeping, Kitchen Operations, and Hotel Administration.
- Built a strong foundation in luxury hospitality operations, guest service, and hotel management.
Education
PGDM - Management
UCLA Anderson School of Management
Los Ángeles2017
Bachelor of Arts - Humanities
Calcutta University
Kolkata1994
3 Year Diploma - Hotel Management
Institute of Hotel Management
Kolkata1992
Skills
Leadership Development
Learning Strategy
Organizational Development
Talent Management
Talent Acquisition
Executive Coaching
Employee Engagement
Performance Management
SELECTED ACHIEVEMENTS
- Led Human Resources, Talent Acquisition, and Learning functions across India, the Middle East, Africa, and ANZ.
- Built and successfully operated SurFiré the Coastal Café for six years.
- Delivered leadership, behavioural, customer service, and Train-the-Trainer programmes across hospitality and corporate sectors.
- Faculty Member with The Art of Living since 1997, facilitating leadership and personal effectiveness programmes.
- Led Six Sigma initiatives delivering a documented business impact of US$420,000.
- Developed competency frameworks, learning journeys, and SOPs that strengthened organisational capability and service excellence.
Timeline
Founder & Principal Consultant
Restaurant Social
01.2024 - Current
Founder & Managing Director
SurFiré the Coastal Café
01.2018 - 01.2024
Independent Consultant
Talent Acquisition Strategy & HR Operations
01.2013 - 01.2018
Vice President – Human Resources
Polaris Financial Technology
01.2010 - 01.2013
Head – HR, VBU SGL & FLCL Leadership Hiring
Satyam Computer Services
01.2007 - 01.2009
Assistant Vice President – Human Resources
Genpact
01.2006 - 01.2007
Group Consultant
NIS Sparta
01.2005 - 01.2006
Practice Head – Learning & Development
Careercruise
01.2004 - 01.2005
Talent Transformation Consultant
Wipro Spectramind
01.2003 - 01.2004
Faculty Member
The Art Of Living
04.1998 - Current
Advertising & Media Manager
Multichannel Advertising & Productions
01.1993 - 01.1994
Hotel Operations Management Trainee
Taj Bengal
01.1992 - 01.1993
PGDM - Management
UCLA Anderson School of Management
Bachelor of Arts - Humanities
Calcutta University
3 Year Diploma - Hotel Management
Institute of Hotel Management