Sometimes the best career moves happen when you least expect them. 

There’s something beautifully ironic about how some of the most important conversations in our lives happen when we’re not even trying to have them. That’s exactly what happened to our Director of HR in India – a story perfectly captures what it means to stumble into your calling at Acara. 

She wasn’t job hunting, updating her LinkedIn, and wasn’t even thinking about making a move. But when a recruiter called about a completely different position, something made her mention, almost as an afterthought, that she’d be open to exploring an HR Generalist role if anything came up. 

“To my surprise, the person immediately responded that they were looking for someone to handle a corporate HR position,” she remembers. What followed was a series of conversations that would change everything. 

The Interview That Changed Everything 

Here’s the thing about great companies – you can feel it in the room. By the time Sashi reached the final round of interviews, she knew something was different about Acara. It wasn’t just what people were saying about the company; it was how they said it. 

“The way the managers spoke about their roles and the organization made it clear they genuinely enjoyed their work. That authenticity and passion convinced me that Acara was a place where I could grow.” 

Fast forward to today, and that casual conversation has led to her role as Director of HR. It’s the kind of career progression that doesn’t happen by accident – it happens when talent meets opportunity in the right environment. 

From Chennai to Corporate Leadership 

Sashi’s story starts in Chennai, where she grew up and still calls home. After finishing her BCom degree at Madras University and Annamalai University, she took her first corporate job in front office administration. It was brief, but it planted a seed about the importance of people-facing roles. 

The transition to HR recruitment felt natural, and something clicked. “I found myself genuinely enjoying the work and quickly developed a passion for it,” she says. Through roles at Sukhvarsha Management Services, Mafoi, and TalentPro, she built the kind of well-rounded experience that would serve her well later. 

At TalentPro, she expanded beyond recruitment into business development – a move that gave her crucial insights into how HR and business strategy work together. “It strengthened my ability to manage client relationships, understand market needs, and contribute to organizational growth from both a people and business perspective.” 

What HR Actually Means 

Ask her about her day-to-day responsibilities, and you’ll get a picture of someone juggling talent acquisition, employee engagement, performance management, compliance, and policy implementation. But that’s just the tactical side. 

The real challenge? “HR often sits at the intersection of strategy and empathy, and finding that middle ground where both organizational goals and employee well-being are supported can be complex.” 

It’s work that requires constant adaptation. “No two days are the same. Priorities can shift quickly, and I need to stay agile while ensuring consistency in how we handle people-related matters.” 

There’s also the reality that HR work often happens behind the scenes. “We’re often the ones working quietly in the background to stabilize situations, and when things go smoothly, our role may go unnoticed. And that’s okay because we’re not here for the spotlight – we’re here to make a difference.” 

Why Acara Hits Different 

Every company talks about culture, but Acara actually lives it. The difference, she explains, is in the shift from transactional to transformational. 

“In my previous roles, the focus was often more transactional – centered around targets and deliverables. What makes Acara different is the way it blends performance with purpose.” 

The open-door culture stands out. “You’re encouraged to share your thoughts, ideas, and even concerns freely. That openness creates a space where you feel heard and valued.” 

But maybe the most telling aspect is how Acara handles failure. “I’ve truly appreciated the freedom to make mistakes, learn from them, and grow as long as you don’t repeat them. That mindset has helped me become more confident and self-aware in my role.” 

Growing with the Company 

Since joining Aleron Shared Resources in 2011, she’s had a front-row seat to transformation. Starting as an HR Generalist during the company’s growth phase, she initially handled end-to-end hiring single-handedly – challenging work that gave her deep insights into the business. 

As the organization expanded, she built and nurtured a dedicated HR team, bringing structure and scalability to their processes. Her role evolved from operational to strategic, taking on broader responsibilities across Aleron India and SDI India. 

“Today, as Director of HR, I focus on aligning HR strategies with business goals, mentoring teams, and driving initiatives that support both organizational growth and employee development. The journey has been full of learning, and I’m proud to have grown alongside the organization.” 

The Future of Work 

When it comes to industry trends, she sees big changes ahead. Remote work, digital hiring tools, and skills-based hiring have already transformed the landscape. “Companies now expect staffing partners to be more strategic, not just transactional.” 

Her vision for the next decade is particularly interesting: “I believe the staffing and recruiting industry will be more dynamic, tech-driven, and personalized than ever before. We’ll see deeper integration of AI and automation not just in sourcing and screening candidates, but in predicting workforce trends, assessing soft skills, and even guiding career development.” 

She sees recruiters evolving into career advisors and workforce consultants – a transformation that requires exactly the kind of strategic thinking and people-first approach that defines her leadership style. 

The Person Behind the Role 

Behind the strategic HR leader is someone who describes herself as a “total Tamil poetry nerd.” Sashi finds therapeutic value in mandala art and sketching and has an unexpected passion for horror movies – preferably watched alone at night with all the lights off. 

“My friends think I’m either super brave or slightly unhinged,” she laughs. “I say it’s just my version of self-care!” 

Her ideal day off is a perfect mix of family time, creative pursuits, and personal wellness – exactly the kind of work-life balance she’s been able to maintain at Acara. 

If money and time weren’t factors, she’d travel everywhere. “I wouldn’t just pick one destination – I’d go all in and explore the entire world, one breathtaking spot at a time.” But her dream experience? “Pitching a tent in the mountains, completely off the grid – no cell reception, no emails, just me, my loved one, and nature. That’s my kind of luxury.” 

What It All Means 

When asked to describe Acara in one word, her choice says everything: “Empowering.” 

“Knowing that I’m contributing to a workplace where people feel heard, supported, and empowered. That’s what keeps me excited to show up and give my best. 

Her story shows what it really means to be “all in” at Acara. It’s not just about professional growth – though that’s certainly part of it. It’s about finding a place where you can genuinely invest in creating an environment where people thrive. 

From an accidental interview to HR Director, her journey proves that sometimes the best opportunities come when you’re open to possibility, ready to grow, and willing to embrace the unexpected. When you combine genuine passion for people with strategic business thinking, the result is the kind of leadership that transforms not just processes, but entire workplace cultures. 

And maybe that’s the real lesson here – that great careers aren’t always planned. Sometimes they happen when you’re brave enough to say yes to a conversation you weren’t expecting to have. 

The “All in at Acara” series tells the real stories of people who’ve found their place in Acara. Each story is different, but they all share one thing: the experience of being part of something bigger than themselves. 

Connect with Sashi on LinkedIn