?? Top Moments & Must-Watch Episodes from HR Impact Show Season 1 Asia

What a journey it’s been! Season 1 of The HR Impact Show brought together inspiring conversations with top HR leaders to uncover the biggest challenges and opportunities shaping workplaces today.

From data-driven leadership, organisational transformation and AI’s role in HR, we explored the strategies that are redefining how we engage, develop, and lead people.

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Missed an episode? Now's your chance to catch up on the key insights before we launch Season 2.??

How to Build Inclusive & Experiential Work Cultures: Vanessa Iloste (VP of HR Asia at Sephora)

What if the secret to higher engagement, stronger retention, and thriving culture isn’t about perks — but about meaningful relationships?

Meet Vanessa Iloste, VP of HR at Sephora Asia, who has spent nearly three decades transforming workplaces across retail and luxury sectors. Previously, she held key roles at LVMH and Société Générale, leading leadership development, omnichannel transformation, and DEI initiatives. With an MBA from ESSEC Business School, Vanessa is passionate about building inclusive, high-performing teams and fostering innovation in HR.

In this episode, she discusses how HR leaders can create workplaces where employees don’t just work—they thrive.

?? Here’s what we covered:

• How to create experiential relationships that keep employees engaged, even after they leave.
• Building a culture of continuous learning in globally dispersed teams.
• Why diversity alone isn’t enough—how to ensure real inclusion and belonging.
• The future of work: Why trust, flexibility, and long-term thinking are the new HR priorities.

?? Check out the episode here: https://blog.engagerocket.co/the-hr-impact-show/inclusive-experiential-work-cultures-vanessa-iloste

Talent to Value: Identifying and Nurturing High Performers: Jayaram Philkana (CHRO at Indorama)

How can HR leaders drive value creation while developing high-impact performers??

Jayaram Philkana's “Talent to Value” framework offers a clear path for HR leaders to prioritize impact, develop top performers, and align people with business goals.

Jayaram Philkana is the Chief Human Resources Officer at Indorama Corporation, with over 33 years of global HR experience across the pharmaceuticals, biotech, agriculture, FMCG, and food sectors.

Known for driving transformative people strategies, he has led HR operations across 12 countries, spearheaded global transformation programs, and aligned talent with business goals to achieve long-term impact. His career spans senior roles at Syngenta, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, UPL Limited, and Cargill, with expertise in talent development, organizational effectiveness, and executive rewards.

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?? In this episode, we sat down with JP to deep dive into:

• What is “Talent to Value,” and how can it transform your approach to talent management?
• The three clarities HR must champion: organizational goals, role alignment, and fairness.
• Real-world examples of identifying and nurturing high-impact performers.
• Insights on navigating the future of work with hybrid models, distributed leadership, and AI...

?? Check out the episode here: https://blog.engagerocket.co/the-hr-impact-show/talent-to-value-jayaram-philkana

Navigating Career Transitions and Future-Ready Workplaces: Vanessa Teo (Senior VP of Global HR at ST Engineering)

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How do you navigate career transitions while preparing for a future defined by rapid change and diversity?

Vanessa Teo, Senior VP of Global HR at ST Engineering answers this question with insights drawn from over 20 years of experience across HR and commercial roles.?

Previously, she held leadership roles at AbbVie, LVMH Group, and Target Corporation, gaining global expertise in HR and business functions. Vanessa also co-hosts the Career Transitions podcast, helping professionals navigate the future of work.

?? Here’s what you’ll learn:

• How to treat your career as a financial portfolio, diversifying experiences and skills for long-term success.
• Tips for building meaningful networks that become your personal “board of directors.”
• Practical ways to drive DEI and foster inclusive workplace cultures.
• Vanessa’s perspective on creating purpose-driven and agile workplaces that thrive in change.
• Key advice for HR leaders to embrace curiosity, continuous growth, and new technologies.

?? Check out the episode here: https://blog.engagerocket.co/the-hr-impact-show/career-transitions-vanessa-teo

Debunking HR Myths and Embracing Change: Benjamin Festin, IHRP-SP (VP of HR at SP Group)

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Host Fung Ying Tan Tai meets with Benjamin Festin, Vice President of HR at SP Group, as he challenges common misconceptions about HR, leadership, and employee engagement.??

Benjamin Festin is the Vice President of Human Resources at SP Group, with nearly 20 years of HR leadership across diverse industries. He has led talent strategy, organisational design, and change management initiatives, driving workforce transformation and business impact.

Previously, he held key HR leadership roles at Dairy Farm Group and Mediacorp, leading executive development and culture transformation. Earlier in his career, he specialised in change management and human capital advisory at Accenture and Ernst & Young, supporting organisations across Asia-Pacific.

?? Here’s what we covered:

• Why “being nice” isn’t HR’s real job—and what actually drives engagement.
• The most overlooked leadership skill that makes or breaks workplace culture.
• How HR empowers managers to have tough, but necessary, conversations.
• Why avoiding conflict is hurting your team’s performance.
• The true role of HR in building high-performance teams.

?? Check out the episode here: https://blog.engagerocket.co/the-hr-impact-show/debunking-hr-myths-embracing-change-benjamin-festin

What Every HR Leader Needs to Know About AI and People Analytics: Dr. Fermin Diez - PhD, SPHR, GRP, IHRP-MP, FSID

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Meet Dr. Fermin Diez – a globally renowned HR strategist with over 35 years of experience across 40 countries, having served as Regional Head of HR for global MNCs and driving transformative people strategies.

He is the co-author of influential books, including ‘Human Capital and Global Business Strategy’, 'The Remuneration Handbook' and ‘Fundamentals of HR Analytics’.

In this conversation, Dr. Diez shares insights on HR analytics, technology, and strategic business integration, highlighting key projects and evidence-based management’s role in debunking HR myths. He also discusses the future of HR, urging professionals to embrace AI, adapt to change, and build strong organizational cultures.

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?? Here’s what we covered:

• Why HR must link engagement and turnover to business outcomes.
• The biggest barriers to AI adoption in HR—and how to overcome them.
• Real-life examples of how people analytics can drive profitability.
• How to prepare for the workplace of the future, blending human and AI contributions.
• Why curiosity, discipline, and purpose are key to thriving in HR.

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?? Check out the episode here: https://blog.engagerocket.co/the-hr-impact-show/ai-people-analytics-fermin-diez

?? What’s Next? We Want Your Input!

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?? Who should we feature next? What HR challenges should we tackle? Reply and let us know! We’re excited to bring you even more insights, conversations, and impact in the next season!

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