Leading with Intention: A Conversation with Sonal Jain
In a thought-provoking episode of the DiversiTea podcast by Avtar and CII, Sonal Jain, Global CHRO of EPL Limited, shares her journey from an engineering student in Lucknow to a Global HR leader influencing people practices across continents. Her story is one of values, intentionality, and inclusive leadership.
Rooted Values, Global Vision
Sonal credits her middle-class upbringing for shaping her core values: abundance, courage, and kindness. Her parents instilled the belief that privilege must be matched with purpose — a mindset that continues to guide her work. “If everyone says ‘I don’t have time,’ who will make the change?” she recalled.
Today, she leads HR managing operations in 10 countries. At EPL, sustainability is not just environmental—it includes people sustainability. Their gold-level Eco Vadis certification reflects this commitment across labor rights, DEI, safety, and community.
Driving Inclusion Through Context
Sonal emphasized the importance of contextual DEI. With varying levels of gender representation globally, EPL applies “different strokes for different folks.” In India and Egypt, where representation is low, the company invests in infrastructure, STEM access, and supporting underserved communities. In contrast, markets like Poland and Mexico lead with 45% women representation.
Three core drivers influence inclusion, she noted: cultural context, industry pipeline, and organizational will. Accountability is key, with the board actively reviewing data on representation, pay equity, and workplace safety.
Action Through Authenticity
DEI at EPL is not symbolic. Sonal ensures that policies like India’s POSH Act are adopted even in countries without legal mandates. “We do it because it’s the right thing to do,” she said. Through initiatives like EPL Impact, employees across the globe volunteer, fundraise, and build community connections, reinforcing a culture of active empathy.
A Final Thought: Sonal’s leadership reflects that inclusion is a daily commitment – not a program. As she puts it, “Micro-inclusions. Small everyday actions make a big difference.” Her story reminds us that intentional leadership, rooted in purpose, can scale across borders and meaningfully impact lives. Catch the full episode of DiversiTea for more on inclusion and culture – one story at a time! Click Here
