Diageo India is among the country’s leading beverage alcohol companies with an outstanding collection of premium brands.
At Diageo India, we believe in the power of diverse journeys and authentic leadership. Today, we shine a light on Nivedita Chakraborty, a seasoned HR professional whose rich experiences and people-first philosophy resonate deeply with our values and her impactful journey within our organization.
Nivedita's early life was a tapestry of cultures, moving from Lucknow to Hong Kong, Ahmedabad, and spending 18 formative years in Mumbai. Though initially a "reluctant engineer," she found her true calling in Human Resources, driven by a passion for "studying people, working with people." This led her to an MBA in HR, setting the stage for a career dedicated to nurturing talent.
Her professional path included roles at leading organizations like TCS, Mondelez, and AB InBev. It was during her time at Mondelez that she first worked with a mentor whose leadership would later guide her to Diageo. A series of personal events, including meeting her husband during the pandemic, ultimately brought her to Bangalore and the AlcoBev sector.
Joining Diageo was a deliberate choice, driven by the opportunity to collaborate with a respected leader and the organization's stellar reputation. "Once you enter the AlcoBev industry, it's very hard to not hear of Diageo," Nivedita states. However, what truly solidified her decision and continues to inspire her is Diageo's distinctive culture.
"It was the absolute right decision," she affirms. "I walked into an organization... that I'm extremely compatible with, because it's culture first, it's ethics first, it's people first. Yet not compromising at all on outcomes and solutions."
Nivedita's professional philosophy is built on ownership, faith, and continuous learning. "Actually own what you're doing, feel responsible for it, because personally, that's what brings out my best outcome," she shares. At Diageo, she finds these principles amplified: "This organization operates on high trust, and taking bets on people... building that kind of psychological safety to fail fast, learn fast, push yourself to be at your absolute best." This environment, she believes, empowers individuals to truly excel and aligns perfectly with her own operational style.
As an HR professional at Diageo, Nivedita thrives on navigating complex stakeholder dynamics across Marketing, Commercial, and Corporate Relations. This challenge has been "a really... rewarding challenge, because it's something that has been the steepest learning curve for me." Her approach involves understanding diverse personalities and striving for the "best middle ground for both" the individual and the business, a task made easier by Diageo's empathetic leadership.
When reflecting on her biggest achievement, Nivedita offers a deeply personal insight: "not losing myself as who I am along the way... being able to do my best by being as authentic, and bringing my authentic self to my work." This authenticity, she feels, is particularly nurtured at Diageo. Personally, she highlights her evolving role as a caregiver to her parents, embracing the "role reversals that come in with time."
Outside of work, Nivedita enjoys "people watching," a pastime that fuels her empathy. She's curious about diverse cultures, loves reading physical books for a "digital switch-off," and makes it a point to travel to "two new places every year" with her husband.
Nivedita Chakraborty's journey at Diageo is a testament to authentic leadership and the profound impact of a people-first culture. Her story embodies the resilience, integrity, and purpose that define life at Diageo, where individuals are empowered to thrive both professionally and personally.