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Prateek Dubey 10 Most Innovative HR Leaders 2025
Leader at a Glance
Prateek leads with values rooted in integrity and human connection. With experience across manufacturing, energy, beverages, banking, and pharma, he has built cultures where trust and accountability drive transformation. Blending human insight with AI-driven talent strategies, he champions technology as an enabler of empathy, agility, and potential.
Name: Prateek Dubey
Designation: President – Global CHRO
Company: Mankind Pharma Ltd.
Industry: Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
Country: India
Designation: President – Global CHRO
Company: Mankind Pharma Ltd.
Industry: Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
Country: India
Prateek Dubey 10 Most Innovative HR Leaders 2025
Leadership, for Prateek Dubey, has never been about titles or corner offices, it’s about standing by your values when no one is watching. Shaped by his father’s quiet discipline and integrity, these values now define his global leadership journey. As Global CHRO of Mankind Pharma Ltd., he leads a multi-country workforce with a blend of human insight and digital intelligence. From AI-driven talent strategies to predictive analytics, he views technology not as cold systems, but as enablers of empathy, agility, and human potential. Across industries like manufacturing, energy, beverages, banking, and pharma, Prateek has embraced change as a catalyst for growth, building cultures where accountability and trust fuel transformation. In this exclusive with The Portfolio Magazine, he shares lessons, philosophies, and his vision for future-ready, people-first workplaces.
How has your journey been so far, and what key milestones do you cherish the most?
My leadership journey has been deeply shaped by lessons from Indian mythology. I believe every organisation needs a Ramlike leader, visionary and purpose-driven, supported by Hanuman-like followers who are committed and courageous. From the Ramayana, I’ve learned empathy, duty, and devotion; from the Mahabharata, clarity in strategy, especially Arjuna’s guided focus under Krishna. Across industries, I’ve treated HR as a strategic enabler. At Mankind Pharma, we blend ancient wisdom with modern tools like AI to transform talent management, reimagining employee experiences, building capability frameworks, and embedding innovation. My goal is to create workplaces where tradition meets technology, empowering people to deliver results and lead transformation. “I’ve treated HR as a strategic enabler”.
As the CHRO of Mankind, what are your biggest challenges and how are you overcoming them?
At Mankind, one of our biggest challenges is aligning a highly diverse talent pool with fastevolving organisational needs while preserving the cultural glue that binds us. Our workforce spans seasoned experts, young digital natives, and high-potential talent still finding their stride. The task is to integrate these strengths without losing individuality. To address this, we use AI-based hiring tools for better role and cultural fit, a Capability Grid to map futureready skills, and tailored learning paths. With real-time coaching, gamified learning, and personalised journeys, we ensure all talent streams stay agile, aligned, and equipped for the future.
What are some of your best strategies, and how have they impacted the organisation?
At Mankind Pharma, my strategy focuses on aligning people capabilities with business growth to make talent a competitive advantage. We introduced three initiatives. First, a futureready workforce architecture with a capability grid for critical pharma functions like R&D, regulatory affairs, and digital manufacturing, strengthening pipelines, launches, and compliance. Second, AIpowered talent acquisition and development, using predictive analytics and AI learning tools in GMP and automation, cutting hiring time by 30% and boosting productivity. Third, data-driven engagement with real-time sentiment analytics, enabling early interventions in API, QC, and QA, reducing attrition and ensuring audit stability. Together, these steps make HR a true business enabler.
“My core strategy has been to align people capabilities with business growth, transformingtalent into a true source of competitive advantage ”
How will pharma workplaces evolve, and what technologies will drive Mankind Pharma’s transformation?
The pharma workplace of the future will be intelligence-driven, where science, compliance, and care converge. At Mankind Pharma, we’re already shaping this future with advanced technologies. AI and predictive analytics power talent planning and manufacturing, while AR/VR tools for SOPs, GMP, and audits enhance readiness. Hybrid work is evolving into “phygital” models, enabling remote collaboration and virtual audits. HRIS dashboards track attrition, skill gaps, and performance, while digital helpdesks and AI chatbots support 15,000+ employees, streamlining operations, boosting compliance, and elevating the human experience.
Who has been a significant mentor in your professional journey, and what valuable lesson did you learn from them?
Three people have been the guiding lights of my journey—my father, Swami Vivekananda, and my wife, Nidhi. From my father, I learned integrity, discipline, and the importance of staying grounded, no matter how high you rise. He led by example, not position, a principle I carry into leadership. Swami Vivekananda inspired me with the power of self-belief, purposeful action, and service through work. His words, “Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached,” continue to drive me with clarity and courage. My wife, Nidhi, embodies empathy and compassion. Despite challenges, she dedicates herself to serving others selflessly. Watching her live with such kindness teaches me that leadership is not only about achieving goals but also about touching lives and standing by people in need. Together, these influences shaped my leadership philosophy, leading with purpose, listening with empathy, and acting with care to uplift lives along the way.
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