2025 JUDGE'S PROFILE

Ilja Rijnen

Rahul Kalia

Vice President HR AMEA

Barry Callebaut

Rahul Kalia is a seasoned Human Resources leader with rich experience across country, regional, and global roles. With over 25 years in strategic HR leadership, he has driven transformation and culture change at all organizational levels. Currently Vice President, HR – AMEA at Barry Callebaut, he leads regional initiatives aligned with global business priorities.

Prior to joining Barry Callebaut, Rahul worked with Bayer for 16 years, holding progressive leadership roles across India, Asia-Pacific, and Bayer’s global headquarters in Germany. As Global Head of Culture, Performance & Future of Work, he led a comprehensive cultural transformation journey impacting all divisions and corporate functions worldwide. He also spearheaded the complex post-merger integration across 16 countries, fostering a purpose-driven, agile “Giant Start-Up” culture that promoted innovation and digital adoption. Rahul’s work at Bayer exemplifies his ability to align people strategies with business goals across diverse and complex markets.

Based in Singapore with his family, Rahul has lived and worked in four countries, bringing a broad international perspective to his leadership approach.

View other 2025 Judges’ Profile
Anish Lalchandani

Anish Lalchandani

Global Head of Talent Management

A.P. Moller – Maersk

Rajaswari

Rajaswari

Group Director, Human Resource Division

Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)

Ruchika Pal

Ruchika Pal

Group Head - HR

Apollo Tyres

Rahul Kalia

Rahul Kalia

Vice President HR AMEA

Barry Callebaut

Gareth Poh

Gareth Poh

Regional Head of HR

C.H. Robinson

Jia Mun Loon

Jia Mun Loon

VP, Talent Management and Engagement

CIMB Singapore

Florence Tan

Florence Tan

Head of Singapore HR, Global Ops

Collins Aerospace

Jonathan Joo

Jonathan Joo

Regional Director of People & Culture

Four Seasons Hotel Singapore

Azrina Mansor

Azrina Mansor

Head/Deputy Director APAC Talent Acquisition

GlobalFoundries Singapore

Sameen Khan

Sameen Khan

Regional HR Director (APAC/MEA)

Grey Global (WPP)

Aaron Lim

Aaron Lim

Global Director of People and Culture

International SOS

Tina Sharma

Tina Sharma

Lead, People and Culture for Asia

National Australia Bank

Woei Woei Goh

Woei Woei Goh

Deputy Director – Talent Acquisition

National University of Singapore

Gerard Lai

Gerard Lai

Assistant Vice President, Learning & Development

Parkway College (IHH Healthcare)

Julia Koh

Julia Koh

Chief Human Resource Officer (CHRO)

Sunningdale Tech