BrazilPublicis Sapient names Kameshwari Rao as Chief People Officer
Global digital transformation consultancy Publicis Sapient has named India-based Kameshwari Rao as the firm’s Global Chief People Officer.
In her 20th year of service at Publicis Sapient and its legal predecessors, Kameshwari Rao has been handed a seat in the group’s executive. In her new capacity, she leads the human capital agenda for the approximately 20,000 people of the US-headquartered company, who work from 50+ offices globally.
Her first objective will to ensure that the firm’s talent fully embraces the new ways of remote and digital working induced by the Covid-19 pandemic. “This includes helping build resilience to create an environment that allows all of our people to thrive for years to come,” said Rao.
Beyond Covid-19 response planning, Rao will lead human resources, talent management, recruitment, workforce planning, learning & development, as well as the firm’s diversity, equity & inclusion, and corporate social responsibility endeavours.
“I am thrilled to take on this new role and excited about the opportunity to continue building upon the backbone of Publicis Sapient; its people. Since joining nearly two decades ago, I’ve seen from multiple perspectives how we have consistently thrived through challenges,” said Rao, who succeeds Maree Prendergast, now the Global Chief People Officer of WPP subsidiary Wunderman Thompson.
Rao brings a track record of growing seniority in Publicis Sapient’s human resources function. Her most recent role at the company was Group Vice President, People Success, and in the role, she was responsible for providing strategic leadership for the people agenda and building Publicis Sapient as an employer of choice. Before that she led the People function of the firm’s Indian division.
Commenting on her promotion, Nigel Vaz, CEO at Publicis Sapient, said, “Kameshwari has an exceptional track record as a leader within Publicis Sapient, driving forward our human capital agenda. Her talent, expertise, and experience make her the ideal Global Chief People Officer and I look forward to the continued success she will bring to our people and business.”
Last week, Publicis Sapient launched ‘The HOW Channel’, its own content streaming service that provides ‘business snacks’ on leadership topics.
