In this latest edition of our Career Perspectives series, we had the privilege of speaking with Anagha Chaphalkar, Senior Director, HR Operations, at Cytel. With nearly 11 years at the company, Anagha has been instrumental in shaping Cytel’s HR function during a period of significant growth. In this interview, she takes us through her inspiring journey, from her early days as a recruiter to her current role as a global HR leader. Anagha shares her insights on leadership, Cytel’s collaborative culture, and the skills essential for success in HR. She also discusses the impactful work of Cytel’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative “Fly High!” and offers thoughtful advice on achieving balance in a remote working world.

Can you give us a little background on your career and your professional journey so far? What made you choose a career in HR, and within the pharmaceutical industry?

Throughout my education, I had a keen interest in studying business, finance, secretarial practice, and commerce, which convinced me that I was looking for a career in finance. After graduation, I enrolled in a postgraduate program in business management at which time a lot changed. I began to develop a liking for human resources and information systems, leading to a dual specialization in HR and IS! I was fascinated by how the “people function” drives business with strong automated systems. That’s how my career in the world of HR began.

I was quite proud to take on my first job as a recruiter! It was a fast-paced and exciting life — filling requisitions, learning the tricks of headhunting, and understanding what drives candidates towards an organization. Interacting with hiring managers and other stakeholders opened the door for HR consulting assignments, which I did for a long time. My experience was in various industries like auto, manufacturing, petrochemical, and pharma companies. This is where I got introduced to the world of life sciences and I have continued in it ever since!

You’ve been with Cytel for nearly 11 years, overseeing its HR function during a period of significant growth. Can you share how your role has evolved over the years?

Ah! When I joined Cytel as an HR Manager, my role was to formalize the HR function at Cytel India. It began with creating the framework for HR policies and processes, formalizing the team structure, finding opportunities for automation, implementing an HRIS, working closely with various business units to understand their HR priorities, and rolling out programs and initiatives to help retain, engage, and develop talent. I worked closely with Cytel India leaders and the CEO to build the HR function that helped deliver business priorities. And I was super lucky to have a great team while doing that!

Of course, I grew into my role and eventually began getting global responsibilities. I consider myself privileged that I got to work with and learn from multiple business leaders and CXOs. It’s been a very interesting career trajectory of having multiple roles within the same company! As my role evolved, my exposure expanded from India to the broader APAC region, allowing me to understand the nuances from the HR Business Partner (HRBP) perspective while leading the HR Operations team. I have the privilege of working with the fantastic Global HR team, not only within HR Operations but also alongside incredible colleagues in Talent Acquisition, Talent Development, Employee Relations, and Total Rewards. It’s a very proud feeling! The global HR team is an example of how to adapt, align, understand, continue to deliver, and never give up the quest to shine through.

What do you like best about your role, and about working at Cytel?

Getting to work with people who want to make things happen is one of my highest energizers! And I am not just talking HR, I am saying this as a Cytel employee who has the privilege of being in touch with many employees and contractors at all levels and across the globe.

The solid focus to achieve is very infectious. Cytel has been a thriving workplace whether at the office or while being remote. The cultural thread of working collaboratively is extremely strong. Transparency has been a key factor in our culture, and that has always kept me going.

You lead a large HR team across APAC and are a part of the global HR leadership team. How would you describe your leadership style, and how do you mentor and empower your team to excel in their roles?

I firmly believe I get to do my job well because I have a strong team that looks out for me. My team has rich and diverse talent, a very strong work ethic, a clear understanding of the importance of the larger picture, support and respect for each other, Cytel’s best interests at heart, and an extremely positive outlook toward work! Since they have these attributes, I really don’t need to do much.

I have a simple leadership style. I have always been “real” with my team, kept a strong say-do ratio, taken them along through the ups and downs, understood that there are good days and bad days and worked with them to empower themselves and to understand their potential. I am privileged to enjoy their trust, and I never take it for granted.

What skills and/or qualities do you believe are essential for someone to succeed and thrive in a role within the HR department at Cytel?

Cytel is the kind of company where irrespective of your functional area, you will succeed if you can wear an entrepreneurial hat, hone the ability to roll up your sleeves, and make efforts to understand the other person’s point of view. If the mindset is that of “ownership” rather than of “entitlement,” they will most definitely succeed. And not to mention, good communication skills! The ability to listen well is very critical here. HR is no exception for these qualities. Besides those, for HR professionals to thrive here, agility, resilience, and the ability to face the punches comes in handy!

You chair Cytel India’s CSR initiative “Fly High!” which has successfully sponsored the education of over 1,000 students. What has been the most rewarding part of leading this initiative, and how has it impacted the company’s corporate culture?

I am extremely passionate about “Fly High!” at Cytel. It is our flagship program through which we give back to the very domain that we function in and aim to excel in. Imagine meeting budding statisticians and healthcare professionals who bring their aspirations to the table, express themselves, tell their stories, and showcase their credentials and potential. You become a part of their journey by extending help and guidance, all because Cytel has chosen this novel cause for our Corporate Social Responsibility. The power of education is further enhanced when their preparation for a career in statistics or healthcare is ably supported by Cytel’s commitment to extend help through scholarships.

Many employees volunteer their time and interest to make Fly High! a success. In the last 8 years, we have sponsored the education of 2,000+ students, all of whom have met a Cytelian who took the time, effort, and interest to interact with them. CSR volunteers individually meet with the scholarship applicants to understand their student journey and then Cytel grants the scholarship based on the outcomes of these interactions. CSR volunteers vouch for this as an enriching experience. It is an opportunity to meet young students, share experiences, and learn a few things in return. I have never had to make efforts to have CSR volunteers offer their time for this noble cause. They wholeheartedly participate and offer their time, very often also on weekends, to accommodate the student schedules.

Are there any other community initiatives you’ve helped spearhead recently?

Yes! Just recently, we partnered with a rural school to build sanitation facilities for them. A school, named New English School, Marunji, from a nearby rural area approached us to help them build a sanitation/washroom facility for their girl students. The students in this school belong to hardworking families of laborers, small shop owners, vegetable and fruit vendors, etc., and many parents are uneducated but are keen to help their children finish high school.

We partnered with a local NGO and helped build that facility. The school has been sending us updates on “Project Hygiene Harmony” and have confirmed completion just in time before school reopened!

As an employee who works from home, what are your strategies to keep a healthy work-life balance? Do you feel supported in this by Cytel?

We have all felt that in a remote working world, work is seldom over. There’s always that last email, or the last project that you would like to do before you call it a day. I am no exception to this. But often, I remind myself to do a check: “can this wait?” It’s important not to get overwhelmed and to avoid ending the working day on a tense note. On the other hand, there is the flexibility to be able to attend to situations at home with reference to kids, aging parents, pets, and so on. So, both of these worlds — work life and personal life — complement each other well. Oh yes, I most definitely feel supported by Cytel. There is trust in employees here that I value, and it helps me maintain that fine balance.

Finally, what are your main interests outside of work?

I am sort of a gym rat! My workouts are my non-negotiable part of the day, and I weight train 6 days a week. Generally, I try to mix it up with cross-training as well; being on a better health and fitness track is something I enjoy. I also like to nurture our garden, which has many indigenous plants that attract bees and butterflies. It’s very calming! I love spending time with my family. All of us — my husband, son, daughter, and I — are interested in fitness, travel, reading, and we enjoy novel food experiences, spending time with our pets and listening to each other’s experiences.

Thank you, Anagha, for sharing your experiences with us!

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