To say Dr. Ritu Anand is a force to be reckoned with in the world of Human Resources and workplace diversity would be to make a massive understatement. With a career spanning over three decades, she has been instrumental in shaping talent strategies, fostering leadership, and spearheading diversity and inclusion at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). As the Chief Leadership & Diversity Officer at TCS, she has tirelessly worked towards enhancing gender representation and cultivating inclusive workplaces, making her one of the most influential voices in corporate India.
A Trailblazer in Human Resources
Dr. Anand’s career at TCS began in 1989 with Training and Development, a role that set the foundation for her deep understanding of human capital. Over the years, she has navigated various facets of HR—Performance Management, Compensation & Benefits, and Workforce Policy Planning—before taking on the critical responsibility of Talent Management and Total Rewards. Her leadership in these domains has led to progressive policies, particularly aimed at empowering women and younger generations in the workforce.
As a Senior Vice President and a key member of the Group Diversity Council and HR Steering Committee at Tata Group, she has been instrumental in breaking down barriers for women in leadership. Her commitment to “Inclusion Without Exception” is not just a slogan but a philosophy she has lived by, ensuring that diversity initiatives are not just performative but deeply ingrained in organizational culture.
The Reality of Gender Representation in India’s Workforce
Despite efforts by corporate leaders like Dr. Anand, women’s representation in India’s workforce has reached a plateau at 26%, with only 16% of women making it to executive or C-level positions. The numbers further highlight an 11% gap in women’s representation from mid-level management to the CEO level. These statistics underscore the persistent challenges women face in breaking the glass ceiling and the need for transformative leadership to shift the narrative.
Dr. Anand has been at the forefront of addressing these disparities, advocating for policies that create a strong sense of belonging—an essential factor for women’s career growth. Studies reveal that women who feel a strong sense of belonging are 6.2 times more likely to experience a great workplace and 3.1 times more likely to see career growth opportunities. Dr. Anand’s work has focused on embedding this sense of belonging into corporate structures, ensuring that organizations don’t just hire women but also nurture their leadership journeys.
Leading the Charge for Diversity & Inclusion
Dr. Anand has been instrumental in transforming TCS into a benchmark organization for gender diversity. In 2008, she launched TCS’ Diversity & Women’s Network, an initiative that has since evolved into a strategic function within the company. Under her leadership, TCS has consistently ranked among the top 10 companies for women in India and the UK, as recognized by AVTAR and the Women in Technology Awards. TCS has also been listed among DiversityInc’s Top 50 Companies for sustained investments and efforts in diversity and inclusion.
Her vision extends beyond the corporate walls—she is actively involved in multiple advisory boards, including the Worldwide ERC Global Advisory Council and the National HRD Network in Mumbai. As a governing board member of the Forum for Women in Leadership (WILL), she has played a pivotal role in mentoring and uplifting women leaders across corporate India.
Driving Workplace Evolution
One of Dr. Anand’s most significant contributions has been in shaping policies that drive workplace evolution. From pay equity initiatives to designing mentorship programs for emerging women leaders, she has pioneered several HR policies that directly impact career progression for women and underrepresented groups. Her deep-rooted belief in fostering workplace cultures where women feel valued and empowered has led to tangible results—TCS continues to see an increasing number of women in leadership roles under her stewardship.
Beyond the corporate sphere, she has been a prominent speaker at global forums and academic institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), KJ Somaiya, and Banasthali Vidyapeeth Women’s University. Her thought leadership extends to publications in Fortune Magazine, where she has written on the importance of retaining women in the workforce and setting oneself up for success in corporate environments. Her influence was further recognized when she was featured on the SAP Game Changing Women Radio and selected as one of the 20 Top HR Influencers by HR 40under40, a Jombay Initiative.
A Role Model for Future Generations
Dr. Anand’s impact is not limited to her leadership at TCS. She serves as an independent director and advisory board member for multiple organizations and has recently been appointed as National Secretary in the NHRDN National Executive Board. Her ability to balance corporate responsibilities with a passion for mentoring and advocacy makes her a role model for aspiring young professionals.
Her doctorate in Psychology gives her a unique edge in understanding human behavior, allowing her to approach leadership development and diversity initiatives with a nuanced and research-driven perspective. By leveraging this expertise, she has helped companies transition from diversity as a metric to diversity as a strategic imperative.
The Road Ahead
While progress has been made in increasing women’s participation in the workforce, the stagnation of women’s representation at leadership levels is a reminder that there is still work to be done. Dr. Anand envisions a future where diversity and inclusion are not corporate buzzwords but fundamental principles shaping the way businesses operate. Her focus remains on developing robust leadership pipelines that ensure sustainable gender representation at all levels of the corporate hierarchy.
As she continues to advocate for workplace transformation, her legacy is one of resilience, innovation, and unwavering commitment to equality. In a world where organizations are increasingly held accountable for their diversity metrics, leaders like Dr. Ritu Anand stand out—not just for their influence, but for their ability to drive real, systemic change whose ripple effects will be felt for generations to come.
Dr. Ritu Anand is an Advisor, Board Director and HR Influencer
This profile has been curated editorially by in Focus’ team
