Today, organisations are confronting a reality where skills expire faster than they are acquired, and traditional education systems alone can no longer prepare the workforce for constant disruption. The question for leaders is no longer whether to invest in learning — but how to build lifelong learning at scale.

In this episode of People Matters Unplugged, Cheshta Dora is joined by Shana Kruse, VP – HR, Starbucks Asia Pacific. Leading people strategy across one of the most dynamic regions in the world, Shana is embedding learning into the very fabric of the Starbucks Partner Promise — from frontline baristas to regional leaders. Together, they explore what it takes to democratise access to education, design micro and cohort-based learning experiences, and create cultures of belonging that fuel continuous growth. This conversation unpacks how organisations can move beyond episodic training to build scalable, purpose-driven learning ecosystems that prepare people, and communities, for the future.

Today, organisations are grappling with intertwined challenges across talent, business and societal wellbeing. For Priyank Parakh, Director–HR at Haleon India, health, safety and wellbeing are no longer compliance mandates — they are leadership and performance priorities that shape culture, productivity and long-term resilience.

In this episode of People Matters Unplugged, Priyank joins Cheshta Dora to discuss how organisations can embed wellbeing into everyday systems — from flexible work and caregiver support to capability building across sales, supply chain and corporate teams — and what it takes to move from policy intent to cultural impact.

Hiring and retaining talent today goes far beyond merely paying them a salary to do work. For Dr. Guruvayurappan PV, CHRO of Omega Healthcare, it is a commitment employers make: to ensure that people are equipped not only for their roles, but also to advance in their careers at the organisation.

In this second episode of Season 4 of People Matters Unplugged, Dr. Guru tells us about the work that he and his team have done to bridge the employability gap and ensure that talent in his organisation has the opportunity for lifelong learning.