SHRM India has announced the speaker line-up for UnConference26, its first-ever participant-led gathering designed to transform how professionals learn, connect, and collaborate. The event is scheduled for July 15-16, 2026, at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC) Novotel in Hyderabad.
Event Overview
The two-day event is expected to bring together over 800 HR and business leaders, more than 100 CXOs, over 80 industry experts, and 50-plus innovation partners. It will feature more than 30 immersive learning experiences across a variety of unconventional formats.
Innovative Conference Design
Breaking away from traditional conference formats, SHRM UnConference 2026 is designed as an experience-led platform where ideas are not just presented but challenged, tested, and explored through active participation. The event will include signature Hot Seat spotlight sessions and Lighthouse Talk series that draw inspiration from unexpected disciplines. Additionally, there will be impact addresses, masterclasses, workshops, mentoring experiences, and curated networking moments. These formats are designed to move beyond passive listening, encouraging participants to engage directly with ideas, experts, and one another.
Diverse Perspectives
UnConference 2026 brings together leaders, entrepreneurs, professionals, educators, creators, wellness practitioners, and changemakers. It aims to foster diverse perspectives and candid conversations on leadership, workplace transformation, organizational culture, employee well-being, learning, innovation, and the evolving relationship between people and technology.
More than a conference, UnConference is built around the philosophy of less presentation and more participation, creating space for curiosity, experimentation, fresh thinking, and meaningful dialogue.
Confirmed Speakers
- Achal Khanna, Chief Executive Officer, SHRM APAC and MENA
- Shiv, Operating Partner, Advent Private Equity and Chair, SHRM India Conferences and Council
- Krishnamachari Srikkanth, Former Captain, Indian Cricket Team
- G.V. Prasad, Co-Chairman and Managing Director, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories
- Sarthak Ahuja, Investment Banker, ISB Gold Medalist, Author and Director, Niamh Ventures LLC and Partner, Sandeep Ahuja and Company
- Prasiddhi Singh, Social Entrepreneur, Environmental Activist, and Founder, Prasiddhi Forest Foundation
- Ankit Vengurlekar, Founder, Antar Wellness
- Pavitra Singh, Chief Human Resources Officer and Vice President, PepsiCo India and South Asia
- Pranjal Sharma, Board Advisor, Author of India Innovates, and Member, SHRM India Conferences and Council
- Richard Rekhy, Vice Chair, Grant Thornton Bharat and Former CEO, KPMG in India
- Raj Nayak, Founder and Managing Director, House of Cheer Networks
- Tarun N P Varma, Global Chief Human Resources and Sustainability Officer, Tata Consumer Product
- Mayank Rautela, Group CHRO, Apollo Hospitals
- Nanjappa B S, Executive Vice President of Human Resources, Infosys
- Kinjal Choudhary, Chief People Transformation Officer, Cadila Pharmaceuticals
- Kapil Gupta, Chief Executive Officer, Solh Wellness
- Nimish Ramesh, Head HR, Lupin Digital Health
- Dr. Elton Ron Nathan, Head of Learning and Organizational Development, Apollo Health and Lifestyle
- Dr. Rubvita Chadha Rajput, Associate Professor, School of Business, Woxsen University
- Monika Tandon, Business Storytelling Coach and Founder, Katha Pachisi - The Story Bank
- Teena George, Founder, Habits and Mindsets
- Divvya Chhabra, Logical Vastu Expert, Entrepreneur, and Founder, DivyVastu
Leadership Insights
Speaking on the announcement, Achal Khanna, CEO of SHRM APAC and MENA, said, The future of work demands new ways of learning, connecting, and solving challenges. UnConference26 will bring together diverse voices from business, sports, healthcare, learning, wellness, and culture to create conversations that go beyond presentations and inspire meaningful action. We are excited to welcome a speaker line-up that reflects the diversity of perspectives shaping the workplaces of tomorrow.
Interactive Experiences
The event will also feature interactive workshops, networking opportunities, and immersive experiences designed to encourage deeper engagement and practical learning. Adding a cultural dimension, attendees will witness a live performance by Threeory Live, the creators behind some of India's most recognizable contemporary soundscapes, including the iconic score from the blockbuster film Animal.
With organizations navigating rapid shifts in AI adoption, workforce expectations, leadership models, and workplace culture, UnConference26 will serve as a unique platform for professionals seeking fresh perspectives and actionable insights.
About SHRM India
SHRM India empowers people and workplaces by advancing HR practices and maximizing human potential. For 20 years, it has partnered with multinational and high-growth Indian enterprises, including Fortune 500 companies, to build a world of work that works for all. As the India arm of the world's largest HR association, SHRM India brings global standards and local insight together across a full portfolio: SHRM Consulting (culture, leadership, org design, HR transformation, and corporate training), academies, professional certification (SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP), membership, and flagship events and conferences, including the SHRM India Annual Conference and Expo and SHRM TECH. With offices in Gurugram (headquarters), Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad, SHRM India is a trusted authority on all things work, a researcher, advocate, and thought partner helping leaders create better workplaces where employers and employees thrive together.
