Mansi Srivastava CMHRNZ
What led you to a career in HR/the position that you are in currently?
Interestingly, I always imagined myself in sports psychology, helping athletes perform at their peak. Life had other plans, and I found myself doing a masters in HR… twice! What started as an academic detour quickly became a passion. I realised HR is, in many ways, the “performance psychology” of organisations. It’s about understanding people, unlocking potential, and creating environments where teams can thrive. My journey across AU, NZ, and APAC has been shaped by this fascination, combining curiosity about human behaviour with the drive to improve how organisations work. HR turned out to be the perfect way to channel my original dream into real-world impact.
What do you love about working in HR?
HR lets me work at the intersection of strategy, psychology, creativity, and humanity. I love that my work ranges from rethinking organisational performance, to coaching leaders, to designing a culture that actually feels lived, not laminated. The best part? HR sits in the sweet spot where you can influence real business outcomes while shaping meaningful human experiences. It’s the rare function where both the head and heart get equal airtime.
Are there any specific highlights of your career that you wish to share?
One of the most enriching chapters of my career has been moving to New Zealand, a journey of learning, adapting, and evolving while drawing parallels with local culture to truly integrate both professionally and personally, a journey that, in a relatively short span of time, has brought me to where I am today, a true testament to resilience and growth. I’ve also had the privilege of building multi-industry experience HVAC, retail, health tech, hospitality, and counting which has given me a unique lens to approach HR. Along the way, I’ve driven organisational changes where HR was finally treated as a strategic partner, not just the team you call when something goes wrong.
What are your thoughts on Chartered Membership? How do you feel about being a Chartered Member?
Chartered Membership feels like a moment of professional grounding, a way of saying, “this is the standard I hold myself to”. In a field that evolves constantly, having a recognised benchmark of capability really matters. For me, it’s a validation of years spent shaping strategy, and leading culture work. It feels both affirming and energising.
What motivated you to work towards becoming a Chartered Member?
I wanted my cross-regional HR experience to translate into the New Zealand professional landscape with clarity and credibility. Chartered status was the natural next step in that commitment. And practically, I wanted to demonstrate the depth of my HR practice in a way that’s recognised by the industry.
What are your next steps in terms of your career now that you are a Chartered Member?
Chartering marks a milestone, not a finish line. My focus now is on deepening my work in organisational design, and leadership capability, while continuing to position HR as a genuinely strategic partner within the business. Mentoring the next wave of HR practitioners, especially those navigating cross-regional moves or stepping into bigger strategic roles, is something I’m passionate about.