Sakshi Sarmandal Nominated for HCP Human Resources Award 2026 – The People’s Choice for Hospitality Excellence

As the hospitality industry continues to recognise leaders who shape organisational success through people, culture, and capability building, nominations for the HCP Human Resources Award 2026 – The People’s Choice for Hospitality Excellence have highlighted several accomplished professionals. Among this year’s nominees is Sakshi Sarmandal, Director – Talent and Culture at Machan Resorts LLP, whose career reflects deep expertise in talent strategy, learning and development, and employer branding.

With over 14 years of experience in hospitality and service-driven organisations, Sakshi Sarmandal has established herself as a strategic HR leader known for aligning talent initiatives with business objectives. Her professional journey spans leadership roles across luxury hotels, resort groups, and education institutions, with strong exposure to talent management, workforce planning, leadership development, and organisational culture transformation.

Currently serving as Director – Talent and Culture at Machan Resorts LLP, Sakshi leads the organisation’s end-to-end people strategy. Her responsibilities include talent forecasting, workforce planning, succession management, leadership development, employer branding, DEI initiatives, performance management frameworks, and employee wellbeing programmes. She plays a key role in driving a values-led organisational culture and strengthening people experiences across the employee lifecycle.

One of her notable achievements includes leading Machan Resorts LLP to earn the Great Place to Work Certification 2025–26, securing a position among the Top 50 mid-market companies in India. She partnered closely with the Chief Operating Officer to design culture audits, engagement strategies, and people practices aligned with global best standards.

Prior to this, Sakshi served as Learning and Development Manager at JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu, where she was certified as a Master Trainer by Marriott International. She led training needs analysis using guest feedback platforms, designed instructor-led and digital learning modules, managed learning management systems, and supported leadership development and succession planning initiatives.

Her earlier experience as Cluster Training Manager at Sayaji Hotels Indore involved overseeing learning and development across multiple properties, managing large workforces, implementing group-wide onboarding programmes, and designing leadership and women-in-leadership initiatives. She has also held training and HR leadership roles with Taurus Sarovar Portico New Delhi, Pride Hotel Nagpur, and as a freelance trainer supporting academic institutions and corporate organisations.

Academically, Sakshi holds a PG Diploma in Business Management with a specialisation in Human Resource Management from Welingkar Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai, and a Bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management from DAVV University, Indore. Her professional excellence has been recognised with the Young Women Leadership Award at the World HRD Congress 2025.

The HCP Human Resources Award 2026 – The People’s Choice for Hospitality Excellence honours HR leaders who drive long-term organisational value through people development, culture building, and strategic leadership. Sakshi Sarmandal’s nomination reflects her sustained contribution to shaping future-ready talent ecosystems and people-first hospitality organisations.