Pune Design Festival 2025

Ankur Walunjkar

Head, HR Strategy and Organisation Effectiveness - Reliance Jio

Biography

Ankur leads HR strategy and organisation effectiveness at Jio, a role where he doesn’t just manage people, he designs the very framework in which they thrive. He focuses on aligning Jio’s operating model and organisation design with its dynamic business priorities, and plays a crucial role in shaping the people dimension of Jio’s future-focused transformations. He brings a unique perspective that blends strategic business acumen with a deep understanding of human-centred design.

With almost three decades of experience in strategy and consulting, Ankur has a proven track record of driving impactful change. Prior to Jio, he was a Partner at Deloitte Consulting, leading the Workforce Transformation practice. His expertise spans global organisation transformations, organisation design, talent strategies, learning and performance solutions, and workforce planning – all viewed through the lens of creating optimal experiences for employees. He’s led P&Ls, managed key accounts, and spearheaded strategic initiatives like “Future of Work,” giving him a holistic view of how design impacts every facet of a business.

Beyond the corporate world, Ankur’s creative spirit finds a vibrant outlet. He actively contributes to the visual and experience design of ‘Hippie@Heart,’ a set of restaurants in Pune owned by his spouse. This hands-on involvement allows him to directly shape customer experiences and craft memorable moments, demonstrating a practical application of design thinking outside of his core role.
But his most inspiring design project? Being a father to an 11-year-old daughter. He’s also an avid musician – a pursuit that fuels his creativity – and an adventurer who embraces new experiences, constantly seeking fresh perspectives.