Ms. Lakshmi Priya Gaggara (PhD)’s journey cannot be confined to a resume. It is not just the story of a Human Resource professional who scaled systems in the renewable energy sector, she has redefined what it means to build people-first organizations in industries where systems often come before sentiments. It is the story of a girl who became a mother at 16, was written off by many, but chose reinvention over resignation with courage, and questioned the general conviction.

Forced to leave childhood behind far too early, her life could have been one of limitations. But she decided otherwise. With no hand to hold on to, she picked up her newborn and books in her arms. From battling stereotypes and social judgment to working multiple jobs and studying late into the night, she rewrote her story, one line at a time.

What followed was a powerful pursuit of education, self-growth, and impact. She earned an MBA, worked her way into the corporate world, and is now pursuing a Doctorate in Strategic Human Resource Management. She didn’t just rewrite her dreams—she used them to uplift others. With a decade of hands-on experience in talent development, organizational culture, and strategic enablement, she has played a pivotal role in shaping HR functions from the ground up in high-growth, founder-led environments. Her career is not just built on processes, but on people, purpose, and possibility.

Currently steering the HR vertical at Ecoren Energy, she has been instrumental in anchoring initiatives that drive ownership, trust, innovation, and integrity across the firm. Whether it’s leading employer branding campaigns, restructuring onboarding experiences, enabling leaders through analytics-backed coaching, or spearheading the company’s journey toward a “Great Place to Work” certification, her impact is both systemic and deeply human. She has become a catalyst for cultural transformation in India’s renewable sector. She anchored gender-inclusion conversations and drove people-first systems in growth-stage companies. Her approach combines analytics with empathy, policy with purpose, and leadership with life experience.

A doctoral scholar in Strategic Human Resource Management, she brings an academic lens to real-world leadership challenges. Her research on leadership, change management, and gig workforce transformation reflects her belief that sustainable progress is born at the intersection of efficiency and empathy.

She is widely recognized for bringing life into policies, processes, and people practices — turning compliance-driven roles into human-centered leadership. Whether mentoring freshers or influencing CXOs, facilitating critical workplace conversations, or driving inclusion efforts, she is known for her clarity, collaborative mindset, and confidence-led voice. What sets her apart is her ability to inspire action, without a title, a stage, or a spotlight.

And yet, behind her confident boardroom presence lies the soul of a mother who once fought the world to give her child a better life. Her son now calls her his “best bet”—a woman who turned every tear into strength, every hardship into hope, and every sacrifice into a stepping stone.

The Young Achievers Award 2025 is a milestone in her incredible journey, not because it defines her, but because it reflects her grit, grace, and growth mindset, and is a reminder that age is no barrier to impact when values and vision align. Her story is not one of having it all—it’s one of earning it all.

And in her words: “Leadership is not about being in charge. It’s about taking charge—with care, with clarity, and with courage.”