M.E. and L&D: Exclusive interview with Organizational Development Psychologist Stuti Airi
'M.E. and L&D'. Giving you a glimpse into amazing people's pasts, to inspire your future.
In this edition of M.E. and L&D, we are delighted to learn more about Stuti Airi. As an Organizational Development Psychologist with a niche in all things OD and L&D, Stuti specializes in Training Needs Analysis, employee engagement, leadership development, and succession planning. With 5 years of experience, she focuses on honing future talent, fostering psychological well-being at work, and driving performance excellence.
What makes Stuti so unique is her psychological perspective, which links all learning initiatives back to how people think, feel, and work. In my eyes, this is an incredible combination and goes far beyond just creating a piece of learning as a tick sheet exercise.
Let's start at the beginning. What was your very first job, and how did it shape your initial thoughts about your career?
My very first paid part-time job was as a model for an agency when I was 18, while pursuing my honors degree in philosophy. As a philosophy major, it wasn’t exactly easy to find work discussing existential angst (not a particularly marketable skill!), but that didn’t stop me from embracing opportunities. Most people don’t start out knowing their passion—and that’s okay. What mattered was that I didn’t say no to any opportunity. Opportunities aren’t guaranteed, and when they knock, you answer. Hard work and consistency are the most reliable qualities you can bring to the table, no matter what.
My first full-time job was at Fidelity International as a Customer Relations Associate, where I truly began to understand the importance of resilience. Managing financial portfolios wasn’t easy, but it taught me the value of empathy—treating people kindly, even when under pressure. That, combined with my experience modeling, showed me that consistency and determination are everything.
Can you share a defining moment or turning point in your life that steered you towards your current career path?
A defining moment in my career came when my then-boss, Anshul Raj Khurana, who was leading recruitment at Airbnb during their expansion in India, interviewed me for a customer experience role. After our conversation, he saw potential in me for recruitment instead. With no prior experience, I was suddenly immersed in cold calling, sourcing candidates on Naukri and LinkedIn, and handling bulk hiring. On some days, I was hiring 20-25 people, managing the entire process end to end.
This experience transformed my career. It gave me a level of confidence I hadn’t developed before. Up until then, I wasn’t sure what I could or couldn’t do because formal education doesn’t always prepare you for the real world. But stepping into recruitment at such a fast pace taught me that learning on the job and stepping outside of your comfort zone is where real growth happens.
Who were some of the key mentors or figures that inspired and guided you during the early stages of your career?
As cliché as it may sound, my family has been the foundational inspiration in my career. I grew up watching my parents demonstrate an incredible work ethic, a deep respect for their work, and unwavering sincerity. Taking shortcuts was never an option. They were very clear that ego is the downfall of any career. Be humble, get over yourself, and always work hard. They also instilled in me the importance of continuous learning—read every day, and learn from everyone you meet.
Beyond my family, I’ve been fortunate to have incredible mentors who saw potential in me and proactively took me under their wing. They didn’t mentor me in a conventional sense, with formal sit-downs about career planning, but rather through long, intellectual conversations. We’d discuss everything from our favorite podcasters to debating diversity hiring practices, organizational development, and how the paradigm of L&D is shifting. Special shout-out to Rohin Nadir (CLO, KPMG India) and Varshita Bangia (L&D Strategy and Design Leader, KPMG India), both of whom have played pivotal roles in shaping my journey.
What were some of the biggest challenges or obstacles you faced when starting out, and how did you overcome them?
It’s not the most glamorous response, but my biggest challenge starting out was being a victim of workplace gossip. It can really kill your spirit when you’re trying to collaborate and hear snarky or mean comments about yourself. The issue wasn’t so much what people thought of me—my parents always taught me that my worth isn’t defined by random opinions—but when gossip begins to impact work, it becomes problematic. When someone decides not to like you and makes work difficult, it affects projects and the team’s ability to collaborate.
Overcoming this wasn’t easy, but I learned to prioritize getting the task done, regardless of the noise. I made it a point to be the first one to initiate collaboration, even if it wasn’t reciprocated initially. Leading with warmth, compassion, and kindness helped to break down those barriers. Eventually, it’s about keeping your focus on the work and letting the results speak louder than the gossip.
What’s been one accomplishment you are most proud of? and what's one thing you want to accomplish in the future?
I’m not sure if I’ve accomplished anything monumental just yet—there’s still a long way to go! But what I am proud of is the warrior spirit within me that refuses to back down, no matter how many times I fail. I’m shameless in that way; I keep pushing forward, learning from every setback.
As for the future, I want to accomplish a lot. My goal is to hone future talent and instill confidence in the people I meet. I’m particularly passionate about tapping into overlooked talent—whether it’s neurodiverse individuals or people within organizations who are eager to learn but stuck in bureaucratic processes. I believe that uplifting those around me is key because we all grow when we grow together.
Looking back, is there any advice you would give to your younger self when you were just starting out in your career?
If I could give my younger self advice, it would be to respect everything and everyone that opposes you or teaches you something different from who you are. Compassion is built when you encounter the antithesis of your personality and worldview. You don’t build character by going with the wave—it’s when you go against it that you truly grow. It’s better to be a smaller fish in a vast sea than a big fish in a small pond. Real synthesis only happens when your thesis is met with its antithesis.
Also, don’t be in a rush to define yourself. Doing so too soon can restrict your capabilities and limit what you’re capable of achieving.
Want to know more? Connect with Stuti Airi on LinkedIn to explore their unique insights further and stay up-to-date with all their latest initiatives.