Strategies to Stay Relevant at Every Stage of Leadership - an Interview with Veena Joji, Chief Human Resources Officer at Apexon

In the latest Fearless Female Leadership interview, I had the privilege of speaking with Veena Joji, Chief Human Resource Officer of Apexon, about what it truly takes to stay relevant in today’s ever-evolving business climate. Veena brings a deeply thoughtful and people-first approach to leadership, grounded in inclusion, continuous learning, and courage.

Veena’s passion for inclusive leadership was sparked during her childhood, attending an international school where diversity was a lived experience, not a buzzword. That early exposure to belonging shaped her view that inclusion isn’t just a “nice to have”—it’s essential to business success and human transformation.

Now leading a global HR organization, Veena shared powerful, actionable strategies for emerging leaders, senior executives, and allies alike to remain not only visible but valuable in a fast-changing world. Her core message? Staying relevant is an intentional, ongoing practice of learning, connecting, and showing up fully.

Key take-aways from the interview:

• 0:01:22 – Veena’s experience growing up in an international school shaped her lifelong belief in inclusion as a way of being—not just an initiative.
• 0:04:28 – Relevance starts with cultivating a learning mindset and shifting from one-off training to personalized, on-demand development.
• 0:05:40 – Building executive presence and confidence—especially for women—must be intentional and supported by targeted development programs.
• 0:06:55 – Inclusion and purpose aren’t soft skills—they’re embedded in Apexon’s performance metrics and leadership values.
• 0:07:49 – Emerging leaders must believe in what they bring to the table and own their space in the room.
• 0:09:45 – A common mistake: heads down doing great work, but forgetting to look up and speak out—visibility matters.
• 0:11:25 – Trust is the foundation for relevance; leaders must listen more, lead with empathy, and create safe spaces.
• 0:14:02 – Allies must do more than open doors; they must actively speak up, sponsor, and help others earn their seat at the table.
• 0:20:35 – Veena’s top advice: Stay curious. Keep learning. Be vulnerable. Own your journey—and never stop asking for opportunities.

If you’re interested in being featured on the Fearless Female Leadership podcast, or you’re a leader looking to gain clarity on ‘what’s next’, how to build more cohesive and high-performing teams, and lead with greater confidence and influence, let’s have a confidential conversation.

Cheering you on always!
– Sheryl