HR 40 Under 40 Award

The HR 40 Under 40 award will be the definitive list of HR & Industry leaders who have redefined what work is and how it is done. HR Observer will honor and acknowledge the outstanding contributions of HR leaders who are shaping the future of work.

HR Observer is going to publish its annual HR 40 Under 40 list for 2025 in the month of January 2026, shining a spotlight on HR Industry’s next generation of leaders. HR 40 Under 40 list recognizes early-career professionals who are making major contributions within the HR and workforce solutions ecosystem globally.

This year, HR Observer invites all CXOs, business leaders, founders, and professionals across all functions—not just HR—to submit nominations for this prestigious award.

Whether you oversee strategy, operations, finance, technology, marketing, or any other domain, your perspective is invaluable in identifying rising HR professionals who are making a meaningful impact within your organization and the broader HR ecosystem.

Your nominations help ensure that the most deserving young leaders—those reshaping the people landscape and redefining the future of work—are recognized and celebrated on a widely accepted platform.

The world of work is changing rapidly, making the need for bold new generations of HR leaders crucial to HR industry’s success now and into the future.

As the HR and workforce solutions ecosystem rushes to implement modern technology, the emerging leaders are seeking a balance of technological innovation and efficiency with human connection and collaboration.

The aim of HR Observer’s HR 40 Under 40 list is to honor 40 of the most dedicated and talented HR & Industry professionals who are enthusiastic about driving change in the field. This list seeks to highlight top leaders under 40 who have made a meaningful impact and continue to influence various aspects of HR, including Recruitment, Learning & Development, Talent Management, Total Rewards, Employer Branding, Employee Engagement & Wellbeing, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and HR Law. The list is a shoutout to industry professionals who are contributing to progress and ushering in the future.

Nominate Now for 2025 Edition of HR OBSERVER 40 Under 40 Awards:

Last Date to Nominate: January 20, 2026

Nomination Fee: The participation fee for submitting a nomination is USD 135. For India based participants, the fee is ₹11,800 (Inclusive of taxes)

Nomination Link: CLICK HERE

Terms and conditions: Please read terms & conditions below

General Eligibility:

Age: Nominees must be under 40 years old on January 31, 2025
Location: Global
Who can apply: Open to nominees from all industries and business domains — including but not limited to HR-specific sectors. Whether they work in technology, finance, healthcare, education, manufacturing, retail, startups, consulting, or any other field, nominees are welcome as long as their work contributes to HR or the broader workforce solutions ecosystem. This includes contributions in: Recruitment & Talent Acquisition, Learning & Development, Talent Management, Total Rewards & Compensation, Employer Branding, Employee Engagement & Wellbeing, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, HR Law & Compliance. Workforce Strategy, HR Technology, and People Analytics, Any domain where their role impacts people, culture, talent, or organizational development
Business or Professional: Nominees are professionals working in any industry or running a legitimate business.
Criminal Charges: Nominees must be free of any criminal charges.

Nomination Process:

Self-Nomination or Third-Party Nomination: Individuals can nominate themselves or be nominated by others.
Nomination Form: The nomination form needs to be completed, and it’s important to provide accurate and up-to-date information.
Payment: The applicant needs to complete the payment for complete the nomination process.
Contact Information: Please mention your contact number, email id and LinkedIn profile (if available) to review the nomination and provide any missing information.

Selection Criteria:

Innovation and Impact:

The selection committee may consider the nominee’s innovation, impact, and role within their organization.

Values and Reputation:

The values upheld by the nominee’s organization and the nominee’s reputation within the business community are also factors.

Resilience and Determination:

Unique personal success stories that highlight resilience and determination are also taken into account.

HR Observer is a leading Digital HR News magazine that navigates the dynamic world of the human resources industry. It covers news and insights of the global HR industry and provides a unique perspective on the intersection of business and HR impact, offering in-depth analysis, news, and commentary on a daily basis.

If you have any query, please call us on +91-8800736289 (Abhishek Kumar Sinha) or email us at awards@hrobserver.com