Sharma Kumari, Founder, Step by Stepz, Malaysia, is a specialist in Strategic HR, Behavioural Communication, and Change Management. She has been an HCI Faculty Member since 2019, and conducts their suite of programs, both in-person and virtually.
Her sole-employee/proprietorship, Step by Stepz, was a recognized finalist in 2 categories for the Human Resources Online Awards - Vendors of the Year 2022. These were for “Best Leadership Development Consultancies” and “Best Management Training Providers.” Sharma was also awarded the 101 Top Global Training & Development Minds at the World HRD Congress 2019 in India.
Sharma had been invited to co-author a self-help, motivational book “How Dare They” with 5 highly accomplished women representing various industries. Launched in March 2023, the book hit the best-selling spot in Borders Malaysia, within a span of 10 days.
With master’s in communication management and bachelor’s in mass communication, Sharma has had a notable career spanning more than 25 years. She has held various mid to senior positions in diverse industries and with assignments across more than 15 countries in APAC, Europe, and North America. She has worked in various sectors including corporate, investment holding PLC, shared services, intergovernmental bodies, broadcasting-media, professional membership, and tertiary education. Sharma was also Adjunct Lecturer for a leading Malaysian university for seven consecutive years.
Her vast experience involves managing varied portfolios from strategic leadership development and succession planning to foreign acquisitions and business ventures. Sharma speaks and moderates at various platforms on DEI, behavioural communication, and the growth mindset. She gained international exposure as facilitator-trainer and speaker from her very first job where she was also appointed project coordinator for an international team sensitizing media practitioners on diversity and inclusion in Asia.
A strong believer of the saying that “organizations don’t change, people do” Sharma focuses on shifting mindsets from the comfort to stretch zones to embrace change. Sharma is comfortable facilitating-training, mentoring, and coaching all levels from interns to senior management. Her inclusive and interactive facilitation style is often commended as resonating well with multi-generations.
Sharma is Professional Member of the Malaysian Association of Professional Speakers, and member of both the Malaysian Institute of Management and Malaysian Institute of HR Management.