Bala V. Sathyanarayanan
EVP & CHRO – GREIF
“Shaping Organizational Culture and Strategy Through Purposeful Leadership”
A Global Force in People-Centered Leadership
Bala V. Sathyanarayanan stands at the helm of transformative human capital leadership as the Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at GREIF, a global leader in industrial packaging. With a presence in over 300 locations across 45 countries, Bala’s influence reaches far beyond traditional HR functions—he is a strategist, a mentor, and a catalyst for sustainable growth and inclusivity.
From Engineer to Executive: A World-Class Career
Bala’s journey began with a BE in Electronics & Communications Engineering from SVCE, followed by an MBA from the University of Madras, an MHRM from Rutgers University, and the prestigious Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School. His professional ascent included key roles at United Technologies/Otis Elevator Company, Coca-Cola, Avaya, Hewlett-Packard, and Xerox, where he directed human resources and transformation efforts across 145 countries.
Today, as CHRO at GREIF, Bala steers global HR strategy, nurturing a high-performance, inclusive culture that aligns closely with the company’s long-term objectives. He also chairs the board of Balmer Lawrie – Van Leer Limited and serves on the boards of the Columbus Council for World Affairs and the Center for Executive Compensation.
Defining Achievements That Drive Impact
Bala’s career is marked by a series of pivotal achievements:
– Leading global HR operations at GREIF across 300+ sites in 45 countries
– Guiding strategic human capital decisions for multinationals like Xerox and HP
– Driving inclusive culture and equity at scale
– Being named to “Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business”
– Inclusion in ‘Top Inspiring Business Leaders of the Year’ and ’10 Most Influential Business Leaders to Follow in 2021′
The ‘Build to Last’ Blueprint for Enduring Success
At the heart of Bala’s leadership lies a clear strategy: ‘Build to Last.’ This forward-looking vision balances present needs with foundational principles for long-term success. His mission integrates financial strength, stakeholder value creation, technology-driven employee experience, and tightly aligned organizational practices.
Leading Through Change, Thriving on Challenge
Bala views adversity as a crucible for transformation. From crisis leadership to battling bias for inaction, he’s shaped cultures that champion experimentation, resilience, and agility. He empowers teams to adopt a ‘play to win’ mindset, combining innovation with operational discipline. His philosophy: complexity is best managed by linking core competencies with adaptive, forward-thinking action.
Earning Global Recognition for Visionary Leadership
– NACD Certified Corporate Director
– Executive of the Year – Columbus CEO Magazine
– Gallup Exceptional Workplace Awards (2024, 2025)
– Newsweek’s Top 100 Global Most Loved Workplaces (2023–2025)
– Acknowledged across HR forums for visionary leadership and cultural transformation
Insights to Shape the Next Generation of Leaders
Bala encourages professionals to:
1. Focus on incremental wins that build momentum.
2. Prioritize deep work for high-value outcomes.
3. Align tasks with personal values and purpose.
4. Channel emotional energy for greater impact.
5. Recharge intentionally to sustain resilience.
6. Lead with empathy and openness.
7. Foster collaboration and community in the workplace.
Driving Culture, Strategy, and Social Change
Bala’s impact transcends boardrooms. At GREIF, his ‘One Greif’ mindset champions cohesion across geographies, strengthening the company’s ability to adapt and excel. His DEI initiatives are bold—targeting 30% female leadership by 2025 and enforcing global pay parity. His leadership weaves together operational excellence, cultural integrity, and sustainable innovation.
What’s Next: Culture, Innovation, and Recognition
– Keynote at Intern Summit (May 2025) on culture, resilience, and leadership
– Continued recognition as a Top Global Most Loved Workplace (2023–2025)
– Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award – consecutive wins affirm GREIF’s vibrant employee engagement under his guidance
Legacy in Action: Leadership That Inspires the Future
Bala V. Sathyanarayanan exemplifies purpose-driven leadership. His ability to translate vision into action, culture into performance, and adversity into growth makes him not only a corporate trailblazer but a global thought leader redefining how organizations thrive.