Welcome to NextGenHR

Our Vision - Transforming HR into a strategic force that unites generations, harnesses AI, and builds inspiring workplaces where talent thrives.

We believe HR is more than policies and payroll. It’s the heartbeat of an organisation. We are not as just another HR firm, but as a collaboration of passionate professionals who have walked the journey across industries, across teams, across the very challenges you may be facing today. Our team brings together years of collective expertise in Human Resources, Learning and Development, Organisational Development, HR Tech, and more. We are friends, former colleagues, and trusted collaborators who have one thing in common: a shared vision to help organisations grow by nurturing the people within them.

Our Mission - To empower organisations by building capabilities across 3 key pillars -

  • Thriving Businesses – Supporting growth by developing world-class leaders and cultivating healthy, high-performing work cultures.

  • Delighted Customers – Delivering excellence that creates lasting impact and loyalty.

  • Stronger Communities – Contributing meaningfully to the society in which we operate

We are driven by our values and purpose

As consultants, we step into businesses where HR is often an afterthought, yet we see the untapped potential to drive performance, culture, and long-term growth. We believe that at the heart of every challenge lies an opportunity, and for us, there is no greater reward than seeing organisations evolve into thriving, people-centric organisations that are ready for the future.

COLLABORATIVE
As a team of seasoned professionals, we join forces to tackle the challenges faced by organisations. Empowering them with strategies that drive growth, efficiency, and success. We build on true partnership, where we work alongside our clients, as allies in their business journey and by fostering a win-win environment, we create solutions that not only elevate businesses but also inspire and empower our people.

EVOLUTION
We continue to
equip clients with strategies, tools, and insights that allow them to keep pace with changes, improve performance, and stay competitive in an ever-evolving business environment. Keeping businesses relevant in both the short and long term.

RESILIENCE
We embrace a challenging spirit and unwavering courage in transforming HR for you. We question outdated practices, push boundaries, and introduce solutions that drive real impact. Change is never easy, but with relentless focus on innovation and people excellence, we empower our clients to build future-ready organisations that thrive in an ever-evolving landscape.

At NextGenHR, we believe that true success is not just measured by business growth, but by the lives we touch along the way. In embracing the beauty of Malaysia’s rich diversity, we are deeply committed to uplifting the communities around us—especially women and children by sharing our time, resources, and hearts With every project we undertake, we carry a quiet promise: to give back. We pledge 1% of our profits toward community development, working hand-in-hand with NGOs and NPOs to spark hope, restore dignity, and bring joy where it’s needed most. This is more than a contribution—it’s a daily reminder for all of us at NextGenHR to lead with compassion, to stay grounded in gratitude, and to honour the privilege of making a difference.

Community Development

A new NGO that was set up to to help the urban poor, especially under-privileged women and children in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. They have been undertaking volunteering work like flood relief, food aid and emotional support around the region of Klang Valley.

Is a not-for-profit (NPO) organisation who reaches out to those who are marginalised and broken; upholding the rights, worth and dignity of women and children in underserved communities and those experiencing sexual and gender-based violence.
More about their news at https://goodshepherd.my/EN/news-events/highlights-of-activities

We pledge 1% of our profit to our partners

an abstract photo of a curved building with a blue sky in the background

The creation of NextGenHR stems from my belief that true growth begins from within. Our journey is inspired not just by my own story, but by the countless stories of professionals who have faced the trials of resilience, adaptability, and transformation. My own path, from earning an Erasmus Scholarship and completing my global education in Denmark and Scotland, to building a career across Europe and Asia—shaped my understanding that success is never just about systems or strategies. It’s about people.
Throughout my journey, I’ve witnessed organisations with great potential lose their best talents, suffer declining performance, and even fall behind competitors not because they lacked ambition, but because they hesitated to evolve their culture, their leadership, and their ways of working. I've seen brilliant teams burn out under poor leadership, and promising companies miss their moment because they clung to outdated structures. These experiences fuelled my passion to help organisations unlock their true potential from the inside out. When I returned to Malaysia, I made it my mission to lead transformation—revitalising businesses, empowering leadership teams, and helping organisations rise stronger, more agile, and more human.

At NextGenHR, we are driven by this same spirit: to be catalysts of meaningful growth, to elevate leadership, and to build workplaces where people and performance soar together. We don't just consult; we walk alongside you, challenging, supporting, and inspiring the change that creates lasting success.

Sharmini Hensen, Malaysia’s leading Life Coach, is the visionary behind LifeWorks. With a passion for inspiring adults and children to realise their potential, she empowers individuals to believe that success lies within themselves. As a social entrepreneur, Sharmini stays connected to grassroots communities, leading initiatives such as the SISTAS NETWORK for women’s coaching support, and national programs like Projek MAIN PC and MyKasih Foundation’s women empowerment projects.
An internationally certified Neuro-Semantics trainer, Sharmini brings over 16 years of corporate experience across sales and marketing sectors. She is regularly featured in major media outlets, and her work spans across television, radio, and print. Sharmini’s coaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that success stems from the quality of our relationships — with others and ourselves. Her holistic approach, coupled with her charismatic and approachable style, has transformed countless lives, helping people achieve personal and financial independence with greater ease and joy.

The People Behind Your Success

Carol Joseph
Founder, MD & Principal Consultant

Sharmini Hensen
Life Coach

Puvanes comes with a strong track record in strategic human resource leadership, successfully designed and executed HR initiatives that drive organisational success. Currently serving as Head of People Strategy at Sapura Energy Berhad, she oversees the HR Centre of Excellence, collaborating with regional leaders to enhance talent management, HR operations, and employee engagement. Her expertise spans performance management, change management, and HR compliance, ensuring that HR processes align with corporate goals. Notably, she has implemented HR strategies that improved project margins, reduced attrition rates, and streamlined HR systems across global offices.

Prior to Sapura Energy, she held key leadership roles at Taylor’s Education Group, Technip Geoproduction, Honda Malaysia, and General Electric, consistently delivering impactful HR transformations. Her accomplishments include implementing large-scale HRIS systems, restructuring compensation frameworks, right-sizing for APAC region and improving employee engagement strategies leading to significant cost savings and workforce optimisation. She has been recognized for outstanding leadership, and have also contributed as a panellist and judge in various HR and entrepreneurship forums. Her expertise in project management, policy simplification, and talent development has positioned her as a strategic HR leader driving business success.

Puvanes Nalatambi
Advisor

Cindy Joseph
Professional Trainer & Coach

With over 25 years driving results across aviation, banking, BPO, and fintech, Cindy has built a reputation as a gamechanger in the contact center space. From setting up operations ground up to leading award-winning teams, Cindy has turned contact centers into strategic assets , delivering both world-class customer experience and strong business outcomes. Her track record includes recognitions like Best Contact Centre Manager (CCAM), the Global Excellence Award, and the Pinnacle Award in a Fortune 500 company.
Beyond operations, Cindy’s true strength lies in growing people. As a mentor, trainer, and leadership coach, she has guided countless individuals to step up, lead confidently, and deliver impact. As a speaker and author, Cindy’s insights have reached audiences from local to global forums like Emo-Talk. Whether mentoring leaders or sharing stories, she’s committed to helping people and organisations grow stronger and perform better.

Nur Azah Omar
Advisor

Nur Azah Omar brings over a decade of strategic insight across education, business, and community development in Malaysia. Her cross-sector expertise makes her a valuable advisor for future-focused HR transformation. A long-standing External Panel for Architecture and Interior Design programs (2013–present), Nur Azah ensures academic alignment with industry needs. She has also shaped postgraduate business education as a Panelist for the Master of International Business Strategies and Master of Management programs, contributing to talent readiness and strategic leadership development.

Her passion for people development is evident through her role as a Speaker and Panelist at national symposiums by the Ministry of Youth and Sports (2022–2023), where she championed future skills, leadership, and youth empowerment. From 2020 to 2024, she served as Retail Consultant to UDA Holdings Bhd, advising on retail strategies, customer engagement, and business development initiatives. Nur Azah’s strategic foresight, talent development lens, and industry-academic bridging make her an ideal Advisor to NextGenHR in driving impactful, people-centric transformation.

With 15+ years of experience, Shankar is a transformation leader driving digital innovation and business growth across APAC, UK and New Zealand. Specialises in leading complex SaaS and ERP implementations, aligning technology with business objectives, and managing cross-functional teams to deliver impactful results. Experienced in agile project management, business consulting, and talent development, with a focus on process automation, system integration, and performance optimization. Known for building scalable systems that improve efficiency and drive long-term growth. Dedicated to helping organisations navigate change and thrive in a dynamic digital landscape

Shankar
Consulting Partner