People Matters names Pushkaraj Bidwai as CEO for next growth phase with Mynavi support
Gurugram: People Matters, a prominent HR and talent community in India and APAC, revealed a leadership shift post its acquisition by Mynavi Corporation, a major HR entity from Japan. Pushkaraj Bidwai, a co-founder and the previous Chief Business Officer, is now the new CEO following Ester Martinez’s decision to step down after 15 years.
This transition marks a new chapter for People Matters, promising accelerated growth and deeper engagement with the community across Asia. Thanks to Mynavi’s support, People Matters can now serve its community of over 500,000 HR and talent leaders even better. The acquisition positions the company for growth by introducing new initiatives, expanding reach, and enhancing leadership in the industry. Long-term team members can now benefit from exercising their ESOP rights and cash out.
Kazumasa Yoshida, a Director for Global Business of Mynavi Corporation, said, “We have long admired the work and impact of People Matters in the People and Work community, and we extend our gratitude to Ester for her remarkable leadership and dedication over the past 15 years, which have elevated the company to the strong position it holds today. With Pushkar succeeding, we have full confidence in his leadership and vision to spearhead this next phase of growth, drawing on his deep understanding of the market and commitment to excellence. With this full acquisition, we are committed to providing the resources and enablement needed for People Matters to scale to new heights and expand its footprint across APAC while continuing to operate as an independent media and community business.”
Pushkaraj Bidwai, the CEO, has driven strategic initiatives and expanded People Matters globally. Leading the brand’s entry into six new countries since 2017, he brings a global perspective to the organization’s growth. As a founding member, he has shaped the company’s vision and is prepared for this leadership role. With Mynavi’s support, he will lead People Matters into its next phase. Planning expansion into new markets, his goal is to position People Matters as the industry nerve center in APAC.
Commenting on his elevation, Pushkaraj Bidwai said, “Ester’s leadership has firmly established People Matters as a trusted platform for HR and talent leaders. I am honored to succeed her and build on this legacy as we embark upon the People Matters 3.0 journey. With strong support from Mynavi Corporation, I am excited to realize our ambitious plans for expansion into new markets and new initiatives to strengthen our position as the preferred platform for HR and talent leaders across APAC. Our long-term vision is to transform People Matters into a global brand that leverages technology, data, and AI to elevate the People and Work industry worldwide.”
Commenting on the development, Ester Martinez said, “I am incredibly proud of what we have built at People Matters over the last 15 years. I believe the company is in excellent hands with Pushkar, who has been an integral part of our team and intimately understands the needs of our community. His deep industry knowledge combined with his extensive experience in running and scaling a media business will drive the company’s continued success.”
People Matters aims to grow its impact, enhance value, and shape the HR landscape while empowering leaders and driving industry transformation.
