In our special column, we are delighted to feature an interview with Priyanka Gupta, HR Director of Crew Management at Anglo-Eastern, who is dedicated to building a people-first, future-ready organization. Sharing insights into several initiatives she has led, Priyanka emphasizes the importance of feeling that one’s work creates real impact.
A passionate advocate for mentorship, Priyanka actively mentors young women officers through the company’s AWOS initiative. She also values being mentored herself, crediting Capt. Vinay Singh with instilling in her key principles: act with conviction, move with agility, and execute with purpose. Priyanka also underscores the need for emotional intelligence, empathy, and strong communication skills in the maritime industry to drive meaningful change. For her, real change means taking tangible action—ensuring that seafarers feel heard, not just hired, and recognizing that wellbeing should be a baseline, not a benefit.
SAFETY4SEA: How did it come about that you joined the shipping industry and your field of expertise specifically?
Priyanka Gupta: My professional journey began in an education consultancy, where I was entrusted with building the HR function from the ground up. Immersed in various business projects, I discovered a deep passion for developing people-centric systems and shaping meaningful workplace cultures. In 2008, I joined Anglo-Eastern on what was meant to be a short-term assignment—but that soon evolved into a defining chapter of my life. I was tasked with establishing the HR department for our India office, creating policies, systems, and processes from scratch. Although I had no prior maritime experience, my academic grounding in HR and marketing—and the unwavering support of two incredible mentors, my HR boss and our Country Head—gave me the confidence and drive to grow in this industry. I believed in the power of structure, purpose, and people. Over the years, that belief helped me evolve with the organization. Today, I lead HR operations across seven countries, supporting over 39,000 seafarers and 1,000 shore-based employees. The maritime industry welcomed me—and I’ve poured my heart into building a people-first, future-ready organization.
S4S: What about your current job/role most excites you and why?
Pr.G.: What excites me most is the privilege of creating impact. Every transformation we drive for Shore HR, every policy we shape, every wellbeing initiative we launch—touches thousands of lives across oceans. One of the most meaningful experiences has been leading the R&D sub-committee for Sagar Mein Samman, a Government of India initiative aimed at gender inclusion in maritime. Our work contributed to the policy that was submitted to the Ministry of Shipping. The purpose, research, and collaboration behind it were truly transformative. I also led the launch of WE Care in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis—at a time when mental health was still a quiet, often unspoken challenge in the maritime world. It wasn’t easy—change never is—but when a seafarer wrote, “This saved my life,” I realized we were doing something far greater than just HR. We were building hope. Whether I’m reviewing engagement dashboards, mentoring a young woman officer through AWOS, or brainstorming with the HR and Marine HR teams, I find energy in the intersection of data and empathy. It’s that blend that fuels me every day.
S4S: Who is/was the most influential person/mentor to you and why?
Pr.G.: The most influential figure in my life has been my grandmother. A mother of three, she chose to resume her education, completed two master’s degrees, and went on to become the Principal of an inter college. Her story is one of courage, purpose, and resilience. She taught me that true success lies not in titles, but in perseverance. Professionally, Capt. Vinay Singh has been an extraordinary mentor. He believed in me even before I believed in myself. His passion for excellence, relentless pursuit of learning, and speed of execution are deeply inspiring. He gave me the opportunity to launch AE Care Solutions and later entrusted me with creating the Wellbeing Department for seafarers—both of which remain milestones in my career. His mentorship has been a masterclass in leadership. He taught me to act with conviction, move with agility, and execute with purpose. His brilliance lies in simplifying complexity—and that’s something I aspire to every day.
S4S: What is the most worthwhile career investment (in energy, time, money) you’ve ever made?
Pr.G.: It was during a rainy monsoon evening—after a grievance investigation onboard—when a Master asked me, “How do we know HR truly understands our world?” That question lingered. Shortly after, I enrolled in the Executive Management Programme at IIM Kozhikode. The late-night studying, after long days at work, sharpened my strategic thinking and helped bridge the gap between HR and business. It taught me how to speak the language of business while staying rooted in empathy. Just as valuable has been the time I’ve spent mentoring others. Watching a colleague grow and eventually lead a global project—that’s a return no investment portfolio can match. I also consistently upskill through diverse learning platforms, because staying relevant is not optional—it’s essential.
S4S: If you could give a piece of advice to your 18-year-old self, what would it be and why? What piece of advice should you ignore?
Pr.G.: I’d say: “Be humble. Stay curious. Speak up—even if your voice shakes.” Don’t underestimate yourself just because you’re still learning. Nobody starts off knowing it all. With consistency, belief, and grit—you’ll get there. Early in my career, I often waited for permission to lead. One of the most powerful lessons I’ve learned from my mentor is that leadership isn’t granted—it’s claimed through action. And the advice I’d ask her to ignore? “Blend in to fit in.” Every breakthrough in my career came when I chose to stand out—whether by launching a wellbeing dashboard when no one asked for it, or by advocating for women at sea when the odds were stacked against us. Authenticity is your strength—don’t dim it.
S4S: In the last five years, what new belief, behaviour, or habit has most improved your business life?
Pr.G.: The belief that data is not just a report—it’s a catalyst for change. Earlier, I saw dashboards as static tools for performance reviews. Today, I see them as stories waiting to be heard. When we launched the Power BI Wellbeing Dashboard, it wasn’t just about metrics—it became a narrative that drove real change in crew policies and engagement strategies. Another powerful habit has been my unwavering commitment to lifelong learning. Staying curious, experimenting with new ideas, and evolving with time keeps me energized, agile, and aligned with what the business and people need most.
S4S: What would you like to change in the current maritime landscape and specifically in your area of expertise, and why?
Pr.G.: As HR Director, I’m proud to be part of a sweeping HR transformation led by our CHRO, Michael Sandaluk. We’re reimagining our HR model to be more agile, responsive, and aligned with the evolving needs of our business. At sea, I believe the time has come to soften hierarchies and cultivate more collaborative, inclusive work cultures. The future belongs not only to technical and AI experts, but to those with emotional intelligence, empathy, and strong communication skills. We’ve made incredible strides in compliance and technology. But what about emotional resilience? Through WE Care, AWOS, and ANAVI, we’ve initiated the dialogue—but the conversation must get louder. A young cadet once told me, “Ma’am, I can handle the waves. It’s the silence that’s hard.” That stayed with me. We must build systems where seafarers feel heard, not just hired—where wellbeing is not a benefit, but a baseline.
S4S: What is your personal motto?
Pr.G.: “Stay hungry. Stay foolish.” This motto reminds me to stay curious, take risks, and never stop learning. I also believe that there is no shortcut to hard work—discipline and consistency are everything.
I’m equally inspired by Anglo-Eastern’s core values: “Build trust. Drive performance. Shape a better maritime future.” These values are not just on our walls—they’re embedded in how I work every day. Whether drafting a new policy, mentoring a teammate, or representing the organisation at any forum, I always ask: Am I building trust? Am I enabling performance? Am I leaving this industry better than I found it? If the answer is yes, I know I’m on the right path.
The views presented hereabove are only those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of SAFETY4SEA and are for information sharing and discussion purposes only.
