Nithya David — The HR Maestro Steering Careers Upstream with Vision and Empathy
Nithya David, Founder and CEO of Upstream Human Resource Solutions, is a name quietly revolutionizing the HR landscape in India. Blending intuitive talent-spotting with deep organizational insight, she has earned the trust of some of the country’s most respected brands—Tanishq, Wipro, Lenovo, and Landmark Group among them.
Her journey began in the world of advertising, with early stints at JWT and Ogilvy. But it was in recruitment that Nithya found her true calling—a space where her instinct for people, empathy, and clarity of purpose could fully converge. Over a decade ago, she founded Upstream with a clear vision: to offer HR solutions rooted not just in process, but in partnership.
Nithya’s upbringing across diverse cities in India and abroad gave her a broad worldview, but it was her personal struggles—especially with academics—that shaped her resilience. What once seemed like limitations became the bedrock of her transformation. From battling self-doubt to topping in mathematics and earning an MBA, she rewrote her own narrative—one of growth, grit, and grace.
At Upstream, Nithya brings a distinctly personal, mentorship-led approach to recruitment. She looks beyond the résumé, helping candidates navigate career shifts with clarity and confidence. With corporate partners, she builds more than hiring pipelines—she builds trust, long-term alignment, and shared success.
Her contributions haven’t gone unnoticed. In 2021, she was named one of the Top 10 Women HR Consultants by Women Entrepreneur Magazine, and honored as Karnataka’s Woman Leader by the World Women Leadership Congress. Today, her impact echoes across boardrooms and women’s leadership circles alike.
Outside the office, Nithya is a passionate explorer of fashion, theatre, and travel. Grounded yet dynamic, she leads with both heart and head. Her mantra? “Trust your instincts. Invest in people. And always swim upstream.
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