Maneesha Srivastava
Maneesha Srivastava is a Talent Acquisition Strategist with over a decade of experience across industries, but ask Maneesha what drives her, and she will not talk about offer letters or fill rates.
"I don't work for a job. I work for people. The moment you genuinely connect with someone who is trying to find their place in the world — that changes everything about how you show up for them."
Her expertise is formidable — full-cycle recruitment, executive search, ATS and VMS systems, data-driven hiring analytics, and deep technical sourcing across R&D and engineering domains. She has worked across agency, corporate, and startup environments, giving her a rare 360-degree understanding of how hiring actually works and where it so often breaks down. She goes further than most before a search even begins, conducting deep intake sessions with hiring managers to truly understand not just the role, but the team, the culture, and the kind of person who will thrive there.
An equal depth of heart matches that depth of process.
Maneesha is now channeling her decade of experience into something she has always done informally, mentoring. Through career mentoring, recruiter training, and speaking, she works with three distinct audiences: job seekers who are lost or stuck, recruiters who want to do more meaningful work, and hiring managers who want to make smarter decisions. Her philosophy is simple and unwavering: the right hire does not just fill a seat. It changes someone's life, and by extension, the life of everyone around them.
She speaks as a practitioner, someone who has lived the complexity of the hiring process from every angle and comes out the other side with something worth saying. Her authenticity is her signature. There is no corporate script, no rehearsed talking points—just hard-earned wisdom delivered with warmth.
In an industry that often forgets the human behind the resume, Maneesha Srivastava is a reminder of what recruitment looks like when it is done with purpose.
• MS HRM
• Symbiosis Institute of Business Management – PGDBA, Human Resource
• Doctor Ram Manohar Lohia Awadh University – Bachelor of Science, Mathematics and Physics
• Influential Women 2026
• Influential Women Network
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my deep understanding of people and the strength of my daily interactions and experiences. Over the years, speaking with and interviewing a large number of individuals has given me a strong sense of perspective and adaptability. My background across customer service, technical support, and talent acquisition has helped me build a strong foundation. I also credit the support system I have around me, which has allowed me to stay passionate and consistent in my work.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice is to speak up and make yourself visible. Many women have strong hidden skills, but those skills often go unnoticed if they are not actively presented. It is important to position yourself, project your abilities, and step into opportunities confidently. Whatever you do, do it with passion and expand the scope of your work beyond limitations. Growth happens when you allow yourself to be seen and heard.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in talent acquisition today is the complexity and chaos within the hiring landscape. Job seekers are struggling with ATS systems, AI-driven screening, and a lack of visibility in the application process. At the same time, there is a disconnect between recruiters and hiring managers, often leading to misalignment in expectations and communication.
The opportunity lies in improving and streamlining this process. By training recruiters, coaching job seekers, and helping hiring managers better define their needs, the entire hiring ecosystem can become more efficient, human-centered, and effective.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The most important values to me are empathy, listening, and human connection. I believe in understanding people first before making decisions. I also value patience, persistence, and thoughtful communication rather than rushing processes. Personally and professionally, I focus on collaboration, trust, and creating meaningful impact by helping others grow and succeed.
Locations
PetSafe Brands
Knoxville, TN 37932