Sonakshi Saxena
Sonakshi Saxena is a seasoned talent acquisition professional with over a decade of experience specializing in retail hiring and placing C-suite and senior corporate leaders. At Tempur Sealy International, she partners closely with hiring managers to develop strategic recruitment plans, assess team needs, and identify top-tier talent. Her day-to-day work focuses on conducting thorough candidate assessments, building high-quality pipelines, and ensuring an exceptional candidate experience, all while aligning talent with organizational goals, culture, and long-term workforce strategy.
A hands-on and dedicated recruiter, Sonakshi prioritizes integrity, respect, and transparency in every interaction. She views recruiters as strategic partners and gatekeepers, responsible for asking the tough questions that protect organizational interests and ensure the right fit for both candidates and employers. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to her approach, and her efforts in advancing inclusive hiring practices earned her the Diversity & Inclusion Award from the San Antonio Business Journal. She is also passionate about mentoring candidates and supporting their professional growth, helping individuals navigate career transitions and maximize their potential.
Originally educated in hospitality and tourism, Sonakshi transitioned into talent acquisition after successfully recruiting her own bakery team in Canada, discovering her passion for connecting people with opportunities. She has extensive experience in retail recruitment and executive placements and has led diversity-focused initiatives in prior roles, including her work with CODAP. Combining her industry expertise, strategic insight, and commitment to inclusion, Sonakshi continues to make a meaningful impact in talent acquisition, workforce development, and organizational success.
• Post Graduate Certificate Diploma, Hospitality and Tourism Management
• Post graduate certificate , Sports and Event marketing management
• Diploma, Hospitality Administration/Management
• Recruiting Techniques to Reveal Transferable Skills
• Build Skills as a Corporate Recruiter
• Recruiting Foundations: Recruiting for External Recruiters
• Diversity Recruiting
• Recruiting Foundations: Recruiting for In-House Recruiters
• Uncovering Unconscious Bias in Recruiting and Interviewing
• Writing with Flair: How to Become an Exceptional Writer
• Storytelling for Recruiting and Employee Retention
• Creating a Compelling Job Description
• Become an HR Business Partner
• Preventing Harassment in the Workplace
• Developing a Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Program
• University of West London - BA, Hospitality Administration/Management
• Tourism management studies (Canada)
• Postgraduate certificate diploma, George Brown College (Toronto)
• Diversity and Inclusion Awards
• Guest Appraisal
• Leads DEI and Pride community
• United Way (Canada)
• Military spouse support groups
• Breakfast Server,
Niagara College Canada
• Event Assistant,
PRIME
• Marketing Manager,
International Institute of Hotel Management
• Server,
The Hideout
• Event Planning Manager,
George Brown Marketing Club
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to resilience, discipline, and a deep commitment to people. I began my career in hospitality as a chef, but a chance opportunity in recruitment revealed a path where human connection mattered as much as skill. Over the past decade in executive talent acquisition, I’ve focused on building teams that thrive, ensuring candidates and leaders align in values, capability, and potential.
Prioritizing candidate experience has always been non-negotiable, reflecting the culture of the organizations I serve. I’m proud to have received the San Antonio Business Journal Diversity and Inclusion Award in 2022 and to lead initiatives supporting inclusion, Pride communities, and military spouses. My education and community-focused experiences have strengthened my leadership, and as a visible woman of color in talent acquisition, I strive to create opportunities and inspire others to find their place at the table.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Trust your instincts, prioritize conversations over résumés, ask clarifying and challenging questions, and remember the recruiter’s role in protecting organizational fit and culture.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges I face in my field is managing the balance between efficiency and personalization when working with large applicant pools, ensuring that every candidate feels valued even if they are not selected—because recruitment is truly a two-way street, with candidates evaluating companies just as much as they are being evaluated. I am also deeply committed to advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion within talent acquisition, moving beyond performative initiatives to create meaningful, lasting change. Building truly inclusive hiring processes is a priority for me, particularly in light of my recognition with a Diversity and Inclusion Award, and I strive to embed these principles into every aspect of recruitment.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
At the center of everything I do is a deep commitment to both my work and my family—values that ground my leadership and guide every decision I make. I approach talent acquisition through the lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion, believing that meaningful progress happens when opportunity is intentional and representation is authentic. For me, candidate experience is a two-way street: just as organizations evaluate talent, candidates deserve transparency, respect, and honest dialogue throughout the process. Outside of work, creativity keeps me balanced. I find joy in Bollywood dance and choreography, painting, and teaching online dance classes to my cousins in India—small but powerful ways I stay connected to my roots while nurturing self-expression and community across borders.