TATE Leadership Consulting LLP
About
About
TATE Leadership Consulting
“Every business is successful exactly to the extent that
it does something others cannot.” ~ Peter Thiel
“Every business is successful exactly to the extent that it does something others cannot.” ~ Peter Thiel
Overview
Two and a half decades ago, a Ma Foi senior told TATE LC founder—Hastha Krishnan, “Take care of the customer, and the business will take care of itself.” In an era when “professionalising recruitment” was radical, this wisdom shaped a journey where relationships and quality work set the best apart.
TATE Leadership Consulting (TATE LC) was established in Chennai in 2013 to redefine leadership hiring, uniting a passionate team of senior associates, each with over 20 years of CXO hiring, training, and consulting experience.
Overview
Two and a half decades ago, a Ma Foi senior told TATE LC founder—Hastha Krishnan, “Take care of the customer, and the business will take care of itself.” In an era when “professionalising recruitment” was radical, this wisdom shaped a journey where relationships and quality work set the best apart.
TATE Leadership Consulting (TATE LC) was established in Chennai in 2013 to redefine leadership hiring, uniting a passionate team of senior associates, each with over 20 years of CXO hiring, training, and consulting experience.
A Philosophy Rooted in Purpose
At TATE LC, leadership is about inspiring others, not just titles. The firm believes successful placements hinge on a client’s cultural context, purpose, and “why,” valuing EQ and SQ alongside intellect. Operating across India, Europe, North America, and beyond, TATE LC—meaning “cheerful” in Old English—delivers positivity and passion, leaving clients uplifted.
A Philosophy Rooted in Purpose
At TATE LC, leadership is about inspiring others, not just titles. The firm believes successful placements hinge on a client’s cultural context, purpose, and “why,” valuing EQ and SQ alongside intellect. Operating across India, Europe, North America, and beyond, TATE LC—meaning “cheerful” in Old English—delivers positivity and passion, leaving clients uplifted.
A Philosophy Rooted in Purpose
At TATE LC, leadership is about inspiring others, not just titles. The firm believes successful placements hinge on a client’s cultural context, purpose, and “why,” valuing EQ and SQ alongside intellect. Operating across India, Europe, North America, and beyond, TATE LC—meaning “cheerful” in Old English—delivers positivity and passion, leaving clients uplifted.
Leadership That Ignites Change
Since everything rises and falls with leadership, TATE LC seeks leaders who connect yet motivate—driven by passion over position. Offering Executive Search, Leadership Development, HR Solutions, and Corporate Training, TATE LC tackles the complexities of leadership alignment with focus and excellence.
Executive
Search
Leadership
Development
HR
Consulting
Customised
Interventions
Executive
Search
Leadership
Development
HR
Consulting
Customised
Interventions
The RAPT Difference
Success in leadership placement demands cultural and emotional sync, beyond job specs. TATE LC’s proprietary RAPT process aligns leaders’ skills and behaviour with a company’s ethos, ensuring seamless integration and rapid impact through focused guidance.
The RAPT Difference
Success in leadership hiring demands cultural and emotional sync, beyond job specs. TATE LC’s proprietary RAPT process aligns leaders’ skills and behaviour with a company’s ethos, ensuring seamless integration and rapid impact through focused guidance.
Cross-border Search Expertise
TATE LC’s cross-border C-suite expertise bridges the gap across countries and cultures. We understand different markets, languages, and cultural nuances, offering tailored search strategies that address specific client requirements while maintaining cultural sensitivity.
Access to a diverse global talent pool of normally unavailable top talent, expedited hiring processes, and reduced risk through thorough cultural fit assessment are the key features of every engagement. Our expertise has helped companies navigate the complexities of international recruitment, ensuring C-suite leaders can successfully operate within diverse global contexts.
A Strategic Partnership with Bentley Lewis
TATE LC’s partnership with Bentley Lewis, a London-based global search firm, blends India’s dynamic expertise with global Manufacturing, Finance, Healthcare, and Media prowess. Bridging East and West, this alliance connects Indian firms to global leaders and international talent to Asia’s commercial hub, redefining executive search standards.
Expanding Horizons: Bangalore Office
Bangalore, a key TATE LC hub, has evolved from India’s ‘Silicon Valley’ into a multi-industry powerhouse. TATE LC’s new Bangalore office builds on Chennai’s legacy, amplifying the firm’s mission to deliver transformative leadership to startups and corporations alike in this vibrant metropolis.
Expanding Horizons: Bangalore Office
Bangalore, a key TATE LC hub, has evolved from India’s ‘Silicon Valley’ into a multi-industry powerhouse. TATE LC’s new Bangalore office builds on Chennai’s legacy, amplifying the firm’s mission to deliver transformative leadership to startups and corporations alike in this vibrant metropolis.
A Legacy of Leadership
TATE LC’s purpose is unwavering: connecting organisations with inspiring leaders. With cheerful resolve and relentless excellence, the firm sees leadership as a calling, not just a service.
Start a conversation today to shape tomorrow’s leadership.
A Legacy of Leadership
TATE LC’s purpose is unwavering: connecting organisations with inspiring leaders. With cheerful resolve and relentless excellence, the firm sees leadership as a calling, not just a service.
Start a conversation today to shape tomorrow’s leadership.
Meet the Team
TATE LC Strategic Leadership
Hastha Krishnan
“We are uncompromising when it comes to client satisfaction and our team has the wherewithal to do just that.”
~ Hastha Krishnan
With over three decades of deep experience in Executive Search and HR Services, Hastha established TATE Leadership Consulting alongside a team of like-minded associates. Her distinctive approach to leadership hiring and consulting provides the core inspiration for TATE LC’s vision and operations.
Hastha refined her global industry and consulting expertise during her extensive tenure at Ma Foi, where she served as CEO – Executive Search and held a Board position. Her international experience includes a three-year period in London as Head of Europe Operations, while also leading the CorpComm, succession planning, and professional staffing portfolios. Hastha’s corporate governance experience extends to serving as an Independent Director on the Board of TTK Healthcare. She previously was an Independent Director in Consolidated Construction Company Limited, and an ex-trustee in the Mafoi Foundation. Her achievements have been recognised in the CII E Compendium of Women Achievers.
Hastha holds a Bachelor’s degree in English and Sociology, a Master’s in English, and completed a Senior Executive Program Diploma in Leadership & Strategy at Tias Nimbus Business School, in association with INSEAD.
Hastha maintains a profound commitment to societal contribution. She believes in transcending mere assistance to truly enabling and empowering families in ways that impact future generations. She also works closely with deserving individuals through an integrated holistic approach addressing education, health, and livelihood needs.
Hema Sriram
“The best things in life aren’t things.”
~ Hema Sriram
Hema’s approach centres on a fundamental understanding of candidates’ capabilities and motivations before matching them with client requirements. With two decades in executive search, she excels at establishing strong relationships with candidates and clients.
At TATE LC, she demonstrates exceptional talent mapping abilities, attracting the right professionals on time and within budget—a consistently acknowledged strength among clients.
Her expertise spans identifying candidates for niche positions across manufacturing, energy, retail, and infotech sectors, both in India and internationally.
Hema holds a Masters in Mass Communication.
Sundar GM
“TATE LC has complemented the values that I uphold; the transparency in all transactions is what I love.”
~ Sundar GM
Driven by a passion to build exceptional relationships in the marketplace, Sundar dedicates himself to positioning as the most respected and trusted client partner. His 18 years of comprehensive experience spans leadership consulting, talent advisory, recruitment and retention, and process migration/transition.
At TATE LC, Sundar applies his strategic industry insights to handle business development and operations across engineering, oil and gas, manufacturing, and financial service domains. His approach to team engagement is characterized by high energy and infectious enthusiasm for every assignment from inception to successful completion. Sundar possesses a natural talent for relationship building that enables him to enroll others in supporting positive change, even under challenging business circumstances.
Sundar holds a post-graduate diploma in marketing and business management from Symbiosis Institute of Business Management.
Sundar maintains an impressive balance between work, hobbies, and family. As an avid koi hobbyist, he demonstrates great passion for animals and enjoys gardening. His conversational range spans from toys to technology, and he maintains a strong commitment to environmental conservation and protection of natural resources.
Nandhini Devanand
“We are kept from our goal not by obstacles, but by a clear path to a lesser goal.”
~ Bhagavad Gita.
A cheerful disposition with a very positive attitude defines Nandhini both personally and professionally. After a six-year sabbatical, she sought a workplace offering flexibility alongside an opportunity to renew her passion for executive search. Her commitment to work, structured approach, and ability to lead teams to achievement make her an excellent Search consultant. Nandhini thrives in environments filled with energy and activity.
With 18 years of experience in talent acquisition, Nandhini built her career at Ma Foi and later Randstad before taking a break from professional life. During her time at Ma Foi, she gained international experience working in the UK for six months in search and staffing. Her expertise includes managing high-value assignments across various industry verticals.
Nandhini is a talented singer who has trained in Carnatic music. She enjoys creating gourmet dishes, with a special skill for preparing healthy desserts.
Rupa Viswanathan
“Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.”
~ Albert Einstein
Carrying her two decades of experience amiably, Rupa brings sophisticated expertise in executive and leadership search spanning diverse sectors—from agile startups and traditional manufacturing to engineering, management consulting, consumer goods, and retail.
Meticulous with exceptional attention to detail, Rupa delivers focused, consultative engagements to both clients and candidates. Relationships form the cornerstone of her professional philosophy. Her recognised strengths lie in anchoring challenging assignments and building robust stakeholder connections through meaningful conversations about career trajectories and opportunities.
Her optimistic energy, comprehensive industry knowledge, and solution-oriented mindset have established enduring strategic partnerships with clients.
Rupa holds a management degree specialising in marketing and human resources from Christ University, Bangalore.
Beyond her professional life, Rupa is an enthusiastic DIYer and home décor aficionado, an amateur baker with a passion for healthy recipes, and a writer who has contributed to various publications.
TATE LC Advisory
Abhay Phadnis
“And of course there must be something wrong; In wanting to silence any song.” (A Minor Bird, Robert Frost)
~ Abhay Phadnis
The early years saw Abhay as HR head at TCS Software Research Centre, Pune, and later in the same position overseeing TranSys Technologies’ India and US operations.
At Ma Foi Management Consultants, Abhay’s experience covered the roles of Head of Web Portals, Head of the HR Consulting Group, and Head of Technology. He also consulted for leading organisations in India, the Middle East, SE Asia and Sri Lanka.
Abhay’s executive coaching expertise centres on Assessment & Development Centres, Performance Management Systems, HR Automation and Organisational Vision & HR Strategy.
Graduating with a gold medal from the prestigious Tata Institute of Social Sciences. Abhay holds comprehensive certifications in psychological assessment methods, viz. MBTI, Workplace Big 5, FIRO-B, CPI-260, and EUM.
Abhay finds personal fulfilment in the rich complexity of Hindustani classical music, the expressive depth of Urdu poetry, and the intellectual challenge of cryptic crosswords.
Paul Mathew
“Don’t try to change people. Instead, change the environment.”
~ Paul Mathew
At the intersection of business and artistry stands Paul Mathew, the visionary founder of ‘Corporate Theatre.’ This revolutionary approach to organisational development took wing in 2002.
His professional journey began with a solid foundation—twenty years of corporate experience complemented by service as a commissioned officer in the military.
Corporate theatre has since become a transformative presence across diverse industries and organisations. Through this innovative methodology, Paul creates experiential environments where participants discover their profound potential individually and collectively.
Paul has conducted over 1,800 workshops in India and abroad, impacting more than 40,000 professionals.
Dual degrees in Arts, encompassing History, Sociology, and English Literature, inform his unique approach to human dynamics and organisational behaviour.
Paul pursues traditional theatre, the performing arts, and writing—continually enriching his professional methodology and reflecting his belief in the transformative power of creative expression.
Latha Poonamallee
“In today’s polarised world, we need to go beyond the competency trap in leadership development and focus on developing leaders who are ethical and prosocial in orientation. This is necessary for building a better world.”
~ Latha Poonamallee
Dr. Latha Poonamallee serves as Chair, Professor of Management & Innovation and an Inaugural Faculty Fellow at The New School in New York City. She is also Editor-in-Chief for the Society of Advancement of Management’s scholarly journal.
As Co-founder and Chairperson of In-Med Prognostics, Dr. Poonamallee’s pioneering health-tech company brings affordable, accessible, and reliable predictive analytics for brain health to emerging markets.
Through her Fulbright Fellowship, Dr. Poonamallee has collaborated with the Botswana Civil Society, Botswana Government, US Embassy in Botswana, USAID, and private sector organizations, to develop a social entrepreneurship ecosystem and build leadership capacity within civil society.
Her award-winning research on change management, leadership, CSR and social entrepreneurship has been presented in numerous international journals and conferences.
Dr. Poonamallee holds a Ph.D. in Organisational Behaviour from Case Western Reserve University, US.