Elson Kuriakose

Elson Kuriakose is a global HR executive with over two decades of experience leading people strategy across continents, industries, and cultures. He currently serves as Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Coherent Corp., where he heads the global HR Business Partner organization supporting more than 30,000 employees worldwide. Throughout his career, Elson has held senior leadership roles spanning both HR Business Partner and Center of Excellence domains at leading multinationals. In his most recent role at Google, he led the people function for Corporate Engineering and Google Health globally. Earlier in his career, he held senior HR roles of increasing scope at IBM, Tata Hitachi, and Mahindra. He has also led multiple HR CoEs,  including serving as Head of Talent.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Elson is a dedicated practitioner of mindfulness meditation and an avid reader. He maintains a profound interest in various social science disciplines, particularly their convergence with technology and practical applications within contemporary workplaces. Elson is deeply engaged across the HR ecosystem, serving in advisory and leadership roles with a range of professional, academic, and nonprofit organizations. He holds two advanced graduate degrees in HR, including a Master's from Cornell University specializing in HR & Organization. Additionally, he serves as a Senior Fellow with the Conference Board, and an Adjunct Associate Faculty member for the Human Capital Management Master’s program at Columbia University.