Mad Mobile is dedicated to making hospitality more efficient and seamless through innovative and reliable technology solutions. They envision a future where every retail, restaurant, and hospitality transaction is mobile. Their mission is to equip businesses with cutting-edge connected technologies, enabling them to deliver exceptional service and keep pace with the ever-evolving demands of the industry.

Sharon Kern, Mad Mobile LK Director – People & Culture, is an HR trailblazer who is passionate about designing workplaces that are conducive to growth, diversity, and real human connections. From humble beginnings in customer support, she soon discovered her love for relationship-building and empowering others. Her path to HR was driven by commitment, determination, and unshakable confidence in influencing the lives of individuals and organizations. She is now a prominent HR influencer, molding organizational culture and ensuring business success.

The Outset Story: From Customer Support to People-Centric Leadership

She began her professional journey in customer service, where she quickly realized that success was about more than just solving problems, it was about building meaningful connections. Through daily interactions, she developed a deep understanding of workplace relationships, which ignited her passion for fostering growth, not only for customers but also for employees. Recognizing that her true calling lay beyond customer service, she transitioned into HR, where she could shape workplace culture and support employee development. With dedication, reliability, and an unwavering passion for people, Sharon has committed herself to creating environments where individuals thrive. Guided by a people-first philosophy, ensuring that every professional feels valued, empowered, and inspired to reach their full potential.

Sharon attributes her success as a leader to key guiding principles and essential qualities that have shaped her HR journey. Emotional intelligence has been instrumental in navigating workplace challenges, allowing her to understand, connect with, and support others on a deeper level while fostering strong relationships. Resilience and adaptability have been vital in helping to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of HR and business, ensuring both stability and progress. Most importantly, self-confidence has been the cornerstone of her success, enabling to make bold decisions, champion employees, and lead with authenticity. She firmly believes that true success lies in cultivating confidence while maintaining a harmonious balance between personal and professional aspirations.

Beyond personal attributes, Sharon’s leadership is guided by core principles that shape her approach to HR and people management. She strongly believes in continuous growth and lifelong learning, embracing curiosity and self-improvement to drive both personal and organizational development. Empowering others is another key principle she upholds, viewing leadership not as a pursuit of personal recognition but as an opportunity to uplift and enable others to succeed. She is committed to fostering an environment where individuals feel valued, heard, and encouraged to reach their full potential. Moreover, her leadership is deeply rooted in purpose and impact, ensuring that her efforts not only contribute to the company’s success but also positively influence people’s lives. By blending intrinsic strengths with these guiding principles, Sharon has become a transformational leader, creating workplaces where both employees and organizations thrive.

Overcoming Challenges and Earning Recognition: A Journey of Impact and Excellence

Sharon’s career has been shaped by numerous challenges, each contributing to the leader she is today. One of the most significant obstacles she has faced is navigating change and uncertainty, as economic downturns, organizational restructurings, and market shifts demand resilience and clear communication to keep teams motivated. Additionally, handling difficult conversations has been a key challenge, as delivering tough feedback, resolving conflicts, and making hard decisions require a delicate balance of empathy and assertiveness. Another ongoing challenge has been building and sustaining high-performing teams in the highly competitive IT sector, attracting top talent, developing future leaders, and reducing turnover, which necessitate strategic HR interventions. Through these experiences, Sharon has strengthened confidence, adaptability, and a people-focused leadership approach.

Despite these challenges, dedication to HR excellence and leadership development has earned her widespread recognition. She was honored as a Top Global HR Influencer 2025 by the World HRD Congress in Mumbai, India. She was named one of the Best HR Leaders in Asia 2024 by Tradeflock Magazine for her contributions to HR innovation and people leadership. Additionally, she was recognized at the SLASSCOM Annual General Meeting 2024 for her outstanding service and contributions to the knowledge and innovation sector. These prestigious accolades highlight her ability to shape HR strategies, cultivate workplace culture, and drive transformative change. Through resilience and vision, Sharon has solidified her reputation as a transformational leader in the HR industry.

The Mantra for Success and Future Endeavors: A Vision for Tomorrow

“Adaptability is power. Empathy and emotional intelligence fuel success. Be a champion of change.” This mantra shapes her approach to HR, where sharon remains agile, builds meaningful connections, and drives transformative initiatives that propel both people and business growth.

Looking ahead, Sharon envisions making a lasting impact in HR and leadership. Whilst remaining committed to continuous learning and leadership development, expanding expertise in HR, leadership strategy, and business transformation to drive meaningful organizational change. A key priority for her is mentoring and coaching future leaders, ensuring a strong leadership pipeline and empowering the next generation of HR professionals. Sharon is also passionate about driving organizational change by spearheading initiatives that enhance workplace culture, employee experience, and overall business performance.

Beyond corporate contributions, Sharon actively engages in industry thought leadership, sharing insights through HR forums, mentoring professionals, and speaking at conferences. Her mantra is more than just a belief—it is the driving force behind the journey as she continues to lead, inspire, and transform workplaces for the better.

Words of Wisdom: Advice for Aspiring Leaders

For those aspiring to be great leaders, Sharon emphasizes the importance of leading with empathy—building genuine connections and understanding people on a deeper level. She strongly advocates for continuous learning, encouraging individuals to stay curious, seek mentors, and stay informed on industry trends.

She also highlights the significance of initiative and accountability, urging leaders to create their own opportunities and take full responsibility for their decisions. Resilience is another key trait, as setbacks are inevitable, and the ability to learn from failures and adapt is essential for long-term growth. Effective communication, characterized by transparency and clarity, fosters trust and alignment within teams.

Above all, great leaders uplift and empower those around them, cultivating an environment where everyone can thrive. Most importantly, Sharon believes that authenticity—staying true to one’s values and principles—is what truly sets a leader apart.