Melissa Bowden

Senior HR Director, Asia Pacific & Japan

Professional Overview

Melissa Bowden is a seasoned Human Resources (HR) executive with over 15 years of experience leading HR strategy and initiatives across the Asia Pacific and Japan region. As the Senior HR Director at Workday, she is responsible for driving HR transformation and aligning talent management practices to support the company's growth and expansion in the region.

Experience Summary

Current Role

At Workday, Melissa serves as the Senior HR Director for Asia Pacific and Japan, overseeing all aspects of HR operations, employee engagement, and talent development. She is instrumental in shaping the company's people-centric culture and ensuring HR practices are responsive to the diverse needs of the region. Under her leadership, Workday has consistently been recognized as a top employer in the region, reflecting Melissa's commitment to creating exceptional employee experiences.

Career Progression

Prior to her role at Workday, Melissa held various senior HR positions, including Head of HR (Australia, Singapore, Global Expansion) and Innovation Catalyst Lead at Intuit, Talent Lead for the Asia Pacific region at Adobe Systems, and Group Manager for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region at Executive Solutions in Dubai. Her diverse experience across multinational organizations has equipped her with a deep understanding of global HR best practices and the ability to drive organizational transformation.

Academic Background

Melissa holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree with a major in Human Resource Management from the University of New South Wales. She is a passionate lifelong learner and continues to expand her knowledge through various professional development programs and certifications.

Areas of Expertise

• Strategic HR planning and implementation

• Talent acquisition, development, and retention

• Employee engagement and culture building

• Organizational transformation and change management

• Workforce analytics and data-driven decision making

• Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives

Professional Impact

Throughout her career, Melissa has been instrumental in driving innovative HR solutions that have positively impacted the organizations she has served. As the Head of HR at Intuit, she played a key role in securing the company's recognition as a Best Place to Work, showcasing her ability to create engaging and inclusive work environments. Melissa's expertise in talent management and her passion for fostering diverse and high-performing teams have earned her a reputation as a strategic HR leader in the Asia Pacific region.

Conclusion

With her extensive experience, strategic mindset, and commitment to people-centric initiatives, Melissa Bowden is a valuable asset to Workday and the HR community. Her expertise in navigating the complexities of the Asia Pacific and Japan region, coupled with her ability to drive organizational transformation, position her as a trusted advisor and key contributor to the continued success of Workday and its global expansion.