For Sunita Solao, the future of work isn’t just about where people work—it’s about how they work. As Chief People Officer at Upwork, she is leading the charge in redefining workforce strategies, ensuring businesses can tap into global independent talent while fostering an empowering and flexible culture. Solao sees HR not as a function of compliance but as a driver of innovation, advocating for a "talent access" approach where organizations prioritize agility and expertise over rigid hiring models. With Upwork’s unique workforce composition—where over 75% of the team consists of independent professionals—she is proving that companies can achieve greater speed, efficiency, and resilience by embracing a blended workforce.
Born and raised in India, Solao’s academic foundation reflects her diverse expertise. She earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from BITS Pilani before pursuing dual MBAs in human resource management from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Symbiosis International University. Her career spans over two decades in HR leadership, including pivotal roles at eBay, Airbnb, and Convoy, where she built and scaled people strategies aligned with business growth. At Upwork, she is focused on fostering a thriving work culture, implementing development programs that unlock employee potential, and reinforcing Upwork’s commitment to being its own “customer zero”—leveraging the same freelance talent it champions for clients worldwide.
A believer in autonomy, flexibility, and purpose-driven leadership, Solao is on a mission to reimagine how companies structure and support their teams. She is passionate about creating an environment where employees and independent professionals alike feel valued and equipped for success. Beyond the workplace, she is an advocate for women in leadership, inspired by her role as a mother to a 13-year-old daughter who she hopes will grow up in a world where women lead and innovate on their own terms. Whether driving workforce transformation at Upwork or seeking out the best street food in Malaysia, Solao is always pushing boundaries and embracing the power of possibility.