Anjana Saraf unveils a decade of personal and professional evolution, sharing the growth, challenges and pivotal moments that shaped her decade-long ride with the company.
“I still get goosebumps when I think about it.”
Anjana Saraf, Manager – HRBP, recalls as she looks back on her journey. ”I took this unexpected turn into a small bungalow with posters on its walls and the raw charm of a quirky new startup,” she shares. That’s how she crossed paths with Swiggy in 2015.
What followed wasn’t just another job, it was a journey that would define the next decade of her life, personally and professionally. Armed with intrigue, ambition, and a willingness to build something from scratch, she grew alongside a company still finding its feet in the world of food delivery.
10 years down the road, she has had a front-row seat to Swiggy’s meteoric rise.
- Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you ended up joining the Swiggy ride?
Well, my story with the company actually started quite unexpectedly. Back in 2015, I was feeling restless in my career when I walked past a small bungalow that turned out to be the home of a startup I’d never heard of called Swiggy. The name stayed with me, and like anyone would, I googled it out of curiosity. And let me tell you, the idea of having food delivered in minutes was nothing short of visionary, especially at that time. I saw the potential immediately. I was intrigued, excited, and certain I had to be part of this.
I applied, did my homework, and soon stepped into a world that was bold and full of promise. What started as curiosity quickly turned into a full-blown adventure. Joining the company felt like catching the perfect wave at just the right moment, and it’s been one thrilling ride ever since.
- You started your role in HR with non-tech hiring. Can you tell us how and why you switched to the tech side?
Shifting from non-tech to tech wasn’t something I had planned — it was a twist that found me. I had spent a couple of years as an HRBP for Swiggy’s non-tech teams, handling business, sales, and operations. One day, as tech hiring started scaling rapidly, Girish Menon, my manager at the time and the current CHRO, suggested I take on the tech HRBP role. I was hesitant. Handling tech teams felt like a completely different world, and I wasn’t sure if I was ready for it. But he believed in me and his trust was the push I needed to step out of my comfort zone.
Today, I’m a part of Swiggy’s Tech HRBP team, leading programs and initiatives for our engineering teams. Looking back, it’s one of the best decisions I made, and a reminder that sometimes, all you need is someone to see the potential in you before you see it in yourself.
- What was your first thought when you found out that you would be ringing the bell at Swiggy HQ?
I never imagined I would get the chance to ring the bell at Swiggy’s HQ. When I first joined , words like “IPO” weren’t even part of our every day conversations. We were just a handful of people trying to build something we believed in. The thought that I would be there to witness Swiggy going public one day felt like a distant milestone, one I hadn’t pictured as a part of my journey at the time. Until just a few days before the bell-ringing ceremony, I had no idea I’d play such a pivotal role in it, so when the news came, it took me completely by surprise.
In many ways, Swiggy isn’t just where I work; it’s where I’ve grown up. I joined as a fresh graduate, found lifelong friendships, got married, became a mom, every chapter of my adult life has unfolded here. Being part of this milestone wasn’t just emotional, it was symbolic of the resilience, hope, and everything we’ve built together over the years.
- How have the various women’s communities/initiatives helped shape the culture of Swiggy?
One that really stands out is the Swiggy Women’s Community. It’s not just a Slack channel or a group that meets once in a while, it’s a place where women come together just as they are. No labels, no judgments. It’s about carving out an identity that’s uniquely your own while embracing every other role you play in life.
It’s amazing to see how much confidence, clarity, and ambition flow through these conversations. Whether it’s juggling a million things or setting aside time just for yourself, this community reminds every woman that it’s both okay and necessary to put yourself first. It isn’t just a support system; it’s a celebration of every woman’s journey toward owning who she is, beyond the duties she fulfills.
- You’ve spent a decade at Swiggy, which is quite rare in the era of job hopping. What is something that’s kept you motivated?
Staying in the same company for a decade might sound unusual today, but it never felt monotonous. Because I was never really doing the same thing. I started with hiring, then moved to learning and development. From there, I began leading onboarding sessions, conducting POSH trainings, and worked with non-tech and later, tech teams. Eventually, I also got exposure to areas like PMO, IT, Analytics, and Product Support. Every new team and leader I worked with taught me something. Now, I always walk into a room believing there’s something I can learn from everyone around me, and that mindset keeps me motivated.
Plus, I’ve learned that if you want to grow, you can’t wait for opportunities to land in your lap. You have to go out, ask for them, and create them if needed. That’s something I keep telling our new joiners too: be proactive, be curious. That’s really what’s kept me excited about my work even after 10 years.
- How has Swiggy’s culture evolved over the years?
If I had to pick two things that truly define Swiggy’s culture, even after all these years, it would be freedom and humility. From the start, we were trusted to figure things out our way. There was this silent confidence in us. That kind of freedom is rare, it pushes you to take ownership.
Here, everyone’s approachable and grounded, no matter who you talk to — Swiggy’s Co-founders or a Junior Associate. You feel like you’re part of a mission, not just someone working here.That sense of belonging runs deep.
- What’s the most common thing people say when they find out you work at Swiggy?
“You’ll probably never leave, right?” It’s one of those comments that makes me stop and think. Swiggy really is a place where you can build a meaningful career, with lots of opportunities to grow, learn, and be challenged. Yes, our mission is delivering unparalleled convenience, and that defines a big part of the experience. But equally, it’s about belonging to a team that champions its people and pushes them to do and be their best.
10 years in, I’ve realised that some of the best stories start unexpectedly. While I’m not sure what the future holds, I can confidently say that Swiggy is the kind of place you’d want to stay for the long haul. Even if, and especially if, you stumble into it like I did.
Author Bio
Swiggy Editorial is a team of writers who work with the company's Employer Branding team.
