S6E2 Women Leading Global Mobility: A CHRO Conversation From Asia To Global
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In this episode of Sirva Soundbites, host Girlie Velasquez sits down with Nidia Knight, CHRO, Medical Services at International SOS, to explore what it truly takes for women to lead in global mobility. From navigating international assignments across five continents to embracing risk, reinvention, and wellbeing, Nidia shares the pivotal decisions, cultural lessons, and personal principles that shaped her rise to global leadership.
What makes this conversation exceptional is how refreshingly human it is. Nidia opens up about the power of staying curious, the courage it takes to ask for help, and the importance of meeting people where they are, whether across cultures or career stages. She reflects on gratitude as a leadership practice, why rest is not a luxury but a necessity, and how taking bold risks even when the path isn't clear, defines growth. She also speaks about knowing when to change course and why making space for leisure is just as important as any boardroom decision.
Whether you're an HR leader, mobility professional, or an aspiring global executive, this conversation is a powerful reminder that the most effective leaders don't just build strategy, they build themselves.
Nidia Knight is the CHRO for Medical Services at International SOS, the world’s leading medical and security services company. With over 20 years of global human capital experience, she has led teams across Portugal, UAE, China, Australia, Germany and Singapore, building deep expertise in international HR and cross-cultural leadership. Nidia oversees the global people strategy for Medical Services and leads a total employee population of 6,500, including 1,000 international assignees. She manages a large global team of HR and Global Mobility professionals, with Global Mobility sitting directly under her remit. Her team supports the recruitment and deployment of employees and medical experts in some of the world’s most remote and complex environments. As a member of the Executive Committee, Nidia drives strategic HR and global mobility initiatives aligned with business priorities. She is passionate about transformation and innovation, particularly in applying artificial intelligence to enhance workforce agility, employee experience and data-driven decision-making. Leading with empathy and a strong focus on employee engagement is central to her leadership approach. Widely recognised for her strategic acumen, operational excellence and commitment to mentoring emerging talent, Nidia continues to elevate the Global Mobility and HR profession across APAC and beyond through thought leadership and a future-focused approach to people and culture.
Girlie Velasquez, is the Director of Global Account Management at Sirva, overseeing a portfolio of 10+ global and regional clients as the single point of accountability for implementation, service delivery, billing, and client success. She drives seamless account launches through strong cross‑functional collaboration, process mapping, and financial alignment, while maintaining proactive relationship management and strategic consultation. Girlie strengthens commercial performance through financial reviews, billing optimisation, reconciliation audits, and service expansion. She also represents Sirva across APAC and the Middle East and trains teams supporting complex strategic accounts.
Speakers
Host: Girlie Velasquez, Director Global Account Management
Guest: Nidia Knight, CHRO, Medical Services, International SOS
Get in touch with us: soundbites@sirva.com
