Sonia Fernandes, an Indian American, assumes the position of global chief human resources and diversity officer at Politico, a Washington-based digital newspaper focused on politics. Politico announced her appointment on Feb 1, emphasizing her role in centralizing talent functions worldwide for the first time in the publication’s 17-year history. Based in Politico’s Rosslyn, Virginia headquarters, Fernandes, educated in Mumbai, will commence her duties on Feb 8.
Her responsibilities include harmonizing talent functions across Politico’s seven newsrooms, spanning two continents and seven time zones. As chief diversity officer, Fernandes reflects Politico’s dedication to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace amid its global expansion ambitions. Mark Dekan, Politico Media Group’s chief operating officer, underscores Fernandes’s international experience and fresh perspective, highlighting her crucial role in advancing Politico’s growth as a top global brand.
Fernandes expresses excitement about joining Politico, recognizing its commitment to purpose-driven work and people-centric values. With over two decades of HR management experience, Fernandes has led transformative change initiatives across various global organizations, including WPP’s MediaCom Asia Pacific division. Her expertise extends to shaping organizational cultures, talent ecosystems, and driving business growth strategies. With a strong focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), Fernandes champions a “people-first, better results” approach, aligning with Politico’s values.
Her commitment to DEI is evident through her leadership in implementing grassroots programs and spearheading strategic talent initiatives across multiple countries. With a background in psychology, sociology, and management, Fernandes brings a diverse skill set and a deep understanding of international HR practices to her new role at Politico.
