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TECHx
21-07-2025
- Business
- TECHx
A Talk with HP's Green Visionary: Lavina Punjabi
Home » Women In Tech » A Talk with HP's Green Visionary: Lavina Punjabi In a special feature for TECHx Media's Women in Tech spotlight, we sat down with Lavina Punjabi, Sustainability Lead at HP Middle East and Africa. From her early beginnings in Sharjah to a transformative career that blends technology, business, and environmental impact, Lavina shares her journey with clarity, depth, and inspiring purpose. The School Leader Lavina Punjabi was born and raised in Sharjah and completed her early education at The Emirates National School in Sharjah and Our Own English High School in Dubai. 'These institutions have long championed female empowerment in the UAE,' she says, reflecting on the leadership roles she embraced from a young age, including head girl, prefect, and house captain. These experiences helped develop her confidence, collaborative spirit, and a deep sense of responsibility. 'Being actively involved in both cultural and academic communities shaped my perspective and voice,' she adds, crediting her early environment with reinforcing the UAE's progressive stance on empowering young girls as future leaders. She pursued a Bachelor's in Computer Information Systems at Skyline University College in Sharjah, which first sparked her passion for merging technology with purpose. Seeking a global view of business operations and strategy, she later earned dual master's degrees, an International MBA from Griffith University in Australia and a Master's in Supply Chain Management from MIT Zaragoza in Spain, affiliated with MIT Boston. 'These institutions not only focused on academic excellence,' Lavina says, 'but also instilled ethical values, progressive thinking, and adaptability to cross-cultural environments.' The experiences laid the foundation for her career, merging technical expertise with strategic leadership. Breaking Into Tech Lavina began her professional journey at Redington Gulf in 2006 as a Product Executive for HP Servers. 'It was more than a first job, it was a formative learning ground,' she recalls. The role allowed her to apply academic knowledge to real-world challenges in inventory, operations, and pricing. In 2017, she joined HP's Personal Systems division. Five years later, she transitioned into her current role as Sustainability Lead for HP Middle East and Africa. This shift, she explains, was driven by a combination of the UAE's growing emphasis on sustainable development, her personal desire to contribute to environmental well-being, and a deep alignment with HP's Sustainable Impact framework, which is built on Climate Action, Human Rights, and Digital Equity. 'This role feels like the intersection of purpose and profession,' she shares. 'It's where my values meet the scale and ambition of global impact.' Career Snapshot Lavina's academic and professional path reveals a well-rounded blend of global education and cross-functional expertise: 2001–2005 : Bachelor's in Computer Information Systems, Skyline University College, UAE : Bachelor's in Computer Information Systems, Skyline University College, UAE 2006–2009 : Product Executive – HP Servers, Redington Gulf, UAE : Product Executive – HP Servers, Redington Gulf, UAE 2009–2011 : International MBA, Griffith University, Australia : International MBA, Griffith University, Australia 2011–2012 : Master's in Supply Chain Management, MIT Zaragoza, Spain (affiliated with MIT Boston) : Master's in Supply Chain Management, MIT Zaragoza, Spain (affiliated with MIT Boston) 2012–2016 : Customer Service Specialist, Caterpillar, UAE : Customer Service Specialist, Caterpillar, UAE 2016–2017 : Logistics and Procurement, IHC Holland, UAE : Logistics and Procurement, IHC Holland, UAE 2017 : Joined HP as Junior ACM – Personal Systems, UAE : Joined HP as Junior ACM – Personal Systems, UAE 2022–Present: Sustainability Lead, HP Middle East & Africa, UAE 'Each stage contributed to a well-rounded skillset,' she says, 'shaping my ability to lead with purpose and drive cross-functional impact.' Owning the Sustainability Agenda As the region's Sustainability Lead, Lavina focuses on embedding sustainability across business functions and communities. Her work includes: Executing global programs like HP Planet Partners and the Supplies Take Back initiative, tailored to local markets Equipping internal Sustainability Champions and sales teams with tools to drive sustainability conversations with customers Translating global sustainability strategy into regional action plans She highlights several initiatives under her leadership: The Changemakers Challenge under the EXPO School Programme, showcased at COP28 The HP GameOn Hackathon series across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa through the HP Gaming Garage Lab A special 2025 edition of the hackathon in collaboration with Dubai Tourism (DET) Overseeing CSR initiatives for three years, working with NGOs and community groups to create impactful programs Closing the Awareness Gap One of the most significant challenges Lavina identifies is raising awareness around sustainability. 'It's not just about running programs, it's about helping people really understand the why behind them,' she says. To bridge this gap, she works to provide tools, training, and resources that empower HP teams, partners, and customers to make informed and sustainable choices. Dance, Cricket, and Connection Lavina's weekends are dedicated to what she loves most, dance, cricket, and family. She enjoys Bollywood dance, from semi-classical to contemporary styles, which she says helps her stay grounded and energized. Her passion for cricket began with Sachin Tendulkar's legendary 'Desert Storm' innings in 1998, watched live in Sharjah. Since then, she has attended World Cup matches in Australia and England. 'Above all,' she says, 'spending time with family and friends gives me the reset I need. Whether it's a casual get-together or a quiet meal at home, those shared moments keep me connected and balanced.' Impact That Matters Lavina takes pride in the tangible results of her work. She supports HP's regional implementation of initiatives such as AMPLIFY IMPACT, Planet Partners, and local environmental efforts including carbon neutrality projects, community planting, and cleanups. These programs not only foster regional engagement but also provide practical, culturally relevant sustainability tools. She also works closely with HP's global education team to expand digital skills training in the MEA region. Through platforms like HP LIFE and HP Gaming Garage, along with events like hackathons and bootcamps, Lavina is helping drive HP's ambition to empower 150 million people by 2030. 'I also contribute to CSR initiatives that support marginalized communities,' she explains, 'enhancing employability through IT training and digital equity efforts that align with HP's human rights commitments.' Words to Young Women To young women aspiring to make their mark in tech and leadership, Lavina shares this message: 'Be bold. Be curious. Dream bigger than what feels comfortable. Doors will open in ways you never imagined, just as they did for me when I pursued not one, but two master's degrees, something I hadn't envisioned at the outset. Trust the process, even when the path feels unclear.' She also emphasizes the power of collaboration. 'One quote I often use at work is: 'Teamwork makes the dream work' , a reminder that supporting those around you brings deeper fulfilment than any milestone alone.' Inspired by Many Lavina attributes much of her success to the support of family, teachers, and mentors. 'Their guidance and belief have been unwavering,' she says. She also acknowledges the professional leaders and colleagues who have shaped her outlook and leadership style across the organizations she's worked with. From her beginnings in Sharjah to shaping HP's sustainability strategy across MEA, Lavina Punjabi's journey is a compelling example of what's possible when passion, purpose, and perseverance come together.
Daily Mirror
10-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Expert shares one-minute everyday exercise for a longer and happier life
Getting moving now could help you enjoy a longer, happier old age (Stock Photo) (Image: Getty Images) Although, sadly, none of us can live forever, we can take extra steps now for a better chance of enjoying a longer and happier life. If you're already comfortably into middle age with little experience of protein shakes and leg day, then it's by no means too late to start, as demonstrated by personal trainer Lavina Mehta. A bestselling author of 'The Feel Good Fix: Boost Energy, Improve Sleep and Move More Through Menopause and Beyond', Lavina only got the bug for fitness in her 40s, and managed to completely transform her life. The mum-of-three's motto is: "It's never too late to start." Once "double the size" and "on the road to type 2 diabetes," Lavina is now far healthier physically and mentally. Now she's offered a go-to tip for those in midlife looking to make a change, and it could take you just a minute each day. READ MORE: 'I'm a physio and you should never go running if you can't do this exercise' Personal trainer Lavina Mehta swears by 'exercise snacking' Lavina is a huge believer in the power of "exercise snacking", focused around "short bursts" of movement that can work wonders, particularly for women navigating the hurdles of perimenopause and menopause. The exercise expert, who is focused on "breaking down all the barriers to exercise", told the Mirror that exercise snacking is a "game changer in midlife". She explained: "It's all about the science showing that short bite-sized amounts of movement, even as short as a few seconds to a minute, if we can sprinkle these in regularly through the day, ideally I say every hour at least. Ideally, every half an hour would be even better. "It's breaking those long sedentary periods, so the amount of time that we're sitting, so that we are sitting less, moving more. The science is so incredible, the research is growing, but it's showing us it's as effective, if not more effective, than the longer workouts that we often struggle to fit into our busy lives." When done "regularly and often", these 'snacks' can help regulate blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and cholesterol, and can also help with metabolism, weight management and bone health. All important factors when thinking about longevity and a more vibrant old age. Elaborating on the sort of exercises that would work here, Lavina suggested: "One of the key ones I always say is balance snacks. So brushing your teeth on one leg is, I think, a brilliant way of incorporating balance because you've got the sink as support." READ MORE: 'I'm a physio and you should never go running if you can't do this exercise' As detailed in Lavina's book, there are different targets, depending on age ranges. However, "even a simple 10-second balance is a key indicator for your longevity". Lavina revealed: "It's quite morbid, but if you're unable to balance for 10 seconds, you're twice as likely to have a premature death in the next decade. So, that's quite an alarming stat that I sometimes mention depending on the audience. "But there are targets based, and it's just more practising balance because, also, we start losing our balance in midlife. So brushing your teeth on one leg on both sides, you can do that easily in the morning/ It's something I do morning and night, and I know I've got my balance back in." Moving on to another bite-sized exercise that she swears by, Lavina recommends the trusty "sit and stand", which she promises is "a little bit less daunting than the squat", but will still help to strengthen the lower body. According to Lavina: "It's literally every time that you're sitting too long, you know, if you're stuck on virtual meetings or if you're stuck at your desk or on the sofa, I really encourage people to get up, maybe sprinkling in 10 sit and stands. "There's an amazing study that came out quite recently, which found that 10 squats every 45 minutes is as effective as a 30-minute walk on your blood sugar levels. That's a lot of squats, but I'm just showing that it could be something that you just build in and don't overdo anything, everything in balance." Push-ups also get Lavina's seal of approval when it comes to building your upper body strength, and, again, this needn't feel like a formidable task. Lavina advised: "Upper body would be push-up against the counter, you know, when the kettle's boiling or when you're cooking." The expert recommended simple but effective excersies that can be done within minutes at home (Image: Getty Images) The author has also recommended adding in "a little bit of impact exercise", which can be "something really short". She continued: "Even just four seconds of higher intensity, like four seconds of star jumps or I love a little bit of shadow boxing and fast feet. "You know, you could just do that anywhere, really, right? You could just sprinkle those in, even in your workplace or wherever you are, just adding those little bits in." Moving onto mobility, essential for keeping joints "nice and supple", Lavina recommends trying out some head, neck and shoulder rolls, which can be done even when you're seated at your desk for work. She continued: "For stretch, I think stretch is really important because it ties in your breath, and it really helps to lower stress and cortisol levels. So a simple stretch in the evening before bed would also help with your sleep and relaxation, and it's a form of self-care. "You could even just do like a little child's pose, downward dog, a little yoga flow type thing. Like a cat cow, a down dog and a child's pose. You know, just something really simple, but it can work wonders. Giving ourselves a little minute or two before bed would be lovely." This comes as Age UK launches a new campaign, Act Now, Age Better, to encourage people to move more for "a better later life". Recent research found that one in four people aged 50 to 64 are physically inactive - the equivalent of 2.8 million. Do you have a story to share? Email me at READ MORE: White Stuff's 'summery' £75 midi dress that's 'flattering over tummy' drops to £45
