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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.
Zawya
06-05-2025
- General
- Zawya
Ministry of Culture launches ‘Modern Heritage Research Grants' programme to support and foster in-depth studies of the UAE's architectural heritage
Abu Dhabi: The Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with Zayed University, has launched the 'Modern Heritage Research Grants' programme, a strategic initiative aligned with the national efforts to preserve and promote the UAE's modern architectural heritage. The programme aims to support and encourage comprehensive research on the country's architectural legacy from the 1960s through the 1990s and is endorsed by the 'Sustainable Impact' seal from Majra – the National CSR Fund. The programme will award up to 20 grants to individuals, researchers, and enthusiasts who will critically examine the UAE's modern architecture and its regional connections. By fostering research, the initiative seeks to fill key knowledge gaps, raise awareness, and strengthen collaboration between academic institutions and the wider community. H.E. Mubarak Al Nakhi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, said: 'The Modern Heritage Research Grants programme represents a key component of our national strategy to preserve and safeguard modern architectural heritage, which serves as a bridge connecting the past with the future. Our partnership with Zayed University underscores our commitment to promoting robust research into the architectural history of the pivotal era from the 1960s through the 1990s. By doing so, we seek to uncover the cultural and artistic layers that have shaped our national identity.' H.E. further added: 'These grants are designed to encourage rigorous research and creativity to interpret our heritage with critical awareness and connect it to regional and global architectural movements. By empowering talented individuals, we aim to fill knowledge gaps and transform archival material into a living resource that informs and inspires future generations.' The programme encompasses two primary research categories – creative and academic. Creative research includes the production of films, illustrations, materials, and photographic works highlighting architectural characteristics of this period. Meanwhile, academic research supports the development of written works that explore various aspects of the country's modern architectural heritage. Grants are available under multiple categories, including the Modern Heritage Research Grants and Modern Heritage Research Fellowship. Researchers, practitioners, academics, and individuals interested in the UAE's modern architectural heritage can apply for this programme, open to both UAE residents or non-residents. Each project must be completed within a six-month timeframe, as outlined in the application guidelines. Grants of up to AED 50,000 will be awarded per proposal. The programme also welcomes project proposals related to or based on master's theses, provided that all submissions, including creative ones, are based on original, well-founded, and approved preliminary research. Applications for the first cycle will start on May 1, 2025, with submissions closing on July 31. Grants recipients will be announced in October 2025.
