Payal Khanolkar

Payal Khanolkar is an Enterprise Engagement Manager at HFS Research, focused on building and deepening relationships with enterprise leaders and connecting HFS’ research, advisory expertise, and emerging technology perspectives to the challenges organizations are navigating today.

Payal brings nearly nine years of experience across client relationships, customer success, and strategic engagement within the technology research and advisory ecosystem. Prior to joining HFS, she spent six years at ISG, working closely with global technology service providers, managing strategic client relationships, and leading a team of client relationship professionals.

At HFS, Payal focuses on building and deepening enterprise relationships, creating opportunities for meaningful engagement with senior leaders, and connecting HFS’ expertise to the challenges and priorities shaping their businesses. She is particularly interested in AI, enterprise transformation, and the evolving intersection of technology, business strategy, and leadership.

Payal holds a B.E. in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA in Marketing. She believes life is best lived with curiosity, movement, and a little bit of joy. She loves to dance, finds exercise grounding, and turns to cooking when she needs to slow down and reset. A keen observer, she is fascinated by people, their stories, and what lies beneath the obvious. Her simplest belief is also her strongest: kindness is the ultimate way of life.