When Khalil Rajwani reflects on nearly two decades in ERP and data migration, what stands out isn’t the projects or promotions—it’s the ethical choices and the people behind the work.
From Student to Global ERP Specialist
Khalil’s journey began in 2003, arriving in Australia as a student. He pursued postgraduate studies in Engineering Management at the University of Technology Sydney and a Masters in Telecommunication Networks.
Amid thoughts of a career in IT or telecom, he discovered ERP—a niche, emerging field that would soon become his calling. “I thought, you know, that would be something that would be around for a very long period of time, considered very niche for some specific areas,” Khalil reflects.
Immersing himself in SAP and ABAP, he started his career at Nestlé Australia as a data migration specialist, navigating projects across continents—from Europe to the Middle East, to subcontinent countries.
Learning Leadership the Human Way
Over the years, Khalil’s philosophy evolved: leadership is not just about outcomes—it’s about doing things ethically and with intention. He credits the Aga Khan Development Network’s ethical framework, which emphasizes integrity, compassion, and excellence, as a guiding force.
“Some of these value systems… help you stay grounded, staying focused, and believing in yourself without compromising,” he shares. This mindset helped him navigate high-pressure rollouts, language barriers, and complex stakeholder dynamics, all while keeping people at the centre.
Ethics as a Compass
For Khalil, leadership isn’t just about delivering outcomes; it’s about acting with intention, fairness, and respect for others. His guiding principle: never compromise on ethics, even under pressure.
“At the end of the day, you have to make decisions that you can stand behind. Integrity isn’t optional—it defines everything you do.”
Mentoring and Paying It Forward
Passing knowledge on is paramount to him. “Knowledge is something that can only grow when you share with others… if you keep it to yourself, it dies,” he says.
Khalil mentors young professionals navigating ERP, offering guidance on everything from CVs to project challenges, helping them align purpose with profession. He also urges mentees to see the bigger picture:
“ERP offers endless opportunities… Realising that self potential is very important, and making them realise that they can become whatever they want to become.”
Staying Grounded in a Complex World
Even as a leader, Khalil prioritises listening over talking, empathy over efficiency, and compassion over authority. His story is a reminder that the human side of technology matters just as much as the technical.
For him, it’s not only about delivering clean data or successful ERP rollouts—it’s about uplifting the people behind the systems and making work meaningful, fair, and human-centric. For Khalil, success isn’t measured in systems delivered, but in the people empowered along the way.
Beyond ERP
Outside of work, Khalil finds balance with his small family of three—his wife and son. Together, they love heading out on road trips to explore the beauty of Australia. For Khalil, family and fun are just as essential as frameworks and go-lives—they’re what keep him grounded, joyful, and inspired.
Connect with Khalil on LinkedIn
