If you start working at spriteCloud, or even if you apply to one of our openings, Kiran would be among the first Spriteys you’d meet. She’s leading our HR department and also takes part in our recruitment process. With her modern vision of HR she contributes to making spriteCloud a great place to work. Read her interview in this edition of our ‘Getting to know us’ series to find out more.
Hi Kiran, can you please introduce yourself to our readers?
Hi, I’m Kiran and at spriteCloud I’m the director of people and organisation. I was born in Surinam but basically grew up here as my parents came to the Netherlands when I was nine months old.
We want to know more about your background. What was the path you took to get to where you are today?
I studied Human Resources and after my graduation, I immediately started at an asset management company. I was very ambitious and I wanted to grow fast and see a lot of different companies. I worked for big corporate organisations like LG, Fortis, KBC and for smaller companies.
As I get older, I realise that I get my energy from working for start-up/scale-up companies, because I enjoy working in a fast-paced environment where you always need to be on top of your game and where you are able to make a difference. I love to build and to me, it is very important to stay innovative in HR and to keep it modern. That is why I enjoy working in tech, people tend to be more open to a different approach in HR.
What do you like the most about your role at spriteCloud?
It interests me to find out what drives people and I get a lot of pleasure from seeing someone grow personally and professionally within the company. I enjoy working in a company where I know everyone and that I know about their professional and private life.
For me, it is important to create an environment where everyone feels safe, valued, connected and heard at spriteCloud. The best part is to be able to transform HR within the company so that it seamlessly supports spriteCloud’s goals.
For me and for spriteCloud, it doesn't matter who you are and at the same time, who you are matters the most. What I mean by that is that the only thing that matters is you, and we will support you in everything you do. We will effortlessly give you the freedom and opportunity to be who you want to be, professionally and personally.
Since you’re mentioning spriteCloud’s goals. What goals do you have specifically for spriteCloud’s HR department?
I believe we have already made some big steps. The next stage is to start to integrate spriteCloud more at the company level.
What is our recruitment strategy to recruit the best engineers, what is your career path at spriteCloud, and how can you stay on top of the game? How do we create an environment where everyone can contribute to the growth of spriteCloud, stay agile and keep innovating?
The ultimate goal is to become a top employer 🙂
How do you see the role of HR in fostering a welcoming work environment?
For me and for spriteCloud, it doesn’t matter who you are and at the same time, who you are matters the most. What I mean by that is that the only thing that matters is you, and we will support you in everything you do. We will effortlessly give you the freedom and opportunity to be who you want to be, professionally and personally.
HR has, hopefully, created an environment where this is fostered.
Thinking about your career, where do you see yourself in the future? Are there any particular skills you’d like to develop?
I see myself growing spriteCloud to become the most amazing company in all its aspects. I would also like to develop HR into a full business partner within the company. Human Resources to me is not an administrative department but is an indispensable part of the company, some might even say its heart.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
In my spare time, I like to relax with my family. We are all very busy, so weekends and holidays are spent with the four of us (plus family and friends). I like to go to the gym, I kickbox which is very good to let off some steam. I love cooking, wining and dining (hence the gym).
I used to read a lot when I was younger, but when you have a family and kids (and Netflix), it’s hard to find the time. I only read during the holidays. These days I have started making it a priority again though and I really enjoy it.
What’s a topic you could talk about for hours?
To be honest, I’m not much of a talker, but I am a very good listener. I always enjoy listening to (older) people talking about their lives: the story of how they have become who they are and the struggles they have overcome. I come from a migrant family and my ancestors came to Surinam from India, so as I get older I’m increasingly curious about that and the stories about my own family.
If you are curious to learn more about what working at spriteCloud is like, follow our #lifeatspritecloud tag on LinkedIn. We are hiring regularly so if you think this is a place that you would feel at home in, head over to our jobs page and apply to one of our open positions.
