Do you prefer YouTube (video), Soundcloud (Audio) Google Doc (Human CV) or Blogpost (words & emojis?) - all here for you! 🤗🙌

🌟 Ki Acharya – ESTJ, SDG #4 & 5

Ki Acharya’s weaves together resilience, intercultural experience, and an unstoppable drive to support others. An organizational psychologist by training and an HR strategist by trade, Ki thrives in fast-paced environments. Ideas? She wants action. From Dubai’s 16-hour hustle days to New Zealand’s slower, people-centred culture, she has learned how to channel high energy into leadership, mentoring, and systems that help others succeed.

🌱 THE STARTING POINT: “Education is everything.”

Raised in Dubai in a competitive environment, Ki quickly learned the value of standing out. While peers pursued a single degree, she insisted on graduating with two. Later, she moved to New Zealand to pursue her Master’s in Industrial & Organizational Psychology, hungry for both academic depth and real-world exposure.

That drive is rooted in family wisdom: her parents, highly educated yet limited by glass ceilings, taught her that qualifications and continuous learning could unlock opportunities. For Ki, education isn’t just about credentials; it’s about sharing knowledge, breaking down complexity, and giving others tools to grow.

💡 PERSONALITY & SHIFT

An ESTJ at heart, Ki brings structure, energy, and a “get it done” attitude. But New Zealand taught her something new: the beauty of balance. From Dubai’s relentless schedules to Aotearoa’s culture of “go home at 5 and enjoy life,” Ki discovered that slowing down doesn’t mean losing momentum.

Her husband -and greatest cheerleader - has been helping her embrace rest. He reminds her that being still is also productive, balancing her natural hustle with compassion and calm.

🌏 PROJECTS & IMPACT

University Consulting & HR Transformation – At UC, Ki led case competitions that paired students with industry experts like Deloitte and PwC, teaching collaboration and real-world problem solving. She also contributed to digital transformation projects in People & Culture, helping leaders build the soft skills needed for tough conversations.
Unleash Global Forum, Singapore - Ki joined 1,000 young innovators to tackle the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Working on SDG #4: Quality Education, her team uncovered systemic barriers for Rwandan children - tracing high dropout rates not just to schools, but to farming subsidies and family economics. That insight deepened her passion for policy, equity, and design thinking.
Mentorship & Advocacy – As a mentor with UC Women in Business’s Tribe program, she supports students with CV reviews, interview coaching, and career navigation. She also champions Human CVs that highlight personality, adaptability, and soft skills alongside technical expertise.

🧘 INNER WORK

Though known for her extroversion and energy, Ki has also embraced silence. Vipassana meditation taught her that the hardest part isn’t being quiet; it’s sitting with your own thoughts. That practice of stillness sharpened her clarity, empathy, and adaptability. She wants to be a leader who knows when to push forward and when to pause.

📚 BOOKS & IDEAS THAT SHAPED HER

Tuesdays with Morrie - reinforced the importance of human connection.
A Different Kind of Power (Jacinda Ardern) - taught her the difference between empathy and sympathy, and how quiet leadership matters as much as loud energy.
Design Thinking frameworks - showed her how to break down complex problems into actionable, human-centred solutions.

⚡ 30-DAY CHALLENGE

If given the choice, Ki would commit to posting one HR insight reel on Instagram every day for 30 days, demystifying New Zealand’s HR and grad job landscape. To keep herself accountable, she’d set up a “Turkey Bank,” putting $20 aside with every reel. Reward? A dream trip to Turkey with her husband; for the food, culture, and adventure.

🤝 WHO SHE WANTS TO MEET

Grads and students looking for mentorship in CVs, interviews, and career direction.
HR and People leaders passionate about culture, soft skills, and organizational development.
Podcasters and storytellers exploring Gen Z, workplace culture, and the future of work.

💻 Connect:

https://www.youtube.com/@LowkiHR
https://www.instagram.com/_lowkeyhr
📌 Based in Ōtautahi / Christchurch, New Zealand

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📘 Glossary of Terms

UCE (University Centre for Entrepreneurship, University of Canterbury, NZ) A hub at the University of Canterbury dedicated to student innovation, startups, and business competitions.

180 Degrees Consulting (Canterbury Chapter, NZ) A student-run consultancy that provides pro-bono consulting services to non-profits and charities, giving students real-world consulting experience.

Deloitte, PwC, EY, Bain, McKinsey Global professional services and consulting firms. They provide strategy, management, tax, audit, and technology consulting worldwide. Mentioned as the industry experts judging student competitions and as examples of “top-tier firms” in New Zealand.

Robert Walters An international recruitment agency with offices in Dubai, New Zealand, and worldwide. Ki worked here in global recruitment before moving into organizational psychology and HR.

HRNZ (Human Resources New Zealand) The national professional body for HR practitioners in New Zealand. It organizes events, panels, and certifications for HR professionals.

EID (Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity) Panel An HRNZ panel discussion on workplace equity, inclusion, and diversity practices - sometimes shortened to EID.

UC Women in Business – Tribe Program A student club at the University of Canterbury offering mentoring and networking opportunities, especially for women entering business and corporate careers.

Unleash (Global Innovation Lab) A worldwide innovation program that gathers 1,000 young leaders to work on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Ki attended in Singapore at NTU.

NTU (Nanyang Technological University, Singapore) The host site of Unleash when Ki participated.

SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) The UN’s 17 global goals for 2030. Ki focused on SDG #4: Quality Education, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable education worldwide.

Ministry of Education (Rwanda) Referenced in the Unleash case study. Ki’s team spoke with Rwandan officials about school dropout rates and farming subsidies.

Vipassana A 10-day silent meditation retreat originating in India, now held globally. It involves no talking, no technology, and long hours of seated meditation.

Pilates & Matcha Pilates = a fitness method focused on core strength and flexibility; Matcha = powdered Japanese green tea, popular in NZ wellness culture.

BMW stereotype (Dubai reference) A light hearted reference to assumptions that expatriates in Dubai are wealthy and drive luxury cars.

THC - Ki Acharya