TKI People Awards: exploring the personal dimensions of professional achievements

The KPI Institute (TKI) People Awards series features the employees and teams recognized by TKI for going above and beyond expectations, excelling as team players, and creating a tremendous impact on the company.

In the ever-evolving professional landscape, the pursuit of excellence extends beyond technical prowess. In this interview, the TKI Employee of the Month (EOM) awardees for the third quarter of 2023 share how their mindset, personal passions and connection to the community shine through in the way they perform their roles and achieve success.

By looking at real stories and lessons from different fields, we gain a holistic view of what success really means.

August

Bernadine Sandoval

Administrative Assistant

Life Management Science Labs (LMSL)

TKI: What does receiving the Employee of the Month award mean to you?

Bernadine: Being awarded the Employee of the Month is a big recognition for my hard work. It also serves as a motivation for me to continue performing at a high level. At the same time, it gives me the eagerness to improve my abilities and skills. Also, I am glad that I was able to contribute to the company’s success.

TKI: What’s your favorite accomplishment so far at TKI?

Bernadine: Working as an admin assistant, I am responsible for ensuring seamless workflow and day-to-day operations. Collaborating with different teams and ensuring their expectations are met has been one of my biggest accomplishments here at LMSL.

TKI: When you’re faced with a challenge at work, how do you find a solution?

Bernadine: My journey at LMSL has been marked by work challenges that have catalyzed my growth. I have discovered that confronting mistakes, rather than avoiding them, can lead to personal improvement and a more resilient and productive work environment.

TKI: What would be the three main career lessons that you have learned thus far?

Bernadine: The three career lessons I have learned so far are continuous learning, leadership skills, and resilience. Working at LMSL gives me the opportunity to learn every day. Even though I am not a leader, I have the chance to improve myself when it comes to decision-making, problem-solving, and team management. Lastly, LMSL taught me to bounce back from disappointments and use them as opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Kathina Aninditya

Junior Research Program Coordinator

Institute for Life Management Science (ILMS)

TKI: What do you want to do when you are not working? What are your hobbies, passions, or involvement in your community?

Kathina: In my free time, I enjoy spending quality moments with family and friends to recharge. One of my hobbies is reading but it varies depending on my mood. As for community involvement, I recently applied for a 5K race with friends to promote a healthy lifestyle.

TKI: What do you appreciate most about working at TKI?

Kathina: What I value most about my role at TKI is the opportunity to work within a global environment. Collaborating with colleagues from diverse cultures and backgrounds adds a unique dimension to our discussions and allows for a rich exchange of perspectives that constantly broadens my horizons.

TKI: What are you looking forward to in terms of your new projects, collaborations, and role here at TKI?

Kathina: Nothing specific, but I am eagerly anticipating the opportunities for growth and learning that come with my new projects, collaborations, and role here at ILMS. It’s an exciting prospect to take on fresh challenges and work closely with talented colleagues.

Islam Salahuddin

Data Analyst

TKI Research Division

TKI: What does receiving the Employee of the Month award mean to you?

Islam: Receiving the Employee of the Month award serves as a valuable recognition from colleagues

TKI: What’s your favorite accomplishment so far at TKI?

Islam: One of my favorite accomplishments at TKI is developing and enhancing the methodology as well as the analysis and reporting of TKI’s flagship Government Services Index.

TKI: When you’re faced with a challenge at work, how do you find a solution?

Islam: Through research, discussions with colleagues and trial and error.

TKI: What would be the three main career lessons that you have learned thus far?

1. Flexibility – Career paths are not carved in stone. 
2. Personal perspective – Everyone has their own experience that shapes their perception and what they have to add, and that is important. 
3. Collective learning – Sharing knowledge and skills supports individual development.

September

Andreea Vintila

Business Research Analyst – TKI Research

TKI: What do you want to do when you are not working? What are your hobbies, passions, or involvement in your community?

Andreea: Outside of work, I enjoy immersing myself in nature and observing the world in motion, which helps me reconnect with reality after spending time in the virtual realm. My creativity knows no bounds; I dabble in photography and often experiment with reinventing recipes.

TKI: What do you appreciate most about working at The KPI Institute?

Andreea: What I value most is the sense of security and the absence of excessive pressure in my work environment. At the same time, I appreciate the occasional challenge of working under pressure, as it fosters growth and adaptability.

TKI: What are you looking forward to in terms of your new projects, collaborations, and role here at TKI?

Andreea: I am always eager to take on diverse projects. I approach each task with confidence, fully aware that the necessary support and patience are readily available to help me excel. My experience within this team shows that with the right people, we can progress at our own pace. Additionally, I have learned that no matter how complex a task may appear, a positive mindset, patience, and dedication can lead to its resolution.

Cynthia Claudia

Senior Editor & Quality Assurance Specialist 

LMSL

TKI: What do you want to do when you are not working? What are your hobbies, passions, or involvement in your community?

Cynthia: I am mostly involved in self-care activities when I disconnect myself from work: I do pilates, have a quiet time to myself, enjoy listening to music and watching movies, and connect with friends and families.

I am also an avid traveler who not only enjoys exploring the serenity of nature in the countryside but the hustle bustle culture of city life too.

TKI: What do you appreciate most about working at The KPI Institute?

Cynthia: I am grateful for the opportunities that TKI provides in terms of self-improvement and learning new skills and knowledge through many training and certifications. There are always opportunities to gain new skills, discover ideas, learn new systems, and build new relationships.

Through remote work setup, I am also grateful to be able to collaborate with people from various ages, cultures, and backgrounds. It is such a remarkable experience to get in touch with people from different parts of the world.

TKI: What are you looking forward to in terms of your new projects, collaborations, and role here at TKI?

Cynthia: I hope to keep earning the trust to deliver various tasks and outputs in my current role. Furthermore, I am also looking forward to being a part of projects outside my scope of work.  As I closely collaborate with the Research team and gain insights into their work, I’m keen to engage in primary research for firsthand data collection, moving beyond secondary research.

The opportunity to conduct surveys or interview people to gather primary data in the field of social science or life science and drawing conclusions excites me the most. I am looking forward to many more opportunities to improve my skills and knowledge in the future. 

Syadza Andini

Framework Program Coordinator 

ILMS

TKI: What do you want to do when you are not working? What are your hobbies, passions, or involvement in your community?

Syadza: Outside of work, I cherish my moments of self-care and relaxation. These moments often include savoring a leisurely day at the beach, immersing myself in a good book on my Kindle, indulging in a soothing massage, and spending quality time with friends. These activities help me recharge and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Occasionally, my friends and I would also embark on spontaneous adventures, which might lead us to picturesque waterfalls or, when time permits, underwater as we engage in diving. These experiences foster a sense of wonder and excitement, allowing me to connect with nature and create lasting memories with friends.

Regarding my passions, I have a deep-rooted love for working with clients, particularly in the realm of counseling, and my specialization is in Clinical Psychology with a focus on children and adolescents. Although my current role may not involve direct client interaction, I am committed to advancing in this area. I have been actively pursuing additional courses and certifications related to counseling and child psychology, with the ultimate goal of rekindling my passion and making a meaningful impact in this field once again.

TKI: What do you appreciate most about working at The KPI Institute?

Syadza: What I appreciate most about working at The KPI Institute (especially in the ILMS) are:

The diverse culture – Our workplace is a tapestry of diverse cultures, with colleagues coming from different countries and backgrounds. This enriching diversity provides a dynamic environment where different perspectives and insights come together. It fosters a global mindset and encourages creative problem-solving.

Supportive colleagues – The camaraderie among my colleagues is truly exceptional. I am fortunate to work with teams that are not only talented but also incredibly supportive. Whether it is collaborating on projects, seeking advice, or navigating challenges, there is a strong sense of teamwork and a willingness to help one another succeed.

TKI: What are you looking forward to in terms of your new projects, collaborations, and role here at TKI?

Syadza: In terms of my projects, collaborations, and role here at TKI, I have several things that I look forward to:

1. Launching courses with the LMSL – I am eagerly anticipating the launch of courses under the LMSL initiative. This is a project close to my heart, as I was here from the beginning of it, and I am committed to its success. These courses have the potential to offer valuable insights and knowledge to our audience, and I look forward to contributing to their development and rollout.
2. Increased involvement in creating articles – I am keen to become more actively involved in creating articles for the Insights Magazine. Sharing valuable knowledge and insights with our readers is a fulfilling endeavor, and I am excited to be more active and contribute to this platform.
3. New centers in the ILMS – The establishment of a new center within the ILMS is a significant development. I am excited about the challenge of developing the framework for this center and helping it evolve just like the existing centers.