Kianna is our Head of Talent Acquisition & Inclusion, balancing recruitment and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) at Medialab, where no two days look the same. This is a newly created role to support our ever-growing business ensuring we attract and hire the very best talent whilst leading and advancing our DE&I initiatives. Whether it’s connecting with candidates, mentoring Community Leads, or shaping future strategies, each moment reflects a genuine passion for people and inclusion. This is a glimpse into how purpose and positivity shape Kianna’s day – both in and outside the office.
Pre-Morning Routine:
No day officially starts without breakfast; I can’t function properly until I have had something to eat, alongside an early wake up of 6am where I try to head to the gym, emphasis on ‘try’, setting me up for the morning.
Once I’m back home, I like to check my LinkedIn for any industry news that I need to be on top of. It’s also the time I aim to schedule a morning LinkedIn post, whether it’s to advertise our jobs or any DE&I activity or sharing what our communities (Employee Resource Groups) are getting up to.
On my commute to work, I’ve been listening to ‘The Receipts Podcast’ or ‘90’s Baby Show’, I like to keep it light-hearted to ease me into the day.
Morning at work:
With my role being a hybrid role, covering not just recruitment, but DE&I too, no day is the same. However, my day will always start with a to-do list to outline all my priorities.
These priorities usually consist of catching up with hiring managers and our community leads; whether it’s exploring new roles that might be on the horizon or supporting them through their interviews. It’s a busy start to the day, but one that’s all about making sure every candidate has the best possible experience.
Lunch:
I do try to bring my own lunch in which is usually leftover dinner from last night. Though if I do want a little treat throughout the week, I am partial to a hot honey chicken burrito. – The Chipotle at Tottenham Court Road is the best.
I am currently attempting to do 10K steps each day, so stepping outside and getting my steps in at lunch helps me get a break away from the screens and prepare for the afternoon ahead.
Afternoon:
With my mornings being dedicated to meetings, I try to keep my afternoons clear, allowing me to really focus on some key projects I’m excited to roll out this quarter; one of these being the Inclusive Recruitment Training for all our hiring managers here.
Alongside this, I still stick to my morning to do list to guide me through the afternoon. As of late, my to do lists have been dedicated to future strategies for 2026, including finalising our DE&I strategy, reviewing our latest DE&I survey results, mentoring our Community Leads, whilst still prioritising calling candidates for our open roles. This keeps me pretty busy until the end of the day. We’re also in the process of exploring exciting partnerships for 2026 which will help us achieve our goal of attracting and retaining the best talent in the industry.
Evening Routine:
The nature of my role is about learning about the talent market or DE&I, so I usually attend an industry event to network or just to simply learn something new. As I say, your network is your net worth, so it’s important to get out there!
However, If I’m not found at one these events, I head home, attempting to go to a Pilates class, to unwind for the day. On my commute home, I have started to read ‘The Let Them Theory’ by Mel Robbins not to mention I am on my 16th book the year, with the aim of 20 by the start of 2026!
If you weren’t at Medialab, what would you be doing?
As an English and Media graduate, and someone who loves talking, I’d see myself as a critic for movies, books or even a presenter for a game show. Being a presenter for the Traitors sounds like a bit of me! Initially I wanted to be a journalist, but after a lot of modules during university, I wasn’t so keen.
What’s one piece of advice you would give someone trying to get into the industry?
Network where you can. There are loads of free industry events you can sign up for, attend, and continue to learn about the industry itself. If you’re an introvert, bring a friend along but the key is to get yourself out there, the more you do it, the easier it will be. Don’t be afraid to message people on LinkedIn who inspire you, and ask them for a coffee, 9 times out of 10, they’ll agree and that’s your foot in the door.
Overall, it’s finding what you enjoy, what you’re passionate about and from this you’ll soon realise there’s a role within the industry for you.
