Ryssaldy: Our Culture Master
Ryssaldy, our Head of People, recently marked an incredible five years at Carly. Throughout her journey, she’s been a key figure in shaping our company’s culture and supporting the team through growth, challenges, and transformation. In this interview, Ryssaldy reflects on her experiences, shares insights into the evolving HR landscape, and offers a glimpse into the meaningful connections she’s built along the way. Discover the passion and dedication behind her role and how she continues to make a lasting impact on our company.
Five years is such an impressive milestone, but let's start with a bit of a throwback to your first days with Carly, what were your initial impressions, and what excited you most about joining the team?
When I started five years ago, our office wasn't the one we have today—it was actually located near the Isar in an apartment-like building. I remember coming in for my first interview and seeing that the office was still based in an “apartment,” which, interestingly, didn’t scare me off at all.
Once I joined, it felt like this special combination, which is a bit hard to explain—a super nice group of people coming together, almost like friends, but at the same time, we were all focused on doing so me serious work. What’s even more remarkable is that after five years, that feeling still lingers. The culture has certainly evolved, but that unique blend of camaraderie and professionalism continues to impress and excite me the most.
One thing that did change, though, was our office space. Back in that apartment-like office, we were constantly rearranging our seating plan—sometimes almost weekly—to optimize the space. I was hired as an HR and Executive Assistant, and space optimization was definitely a part of the job!
It’s amazing to see the people from back then who are still with us on this journey. It’s been incredible to witness their growth alongside mine over these past five years.
As the Head of People, you've seen the company grow and evolve. How has the culture at Carly evolved during your tenure, and what role did you play in shaping it?
The culture has definitely grown and adapted as we’ve moved through different stages—like when we transitioned from that cozy apartment to the spacious office we now have on Balanstraße. While we all have fond memories of the old place, I absolutely love our current office. It’s spacious and has this unique vibe that’s reflective of how far we’ve come. It’s not corporate; it’s more like a testament to our journey.
One of the things I’m most proud of is that our core values—what I like to call our compass—have remained consistent since we aligned them five years ago. These values have guided us through both challenging times and great days, helping us maintain our culture. Without these core values, we wouldn’t be able to preserve the culture that we’ve all worked so hard to build.
I know it might sound abstract, but in any situation where we’re trying to decide what to do, one of our core values always comes up to guide us. Ultimately, it’s the people who make the culture, and as diverse as we are, as long as we’re guided by the same compass, we’ll continue to thrive and adapt while keeping the authenticity of Carly.
As for my role, it’s a bit complex. The People Team, including myself, plays a crucial part in bridging the team and the company. We’re almost like advocates for both sides. Processes involving people need clear definitions, and if there isn’t a team dedicated to maintaining this connection between people and the company, it’s bound to fall apart. You lose sight of the direction.
At Carly, the People department is seen as essential, not just a typical HR team. That makes our role incredibly challenging but also incredibly important for the company.
Looking back, what’s a project or initiative you’re particularly proud of that made a significant impact on the employee experience at Carly?
I have to go back to the core values—they’re the backbone of our culture. But beyond that, I’m particularly proud of the processes we’ve implemented around feedback sharing, Quarterly Reviews, the Team Sentiment survey, and 1-on-1 sharing.
At the end of the day, communication is key to building good relationships with people, and if it’s not clear, it’s very difficult to move forward. Our hiring process is another huge achievement. We’ve grown the team significantly, and we consistently receive positive feedback about our process. Yet, we’re always keen to keep improving and providing the best possible hiring experience. The key is in the details.
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Our onboarding process is another highlight. It’s seamless and ensures that new hires get what they need without complications. We don’t necessarily aim for perfection, but we do aim to make sure that everyone who joins feels welcomed and equipped.
And of course, our Employer Branding efforts, like this conversation, shine a spotlight on our people. No matter how shy we might be, it’s great that we have a space to share our achievements with the external world. I also love that our team is eager to share their stories, like Tushar, Thorsten, and Olga have.
In your role, you’ve undoubtedly had the chance to connect with people across all levels of the company. Are there any memorable interactions or stories that stand out to you?
I've had so many memorable interactions with people across all levels of the company, it’s hard to pick just one! I have this routine of walking around the office every morning, stopping by different teams—Marketing, CPS, Automotive—just to catch up and connect. These daily interactions are really special to me because they keep me grounded and connected to everyone. It’s those small, everyday conversations that make a big impact and remind me of the great people we have here at Carly.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to follow in your footsteps and make a lasting impact in the field of Human Resources?
If you want to start or continue your career in HR, I’d recommend this recipe:
These three elements will help you navigate the HR universe. Working in HR, where your career revolves around people, can be incredibly challenging, but these principles will guide you through.
The HR landscape is always evolving. What do you see as the most significant challenges that the People team at Carly is currently conquering, and how do you envision these efforts advancing in the next few years?
When it comes to challenges for the People Team at Carly, I foresee two main areas: maintaining our culture internally and refining our hiring culture. Both are constantly evolving and are influenced by external factors like economic, political, and health situations—take the pandemic, for example, and how it has impacted our work dynamic.
These challenges aren’t something you solve once and then move on; they’re continuous. Our focus is on staying adaptable, staying honest, and being fair—not just in front of the team but also with ourselves. With this approach, I believe we can conquer any challenge that comes our way.
Can you share a fun fact or a little-known detail about your time at Carly that people might not expect?
I think I might be the first Kazakh person that many people meet when they join Carly, which always surprises both them and me!
Another fun fact is that Thorsten and I share the same birthday, which is something we always look forward to celebrating together.
And here’s a quirky one—I’ve never bought a new laptop. I’ve always used someone else’s well-kept laptop because I believe in recycling. 😊
Oh, and I came to my first interview with the founders with a milkshake in hand, and I actually have a picture of it as a souvenir!