Team Q&A: Zayna Oliver – HR Specialist

Our HR Specialist Zayna Oliver subscribes to the philosophy that creating a more sustainable environment starts at home and in the community, that we work better together. That’s why we’re excited to have her on our HR team, to help foster the very best community here! Join us in welcoming Zayna to the Virtual Peaker team!

How did your previous life prepare you for Virtual Peaker?

I joined Virtual Peaker shortly after graduating from college with a humanities degree. Here, I’ve developed the lion’s share of my competencies while working alongside members of the Virtual Peaker team. However, while in school, I worked as a bridal consultant and sold wedding dresses through one-on-one consultations. I also spent some time as a hostess. Both of these roles required the ability to project a positive attitude and to accommodate a wide variety of customer needs and temperaments; abilities that I continue to use and develop at Virtual Peaker.

Tell us about your role at Virtual Peaker.

As an HR Specialist at Virtual Peaker, I aim to maintain and advance a productive, collaborative, and rewarding company culture. I pursue this goal among current team members through developing training curriculums that define and promote our company culture. I am also responsible for attracting and hiring qualified additions to our team who will further Virtual Peaker’s mission, values, and culture.

How do you personally engage in sustainability efforts?

I believe that a sustainable world is made up of sustainable families and communities. I consider my sustainability efforts to coincide with my efforts to be a net benefit to my family and community, which include simple tasks such as carpooling, buying local, and getting involved in local schools and churches.

What can you tell us about yourself?

My husband, Adam, and I currently live in Minneapolis, Minnesota. While I consider Minnesota my home, I was born in Liberia. When I was very young, my family immigrated to the Midwest as refugees of the Liberian Civil War. Despite the winters making us wish we had taken our chances on the battlefield, Minnesota has more family members than I can count. When my husband and I are not working or attending family BBQs, weddings, baby showers, and birthdays, we can usually be found watching a good movie or imbibing a locally brewed beverage.