🏆 Talent Spotlight - Anya Voronova (No. 6 - 2025)

Welcome to Talent Spotlight – where very month, we shine a light on standout talent professionals, and the real stories shaping our industry.

Hey Anya, tell us a bit about yourself 😀. Who are you, where are you, and what keeps you busy these days?

I am Anya, hailing from Kyiv, Ukraine and living in Berlin for the last 8 years. I am currently working at flaconi as the Team Lead for Talent Acquisition, and have previously worked at SoundCloud. During my sabbatical in between jobs I learned to DJ, and now I am still playing for fun.

I am also busy with a book club (run by my friends from Lilipad), sports and apartment hunting once again.

Your Story

1. Will you share a small moment that taught you a big lesson with us? (could be a mistake, a surprise, or an "aha" moment - from any part of your life):

Maybe not a small moment, but the state of affairs of the world taught me that life can be changed by external circumstances in a second, and being outside of or “not into” politics might not be possible anymore. That’s why collective and individual action to make your own corner of the world a better place is what matters.

2. What about something you learned from a completely different field/hobby/experience that unexpectedly helped you in your talent work:

Spending a gap year volunteering with Action Reconciliation Service for Peace. Learning about the dangers of discrimination shaped my values in TA and DEIB. Us in TA can set up processes, where members of underrepresented or marginalised groups can succeed. We can also influence culture and processes in companies as a part of the wider People & Culture Org, so that anybody can thrive working there.

Talent Talk

1. What's the most unconventional thing you've done in recruiting that actually worked really well?

Treating TA function as a revenue generating function where possible and being strict on measuring ROI from job boards to events to employer branding TikToks, and adjusting the roadmap accordingly.

Learning DJing helped me network and connect with great talent. I also play tunes at the events that we host at flaconi, which is helpful and fun.

2. Would you share a (sourcing, interviewing, etc.) trick or productivity hack that makes your life easier:

When recruiting, I take time to connect with the candidates during my interviews on the human level, making them comfortable. I also try to get into their shoes and truly understand if our role/ company would be a good place for them.

That way I marry business needs with helping people. In my role I am also working on creating an environment and workload, where creating such connections and providing a great candidate experience is possible.

3. What's one thing about talent acquisition that you've completely changed your mind about over the years?

TA being partners to the business vs. being a service function. Having started my career in a large RPO corporation, my first role in TA had little space to consult and advise.

It was rather simply servicing the business needs. It took time to shift my mindset after that experience, but it helped me to shape my values as a TA Lead: building TA function as a partner to the business. That’s how we can support the business to reach the goals (and not get replaced by AI).

Community Connection

1. Who in your community inspires you and why? (Should we ask this person to share their story next?)

My team at flaconi (Thao, Darja, Miriam, Anestis, Nuria, Alejandra) by their endless energy, enthusiasm and humor and Sarah Hodd, VP Talent Acquisition at SoundCloud. I have only worked with her briefly, but her power is inspiring.

👀 What's one question you've always wanted to ask other talent professionals?

Do you ever spend all your social energy at work and don’t have any left for your personal life? And if so, how do you balance the two and recharge?