Meet our M-Explorers
We spoke with Zhanar, the Talent Acquisition & Development Manager at MEININGER Hotels. She shares what it was like to move to Germany and settle in, what drives her work in HR and Employer Branding, how she supports leaders and teams, and the lessons she’s learned from her career journey. Zhanar also reflects on why having an open, inclusive environment matters to her.
Hi Zhanar! Where are you from and what brought you to Germany?
Hi everyone, I’m from Kazakhstan, Central Asia. I’d like to answer this question with a quote from a famous movie: “What brought you to New York?”—“Love.” Well, my husband’s German, and after he finished his work assignment in Kazakhstan, I followed him to Berlin!
What was it like moving to Germany? Did you face any challenges moving here, especially at the beginning?
It was a big challenge for me in many ways… I came here without speaking German, left behind a successful HR career in Kazakhstan, and had to start from scratch, while also leaving my friends and family. So, all the typical challenges of an immigrant.
How is life in Germany different from life back home?
A lot! The language, the way strangers interact with each other, the need to carry cash everywhere, even in Berlin, Europe’s biggest capital. But at the same time, the freedom to express who you are, the support for refugees, and the opportunities created for immigrants.
What aspects of your life in Kazakhstan do you miss the most? And do you feel that Germany has become your home?
I do miss my family, my mom who turns 79 this year, my sister and her family, my friends… I also miss my city, Almaty, where you can reach the mountains and beautiful nature with just a 20-minute bus ride. As for Germany, absolutely, yes, it’s become my home. I’ve learned German and speak it quite well (I hope!), I have friends, a job, and of course, my German family. My husband jokes that I’ve started complaining better than any native Berliner!
How did you find your way into the hospitality industry and to MEININGER Hotels specifically? What were you doing before that?
I’ve built my HR career for more than 20 years, working with many international companies and brands such as KFC, Pizza Hut, Costa Coffee, Hardee’s, Metro Cash & Carry, and USAID. My last role in Kazakhstan was Head of Training & Development for a large international hospitality company.
I really enjoyed the fast-paced, diverse environment, where successes go hand in hand with challenges. And of course, I missed the people, the true heart of the hospitality industry. You can have the finest food or the best room to offer your guests, but it’s the way it’s delivered that often determines whether they choose you.
Currently, you’re working as Talent Acquisition & Development Manager in the HR Talent Team. How does your job look like on a day-to-day basis?
Busy! The nature of our work is a bit different from other HR services. We don’t just handle HR operations like opening positions, interviewing candidates, organizing and conducting training programs, and offering development initiatives for all MEININGER employees. We also drive many Talent projects, such as Employer Branding and making MEININGER Hotels an inclusive employer.
We’re also available daily to address any talent-related questions or requests from all our stakeholders through our HR ticketing system. On top of that, we played a key role in the transition to and support of our new HR system, Workday, and were thrilled to be part of this major HR transformation at MEININGER.
What does “success” mean to you personally and has that definition changed over time?
That’s a great question, and honestly, my perspective has changed a lot over my career. The more responsibility I take on, the more I focus on people. Of course, it’s important that our work drives MEININGER Hotels’ business results. After all, we’re a commercial company. But for me, real success isn’t just numbers on a report, it’s seeing my team grow, develop, and achieve their goals. I truly believe a successful leader is someone who helps others succeed, because their success is ultimately my success too.
You’re also a certified coach. How has your coaching background influenced the way you support leaders and teams through challenges? And what has coaching taught you about yourself?
Being a certified coach has taught me to listen with empathy and guide leaders and teams to discover their own solutions. Through coaching, I’ve also learned a lot about myself. I’ve become more patient, empathetic, and aware of my own biases.
You’re also part of the Employer Branding Team. Why is this topic so important, and how do you ensure that MEININGER Hotels is seen as an attractive employer, both internally and externally?
Employer Branding matters because it shows what MEININGER Hotels is truly like as a workplace. We focus on understanding what makes our employees feel proud and supported, and we shape our projects to achieve that. Externally, we share our culture and opportunities to position us as an employer of choice. For example, we recently designed a new landing page for future talents, which has led to an increase in applications. It’s all about offering great opportunities to talent and creating a positive, inclusive environment.
What role does Diversity & Inclusion play in the hospitality industry? How are these values lived out here, and what role does HR play in supporting them?
Diversity & Inclusion are at the heart of hospitality. We work with and welcome people from all backgrounds. At MEININGER Hotels, we live by this every day. As our mission says, “We are enthusiastic hosts who are as diverse as our guests.” HR supports inclusion through guidance, training, and policies. In Talent HR, we use inclusive language in our job ads, deliver DEI programs to leaders and employees, participate in DEI initiatives, and act as role models.
Finally: What advice would you give to someone looking to build a career in HR?
If you want to build a career in HR, my advice is simple: have a natural desire to serve others and act as a navigator between business goals and employee happiness. Keep learning, strengthen your people skills, and embrace the challenge. It’s not always easy, but it’s definitely worth it!
Thanks for sharing your insights, Zhanar!
✨ Read more M-Explorers’ stories on the MEININGER Hotels blog or check out our job openings.
