Wasilla Pillay

Before joining Kura, Wasilla’s career revolved around a solid dedication to customer service in the hospitality sector. With a natural inclination towards ensuring customer satisfaction, her journey began early, influenced by a family legacy steeped in hospitality. Starting as a waitress during school holidays, Wasilla quickly advanced through various roles, demonstrating a talent for managing teams and operations.

Customer service became more than a job for her—it became a calling. Despite the industry’s demanding hours and challenges, her commitment shone through, propelling her from a skilled bartender to managing front-of-house operations and eventually assuming senior managerial roles.

Her career in hospitality was not merely a career choice but a path driven by a deep-seated desire to connect with people and deliver exceptional service. Her dedication to customer service has remained unwavering throughout her professional journey, playing a pivotal role in her growth and success in the industry.

When Wasilla first joined Kura, her initial impressions were intensely positive. She was struck by the meticulous attention to detail in everything, from explaining company values to the responsiveness to her questions. This initial interaction convinced her that Kura would be more than just a workplace—it felt like home right from the start. The atmosphere exuded growth and potential, setting a promising tone for her journey.

Describing her first few months at Kura, Wasilla acknowledges facing challenges, especially in handling complaints initially. Despite her initial apprehensions about change, higher management recognised her potential and transferred her to the Inbound Debt department. This move initially made her nervous, but it was a transformative experience. Within the first month in her new role, Wasilla adapted well and excelled beyond her expectations. This early success marked a significant milestone in her career, earning her recognition and pride from her husband, further affirming her path at Kura.

Wasilla’s journey at Kura has been nothing short of transformative. Starting with an advisor mindset, she has grown into a crucial support role, guided by Kura’s values, which have enhanced her professional skills and enriched her life as a mother.

One of her proudest achievements was leading as a Kraken trainer, which required her to take on significant responsibilities beyond the typical trainer’s duties.

Since joining Kura, Wasilla has acquired extensive business knowledge that has expanded her skills and boosted her career progression.

Kura’s emphasis on values like authenticity has empowered her to embrace vulnerability and ask the right questions, contributing significantly to her ongoing professional development and growth.

During her time at Kura, Wasilla has been deeply involved in various initiatives to ensure the company’s success. One of her standout accomplishments is her role as a Kraken trainer, where she seized the opportunity to excel and dedicated herself wholeheartedly.

Wasilla believes her work has significantly impacted Kura by equipping new and experienced advisers with the essential knowledge and skills necessary for business success. Beyond technical training, she has worked tirelessly to instil values that promote unity and discourage negative influences, fostering a supportive team environment.

Her efforts have borne fruit in the form of advisers who perform exceptionally well and maintain a positive outlook on Kura. While transforming mindsets is a collective effort, Wasilla’s contributions have played a pivotal role in cultivating a cohesive and resilient team culture akin to a closely-knit family striving for continuous improvement.

Looking forward, Wasilla’s future career aspirations within Kura are centred around the growth and development of the Kraken team. She envisions expanding Kraken into different departments and ultimately aims to lead the training division tailored for Kraken. Her goal is to cultivate a team of familiar faces who have journeyed alongside the company, contributing to Kura’s expansion and ensuring stable employment for families through steadfast adherence to the company’s values and principles.

Wasilla sees herself making significant contributions to Kura’s success in the upcoming years by ensuring the achievement of targets and KPIs. She is committed to educating colleagues about Kura’s core values and promoting a culture of 10x performance across the organisation, thereby being pivotal in driving Kura towards continued growth and excellence.

Wasilla says, “Working at Kura has profoundly influenced my personal and professional growth by allowing me to be authentic and bring my true self to work. My passion and dedication have been pivotal in my journey.

My outspoken nature and passionate approach have been crucial to my success at Kura. Starting as an entry-level advisor, I have progressed through roles such as complaints advisor, floor support, and L&D support, and eventually becoming an accredited trainer. Embracing change and taking on challenges enthusiastically have always been my strengths. I am known for asking questions—a trait encouraged at Kura, where curiosity is valued.

These personal qualities, alongside my enthusiasm and curiosity, have been instrumental in my career development at Kura, enabling me to advance and refine my skills continually.

Kura has been instrumental in my holistic growth, providing the motivation, structure, and support necessary to achieve personal and professional goals to their fullest.”

Wasilla’s journey at Kura has been a testament to the power of authenticity, passion, and continuous growth. From starting as an entry-level advisor to becoming an accredited trainer, she has embraced every opportunity to evolve professionally and personally. Bringing her true self to work has shaped her career and fostered a supportive environment where curiosity and enthusiasm thrive. She is committed to further contributing to Kura’s success, leveraging my strengths to drive positive change and inspire others.