Replicant Spotlight: Zainah Siddiqui, Senior HR Coordinator

By Replicant
June 20, 2023

Tell us about yourself! Where are you located and what was your path to joining Replicant?

My name is Zainah Siddiqui and I’m the Senior HR Coordinator at Replicant! I’m located in Toronto where I’ve lived all my life. I love to explore local spots and enjoy hiking through the forestry around my neighbourhood. My path to joining Replicant was unexpected but a great change for me. I was in healthcare prior to joining Replicant when I was referred by a friend of mine who worked closely with the Head of Talent, Margaret Cichosz. A few interviews, later I found myself drawn to the culture and drive at Replicant and the decision made itself!

What team are you on and what are some of the main goals your team is focused on?

I’m on the People Team (aka Human Resources). Our goals are to ensure that potential Replicant hires have the best experience interacting with the company, that they have the best onboarding experience once they get past the interview stage, and the best employee experience while working at Replicant. We want to make sure Replicants have the tools and resources they need to succeed in their jobs.

What does a typical day in your role look like? What kinds of projects do you work on?

A typical day consists of answering general questions from the Replicant team, making sure we’re prepared to welcome aboard upcoming new hires, and updating existing materials and platforms so Replicants always have access to the right information! Other projects I work on are assisting with drafting new policies and developing resources for managers to help them succeed in their roles!

What’s one favorite thing about your city that would surprise others?

How close it is to a large national park. The Rouge River National Park is one of the many reasons why I would find it extremely hard to leave. If I walk 10 mins in any direction, I end up on a trail. I also love how many food options we have! Toronto has options that can cater to any dietary restriction or allergy and it’s something I greatly appreciate, especially when I travel to a location that doesn’t have many options.

How would you describe Replicant in three words?

Exciting
Challenging
Compassionate

What stands out about the culture at Replicant?

At Replicant, we strive to achieve a healthy balance between personal and professional. We want people to feel accomplished and driven at work but also take a step back and recharge by spending time with their families and friends. With remote companies, there are limited opportunities where you get to connect with your fellow coworkers in person, but Replicant provides those opportunities in the form of initiatives like team offsites and Disconnect to Reconnect – a week where we encourage Replicants to take a day to see their regional peers!

What has been one of your biggest accomplishments here so far?

While not my “biggest” accomplishment, I would say my most meaningful accomplishment is my work with the co-op students. I enjoy interacting with the students and making sure that they are getting the most of their co-op experience. I believe strongly in the value of helping students grow and realize their potential and being a part of that journey is very exciting… Especially when they go on to join us at Replicant!

What’s a fun fact that most people don’t know about you?

I love volunteering and have spent the last several years working with the deaf community; and from that I have picked up a little sign language! I even took some classes to learn it properly.

What excites you about the future of AI?

The potential it could have for the future of healthcare. I used to work in senior living and the idea of being able to identify illnesses/challenges before they happen would literally be a lifesaver.