Hello there.
I took my first flight across the Arabian Sea a few days after my 1st birthday. Since then, I've settled 1,585 miles away from my hometown, in Dubai, a melting pot of culture.
As a 3rd culture kid, I was brought up in an environment of rich cultural diversity which helped me develop high emotional intelligence. I'm tri-lingual, excluding Arabic which I can read, write and speak to varying degrees. My spirit is influenced in equal parts by Y2K music, Sufi poetry, Bollywood films and shawarma. Perhaps, an inadequate portrayal of my multicultural childhood would be the pop Hindi-Arabic song 'Nari Narain' by Egyptian musician Heesham Abbas.
Today, I am cultural listener with an insatiable curiosity and a relentless drive that balances my cerebral, analytical side with a bold creative side. In my role as a digital strategist, I bring this cultural awareness and excel at crafting narratives rooted in human truths and tailored to meet the needs of clients.
How I got started in Social Media
As a finance major and UK certified chartered accountant, I didn’t imagine I would be working at the forefront of brand strategy today.
However, post graduation, I landed my first job in Dubai as a Social Media Account Executive. I honed my skills in content management, influencer relationships, copywriting, reporting and client servicing, working with well-known brands such as Aldo, Birkenstock, Call It Spring, TOMS, The Walt Disney Company, and Bookmyshow.
What I'm working on now
My passion for cultivating powerful visual stories has allowed me to work on social media strategies that compel consumers and inspire action at Create Group. Key clients include Coca Cola Arena, Dubai Tourism, Ernst & Young, DP World, Public Investment Fund (owner of the Newcastle Football team), Royal Commission of AlUla (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Berklee College of Music, Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism, and Dubai Holding Real Estate.
What I'm curious about
Combining my anthropological curiosity with my ability to simplify complex topics, I want to explore the junction of culture, individuals, and social purpose.
My goal is to understand consumer behavior through the lens of advertising and cultural influences so I can help purpose-led brands identify emerging social shifts and develop inclusive campaigns. I value my perspective and lived experience as a woman, person of color, and 3rd culture citizen and seek out opportunities that embrace this diverse perspective.
Get in touch
Email me at: shiv@bu.edu or +1 857 763 8428