Today we’d like to introduce you to Zuleka Kaysan

Hi Zuleka, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?

My story begins with the challenges I faced as a young person entering the world of work. Like many, I didn’t have a clear guide or mentor to navigate my early career path, and I had no idea what my ‘passion’ was. I relied on the mindset that hard work would be enough and that results would speak for themselves. But I soon found that other skills were just as crucial. These experiences became foundational and have shaped my desire to prepare students and graduates for their first roles.

My early career in real estate development was driven by a commitment to improving how people live and interact within communities. Throughout this, it became clear just how crucial innovation is within organisations and how many internal teams struggle with it—lacking both the skills and empowerment needed to drive change. I saw this firsthand both when I led a graduate management scheme in the UAE and when I hired recent graduates in KSA; I realised their potential but also saw the skill gaps they face in work environments that don’t have the capacity to support them.

This led me to co-develop an internship programme in partnership with a close friend, merging our businesses, PeopleKult and The Cornerstone Advisory, to create a remote, hands-on learning environment for university students. Through practical experience, mentorship, and exposure to real-world demands, we aim to bridge the gap—equipping young talent not only with essential skills but with the confidence to thrive and shape their own futures.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

Our first programme was a learning curve for all of us!

Starting with a global team of students in a remote setting, it quickly became clear that working virtually would require a new level of communication and accountability. While we aimed to provide hands-on learning, an added challenge was encouraging our interns how to balance their individual responsibilities with group projects. It took careful coaching and programming to help them see the importance of personal accountability in collaborative efforts.

As they navigated this learning curve, we frequently addressed expectations and helped them adapt to constructive feedback and real-world project demands. The experience tested their ability to adjust to the realities of professional work; each challenge and training session highlighted the importance of key skills that nurture innovation and self-awareness- adaptability, open communication, and fostering a growth mindset- the same skills we instil in our client engagements.

Despite the early difficulties, watching cohorts grow through the process has been incredibly rewarding and has only reinforced our commitment to the programme. We now host two cohorts a year!

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about The Cornerstone Advisory?

The Cornerstone Advisory is dedicated to empowering organisations in service-based sectors—like city development, engineering, healthcare, and education—by building sustainable, innovation-driven ecosystems. We work to make innovation a foundational element in how our clients operate, where we help embed innovation ecosystems that can adapt to both immediate market shifts and the longer-term requirements of future generations.

What sets us apart is our commitment to the customer and employee experience. Rather than rushing toward flashy innovations, we first address everyday pain points and build practical solutions that improve satisfaction and engagement. By removing these obstacles, we create a foundation for more ambitious, customer-focused innovations that bring genuine value.

Brand-wise, I’m especially proud of our partnerships with purpose-driven clients—these collaborations allow us to make a real, lasting impact that helps our clients thrive.

A key part of our mission is preparing the next generation of talent to support businesses as they evolve. Through our internship programmes, we aim to bridge generational demands and build capabilities that align with the changing needs of the world of work so that future professionals are equipped to keep organisations competitive and customer-focused.

What matters most to you? Why?

In both our partnerships and programmes, our focus remains on building a sustainable future—one that allows innovation to grow alongside the people and businesses that support it. By aligning organisational goals with new talent and evolving industry demands, we’re able to nurture environments that meet today’s challenges while preparing for tomorrow’s opportunities.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thecornerstoneadvisory.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecornerstoneadvisory/