The Designer Recruiter

In this energising episode of The Designer Recruiter, host Esther Echeverria sits down with Alan George, Associate at MKD and founder of the A-Form Show, the region's premier architecture and design podcast with over 100 episodes. Born and raised in Dubai, Alan opens up about what it means to be an award-winning architect who also podcasts, moderates, teaches, and gives back to the next gener...

In this insightful and engaging episode of The Designer Recruiter, host Esther Echeverria sits down with Kerem Cengiz, Managing Director at LWK + Partners, to explore his journey through the architecture and design industry from developing as a designer to leading one of the world’s respected global architecture practices. Kerem shares thoughtful reflections on the realities of leadership in archi...

In this powerful and thought-provoking episode of The Designer Recruiter, host Esther Echeverria sits down with Laila Al-Yousuf, Creative Director and Partner at Say Studio, to explore her journey through the design industry from purpose led creativity to building a studio that stands for more than just aesthetics. Laila shares honest reflections on what it really takes to grow in the design world...

In this inspiring episode of The Designer Recruiter , host Esther Echeverria sits down with Christine Espinosa-Erlanda , Associate Director at Godwin Austen Johnson , to explore her 20-year journey from humble beginnings in the Philippines to becoming one of the UAE’s most respected architects. Christine opens up about her rise through the ranks , entrepreneurial ventures , leadership lessons , an...

🎙️ This week on The Designer Recruiter, Esther sits down with Kristian Stinson, Co-Founder & Managing Director of FINCH, a Dubai-based design agency working with some of the world’s biggest hospitality and retail brands. From his career transition from law to design to building Finch into a creative powerhouse, Kristian shares the unfiltered realities of entrepreneurship, branding, and family...

In this episode of The Designer Recruiter, host Esther Echeverria sits down with Nurain Jamal, Co-Founder of Majara DXB, for a powerful and personal conversation about leading with empathy in the architecture and design world. Nurain shares her honest take on building a career—and a company—on purpose, flexibility, and inclusion. You’ll hear: - Why Majara DXB hires for values, not just experience...

What if construction leadership put people first? In this episode of The Designer Recruiter, host Esther Echeverria sits down with Hamed Parnian, Managing Director at Vedra, to talk about building more than just spaces—he’s building a values-driven business. Hamed shares his journey from corporate frustration to founding Vedra, a boutique consultancy focused on trust, culture, and real relationshi...

What happens when you pivot industries, start over in a new country, and raise a child—on your own? In this inspiring episode of The Designer Recruiter , host Esther Echeverria speaks with Katrina Tasbaz, a showroom manager at VitrA and board member of Return to Work Mom. With over 20 years in the bathroom industry across the UK and UAE, Kathrina opens up about: 🔹Making the leap from design to sa...

Struggling to stand out in your applications or be confident during interviews? This episode is for you!  From overcoming shyness to reshaping hiring processes—Kimberley Dean, Associate Director at Bishop Design, shares her personal and professional evolution in this inspiring chat with host Esther Echeverria. 🎯 In this episode: The LinkedIn strategy that got her hired—no CV needed Why confidence...

Designers and design students, are you ready for some career insights? In this episode of The Designer Recruiter Podcast, Esther Echeverria delves into the dynamic world of design recruitment, providing valuable tips and inspiration. Meet today's guest Juan Roldan , a Spanish architect, designer, and researcher. Currently an associate professor at the American University of Sharjah, Juan brin...

Welcome to the latest episode of The Designer Recruiter podcast, where we uncover the mysteries behind why your CV might not be making the cut for interviews or what's causing those post-interview rejections. Join your host, Esther Echeverria, a seasoned recruiter with nearly a decade of experience in Dubai, as she reveals how you can finally get the feedback you've been longing for and...

Are you ready to dive into the captivating world of architecture and design? In this exciting episode of the Designer Recruiter podcast, your host, Esther Echeverria, brings you an exclusive interview with AK Saadi, the Regional Director of Architecture at Jacobs, and the proud recipient of the prestigious Design Principal of the Year award. AK is about to drop a wealth of knowledge that's es...

Are your CVs getting lost in the shuffle? Are post-interview rejections leaving you confused? In this episode, join Esther Echeveria, on The Designer Recruiter Podcast, where we dive into the world of design recruitment with Rasha Al-Takreeti. She's not just any designer – she was named Young Interior Designer of the Year in 2018 and was a guest among young Arab leaders at the World Governmen...

Join us on The Designer Recruiter podcast for an exclusive glimpse into the hiring process and the world of top design companies in Dubai. In this episode, we have a special treat for you – meet Rakan Jandali, a visionary designer with an artistic soul and a passion for connecting people through design. For the past 16 years, he's been an integral part of KCA International, the mastermind beh...

Our debut episode features a remarkable guest, Ankita Jha, a mom and thriving business leader in the design and build industry. As a co-founder and owner of three successful luxury design and development companies in the Middle East, an accomplished author, and a captivating keynote speaker, Ankita brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. In this episode, Ankita reveals some closely guarded indu...

Welcome to The Designer Recruiter podcast, a platform where designers and architects can take proactive steps to secure their dream jobs. Are you wondering why your CV has not been selected for the interview? Why have you been rejected post-interview and what did you do wrong? Don't fret; we've got the answers! The Designer Recruiter is hosted by Esther Echeverria, a seasoned recruiter w...