Nikki Kria arrived at Havas PR in September 2017, bringing with her a deep knowledge of the communications landscape and what it takes to place a compelling story.
Her impact on our agency in a short period of time cannot be overstated. This smart and savvy PR pro has channeled her great instincts, gift for listening and passion for diversity and inclusion into all of her accounts. Because she puts herself in our clients’ shoes and serves as a passionate advocate for their interests, they simply adore her, and so do we. For those not already familiar, we’d like to introduce you to Nikki:
Hometown: Born in St. Catherine, Jamaica; raised in the Bronx, New York
How long have you been with Havas PR? 1 year
What’s something about yourself that you’re working on improving and how?
I am trying my best to get back into reading. I used to be such an avid reader, and it shaped who I am as a writer. I’m hoping to jump back into books so my writing can continue to evolve.
What’s been your biggest obstacle in life, and how have you mastered it/overcome it?
I’m not sure that it has been my biggest obstacle in life, but certainly the biggest obstacle in my field has been my shyness. This means that public speaking or even presenting in front of a group can seem scary to me, and it gives me a slower start at relationship building. What’s been helpful in managing that is embracing it. I put myself in situations that force me to be more comfortable using my voice. And for moments when I know my shyness may kick in and make me feel a bit anxious, I overprepare and try to turn that anxiety into adrenaline. Embracing my shyness also means allowing it to be, so while I do push myself to improve and lean into discomfort, I also give myself room to give in to my shyness sometimes because it’s part of who I am.
What might someone be surprised to know about you?
I’ve been a New Yorker for 20-plus years, and I just found out what an “everything bagel” is last week.
What do you consider your guilty pleasure?
Reality TV, horror movies and true crime documentaries. Give me your “Real Housewives,” your “Making a Murderer,” your “Sinister.”
Most-used emojis?
- The screaming head emoji so I can make sure the person I’m texting can really hear me
- The smiley with the open hands
- The eye-roll emoji
What advice would you give to a smart, driven college student about to enter the “real world”? What advice should they ignore?
For the most part, when people give you advice, it’s because they are genuinely trying to help you—to give you more clarity, a fresh perspective, a solid direction to walk in—so I think it’s good to hear people out when they’re offering up advice, but ultimately, you have to trust your gut. Your path will never look exactly like someone else’s, so advice isn’t meant to be followed to the letter. Hear people out, and then do what feels right for you.