Ravali Kondoju: “Even when a project is stressful or the deadline is tight, tackling it with this team makes it fun.”

Seven years at one company is no small thing. For Ravali Kondoju, these seven years at Nua Group have been shaped by curiosity, collaboration, and a steady willingness to figure things out alongside her teammates and clients.

From her early days navigating complex leave programs to working across compensation, health, and benefits, Ravali’s journey reflects what many people experience at Nua: learning fast, asking questions freely, and growing into work that balances technical rigor with practical human impact. A rewards consultant and a new parent, Ravali brings both professional depth and lived experience to how she thinks about employee wellbeing and support.

In this interview, Ravali reflects on her early memories at Nua, the projects that challenged her most, how motherhood has reshaped her perspective, and what continues to make Nua feel like home.

Seven years is a big milestone. When you think back to your first weeks at Nua, what’s the moment that stands out the most?

I vividly remember the collaborative energy. It wasn't about titles or seniority; it was just a group of people working together to solve problems. There was a genuine sense that everyone’s contribution mattered, regardless of their level. That openness gave me the room to ask questions without hesitation and set the tone for how I’ve tried to work for the last seven years.

You’ve worked across compensation, health, and benefits. Which type of project has stretched you the most, and which one has brought you the most joy?

The Stretch: Definitely leave management when I first started. The process is inherently complicated — juggling return dates, payroll, and management communication. Keeping all those moving parts aligned without letting anything slip through the cracks was a massive logistical challenge. On top of that, I was the primary contact for employees going through big life transitions. Navigating them through those hard times required a lot of care and patience, which really stretched my soft skills alongside the technical work.

The Joy: It’s who I get to do the work with. Even when a project is stressful or the deadline is tight, tackling it with this team makes it fun. There’s a 'we’re in this together' spirit—usually followed by a 'we earned this drink' spirit — that makes even the hardest projects enjoyable.

Now that you’re a mom, how has becoming a parent influenced the way you think about benefits, wellbeing, or the employee experience?

Honestly, coming to work sometimes feels like a vacation compared to the chaos at home! But that perspective has actually changed how I view the employee experience. I realize now that work needs to be a place of clarity and stability, because life outside of work can be so unpredictable. It’s made me much more empathetic to the 'mental load' people carry, and I try to support the 'whole person' whenever I can.

What’s something you learned in your first year at Nua that you still use today?

I learned that 'I don't know, but I'll find out' is a perfectly acceptable answer. In my first year, I was terrified of not having all the answers, but I quickly realized the team valued curiosity over perfection. I still use that today — though I like to think I have slightly more answers now than I did seven years ago! It’s a reminder that asking the right question is often more important than pretending to be the expert.

Tennis, travel, and food exploration: what’s one hobby or interest you wish you had more time for in this season of life?

Tennis! I miss the feeling of running around the court with full energy. Right now, my cardio consists mostly of carrying the baby and the diaper bag up the stairs. I’m definitely looking forward to getting back on the court once I’ve banked a few more hours of sleep!

What’s one thing about working at Nua that feels uniquely “Nua” to you?

It’s definitely the 'come as you are' culture. We have such a mix of different personalities here, yet somehow, we all genuinely enjoy working together. That honesty extends to our clients, too—we don’t just 'sell' to them; we partner with them to find what they actually need rather than pushing something that won't benefit them. It’s rare to find a place with that level of integrity where you also genuinely want to hang out with your colleagues. That, and the collective, unshakeable love for a good pint of Guinness. That feels uniquely Nua to me.

If your child someday asks you what you loved most about your time at Nua, what would you tell him?

I’d tell him that they made it easy for me to be a working parent. Instead of rigidity, they offered flexibility. They gave me the time to adapt to the big changes in my life without making me feel like I was dropping the ball at work. That practical support is what kept me here.

What’s the biggest way you’ve changed professionally in the last seven years?

My 'panic threshold' is significantly higher. Seven years ago, an unexpected email or a shifting deadline felt like a catastrophe. Now? It’s just Tuesday. I’ve learned that almost everything is figure-out-able, and panicking just slows you down. I approach problems with way more calm than I did on day one.

And finally, what are you most excited about for your next chapter at Nua?

Getting a full night's sleep? Kidding (mostly). Honestly, I’m excited to continue learning. The landscape for our clients is constantly shifting, and the world keeps changing, so there is always something new to figure out. Nua gives me the opportunity to keep adapting to those changes, and I’m looking forward to tackling whatever comes next with the team.

Ravali’s reflections capture something we hear often at Nua: that the work matters, but the way we work together matters just as much. Whether it’s supporting employees through life’s biggest transitions, staying calm when plans change (again), or simply enjoying working with the people you’re in the trenches with, her story is a reminder that growth doesn’t have to come at the expense of humanity.

As Ravali looks ahead to her next chapter at Nua, we’re grateful to have her onboard for so many years - and many more to come. Want to work with Ravali and the Nua team? Get in touch!