Meet The Team: Q&A with Sara Hedžet, People & Culture Generalist at Huddle

In this feature, we delve into Sara's story, a People and Culture Generalist at Huddle, as she shares her motivations, the unique elements of Huddle's culture, and the impactful initiatives that make the company an exceptional place to work. From driving employee engagement through innovative programs to fostering seamless collaboration across continents, Sara provides a firsthand look into what makes Huddle’s approach to People and Culture so distinctive and effective.

What inspired you to pursue a career in people and culture?

When I enrolled in university to study psychology, I initially envisioned working with children in a clinical setting. However, during my graduate studies, I was introduced to organizational psychology, which completely reshaped my perspective. I realized how significant the workplace is in people’s lives - after all, most of us spend a third (or more) of our working lives at work.

The idea of using psychological principles to help people connect with roles that align with their strengths and needs deeply resonated with me. I was drawn to the opportunity to help individuals reach their potential while simultaneously creating workplaces that enable growth, collaboration, and satisfaction. On the organizational side, I enjoy applying psychological insights to improve efficiency, remove roadblocks, and foster environments where both people and businesses can thrive.

What do you enjoy most about working with the Huddle team?

What I enjoy most about working with the Huddle team is that every day brings new challenges and opportunities to collaborate closely with employees, team leads, and managers. At Huddle, we’re deeply involved in understanding the unique dynamics of each team. This allows us to address specific challenges and foster smoother, more effective collaboration.

Being part of a company where I can witness the tangible impact of our efforts - whether it’s resolving team friction or helping individuals excel - makes the work incredibly rewarding.

What makes Huddle’s workplace culture unique, in your opinion?

Huddle’s culture is uniquely defined by its diversity and shared passion. Our team spans different parts of Europe and the U.S., and despite the cultural and time-zone differences, we collaborate seamlessly. It’s inspiring to see how colleagues unite around a common goal - to drive innovation in the sportsbook industry with cutting-edge solutions.

The culture itself is laid-back but driven, emphasizing motivation, proactivity, and a strong sense of initiative. People here are empowered to make a difference and advance in their roles, which creates a dynamic and fulfilling workplace. And when we come together for team events, it’s clear that we not only work hard but also genuinely enjoy each other’s company.

Can you share any recent initiatives or programs that have been particularly impactful for employee engagement?

At Huddle, employee engagement is a top priority, and we monitor it through regular surveys which help us understand employee needs and take meaningful actions to improve and adapt.

In 2023, our first comprehensive engagement survey gave us valuable insights into what employees value and the challenges they face. Based on the feedback, we improved transparency in communication across teams and leadership, fostered collaboration at the managerial level, and worked on aligning cross-functional goals.

At the team level, many teams used the survey results to identify and tackle specific challenges within their day-to-day work. A significant focus for most teams was improving inter-team cooperation, which led to targeted efforts like enhanced communication practices and more intentional collaboration during projects. Another standout theme was knowledge sharing and upskilling, which inspired many teams to adopt knowledge sharing initiatives tailored to their unique needs. 

We’re currently conducting our second comprehensive engagement survey, which will give us a fresh perspective on where to focus next. Engagement is not a one-time effort; it’s an ongoing process. We’re committed to continually refining our strategies to ensure every employee feels valued, supported, and motivated to grow alongside the company.

Additionally, beyond the surveys, employees have regular check-ins with their managers through one-on-one meetings, feedback sessions, and informal discussions. These touchpoints are crucial for addressing concerns as they arise and reinforcing a culture of openness and trust.

Can you share a particularly memorable success story or initiative related to people and culture during your time at Huddle?

One of the most rewarding aspects of my time at Huddle has been helping to build the People and Culture function from the ground up. When I joined, the company was just starting to formalize HR processes. Josipa Beti, our VP of People and Culture, had already taken initial steps like creating a comprehensive employee directory and introducing learning and development programs to empower employees. These initiatives set the tone for our approach: balancing structured processes with a focus on growth and prioritizing employee needs.

One of my first major projects was implementing an HRIS system, which streamlined core people processes, automated workflows, and provided employees with better access to key information and managing their needs. This allowed us to free up time from manual admin work to focus on more meaningful, strategic initiatives that directly enhance the employee experience.

More recently, my focus has shifted toward refining our onboarding and offboarding processes. Onboarding, in particular, is a critical phase - it sets the tone for a new hire’s journey at Huddle. The first days, weeks, and months are pivotal for setting clear expectations, building trust, and ensuring employees feel welcomed, informed, and comfortable in their new environment. The beauty of this process is that we’ve automated every step through our HR tool - from assigning tasks and action points to responsible parties to tracking completion timelines, the system ensures nothing is missed. This automation not only improves efficiency but also creates a seamless experience for new employees, reinforcing our commitment to excellence from day one. 

These initiatives have brought structure and clarity while preserving Huddle’s people-first culture. It’s been incredibly fulfilling to witness the tangible impact of these efforts, from smoother processes to a stronger, more cohesive workplace culture. 

Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue refining these systems and developing new programs to support employees and maintain Huddle’s vibrant culture as we grow.

If you could pick one word to describe Huddle, what would it be and why?

Fun. Huddle embodies a culture where motivation, proactivity, and eagerness to grow are highly valued, but we also ensure that the journey is enjoyable. Whether it’s tackling challenges together, celebrating wins, or simply connecting as a team, there’s always a sense of camaraderie and positivity that makes Huddle an exceptional place to work.