Some days are quiet. Some are tough. But all of them feel like they’re building something real
My name is Nurul Shahirah, but I’m more known as Kym Cortez. I’m from Sarawak, a state in Borneo island, East Malaysia. The reason I have two names is because Kym Cortez is my Filipino name (my mother is Filipino), and this part of my heritage is very close to my heart.
I’m the kind of person who feels deeply, thinks quietly, and gives her best even when no one’s watching. I may not be the loudest in the room, but I’ve learned that strength can be soft, and growth can be silent.
Before inDrive, I studied dentistry. It was a respected career, but deep down, I felt like I was wearing someone else’s skin. Leaving it behind was difficult.
I didn’t have a clear plan, I just knew I needed to be somewhere I could grow, breathe, and be myself. So I took a leap of faith, trusting that the universe had a better path ahead.
That leap brought me to inDrive. In 2022,
I started as a voice agent. My onboarding session was at 9am, but I was so nervous and eager that I arrived at 6am.
helpingLuckily, some night shift employees were kind enough to show me around the office. I’ll never forget that first day. I was scared about taking my first call, unsure if I was ready.
helpingBut I attended to all kinds of people: calm voices, angry voices, even the wild ones. Each interaction was new. It was overwhelming and exciting all at once, but that day marked the beginning of a whole new life for me.
There’s a special kind of humility that comes with starting over. No titles, no spotlight. Just a headset and a willingness to begin again. I worked quietly, trying to prove that I was more than a degree I didn’t use.
helpingOver time, I started finding my voice. I remember the first time I suggested improvements for our training documentation. I thought my heart was going to jump out of my chest, and I second-guessed myself the entire time, but my ideas were accepted.
helpingThat small “yes” was all I needed to begin trusting my instincts. From there, I started creating training slides, supporting new hires, and eventually mentoring agents one-on-one. Each time I saw someone light up with understanding, I felt a little more at home.
One thing that truly transformed my journey was working under my current manager, Tatiana Apkhanova. I kid you not, she’s the best boss I’ve ever had. She’s thoughtful, open, and genuinely cares about her team.
helpingNot just professionally, but mentally and emotionally too. She always cheers me on when I reach milestones, the first one to clap when I achieve something, and supports me without hesitation. That kind of leadership made me feel safe, seen, and empowered to grow into the version of myself I never knew I could become.
She once told me: “Kym, you’re our best tutor.” I didn’t know how to respond. I was speechless, not because I didn’t believe her, but because a part of me had waited so long to hear those words. And then came one of the most unexpected moments of my life: winning the Inner Drive Award.
I wasn’t even there in person. I was in London visiting my husband. It was winter, and the air was cold and quiet. That morning, I received a message from Alina Kuzmina, head of events, and I stared at the screen, jaw on the floor.
helpingI shook my husband awake from his "dreamland" to share the news. My heart was full. Full of surprise, of gratitude, and of deep appreciation for how far I’d come. Someone like me, who once felt so lost, was now recognized across the entire company. I whispered “Alhamdulillah” and let that moment sink in.
Today, I’m a proud corporate trainer, creating training materials for my department.
helpingI’m in a quieter season for my role now, but it's no less meaningful. I still coach. I still write. I still pour love into every slide, every SOP, and every onboarding session I touch. Some days are tough. Some are quiet. But all of them feel like they’re building something real.
helpingBecause my biggest transformation didn’t happen in my title. It happened inside me. I learned how to protect my peace. How to be brave, even when I was shaking. How to start over with grace and choose growth again and again. And inDrive became the space where I bloomed. It wasn’t loud, but it was real. And I carry it with me every day.
