Khiloni Dulabdas is the Digital Marketing Lead at Ibstock.
This year marks seven years since I joined Ibstock, and it’s been an incredible journey. I’ve grown a lot, especially in the digital marketing space — learning new skills, developing new social media and web campaigns as well as contributing to the evolution of Ibstock’s online voice. But beyond the work, one thing I’ve loved, is bringing my culture to work and sharing it with my colleagues.
Being of South Asian heritage means a lot to me. My identity is deeply rooted in traditions, community and resilience. It means carrying forward generations of rich history, language, food, music and stories that have shaped not just me but millions of others across the globe. It’s about hard work, respect for family and the importance of hospitality and generosity. These are values I carry with me in every meeting, project and relationship at work.
I’ve always been happy to share my heritage at work — whether that’s helping organise Diwali festivities, decorating the office or encouraging others to join in during festivals such as Navratri. One of my favourite memories is the Navratri night we had last year. Seeing my colleagues take part, enjoy the dancing and ask questions about the festival truly filled me with joy. It reminded me how sharing culture brings people closer and helps us understand each other better.
A few years ago, I became a mum, and it’s made this connection to my heritage feel even more special. I want to pass down everything I know — the stories, the traditions, the values — to my son. I want him to feel proud of who he is and where he comes from, just like I do. It’s also made me even more passionate about helping others learn about South Asian culture, whether they’re from a similar background or completely new to it.
Throughout my career, I’ve taken different paths, starting in junior marketing roles and working my way up by staying curious, open-minded and always eager to learn. My goal for the future is to keep growing, keep sharing and supporting others — especially those who might not always feel seen — to bring their full selves to work too.
Being South Asian is a big part of who I am. It’s shaped my journey, both personally and professionally. I feel lucky to be in a workplace where I can celebrate that openly, and where people are genuinely interested in learning from one another. That’s something I’ll always continue to champion.
