Talent Acquisition Leaders Podcast - Recruiting, Staffing, Human Resources

Stepping outside your comfort zone can shape your career in unexpected and rewarding ways. That’s exactly what Jenny Hofler, Director, Early Career Recruiting, Global Talent Acquisition at Labcorp has done — and now she’s building opportunities for early career talent at a global scale. On this episode, she joins host Ryan Dull, and they discuss how Jenny’s journey from a communications graduate to a TA leader has informed her passion for early talent and inclusive hiring.Key Takeaways:(02:33) Jenny’s non-traditional entry into talent acquisition.(04:20) Her transitions across Fidelity, MetLife, AWS and eventually to Labcorp.(06:37) An overview of Labcorp’s global presence and mission.(07:59) Internships across the globe — from the US to Singapore and Bulgaria.(10:00) Enhancing internal and external communications around early talent.(13:34) Leveraging data to improve conversion, diversity and retention.(15:40) Taking ownership of the internship experience beyond recruitment.(16:51) What’s next: evolving internship programming and university outreach.(18:34) Advice for job seekers and those transitioning into TA.(20:05) TA professionals inspire creativity, perseverance, and growth.Resources Mentioned:Jenny Hoflerhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jennyhoflerlovestalent/Labcorp | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/labcorp/Labcorp | Websitehttps://www.labcorp.com/This episode is brought to you by Sagemark HR.Sagemark HR can help you:✔ Improve your talent practices and make better, more informed people decisions.After 20+ years of experience leading Recruiting and Talent Acquisition across a wide variety of industries, I've seen enough hires (over 100,000 to date) to know that hiring decisions truly can make or break an organization.✔ Identify opportunities to not only improve your talent practices, but also delivering tangible business results.We understand every organization is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all magic solution. So we listen first and identify the gaps and sticking points in your current process before ever recommending a solution.✔ Bridge the gap from “traditional” to modern recruiting, without the painful learning curve.We believe recruiting, talent, and HR technology is a deep well of untapped business potential, and our mission is to help you identify and implement those hiring tools in a way that works for you.If you’re interested in learning more, you can reach me at:www.sagemarkhr.com✉ ryan.dull@sagemarkhr.com#Talent #Recruiters #Recruiting #HRTech

Navigating global hiring challenges takes more than process — it takes strategy, relationships and relentless curiosity. In this episode, host Ryan Dull is joined by Ryan Alexander, VP of Global Talent Acquisition at Flowserve. They discuss Ryan’s experiences at Flowserve, a global leader in flow control solutions with over 18,000 employees across 52 countries. Ryan also breaks down the company’s hiring model, explains the challenges of operating in diverse geographies and outlines his strategic approach to transforming TA delivery and aligning it with business needs. Key Takeaways:(02:42) Ryan started his career in retail, becoming the top salesperson in his company at 18 years old.(07:14) Flowserve builds critical pumps and valves for fluid systems.(10:06) Flowserve outsources 90% of hiring to a global RPO team.(13:32) Ryan outlines four TA pillars: delivery, search, operations and talent intelligence.(16:03) TA success is measured through KPIs, retention, diversity, and audits.(18:48) Strategic workforce planning is a top HR priority linked to TA.(21:40) TA success depends on treating everyone as a customer.Resources Mentioned:Ryan Alexanderhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanalexandersphr/Flowserve | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/flowserve/Flowserve | Websitehttps://www.flowserve.com/en/Workdayhttps://www.workday.com/SAP IBPhttps://www.sap.com/sea/products/scm/integrated-business-planning.htmlThis episode is brought to you by Sagemark HR.Sagemark HR can help you:✔ Improve your talent practices and make better, more informed people decisions.After 20+ years of experience leading Recruiting and Talent Acquisition across a wide variety of industries, I've seen enough hires (over 100,000 to date) to know that hiring decisions truly can make or break an organization.✔ Identify opportunities to not only improve your talent practices, but also delivering tangible business results.We understand every organization is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all magic solution. So we listen first and identify the gaps and sticking points in your current process before ever recommending a solution.✔ Bridge the gap from “traditional” to modern recruiting, without the painful learning curve.We believe recruiting, talent, and HR technology is a deep well of untapped business potential, and our mission is to help you identify and implement those hiring tools in a way that works for you.If you’re interested in learning more, you can reach me at:www.sagemarkhr.com✉ ryan.dull@sagemarkhr.com#Talent #Recruiters #Recruiting #HRTech

Knowing your career path early can be a game-changer, but aligning internships to long-term hiring goals is where most companies fall short. Jacquilynne Ellison-Wickson, Director of Talent Acquisition for Canada of HUB International, joins Ryan Dull to explore how HUB builds career pipelines, rethinks intern hiring and redefines what success looks like in TA. Key Takeaways:(02:38) Jacquilynne’s journey into recruitment and how a serious life event reshaped her career focus and passion.(08:07) Creating her first internship program showed how vast and impactful TA can be.(12:18) HUB International offers personalized, solution-focused insurance guidance.(16:51) Tailoring internships to student intent creates meaningful outcomes.(20:53) Partnering with schools and converting newcomers strengthen HUB’s talent pipeline.(25:40) Standardized tools and training ensure recruiter success and hiring integrity.(28:03) Leverage your personal brand in TA while leading with empathy and kindness.Resources Mentioned:Jacquilynne Ellison-Wicksonhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jaellison/HUB International | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/hub-international/HUB International | Websitehttps://www.hubinternational.com/This episode is brought to you by Sagemark HR.Sagemark HR can help you:✔ Improve your talent practices and make better, more informed people decisions.After 20+ years of experience leading Recruiting and Talent Acquisition across a wide variety of industries, I've seen enough hires (over 100,000 to date) to know that hiring decisions truly can make or break an organization.✔ Identify opportunities to not only improve your talent practices, but also delivering tangible business results.We understand every organization is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all magic solution. So we listen first and identify the gaps and sticking points in your current process before ever recommending a solution.✔ Bridge the gap from “traditional” to modern recruiting, without the painful learning curve.We believe recruiting, talent, and HR technology is a deep well of untapped business potential, and our mission is to help you identify and implement those hiring tools in a way that works for you.If you’re interested in learning more, you can reach me at:www.sagemarkhr.com✉ ryan.dull@sagemarkhr.com#Talent #Recruiters #Recruiting #HRTech

In today’s tight labor market, delivering the right talent at speed isn’t just an advantage, it’s a necessity. On this episode, host Ryan Dull is joined by Tara Darnell, Vice President of Talent Acquisition Strategy and Workforce Planning at Sutter Health. Tara discusses how she led the transformation of a decentralized TA model into a highly efficient, centralized function serving one of the largest healthcare systems in the US. She also offers advice on prioritization and the power of small, consistent improvements in driving long-term impact. Key Takeaways:(02:47) Tara’s journey into the recruiting space and her development at Sutter Health.(04:32) Sutter Health’s scale and the scope of its TA operations.(06:25) Transitioning from a decentralized to a centralized TA model.(07:08) The rollout of a CRM and enterprise platform to unify recruitment tools.(08:52) The impact of lean project management and data discipline on outcomes.(13:09) Dashboards for workforce planning and TA performance metrics.(15:08) Internal TA dashboard tracks aging, time to fill, and stuck roles.(16:40) “Getting better never stops” drives daily 1% improvements.Resources Mentioned:Tara Darnellhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/taradarnellvpofta/Sutter Healthhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/sutter-health/LinkedIn Enterprise Platformhttps://business.linkedin.com/marketing-solutions/cx/24/01/ads-for-linkedin?mcid=7059959449221828769&src=go-pa&trk=sem-ga_campid.20073717598_asid.147321868543_crid.670678880585_kw.linkedin%20for%20business_d.c_tid.kwd-313105743753_n.g_mt.p_geo.9197977&cid=&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw5PK_BhBBEiwAL7GTPRQFZ03lMs2pex5JwHvoFHcMuyvQpe-wvGBdI0hz55-r_NYeaH7JnRoCPBQQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds“Atomic Habits”https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habitsThis episode is brought to you by Sagemark HR.Sagemark HR can help you:✔ Improve your talent practices and make better, more informed people decisions.After 20+ years of experience leading Recruiting and Talent Acquisition across a wide variety of industries, I've seen enough hires (over 100,000 to date) to know that hiring decisions truly can make or break an organization.✔ Identify opportunities to not only improve your talent practices, but also delivering tangible business results.We understand every organization is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all magic solution. So we listen first and identify the gaps and sticking points in your current process before ever recommending a solution.✔ Bridge the gap from “traditional” to modern recruiting, without the painful learning curve.We believe recruiting, talent, and HR technology is a deep well of untapped business potential, and our mission is to help you identify and implement those hiring tools in a way that works for you.If you’re interested in learning more, you can reach me at:www.sagemarkhr.com✉ ryan.dull@sagemarkhr.com#Talent #Recruiters #Recruiting #HRTech

Transforming talent acquisition at a global scale starts with one thing: a mindset ready for change. On this episode, host Ryan Dull is joined by Mike Aronson, Senior Director of Talent Acquisition Global Operations at Johnson Controls. Mike shares his career journey from agency recruiting to leading global TA operations, emphasizing the importance of simplicity in systems, data-informed decision-making and a readiness for continuous change. Key Takeaways:(02:22) Mike Aronson’s unconventional path from sports marketing to TA.(06:19) Using AI, automation and data to enhance candidate experience.(09:43) The role of Mike’s team as a COE supporting regional TA leaders.(11:03) Shifting TA from transactional to consultative through better tools and processes.(12:05) Designing experiences for candidates, hiring managers and recruiters.(16:01) Embracing a culture of ongoing change and experimentation.(21:38) Using dashboards and conversion metrics to diagnose process issues.(30:30) Prioritizing internal mobility and onboarding as strategic growth areas.(32:23) The need for recruiters to be seen as true subject matter experts.(33:57) Mike’s advice: pursue knowledge, not just titles — curiosity drives growth.Resources Mentioned:Mike Aronsonhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mikearonson/Johnson Controlshttps://www.linkedin.com/company/johnson-controls/Workday Recruithttps://www.workday.com/en-us/products/talent-management/talent-acquisition.htmlParadox https://www.paradox.ai/Avaturehttps://www.avature.net/Google Analyticshttps://marketingplatform.google.com/about/analytics/This episode is brought to you by Sagemark HR.Sagemark HR can help you:✔ Improve your talent practices and make better, more informed people decisions.After 20+ years of experience leading Recruiting and Talent Acquisition across a wide variety of industries, I've seen enough hires (over 100,000 to date) to know that hiring decisions truly can make or break an organization.✔ Identify opportunities to not only improve your talent practices, but also delivering tangible business results.We understand every organization is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all magic solution. So we listen first and identify the gaps and sticking points in your current process before ever recommending a solution.✔ Bridge the gap from “traditional” to modern recruiting, without the painful learning curve.We believe recruiting, talent, and HR technology is a deep well of untapped business potential, and our mission is to help you identify and implement those hiring tools in a way that works for you.If you’re interested in learning more, you can reach me at:www.sagemarkhr.com✉ ryan.dull@sagemarkhr.com#Talent #Recruiters #Recruiting #HRTech

Host Ryan Dull is joined by Mark Rogers, Global Executive Talent Acquisition Director of Mondelēz International. Mark shares his career journey from the military to leading TA teams across major global organizations. He discusses the evolution of TA, the impact of proactive talent pipelining and how technology is transforming recruitment strategies.Mark highlights the importance of building an integrated talent function, the role of executive TA in cost efficiency and the key metrics Mondelēz uses to measure success. Key Takeaways:(02:37) Mark's transition from the Navy to HR and TA.(05:01) Leadership roles in college recruiting and diversity hiring.(07:27) Moving from pharma into RPO and later to Mondelēz International.(14:08) The impact of proactive talent pipelines and internal mobility.(17:40) Key initiatives, including AI-driven hiring processes.(19:36) How Mondelēz structures its TA function and measures success.(20:50) How executive TA creates cost savings and efficiency.(22:57) The importance of aligning TA with business strategy.(25:16) Mark’s advice for TA professionals: stay purpose-driven and adaptable.Resources Mentioned:Mark Rogershttps://www.linkedin.com/in/markdrogers/Mondelēz International | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/mondelezinternational/Mondelēz International | Websitehttps://www.mondelezinternational.com/This episode is brought to you by Sagemark HR.Sagemark HR can help you:✔ Improve your talent practices and make better, more informed people decisions.After 20+ years of experience leading Recruiting and Talent Acquisition across a wide variety of industries, I've seen enough hires (over 100,000 to date) to know that hiring decisions truly can make or break an organization.✔ Identify opportunities to not only improve your talent practices, but also delivering tangible business results.We understand every organization is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all magic solution. So we listen first and identify the gaps and sticking points in your current process before ever recommending a solution.✔ Bridge the gap from “traditional” to modern recruiting, without the painful learning curve.We believe recruiting, talent, and HR technology is a deep well of untapped business potential, and our mission is to help you identify and implement those hiring tools in a way that works for you.If you’re interested in learning more, you can reach me at:www.sagemarkhr.com✉ ryan.dull@sagemarkhr.com#Talent #Recruiters #Recruiting #HRTech

On this episode, Ryan Dull is joined by Candi Thomas, Director of Talent Acquisition: Field, Corporate and Supply Chain at Mattress Firm. With 22 years of experience, Candi shares her journey from retail management to leading TA teams, unifying processes and building a strong talent acquisition brand.Candi discusses key metrics like time to fill and offer turnaround, as well as initiatives like AI-enabled assessments and active sourcing. She emphasizes the value of honesty in recruiting and fostering autonomy and creativity within teams to drive success.Key Takeaways:(02:31) Candi’s career is rooted in achieving operational excellence and customer focus.(04:45) Mattress Firm sought a TA evolution to streamline processes.(06:39) Field site hiring is the top priority for the TA team.(09:37) Metrics help improve turnover rates and retention strategies.(11:54) Career growth is a key focus from employee engagement surveys.(13:12) Recruiting focuses on industries with commission-driven professionals.(15:51) Providing realistic job previews builds trust with candidates.Resources mentioned:Candi Thomas -https://www.linkedin.com/in/candi-thomas-sphr-58a01b9/Mattress Firm | LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/mattressfirm/Mattress Firm | Website -https://www.mattressfirm.com/This episode is brought to you by Sagemark HR.Sagemark HR can help you:✔ Improve your talent practices and make better, more informed people decisions.After 20+ years of experience leading Recruiting and Talent Acquisition across a wide variety of industries, I've seen enough hires (over 100,000 to date) to know that hiring decisions truly can make or break an organization.✔ Identify opportunities to not only improve your talent practices, but also delivering tangible business results.We understand every organization is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all magic solution. So we listen first and identify the gaps and sticking points in your current process before ever recommending a solution.✔ Bridge the gap from “traditional” to modern recruiting, without the painful learning curve.We believe recruiting, talent, and HR technology is a deep well of untapped business potential, and our mission is to help you identify and implement those hiring tools in a way that works for you.If you’re interested in learning more, you can reach me at:www.sagemarkhr.com✉ ryan.dull@sagemarkhr.com#Talent #Recruiters #Recruiting #HRTech

Host Ryan Dull is joined by Assil Omar, Chief Equity Officer and Vice President, Talent Acquisition of AbbVie. They discuss her unique career journey, the transformation of TA at AbbVie and how the balance between human capital and technology is driving their success.Key Takeaways:(02:40) Assil Omar’s background and entry into TA at AbbVie.(08:21) AbbVie’s organizational structure and TA function.(12:45) The impact of AbbVie’s acquisition of Allergan during COVID.(14:09) Establishing a transformation office to revamp TA.(20:46) Implementing a new operating model and aligning staff globally.(22:36) The importance of hiring manager feedback and measuring success through key TA metrics.(24:54) Balancing technology with the human element in TA.(29:02) Assil’s advice for career development in TA.Resources Mentioned:Assil Omar | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/assil-omar/AbbVie | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/abbvie/AbbVie | Websitehttps://www.abbvie.comThis episode is brought to you by Sagemark HR.Sagemark HR can help you:✔ Improve your talent practices and make better, more informed people decisions.After 20+ years of experience leading Recruiting and Talent Acquisition across a wide variety of industries, I've seen enough hires (over 100,000 to date) to know that hiring decisions truly can make or break an organization.✔ Identify opportunities to not only improve your talent practices, but also delivering tangible business results.We understand every organization is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all magic solution. So we listen first and identify the gaps and sticking points in your current process before ever recommending a solution.✔ Bridge the gap from “traditional” to modern recruiting, without the painful learning curve.We believe recruiting, talent, and HR technology is a deep well of untapped business potential, and our mission is to help you identify and implement those hiring tools in a way that works for you.If you’re interested in learning more, you can reach me at:www.sagemarkhr.com✉ ryan.dull@sagemarkhr.com#Talent #Recruiters #Recruiting #HRTech

On this episode, Ryan Dull is joined by Ashley Phillips, Director of Talent Acquisition, Sales and Corporate at Beacon Building Products. They discuss Ashley’s career journey from sales to TA, including her current role overseeing a team that hires 2,500 employees annually.Ashley shares insights into building a strong TA foundation, emphasizing the importance of communication, process standardization and forecasting headcount through 2028. She highlights the impact of metrics like time to fill and source of hire in refining recruitment strategies, especially in the competitive building materials industry.Key Takeaways:(02:32) Communications studies opened doors to sales and recruiting.(05:07) Recruitment spans operations, sales, corporate and internship roles.(06:23) Communication improvements target TA teams, business partners and candidates.(08:07) Metrics like time to fill and source of hire drive TA decisions.(10:02) Forecasting provides direction for marketing and recruitment strategies.(12:06) Building rapport with candidates creates a lasting impression.Resources Mentioned:Ashley Phillips -https://www.linkedin.com/in/agonzalesphil/ Beacon Building Products | LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/beacon-building-products/Beacon Building Products | Website -https://www.becn.com/This episode is brought to you by Sagemark HR.Sagemark HR can help you:✔ Improve your talent practices and make better, more informed people decisions.After 20+ years of experience leading Recruiting and Talent Acquisition across a wide variety of industries, I've seen enough hires (over 100,000 to date) to know that hiring decisions truly can make or break an organization.✔ Identify opportunities to not only improve your talent practices, but also delivering tangible business results.We understand every organization is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all magic solution. So we listen first and identify the gaps and sticking points in your current process before ever recommending a solution.✔ Bridge the gap from “traditional” to modern recruiting, without the painful learning curve.We believe recruiting, talent, and HR technology is a deep well of untapped business potential, and our mission is to help you identify and implement those hiring tools in a way that works for you.If you’re interested in learning more, you can reach me at:www.sagemarkhr.com✉ ryan.dull@sagemarkhr.com#Talent #Recruiters #Recruiting #HRTech

On this episode, host Ryan Dull is joined by Blair Bennett, Senior Vice President of Global Talent Acquisition at PepsiCo. Blair shares insights into managing over 30,000 requisitions annually, standardizing interview processes, leveraging data and technology, and enhancing PepsiCo’s employer brand. She discusses tackling frontline hiring challenges, upskilling recruiters and aligning talent strategies with business goals. This conversation provides valuable takeaways for senior-level TA professionals aiming to navigate the complexities of modern recruitment.Key takeaways:(02:39) From politics to PepsiCo, Blair Bennett shares her journey into TA leadership.(07:10) PepsiCo’s TA team ensures business success at every level.(10:24) Standardizing processes set the stage for rapid and positive change. (13:21) Continuous improvement drives PepsiCo’s approach to future-ready and effective talent acquisition.(16:01) Social listening tools help measure employer brand performance and engagement trends.(17:50) Piloting interview intelligence tools refines talent strategies and business outcomes.(20:59) Leveraging talent intelligence tools to support high-value recruiter contributions.(24:31) Talent communities and tagging systems become more efficient with new tools. (26:34) Learning and curiosity fuel long-term success in the dynamic TA field.(29:31) Lifting your focus beyond daily tasks fosters impactful contributions.Resources mentioned:Blair Bennett -https://www.linkedin.com/in/blairabennett/PepsiCo | LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/pepsico/PepsiCo | Website -https://www.pepsico.com/This episode is brought to you by Sagemark HR.Sagemark HR can help you:✔ Improve your talent practices and make better, more informed people decisions.After 20+ years of experience leading Recruiting and Talent Acquisition across a wide variety of industries, I've seen enough hires (over 100,000 to date) to know that hiring decisions truly can make or break an organization.✔ Identify opportunities to not only improve your talent practices, but also delivering tangible business results.We understand every organization is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all magic solution. So we listen first and identify the gaps and sticking points in your current process before ever recommending a solution.✔ Bridge the gap from “traditional” to modern recruiting, without the painful learning curve.We believe recruiting, talent, and HR technology is a deep well of untapped business potential, and our mission is to help you identify and implement those hiring tools in a way that works for you.If you’re interested in learning more, you can reach me at:www.sagemarkhr.com✉ ryan.dull@sagemarkhr.com#Talent #Recruiters #Recruiting #HRTech