Talent Acquisition Leaders Podcast - Recruiting, Staffing, Human Resources

Balancing innovation with the human side of hiring is shaping the future of talent acquisition. On this episode, host Ryan Dull is joined by Jeff Ollinger, Director, Talent Acquisition – Corporate and Campus, of Sun Life. They discuss Jeff’s career journey, the evolution of his role and the strategies Sun Life is deploying to strengthen both campus and experienced hiring. Jeff shares how his background in athletics and early career experiences led him into HR and TA, eventually shaping his leadership approach. He highlights the scope of Sun Life’s hiring operations, the company’s student conversion strategy and its focus on inclusion through specialized programs.Key Takeaways:00:00 Introduction.02:36 Jeff shares how he became an accidental HR professional.05:07 Jeff’s journey from RBC to the tech sector to broaden his campus recruitment work.10:07 Sun Life hires 500–700 students annually, with a focus on full-time conversion.13:45 Student recruitment is balanced all-year-round, not just in the summer.18:03 Sun Life prioritizes manager and new hire satisfaction with a seamless experience.20:12 Internal hiring is a priority for developing talent and filling senior roles.22:14 AI is used to boost efficiency and insights, while decisions remain human-led.25:10 Be open to unexpected career paths and new ways of doing business.Resources Mentioned:Jeff Ollingerhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffollingerSun Life | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/sun-life-financialSun Life | Websitehttps://www.sunlife.com/en/Dean Connor Inclusion Scholarshiphttps://www.sunlife.ca/en/careers/student-and-new-graduate-programs/scholarship-guidelines/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

Predictable hiring isn’t just possible —it’s essential. On this episode, host Ryan Dull is joined by Michael Peterson, Sr. Director of Global Talent Acquisition – Talent Sourcing, Intelligence and Innovation at Edwards Lifesciences, to explore how strategic planning, data-driven practices and a consumer-minded approach are shaping modern TA functions in highly regulated industries. Michael walks through his path from aspiring pilot to TA leadership, sharing lessons from roles across healthcare, tech and international organizations. From building teams from scratch to redefining success metrics, Michael also offers practical insights into the evolving TA landscape.Key Takeaways:(00.00) Introduction.(02:35) Michael pivoted from aviation to a career in TA leadership.(04:48) Edwards Lifesciences leads in heart valves, with 17 on Michael’s TA team.(05:59) Intelligence and innovation functions are early, with one analytics role in place.(07:58) The Valencia plant proves the strategy works and uncovers key process gaps.(10:11) TA taught the business the market’s tough — now it’s about how to act on it.(12:52) Quality of hire is the top priority, even if measurement still needs work.(15:12) TA priorities include field roles, tech optimization and guiding AI innovation.(17:01) Focus on doing the right thing, not on being liked.Resources Mentioned:Michael Petersonhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/taleadermichaelkpeterson/Edwards Lifesciences | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/edwards-lifesciences/Edwards Lifesciences | Websitehttps://www.edwards.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

A career shaped by competition and strategy is now fueling transformation in talent acquisition. On this episode, host Ryan Dull is joined by Chris Ross, Head of TA of North American Packaging at International Paper. Chris shares insights from nearly 25 years in TA, including agency work, leadership roles at Johnson & Johnson, and now guiding strategic transformation at International Paper. They discuss his unique path from Division I college hockey player to recruiter, and how his hands-on agency experience shaped his leadership approach. Key Takeaways:(02:32) Transitioning from hockey to headhunting in medical sales.(05:10) Early corporate TA experience begins at Monster during its startup heyday.(10:00) Strategic TA work unfolds, backed by strong leadership and a 19-person team.(13:18) DS Smith deal grows IP to 60,000 and expands EMEA reach.(14:55) A focus on listening and observation reveals early opportunities in team structure.(18:12) Recruiting efficiency becomes priority, with Gem and Beamery aiding speed to fill.(20:21) TA metrics shaped by J&J experience guide internal and executive priorities.(24:09) Growth comes from stretching beyond your comfort zone and taking the leap.Resources Mentioned:Chris Rosshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisrossrecruiter/International Paper | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/international-paper/International Paper | Websitehttps://www.internationalpaper.com/Monster.comhttps://monster.comMathWorkshttps://www.mathworks.com/Johnson & Johnsonhttps://www.jnj.com/DS Smithhttps://www.dssmith.com/Beameryhttps://beamery.com/Gemhttps://www.gem.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

Talent acquisition in healthcare demands a unique blend of strategy, adaptability and human-centered leadership. In this episode, host Ryan Dull speaks with Josh Dudzik, Associate Vice President of Talent Acquisition at Inova Health, about transforming TA practices to support a growing health system. Josh shares how his team revamped Inova’s talent acquisition structure by introducing a dedicated sourcing function that has already delivered significant ROI. He also dives into the importance of balancing AI with human touchpoints, optimizing referral programs and engaging early-in-career talent through proactive workforce development. Key Takeaways:(02:30) Josh starts in agency recruiting and grows into system-level TA leadership.(04:46) Inova averages 6,000–7,000 hires annually, supported by low turnover.(09:38) Recruiters turn survey feedback into action plans that drive progress.(12:29) TA teams must balance tech adoption with maintaining human connection.(15:31) Early outreach and military transition programs expand future talent pipelines.(17:59) Referral sourcing shows strong results and is being scaled with the right tech.(21:01) Don’t overlook small wins — celebrating success boosts team morale.(22:55) Own your data and use it to tell a clear, consistent TA story.Resources Mentioned:Josh Dudzikhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/joshdudzik/Inova Health | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/inovahealth/Inova Health | Websitehttps://www.inova.org/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

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