
Talent Acquisition Leaders Podcast - Recruiting, Staffing, Human Resources
On the Talent Acquisition Leaders Podcast, your host Ryan Dull of SageMark HR interviews today’s industry leaders in talent acquisition to discuss challenges, best practices, and what the future holds.
If you are working in talent acquisition and have always wanted to sit down with your peers at other companies and pick their brain, this show is the next best thing.
Topics for the show will include: recruiting, talent acquisition, recruiting technology, HR tech, and recruiting innovation..
Join us each week as we bring you a new talent acquisition interview and extract their expertise.
Latest episodes

Mar 5, 2024 • 24min
Creating Value in TA Through Strategic Tech Implementation with Tony Lioi of BAYADA Home Health Care
On this episode, host Ryan Dull sits down with Tony Lioi, Director of TA Technology at BAYADA Home Health Care, to discuss the intricacies of aligning talent acquisition technology with business strategy and the importance of strong IT partnerships. Tony shares insights from his extensive experience in the field, offering valuable advice for those navigating the world of talent acquisition technology.
Key Takeaways:
(02:25) Tony’s background and journey to TA.(09:43) Building a consultative partnership within your team is crucial for evolving from mere problem-solvers to strategic advisors.
(10:16) The challenge of integrating legacy internal technology with new third-party vendors in healthcare and the importance of effective system integration.
(11:36) Allowing business practices some latitude in technology selection necessitates careful integration with core systems to avoid operational disruptions.
(13:37) Aligning technology initiatives with the overall TA strategy and being close to the end customer are key to successful implementation. (17:16) Understanding customer needs and asking the right questions during technology demos ensures that the chosen solutions truly meet those needs.
(21:12) Strong partnerships with IT are vital for integrating diverse tools and ensuring data flows effectively across systems.
Resources Mentioned:
Tony Lioi -
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonylioi/
Bayada Home Healthcare -
https://www.bayada.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

Feb 13, 2024 • 26min
Creating Value in TA Operations with Jessica Manucy of TruGreen
On this episode, host Ryan Dull sits down with Jessica Manucy, Senior Director of Talent Acquisition at TruGreen. They delve into Jessica's extensive experience in talent acquisition, highlighting her journey from staffing light industrial roles to leading national recruitment efforts.
Key Takeaways:
(02:34) Jessica’s transition from staffing to a strategic role in talent acquisition.
(03:26) The impact of Jessica's experience at a previous company on her career direction.
(04:19) How TruGreen's mission aligns with Jessica's expertise in recruitment.
(06:03) TruGreen's hiring scale and the seasonal nature of its recruitment.
(07:05) Overhauling the recruitment process for efficiency and effectiveness.
(10:08) Achieving staffing goals with improved strategies and reduced costs.
(17:35) Communicating the shift from basic recruiting to a comprehensive TA strategy.
(18:41) Empowering the TA team to drive strategic changes and enhance employer branding.
(22:06) Advice for TA professionals on creating value and maintaining visibility within their organizations.
Jessica Manucy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-manucy-phr-gphr-ba390a8/
TruGreen - https://www.linkedin.com/company/trugreen/
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

Jan 23, 2024 • 25min
Strategies for Modern Healthcare Recruiting with Susan Burke of PeaceHealth
On this episode, Ryan Dull sits down with Susan Burke, Vice President of Talent Acquisition at PeaceHealth, to discuss the intricacies and challenges of TA in the healthcare sector.
Key Takeaways:
(02:16) Susan’s journey into talent acquisition, from a receptionist to a recruiter.
(04:56) An overview of PeaceHealth: its size, scope and the responsibilities of the TA team.
(06:58) Addressing challenges in reducing expenses and reorganizing the team to break down silos.
(08:09) Strategies employed to reduce reliance on travel nurses, which significantly impact cost savings.
(09:11) The importance of setting realistic recruitment goals and revising them for practicality.
(11:06) Implementing diverse recruitment strategies, including international hiring and gig worker solutions.
(15:38) Future-focused initiatives beyond 2024, shifting strategies beyond nursing recruitment.
(17:54) Launching a DEI strategy within TA and focusing on team engagement improvement.
Resources Mentioned:
Susan Burke - https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanlburke/
PeaceHealth - https://www.peacehealth.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

Jan 9, 2024 • 23min
Crafting Effective TA Processes with Terri Lawless of Stop & Shop
In this episode, host Ryan Dull is joined by Terri Lawless, Head of Talent Acquisition at Stop & Shop. They discuss Terri’s journey in the talent acquisition space, highlighting her experiences from various sectors and her passion for recruiting.
Key Takeaways:
(02:14) Terri’s initial foray into talent acquisition and her evolution in the field.
(03:07) Terri explains her innovative approach to recruitment process management.
(04:23) The shift to Stop & Shop and focusing on community-based hiring.
(06:01) Navigating the staffing challenges during the pandemic.
(07:53) Evolving the TA function and focusing on corporate and leadership roles.
(11:04) Launching EVP and diversity initiatives at Stop & Shop.
(13:44) Analyzing candidate experience and journey for improvement.
(15:47) Future focus on candidate experience and internal process optimization.
(17:53) Advice TA professionals can follow on basics, networking and education.
Resources Mentioned:
Stop & Shop - https://stopandshop.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

Dec 12, 2023 • 13min
Transforming Talent Acquisition in a Global Tech Company with Aliyah Torrance of Akamai Technologies
On this episode, host Ryan Dull talks to Aliyah Torrance, Director of Talent Acquisition at Akamai Technologies, about her journey in the TA space and the initiatives she's leading at Akamai.
Key Takeaways:
(05:47) Creating an in-house executive search function at Akamai as a key initiative.
(06:23) Launching career certificate programs with Coursera to expand talent pipelines.
(07:19) Transitioning technical training to online platforms for global accessibility.
(08:45) Addressing diversity challenges in the tech space through various TA initiatives.
(09:08) Establishing new partnerships and enhancing emerging talent programs.
(10:06) Measuring the success of various programs through experimentation and long-term ROI.
(11:09) Balancing immediate needs with long-term strategic goals in talent acquisition.
(11:41) Advice on career development: Be curious, action-oriented and embrace discomfort for growth.
Resources Mentioned:
Akamai Technologies -
https://www.akamai.com/
Coursera -
https://www.coursera.org/
Sagemark HR - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/sagemark-hr
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

Dec 6, 2023 • 19min
Strategies for Success in High-Volume Hiring with Aaron Turner of Peraton
On this episode, host Ryan Dull is joined by Aaron Turner, Talent Acquisition Senior Director of Peraton. Aaron shares his unique insights into the dynamic world of TA, drawing on his extensive experience in the field.
Key Takeaways:
(02:15) Aaron's transition from college football to a career in TA.
(04:17) The scope and scale of Paraton's TA team and the company’s diverse hiring needs.
(05:53) Challenges of adapting to post-pandemic salary and talent market dynamics.
(06:50) Strategies for high-volume hiring and managing candidate expectations.
(08:00) Tailoring employee value propositions to individual candidates.
(10:40) Overcoming screening challenges and the importance of clear communication.
(13:02) Navigating internal communication gaps and the importance of concise information.
(13:56) The impact of remote work on relationship-building and career development.
(16:22) Aaron's advice for TA professionals, emphasizing continuous learning and networking.
Resources Mentioned:
Aaron Turner - https://www.linkedin.com/in/aarontturner/
Peraton - https://www.peraton.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

Nov 8, 2023 • 26min
The Power of Integrating Technology and Human Expertise in Talent Acquisition with Susan Graye of Vontier
On this episode, host Ryan Dull sits down with Susan Graye, Global Director of Talent Acquisition at Vontier. Susan delves into the strategies and methodologies she employs at Vontier to facilitate effective talent acquisition and foster an inclusive company culture.
Key Takeaways:
(02:34) Susan’s journey from employment agency beginnings to global talent leadership at Vontier.(10:40) Emphasizing the importance of streamlined processes and centralized education resources.(13:06) Prioritize and focus on the most crucial tasks for effective organizational change.
(16:41) The importance of collaboration and understanding interdependencies within the HR organization.(18:33) The significance of creating a balance between company needs and employee aspirations.
(22:26) The importance of having a voice and making a difference in a professional setting.
(24:06) The value of aligning personal and organizational growth, the power of stepping out of one’s comfort zone and the need to continually learn and adapt.
Resources Mentioned:
Susan Graye - https://www.linkedin.com/in/susangraye/
Vontier - https://www.vontier.com
Ryan Dull - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-dull-743a8b4/
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 deliver 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

Oct 17, 2023 • 18min
Horizontal Development with Danielle McCaffrey of Alorica
On this episode, host Ryan Dull welcomes Danielle McCaffrey, Senior Director of Talent Acquisition at Alorica. She details her personal connection to the talent acquisition industry and her perspective on the future trajectory of recruiting.
Ryan and Danielle discuss the following in their conversation:
- Passion for the human element of recruiting is essential for industry success.
- Leaders who rely on technology as a primary asset instead of as a supplemental aid will be limited in their ability to attract the best candidates.
- Industry leaders should seek out roles that broaden their skill set to gain a holistic perspective of the work involved in talent acquisitions.
- Intimate knowledge of organizational operations produces the most effective recruiting strategy.
- Recruiting is just one piece of a broader operational picture, and systems designs should factor in the whole.
- AI is an effective productivity tool but should never replace face-to-face candidate recruiting campaigns.
Danielle’s work as a talent acquisition leader taps into her passion for her family’s business, and her enthusiasm for her own development provides unique insights into how industry leaders can continue to evolve and grow.
Danielle McCaffrey - https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellemccaffrey/
Alorica - https://www.alorica.com/
Ryan Dull - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-dull-743a8b4/
Sagemark HR | LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/sagemark-hr/about/
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 deliver 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

Oct 3, 2023 • 19min
Improving Time to Offer With Technology with Lavonne Monroe at Hewlett Packard Enterprise
On this episode, host Ryan Dull is joined by Lavonne Monroe, Vice President of Talent Acquisition and Onboarding at Hewlett Packard Enterprise, who shares her commitment to reducing candidates’ time in the hiring funnel using the latest technology innovations.
Lavonne and Ryan discuss:
- Common recruiting obstacles that prolong the time a candidate spends in the hiring process.
- Why talent leaders should work to develop comprehensive knowledge of the industry they’re hiring for.
- How automation allows team members to spend more time doing tasks that technology can’t accomplish.
- Why talent acquisition is a group venture, and how partnerships between organizational leaders improve the recruiting function.
- Using a trial-and-error process to improve recruiting systems while also innovating new hiring strategies.
- How to stay flexible amidst a changing talent market that favors candidates over companies.
- How to adapt a previously successful TA approach to a new organization.
As Lavonne’s work demonstrates, technology is not a silver bullet for talent acquisition, but it can enhance effective systems and reveal weaknesses in ineffective strategies.
Lavonne Monroe -
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lavonnemonroe/
Hewlett Packard Enterprise - https://www.hpe.com/us/en/home.html
Ryan Dull - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-dull-743a8b4/
Sagemark HR | LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/sagemark-hr/about/
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 deliver 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.
This episode is brought to you by Sagemark HR.
If you’re interested in learning more, you can reach me at:
www.sagemarkhr.com
✉ ryan.dull@sagemarkhr.com
#Talent #Recruiters #Recruiting #HRTech

Sep 19, 2023 • 24min
Building a Proactive Growth Strategy with Holly Haynes at Unum
On this episode, host Ryan Dull is joined by Holly Haynes, Assistant Vice President of Talent Acquisition at Unum. They discuss how talent leaders can stay on the leading edge of industry innovation.
During their conversation, Ryan and Holly cover:
- The importance of taking a proactive approach to developing new talent acquisition strategies and techniques.
- Approaches to forming leadership structures that almost any organization can implement.
- How investment in recruiting and retaining talent often boils down to investment in the candidate experience.
- Creating an organizational culture that promotes vertical and horizontal mobility for existing talent.
- How the effects of the pandemic on hiring and recruiting remain in 2023.
- The need to implement modern digital tools to streamline talent acquisition processes.
- Why transparency from C-level executives is essential to implementing an effective hiring strategy.
- How talent leaders can embed themselves in organizational operations to be better positioned for more relevant recruiting efforts.
- Why patience is an important skill for talent leaders to develop.
Holly’s work at her organization is a testament to the resilience that can be built into talent systems with the right investment in the right places.
Resources mentioned:
Holly Haynes - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollyjhaynes/
Unum - https://www.linkedin.com/company/unum/
Ryan Dull - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-dull-743a8b4/
Sagemark HR | LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/sagemark-hr/about/
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 deliver 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