At 84 Lumber, talent acquisition is more than filling jobs. It’s about creating long-term careers. With 96% of store leaders starting as management trainees, the company has built one of the strongest internal mobility pipelines in the industry.In this episode, you’ll hear how 84 Lumber attracts candidates with no industry experience, develops them through structured training, and promotes from within to sustain growth. Paul Yater, CIO and Head of HR, explains the strategies behind this model:Why onboarding is the “make or break” moment for retentionHow storytelling powers recruiting and employer brandingThe role of technology and AI in streamlining hiringWhy promotions, not just hires, are the ultimate measure of successConnect with 84 Lumber: https://www.84lumber.comConnect with Paul: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-yater-b229633Connect with us:💻 All Episodes: TalentAllStars.com💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ziprecruiter/💼 Dave’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davetravers/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ziprecruiter🎵TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ziprecruiter Enjoyed this episode? We’d be grateful for a rating or review on your favorite podcast app.
Jennifer Christie has built a career at the intersection of leadership, service, and transformation. From her time running presidential personnel in the White House to senior posts at American Express and Twitter, she’s now Chief People Officer at Docusign.In this episode, Jennifer explains:Why government and corporate leadership share more in common than most thinkHow AI is transforming HR and why leaders must focus on “what you’ll do instead”The one HR role she believes is essential for any aspiring CPOWhy internal mobility will matter more than everShe also shares practical advice for interviewers: look past the résumé to understand motivations and transitions, not just bullet points.Connect with Jennifer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-christie-5254866Connect with us:💻 All Episodes: TalentAllStars.com💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ziprecruiter/💼 Dave’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davetravers/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ziprecruiter🎵TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ziprecruiter Enjoyed this episode? We’d be grateful for a rating or review on your favorite podcast app.
Ana Moran’s story is proof that leadership can start anywhere. After immigrating from Colombia as a child, she began her career on the frontlines as a call center agent. Today, she is Chief People Officer for the U.S. Market at Foundever, leading a workforce of more than 150,000 employees.In this episode, Ana shares how her immigrant experience and frontline beginnings shaped her leadership philosophy. She explains why bravery matters as much as credentials, how organizations can unlock talent by valuing personal journeys, and why frontline roles are essential to creating opportunity at scale.You’ll learn:Why frontline jobs create pathways for mobility and prosperityHow personal experiences can reveal leadership potential beyond credentialsHow Foundever balances efficiency with humanity in talent acquisitionWhy bravery is the foundation for leadership growthConnect with Ana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ana-moran-6623b823Connect with us:💻 All Episodes: TalentAllStars.com💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ziprecruiter/💼 Dave’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davetravers/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ziprecruiter🎵TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ziprecruiter Enjoyed this episode? We’d be grateful for a rating or review on your favorite podcast app.
At Salesforce, technology and humanity are designed to evolve together. AI isn’t seen as a threat but as a tool that frees employees to focus on empathy, creativity, and leadership.In this episode, Molly Ford, VP of Talent Connection and Engagement, shares how Salesforce integrates core values like equality and volunteerism into every business plan while adopting AI in ways that enhance, not replace, the human experience.She also explains how data and storytelling work together to build confidence, measure impact, and bring culture to life inside one of the world’s most influential companies.In this episode, you’ll learn:How Salesforce sees AI as a way to free people for more meaningful workWhy equality is a non-negotiable value woven into every business planHow volunteerism and social impact fuel company cultureWhy data + storytelling are the secret to leadership confidence and influenceConnect with Molly: https://www.linkedin.com/in/molly-q-ford-a7598Connect with us:💻 All Episodes: TalentAllStars.com💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ziprecruiter/💼 Dave’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davetravers/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ziprecruiter🎵TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ziprecruiter Enjoyed this episode? We’d be grateful for a rating or review on your favorite podcast app.
At Concentrix, a global leader in customer experience solutions, talent acquisition is closely integrated with business operations rather than functioning as a standalone department.In this episode, Jillene Jensen, Senior Director of Talent Acquisition, shares how her operations background led to a new kind of talent acquisition strategy: prioritizing alignment, performance, and long-term impact.You’ll learn:Why former operations leaders make great recruitersHow Jillene’s team calibrates with business units to improve the quality of hireHow Concentrix balances AI tools with human touchWhat talent acquisition metrics really drive retentionConnect with Jillene on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillene-jensen-423932111Connect with us:💻 All Episodes: TalentAllStars.com💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ziprecruiter/💼 Dave’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davetravers/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ziprecruiter🎵TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ziprecruiter Enjoyed this episode? We’d be grateful for a rating or review on your favorite podcast app.
At Marsden Services, a national provider of cleaning, security, and maintenance services, talent acquisition starts with clear and honest role-selling.In this episode, Vice President of Talent Acquisition Ashley Lynch shares how visiting worksites, understanding the day-to-day realities of each role, and setting clear expectations have helped her team improve both speed-to-hire and retention.You’ll learn:Ashley’s “big three” framework for identifying bottlenecks in Talent AcquisitionTwo case studies where better role clarity solved retention challengesHow Marsden pilots AI tools without losing the human touch in hiringConnect with Ashley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-lynch-18294ba1/Connect with us:💻 All Episodes: TalentAllStars.com💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ziprecruiter/💼 Dave’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davetravers/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ziprecruiter🎵TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ziprecruiter Enjoyed this episode? We’d be grateful for a rating or review on your favorite podcast app.
At Legacy Health, talent acquisition is shaped by data, experimentation, and a deep understanding of people.In this episode, Travis Trautman, Director of Sourcing and Talent Acquisition, shares how his team uses mini-experiments to improve hiring speed, candidate fit, and decision-making across a highly regulated healthcare environment. With a career spanning banking, education, and healthcare, Travis offers a rare cross-industry perspective on what truly moves the needle in TA, whether it's reducing time-to-fill or building trust with hiring managers.You’ll learn:How psychological safety shapes talent innovation at Legacy HealthWhat to watch for when evaluating AI and new recruiting techOne timeless lesson that still shapes Travis’s approach 20 years laterConnect with Travis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travistrautmanConnect with us:💻 All Episodes: TalentAllStars.com💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ziprecruiter/💼 Dave’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davetravers/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ziprecruiter🎵TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ziprecruiter Enjoyed this episode? We’d be grateful for a rating or review on your favorite podcast app.
Johnson Controls is known for making buildings smarter, safer, and more sustainable. But inside the company, there’s a different kind of transformation happening—in how they attract, hire, and prepare talent for the future of work.In this episode of Talent All-Stars, Mike Aronson— Senior Director of Global Talent Acquisition Operations—shares how he’s applying over 15 years of hands-on recruiting experience to reshape the function from the inside out.You’ll learn:Why it’s more important to fall in love with a problem and not a solutionThe 30-second elevator pitch that defines TA success at Johnson ControlsWhy Mike believes we’re the last generation to manage an all-human workforceConnect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikearonsonConnect with us:💻 All Episodes: TalentAllStars.com💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ziprecruiter/💼 Dave’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davetravers/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ziprecruiter🎵TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ziprecruiter Enjoyed this episode? We’d be grateful for a rating or review on your favorite podcast app.
Ace Hardware’s hiring strategy is grounded in one core principle: a consistent, transparent experience for every candidate—regardless of outcome.In this episode, Stef Nikitas, Director of Talent Acquisition at Ace Hardware, outlines how her team developed “The Ace Way of Hiring”—a structured, brand-aligned approach that sets clear expectations for candidates, hiring managers, and recruiters.She also shares how Ace applies technology thoughtfully across the hiring process, and how her team navigates the complexity of supporting multiple business units under a unified talent strategy.You’ll learn:How Stef’s life changed when she went from team-player to team-leaderWhy a well-delivered rejection can still strengthen your employer brandWhat skill TA leaders need most to stay relevant in a changing worldConnect with Stef on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/snikitasConnect with us:💻 All Episodes: TalentAllStars.com💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ziprecruiter/💼 Dave’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davetravers/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ziprecruiter🎵TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ziprecruiter Enjoyed this episode? We’d be grateful for a rating or review on your favorite podcast app.
Verizon is one of the biggest brands on the planet—but behind the scenes, it’s the people who keep it moving.In this episode, Steve West—VP and HR Business Partner for Consumer Sales—reflects on his own journey from recruiter to executive and shares his approach to building teams, developing talent, and leading with trust.Steve also shares:How Verizon’s “Culture OS” connects values to decision-makingWhat “clear is kind” looks like in actionWhy employee experience and customer experience rise (or fall) togetherConnect with Steve on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevewest11/Connect with us:💻 All Episodes: TalentAllStars.com💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ziprecruiter/💼 Dave’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davetravers/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ziprecruiter🎵TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ziprecruiter Enjoyed this episode? We’d be grateful for a rating or review on your favorite podcast app.
At Delaware North, recruiting 20,000 employees annually across 200+ unique locations requires more than operational scale—it demands strategic clarity, brand cohesion, and relentless focus on candidate experience.In this episode of Talent All-Stars, Amy Duncan-Menendez, Vice President of Talent Acquisition and Global Innovation Center, and Laura Murray, Director of Employee Branding and Strategy, reveal how they are transforming one of hospitality’s most complex talent ecosystems. From lodges near national parks to concession stands at major league stadiums, their team is building a centralized talent model that honors local nuance while driving consistency and efficiency.They pull back the curtain on:The centralization strategy that made their recruiting scalable, without becoming rigidHow they navigate employer branding when their name sits behind someone else’s logoWhy protecting the candidate experience is non-negotiable—especially when AI and automation enter the pictureConnect with Amy and Laura on LinkedIn: Amy Duncan-Menendez - https://www.linkedin.com/in/admenendezLaura Murray - https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-murray-pmp-48641943/Connect with us:💻 All Episodes: TalentAllStars.com💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ziprecruiter/💼 Dave’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davetravers/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ziprecruiter🎵TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ziprecruiter Enjoyed this episode? We’d be grateful for a rating or review on your favorite podcast app
When you're hiring cleaners, commercial real estate brokers, and everyone in between—in dozens of countries—your recruiting strategy has to be both scalable and local.Danielle Kensinger, VP of Global Talent Acquisition at Cushman & Wakefield, shares how her team customizes talent acquisition strategies by region, role, and urgency—without losing speed or consistency.She also shares:Why passive candidate outreach is more important than everHow recruiter feedback helps her reengineer workflowsWhy “boomerang hires” might be your most underutilized competitive advantageConnect with Danielle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-kensinger-262bb744Connect with us:💻 All Episodes: TalentAllStars.com💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ziprecruiter/💼 Dave’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davetravers/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ziprecruiter🎵TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ziprecruiter Enjoyed this episode? We’d be grateful for a rating or review on your favorite podcast app
What happens when you drop a former agency recruiter into a hypergrowth environment with no budget, no ATS—and 15,000 hires to make?Joe Leno, Senior Director of Recruiting at Leaf Home, shares the inside story of how he scaled a grassroots recruiting operation into a full-fledged TA engine that powers one of the largest home improvement companies in North America.In this episode, Joe reveals how he earned a seat at the strategy table, how he leads a team that supports 260+ locations, and what it really takes to scale hiring with consistency and culture.Joe also shares:How to recruit across vastly different markets and geographiesWhy rapport and respect drive cross-department collaborationThe importance of tying investments in recruiting directly to company profitability.Connect with Joe: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-leno-4018a3126/Connect with us:💻 All Episodes: TalentAllStars.com💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ziprecruiter/💼 Dave’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davetravers/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ziprecruiter🎵TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ziprecruiter Enjoyed this episode? We’d be grateful for a rating or review on your favorite podcast app
How do you recruit top-tier dentists and hygienists for 1700+ practices—when demand far outweighs supply?Tyler Micenheimer, SVP of Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning at Heartland Dental, breaks down how his team tackles competitive hiring—matching top talent to the practices where they’ll thrive.Tyler shares:Why Heartland built its own school to solve a talent shortageHow their in-house scheduling app became a key employee value propositionThe 2 skills that will define the next generation of TA leadersConnect with Tyler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylermicenheimer/Connect with us:💻 All Episodes: TalentAllStars.com💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ziprecruiter/💼 Dave’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davetravers/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ziprecruiter🎵TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ziprecruiter Enjoyed this episode? We’d be grateful for a rating or review on your favorite podcast app
What if your talent team was the key to unlocking tens of millions in revenue?At Lockheed Martin, that’s not a hypothetical. John Heyliger, VP of Talent Acquisition & Workforce Transformation, shares how his team recruits high-stakes technical talent at scale—while avoiding costly hiring mistakes and proving their value in terms business leaders appreciate.John also shares:The tactics John’s team used to track down and reach out to a small group of highly specialized satellite engineersThe four macro trends he sees shaping the future of talent acquisitionThe critical set of questions to ask yourself before launching any candidate searchConnect with John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stem-workforce-transformation-data/Connect with us:💻 All Episodes: TalentAllStars.com💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ziprecruiter/💼 Dave’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davetravers/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ziprecruiter🎵TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ziprecruiter Enjoyed this episode? We’d be grateful for a rating or review on
How is IKEA keeping voluntary turnover under 23%—in an industry where 40-60% is the norm?In this episode, Neena Potenza, Chief People Officer at IKEA US, reveals the values-first approach that drives co-worker loyalty, leadership development, and cultural consistency across thousands of frontline and corporate team members.Neena shares:How IKEA turns its values into a felt experience from day oneThe everyday habits that define leadership at IKEAThe moment Neena forgot to run payroll (and what the reaction revealed about the company’s culture)Connect with Neena: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neena-potenza/Connect with us:💻 All Episodes: TalentAllStars.com💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ziprecruiter/💼 Dave’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davetravers/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ziprecruiter🎵TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ziprecruiter Enjoyed this episode? We’d be grateful for a rating or review on your favorite podcast app
Southwest Airlines has a team of 200 people whose sole responsibility is to source the company’s “secret sauce”: its people.That team’s leader? Greg Muccio, who started his career as a struggling salesman—before pivoting to agency recruiting and eventually joining Southwest in 2001. It took him seven tries to land his first leadership role, but that journey shaped who he is today: humble, focused on team success, and deeply committed to delivering an exceptional candidate experience.In this conversation with ZipRecruiter president Dave Travers, Greg shares how Southwest sustains its legendary people-first culture at scale—while embracing innovation and preparing for what’s next.You’ll hear Greg explain:Why every candidate interaction is treated like a customer touchpointHow he convinced skeptical execs to invest in a “high-tech, high-touch” approachThe two metrics that prove talent acquisition’s value to C-level leaders 💼Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-muccio/Connect with us:💻 All Episodes: TalentAllStars.com💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ziprecruiter/💼 Dave’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davetravers/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ziprecruiter🎵TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ziprecruiter Enjoyed this episode? We’d be grateful for a rating or review on your favorite podcast app.
Most HR leaders want a seat at the table. But what does it take to get there?As the Chief People Officer at Skillsoft—and a former consultant for brands like Comcast, Johnson & Johnson, and Coca-Cola—Ciara Harrington believes the best CPOs think like business executives first, and HR leaders second.In this episode, she explains what true transformation looks like, how to overcome resistance when making big changes, and why proving HR’s impact with data is no longer optional.Ciara also shares:The #1 mistake HR leaders make when reporting up to the CEOHer thoughts on external hiring vs. internal upskilling in the age of AIWhy perfectionism is the enemy of progress when leading big transformation 💼Connect with Ciara on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ciarabarry/Connect with us:💻 All Episodes: TalentAllStars.com💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ziprecruiter/💼 Dave’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davetravers/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ziprecruiter🎵TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ziprecruiter Enjoyed this episode? We’d be grateful for a rating or review on your favorite podcast app.
What happens when your frontline workforce spans 20,000 locations—and your clients control the environment?Raúl Valentín, EVP & CHRO of ABM Industries – one of the world’s largest providers of facility, engineering, and infrastructure solutions – explains how he keeps people-first leadership at the heart of a massive, distributed workforce. From leading HR with business fluency to fighting for tech that actually works on the frontlines, Raúl shares the mindset shifts every HR pro needs to make if they want a seat at the leadership table.Raúl also shares:How to win buy-in for HR investments from potentially skeptical execsThe impact of AI on language accessibility for hourly workersWhy being a “support” function isn’t something to shy away from 💼Connect with Raúl on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rauljvalentin/Connect with us:💻 All Episodes: TalentAllStars.com💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ziprecruiter/💼 Dave’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davetravers/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ziprecruiter🎵TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ziprecruiter Enjoyed this episode? We’d be grateful for a rating or review on your favorite podcast app.
Most CEOs say people are their most important asset. Marcus Lemonis lives it.The Camping World CEO, Beyond Executive Chairman, and host of “The Fixer” on Fox shares why HR and Talent Acquisition leaders play such critical decision-making roles at his companies – and what up-and-coming HR and TA pros must do to earn their CEO’s trust.He also opens up about the biggest blind spots leaders have when it comes to recruiting, retaining, and empowering talent—and why the best companies treat talent acquisition as an “offensive move” rather than a “problem to be solved”.Marcus also shares:What HR professionals must do to earn a CEO’s trustWhy he believes a company’s employees are more important than its customersHow recruiting every day—not just when you have openings—can future-proof your company 💼Connect with Marcus on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-lemonis/🌐 Beyond Inc.: https://www.beyond.com🌐 Camping World: https://campingworld.com🌐 The Fixer on Fox: https://thefixer.comConnect with us:💻 All Episodes: TalentAllStars.com💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ziprecruiter/💼 Dave’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davetravers/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ziprecruiter🎵TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ziprecruiter Enjoyed this episode? We’d be grateful for a rating or review on your favorite podcast app.