2023 Notable Leaders in Recruitment & Talent

Recruiting, hiring, and retaining talent is top of mind for just about every company and organization these days, from Fortune 500s to small businesses and nonprofits. And employee expectations are higher than ever when it comes to company culture, training, and advancement opportunities. That makes the role of recruitment and talent experts critical. TCB is recognizing 22 leaders in the field. These powerhouses don’t just fill open positions; they’re expanding employee benefits, diversifying teams, and aiding in aggressive growth strategies for their employers.

Methodology: The individuals featured did not pay to be included. Their profiles were drawn from nomination materials. This list is not comprehensive; it includes only people who were nominated and accepted after editorial review. To qualify for this list, individuals must have at least five years of experience in their field and have shown the ability to effect change in their roles or areas of practice.

To nominate other best-in-class executives in their fields, click here.

2023 Notable Leaders in Recruitment & Talent

2023 Notable Logo

McKaela Baldus

McKaela Baldus

Senior vice president and general manager, 24 Seven MN
In her 13 years in the staffing and recruiting industry, McKaela Baldus has distinguished herself as a service-oriented leader. She oversees all operations and business development initiatives for the Minneapolis
Pam Bjerke

Pam Bjerke

Chief human resources officer, Stearns Bank
Colleagues credit Pam Bjerke for cultivating a thriving workplace culture at Stearns Bank in St. Cloud. She leads the bank’s DEI initiative, and with an 80% participation rate in its
Ann Boarman

Ann Boarman

Managing director of recruiting, finance, and accounting interim solutions, Versique Search & Consulting
Ann Boarman brings more than 13 years of talent acquisition leadership experience to her latest role with Versique Search & Consulting, where she identifies top finance and accounting consulting talent
Laurin Cathey

Laurin Cathey

Senior vice president and chief human resources officer, Children’s Minnesota
In 2022, when Children’s Minnesota was experiencing job-opening levels in line with Minnesota’s 21% health care vacancy, Laurin Cathey quickly changed the hospital HR team’s approach to attract new employees,
Tricia Eiswald

Tricia Eiswald

Principal and human resources director, BWBR
Tricia Eiswald joined BWBR in 2019 and stepped up to the plate in 2020 when the world was disrupted by Covid, helping staff navigate challenging days and emerge stronger by
Jack Fahrendorff

Jack Fahrendorff

Manager of member care & corporate recruiting, Included Health
Jack Fahrendorff is a talent management professional with more than 12 years of experience. He recruits talent for a variety of industries, including health care, aerospace and defense, composites, technology,
Miata Getaweh

Miata Getaweh

Vice president of human resources, Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota
This past year, Miata Getaweh spearheaded the launch of a mentorship program at Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota (LSS), matching senior-level mentors with emerging leaders as part of a broader
Dana Gray

Dana Gray

Managing director of professional development, Faegre Drinker
Dana Gray leads recruiting and talent development at Minneapolis law firm Faegre Drinker. To that end, she oversees the development of programming around skills, evaluation and advancement, coaching, engagement, and
Alissa Henriksen

Alissa Henriksen

Co-founder and co-president, Grey Search + Strategy
Compassion is core to Alissa Henriksen’s leadership at Grey Search + Strategy, a boutique executive recruiting and consulting firm in Minnetonka. She supported Fortune 500 and Fortune 100 companies with
Sara Hill

Sara Hill

Chief human resources officer, Intricon
Sara Hill is the first chief human resources officer at Intricon, an international manufacturer of medical device components. Working from its St. Paul office, Hill’s leadership at Intricon has resulted
Karen Kaplan

Karen Kaplan

Chief human resources officer, People Incorporated Mental Health Services
Karen Kaplan leads recruiting and retention as well as leadership and organization development for People Incorporated, a nonprofit community mental health provider in Eagan. To address the shortage of diverse
Katie Kelly

Katie Kelly

Managing director, Ambrion
With nearly two decades of experience, Katie Kelly keeps talent firm Ambrion ahead of the curve and anticipates emerging trends and market shifts. One example is Kelly’s focus on automation,
Lars Leafblad

Lars Leafblad

Co-founder and partner, Ballinger | Leafblad
In 2014, Lars Leafblad co-founded Ballinger | Leafblad, a St. Paul executive search and selection consulting firm, to serve civic clients such as foundations, higher education institutions, and nonprofits. Leafblad
Gwen Martin

Gwen Martin

Partner, Scouts Talent
Gwen Martin witnessed a diminishing number of new grads coming into the accounting profession—a problem she’s now tackling head-on as a partner at Scouts Talent, which connects accounting and finance
Alison Nelson

Alison Nelson

Director of human resources, Living Well Disability Services
Alison Nelson has built a career in the human services industry with a focus on partnership between operations and HR. She first joined Living Well Disability Services in 1999, working
Jessica Perez

Jessica Perez

Chief people officer and executive vice president of culture, Starkey
With more than 20 years of experience in the human resources industry, Jessica Perez creates a culture of belonging at Starkey in Eden Prairie. She’s developed initiatives and strategies that
Brigitte Rath

Brigitte Rath

Vice president of talent acquisition, Allina Health
Health care is experiencing unprecedented hiring challenges, but at Minneapolis-based Allina Health, Brigitte Rath is delivering stability. From 2021 to 2022, Allina’s talent acquisition team experienced a 24% turnover. Since
Randy Ross

Randy Ross

Chief human resources officer, Minnetronix Medical
Since joining Minnetronix Medical in 2020, Randy Ross has challenged the St. Paul medical technology company to define skills required to grow, now and in the future. Ross spearheaded the