Inside the C-Suite

If your employer brand sounds like everyone else's, why would the best talent choose you?

Purpose. Growth. Culture. Innovation. Impact.

Great words. Until every company is saying them.

On this episode of Inside the C-Suite, Christy Honeycutt sits down with James Ellis, employer brand strategist, founder of Employer Brand Labs, and author of Becoming Choosable to talk about employer brand through a much bigger lens: business strategy, competitive advantage, and executive decision-making.

Because employer brand isn't just an HR or marketing initiative. It influences who you attract, who stays, what talent costs you, and ultimately, your organization's ability to execute.

And the answer isn't becoming more attractive to everyone.

It's getting crystal clear about who you are, what you stand for, what the experience actually feels like—and who will thrive there.

James and I unpack why differentiation requires leaders to be willing to tell the truth about their organization, including the trade-offs. We also get into Gen Z, AI, changing career expectations, and the reality that companies aren't just competing against other employers anymore.

They're competing against entrepreneurship, flexibility, portfolio careers, and entirely different definitions of success.

That's an executive conversation.

Because in a changing talent market, your employer brand isn't simply what you say on your careers page.

It's the evidence of the organization you've actually built.

The goal isn't to convince everyone to choose you.

It's to build something differentiated enough that the right people know exactly why they should.

What you'll learn:

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Follow James Ellis:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thewarfortalent/
Website: Employer Brand Labs | The Hiring Advantage Blueprint
Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/employerbrandlabs/

(James Ellis is an employer branding strategist, author, speaker, and founder of Employer Brand Labs. For more than a decade, he has focused on helping organizations understand what makes them different and communicate that difference more clearly to the people they want to attract. His work centers on employer branding, talent strategy, and creating stronger connections between organizations and the people who choose to work for them.)

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Website: https://www.christyhoneycutt.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christyhoneycutt/
Instagram: Christy Honeycutt (@christyhoneycutt) • Instagram profile
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christyhoneycutt
TikTok: Christy Honeycutt on TikTok
Book: The Inner Work of Leading in a Broken System

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Organizations are navigating an era where communication has become both more accessible and more complex. As AI reshapes how messages are created and distributed, leaders face a different challenge: ensuring their communication still feels human. At the same time, increasingly global and multilingual workforces require leaders to think beyond presentation skills and toward genuine connection.

In this episode of Inside the C-Suite, Christy Honeycutt sits down with Peter Novak, executive communication coach, former professor, and founder of Strictly Speaking Group. Drawing from his unique background in theater, higher education, and seven formative years in the Jesuit tradition, Peter shares why authentic leadership is built through intentional communication—not performance.

Their conversation explores what leadership presence really means, why executive presence is often misunderstood, and how organizations can better support multilingual professionals without asking them to change their identity. Peter also explains why confidence isn't about eliminating an accent but communicating with greater clarity, purpose, and humanity.

Together, Christy and Peter examine the growing role of AI in communication, offering practical guidance on using technology to strengthen—not replace—an authentic leadership voice. They also discuss how leaders can overcome imposter phenomenon, improve executive messaging, and build trust through intentional storytelling rather than polished perfection.

At its core, this conversation reminds us that leadership is expressed through every interaction. The strongest leaders don't simply deliver messages—they create environments where others feel seen, heard, and empowered to contribute.

Because every organizational challenge ultimately becomes a communication challenge, leadership begins not with having all the answers, but with creating the conditions for meaningful dialogue, thoughtful decision-making, and authentic human connection.

What you'll learn:

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Follow Peter Novak:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-novak-ssg/
Website: Strictly Speaking Group
Company Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/strictly-speaking-group/
Instagram: Strictly Speaking Group (@strictly_speaking_group) • Instagram profile

(Peter Novak is the founder of Strictly Speaking Group and an executive communication coach who helps leaders communicate with greater clarity, confidence, and authenticity. A former professor with a background in theater and leadership education, Peter works with executives and leadership teams around the world on executive presence, high-stakes presentations, leadership communication, and inclusive communication practices for global organizations.)

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Follow Christy Honeycutt:

Website: https://www.christyhoneycutt.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christyhoneycutt/
Instagram: Christy Honeycutt (@christyhoneycutt) • Instagram profile
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christyhoneycutt
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Book: The Inner Work of Leading in a Broken System

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Financial stress doesn't clock out when the workday starts.

It shows up in focus, productivity, engagement, retention—and in the decisions employees make about their careers and their futures.

On this episode of Inside the C-Suite, Christy Honeycutt sits down with Einat Steklov, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Kashable, to challenge how we think about financial wellness and the role employers can—and should—play.

Einat's perspective is personal. After immigrating to the U.S. with an advanced education, a successful legal career and a strong income, she experienced firsthand how difficult it could be to establish credit without an existing U.S. credit history.

That experience ultimately helped inspire Kashable and a different way of thinking about access to credit: What if employment could be part of the financial wellness equation?

We dig into the pros and cons of employer-sponsored financial solutions—from expanding access to more responsible credit, financial education and coaching to the very real questions leaders should be asking about privacy, dependency, employer responsibility and where the line should exist between someone's financial life and their workplace.

Because financial wellness isn't as simple as adding another benefit.

We also talk about the alternatives employees may turn to when traditional credit isn't available, the potential consequences of high-cost lending, and why borrowing against a 401(k) can sometimes be a signal of a much bigger financial challenge.

And this isn't just a frontline-worker issue.

Financial stress can impact a Gen Z employee trying to establish credit for the first time, a mid-career professional supporting a family, or a highly compensated executive whose lifestyle and financial obligations have changed. Income doesn't always equal financial stability.

For HR and business leaders, that creates an important question:

Do we really understand what's happening with our workforce—or are we making assumptions based on someone's title and paycheck?

Einat and I also go beyond financial wellness to talk about leadership, culture and what she's learned building Kashable. She shares why empathy, transparency, development and partnership matter—and why she believes her people are ultimately the company's greatest competitive advantage.

The bigger conversation isn't whether employers should solve people's financial lives. They can't.

It's whether leaders are willing to understand the realities their people are navigating—and create access to tools that can help them build a more stable future.

| Connect with Us |

Follow Einat Steklov:

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/einat-steklov-099650/
Kashable – Financial Wellness for Employees

(Einat Steklov is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Kashable, a financial wellness company focused on expanding access to responsible credit and financial support for working Americans. Her experience as an immigrant, attorney, and entrepreneur shaped her perspective on the limitations of traditional credit systems and helped inspire Kashable's employer-based approach to financial wellness. She also co-founded Coral Capital Solutions and brings extensive experience in financial services, entrepreneurship, and organizational leadership.)

Website: Podcast | Empower Your Leadership Journey — Listen Now — Christy Honeycutt
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christyhoneycutt/
Instagram: Christy | Leadership Coach (@christy_honeycutt) • Instagram profile
Facebook: Christy Honeycutt
TikTok: Christy Honeycutt on TikTok
Book: The Inner Work of Leading in a Broken System

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/christyhoneycutt/
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Everyone talks about culture.

Everyone talks about authenticity.

Everyone talks about AI.

But here's the question no one seems to ask:

If your employees don't believe you, does any of it matter?

In this episode of Inside the C-Suite, Christy Honeycutt sits down with Mike Peditto—founder of Realistic Recruiting, author of Yes, You're Being Judged, keynote speaker, recruiter, and one of the most respected voices in talent acquisition—to challenge some of leadership's biggest misconceptions.

Together, they unpack why "culture" has become one of the most overused words in business, why employer branding often tells a different story than employees do, and why authenticity isn't a marketing strategy—it's a leadership decision.

Mike shares candid lessons from recruiting thousands of professionals, navigating career setbacks, and witnessing firsthand the gap between leaders' public personas and the reality employees experience every day. They also tackle one of today's hottest topics: AI. Rather than chasing the latest tools, they explore why organizations should start by solving real business problems—and why HR leaders have a critical role in shaping AI responsibly.

This isn't a conversation about buzzwords.

It's a conversation about trust.

Because in a world where anyone can create polished content with AI, authenticity may be the last true competitive advantage.

| Connect with Us |

Follow Mike Peditto:

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpeditto/
Instagram – Mike Peditto| HR & Tech Leader | Chicago (@realisticrecruiting) • Instagram profile
Tiktok – Mike Peditto| HR & Tech Leader on TikTok
Website – Modern Hiring. Real Talk. Smarter Careers. Mike Peditto.

(Mike Peditto is a recruiter, hiring strategist, author, keynote speaker, and content creator with extensive experience helping startups and growing organizations build stronger hiring practices. Known for his candid perspective on recruiting, leadership, and workplace culture, Mike combines practical recruiting expertise with thoughtful commentary on the evolving future of work. Through consulting, speaking, writing, and digital content, he helps leaders make better hiring decisions while challenging conventional thinking.)

Follow Christy Honeycutt:

Website: Podcast | Empower Your Leadership Journey — Listen Now — Christy Honeycutt
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christyhoneycutt/
Instagram: Christy | Leadership Coach (@christy_honeycutt) • Instagram profile
Facebook: Christy Honeycutt
TikTok: Christy Honeycutt on TikTok
Book: The Inner Work of Leading in a Broken System

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/christyhoneycutt/
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AI is changing everything—but let's be honest, technology has never been the hardest part of transformation.

People are.

Organizations are investing millions into AI, automation, and digital transformation, yet many are overlooking the one thing that determines whether those investments succeed: leadership.

In this episode of Inside the C-Suite, I sit down with Mindy Honcoop—HR executive, executive coach, founder of Agile in HR, and co-founder of Alt HR Hive—to unpack what it really takes to lead through uncertainty without losing your culture, your people, or yourself.

With more than 25 years of helping organizations navigate transformation, Mindy reminds us that AI doesn't replace leadership—it magnifies it. The leaders who thrive won't necessarily be the ones with the best technology. They'll be the ones who know how to create trust, invite curiosity, coach instead of control, and lead humans through change.

Together, we dive into why so many transformation efforts fail—not because the strategy was wrong, but because leaders forgot that every business transformation is, first and foremost, a human transformation.

We also explore why HR has one of the greatest opportunities in decades to move from a support function to a true strategic driver of business growth. If HR can help leaders build trust, navigate uncertainty, and create cultures where innovation can flourish, it won't just have a seat at the table—it will help design the table.

What you'll learn:

If you're leading through change, wondering how AI fits into your organization, or simply trying to build a workplace where people actually want to show up, this conversation is for you.

Because the future of work isn't just about smarter technology.

It's about becoming smarter humans.

| Connect with Us |

Follow Mindy Honcoop:

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/mindyhoncoop/
Company Page – https://www.linkedin.com/company/agileinhr/
Facebook – Agile in HR
Instagram – AgileinHR (@agileinhr) • Instagram profile
Website – HR Executive Advisor near Austin, TX - Agile in HR
Vibe People Studio | Culture Design and Activation

(Mindy Honcoop is an HR executive, executive coach, strategic advisor, and founder of Agile in HR and co-founder of Alt HR Hive. With more than 25 years of experience guiding organizations through mergers, digital transformation, AI adoption, and organizational change, she partners with leaders to build human-centered organizations that are resilient, adaptable, and prepared for the future of work.)

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Artificial intelligence has fundamentally changed how organizations communicate. Content can be generated instantly, marketing campaigns can be automated, and information has never been easier to produce. Yet as technology accelerates, trust has become increasingly difficult to earn. Organizations are discovering that visibility alone no longer creates influence—credibility does.

In this episode of Inside the C-Suite, Christy Honeycutt sits down with Kate Achille, CEO of The Devon Group, an independent public relations and marketing agency specializing in HR technology, fintech, and emerging enterprise brands. Drawing from decades of industry experience and a lifetime immersed in entrepreneurship, Kate shares how leaders can develop authentic executive presence while navigating an increasingly noisy digital landscape.

Throughout the conversation, Kate explores the evolution of leadership through the lens of communication, reputation, and organizational influence. From growing up around entrepreneurial dinner-table conversations to leading one of the HR technology industry's most respected PR agencies, she reflects on how leadership is built through consistency, curiosity, humility, and a willingness to keep learning.

The discussion also examines how artificial intelligence is reshaping search, public relations, and executive branding. Rather than viewing AI as a replacement for human expertise, Kate explains why leaders must become even more intentional about sharing original ideas, developing authentic voices, and investing in relationships that cannot be automated.

Beyond communications strategy, this conversation reinforces a broader leadership principle: influence is not created through volume or visibility alone. Sustainable leadership is built when actions, ideas, and values consistently align. In a world filled with generated content, authentic leadership remains one of the few competitive advantages that cannot be replicated.

Whether you're leading a startup, scaling an enterprise organization, or building your personal brand, this episode offers thoughtful guidance on developing credibility, communicating with intention, and leading with clarity in an era increasingly shaped by AI.

What you'll learn:

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Follow Kate Achille:
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/katieachille/
Company Page – https://linkedin.com/company/the-devon-group/
Instagram – The Devon Group (@devongroup) • Instagram profileCompany Website – The Devon Group

(Kate Achille is the CEO of The Devon Group, an independent public relations and marketing agency serving HR technology, fintech, and enterprise technology organizations. With decades of experience in strategic communications, executive visibility, analyst relations, and media strategy, she helps organizations build credibility, strengthen market positioning, and develop authentic leadership brands. A respected voice in HR technology, Kate is also recognized for her insights on AI, executive communications, and the future of work.)

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Entrepreneurship at its most sustainable is not built on opportunity alone. It is built on identity, instinct, and the willingness to create a life where the work and the person are inseparable.

In this episode, Christy Honeycutt sits down with Dennis Collins, founder of Collins Brothers Jeep — the largest classic Jeep restoration shop in the world — and creator of Coffee Walk, the long-running automotive content series that has surpassed 400 consecutive weekly episodes and built more than 2.3 million fully organic followers. Dennis shares a perspective shaped by decades of entrepreneurship, deep specialization, and the ability to recognize value long before the market catches up.

The conversation explores the foundation of the Collins brand, beginning with Dennis identifying car leads as a newspaper boy at age 10 and continuing through the evolution of a business built on trust, expertise, and consistency. Dennis reflects on receiving his dealer’s license in 1984, building Collins Brothers from the ground up, and developing a reputation rooted in doing a small number of things exceptionally well.

A major turning point came when his daughter Kelsey joined the business and challenged the company’s traditional marketing model. Together, they replaced nearly a million dollars in annual advertising spend with a content-first strategy built around storytelling, education, and authenticity. What started as a simple morning routine eventually became Coffee Walk — a platform that now drives sourcing, customer trust, and community engagement at scale.

At the center of this episode is the idea that consistency is more than discipline; it is a reflection of values. Dennis discusses what it means to publish over 400 consecutive weekly episodes and why long-term trust is built through reliability, not short bursts of visibility.

The conversation also explores a growing challenge in legacy industries: expertise is disappearing faster than it is being replaced. Dennis explains why craftsmanship, restoration knowledge, and relationship-based sourcing are becoming increasingly rare, and why bringing younger generations into the industry matters.

Dennis also speaks candidly about sacrifice, trade-offs, and the personal cost behind entrepreneurial freedom. Throughout the episode, a clear theme emerges: freedom and discipline in entrepreneurship are deeply connected.

What ultimately stands out is a model of entrepreneurship built less around hype and more around clarity. Dennis has built a business, media platform, and community rooted in a consistent identity — creating a brand that cannot easily be replicated.

What You’ll Walk Away With

00:00 – Introduction to Dennis Collins and Coffee Walk

02:21 – Building Collins Brothers from the ground up

04:08 – 400 consecutive episodes and audience trust

05:57 – Replacing a $40K/month ad budget with content

09:58 – Growing 2.3 million organic followers with zero paid ads

13:01 – Legacy, family values, and leadership philosophy

17:17 – Specialization and recognizing opportunities others miss

21:19 – The sacrifices behind entrepreneurial freedom

24:16 – Building community and investing in the next generation

28:21 – The story behind the 1958 Austin-Healey “Goldie”

32:20 – Integrity, craftsmanship, and patience

33:18 – Final reflections and where to follow Dennis

| Connect With Us |
Follow Dennis Collins:
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennis-collins-30452312/?skipRedirect=true
Facebook – https://web.facebook.com/DennisCollins/?_rdc=1&_rdr#
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/thedenniscollins
Twitter/X – https://x.com/holygraildennis

Youtube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC17IH_7LhXszAU-SB1wvx_A
Website – https://www.thedenniscollins.com/

(Dennis Collins is the founder of Collins Brothers Jeep — the largest classic Jeep restoration shop in the world — and the creator of Coffee Walk, a long-form automotive content series with over 2.3 million organic followers and 400 consecutive weekly episodes. A lifelong entrepreneur who received his dealer's license in 1984, Dennis has built a business across restoration, parts manufacturing, and digital media that reflects a single consistent principle: know your lane and dominate it. He is based in Wiley, Texas.)

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Success is often defined by growth, financial performance, and visible accomplishments. Yet for many leaders, there comes a point when those external markers no longer provide the fulfillment they once promised. As organizations expand, responsibilities increase, and expectations grow, leaders are frequently confronted with a deeper question: What does success actually mean?

In this episode of Inside the C-Suite, Christy Honeycutt sits down with Kris Ramji, Founder of Slate Ventures, a vertically integrated real estate development and investment firm. From entrepreneurial roots shaped by his immigrant family to building businesses across multiple industries, Kris shares a leadership journey defined not only by achievement, but by self-discovery.

Throughout the conversation, Kris reflects on his transition from corporate consulting into entrepreneurship, the lessons learned from building businesses, and the realities of balancing ambition with family, health, and personal growth. His story challenges conventional assumptions about wealth, legacy, and what leaders should be striving toward.

The discussion moves beyond business strategy into the human side of leadership. Kris openly shares his experience navigating depression, panic attacks, and the personal work required to reconnect with himself. Through meditation, intentional relationships, and a renewed focus on authenticity, he found a different way to define success—one rooted in peace, presence, and meaningful contribution.

At a time when many leaders are managing competing priorities, increasing pressure, and constant demands on their attention, this conversation offers an important reminder that leadership begins with self-awareness. Organizational culture, family dynamics, and business outcomes are often reflections of the choices leaders make internally long before those choices become visible externally.

Ultimately, this episode explores a simple but powerful principle: success is not measured solely by what we build, but by how we live, how we treat others, and the lessons we leave behind for the people whose lives we influence.

Follow Kris Ramji:

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/kris-ramji-78334947/
Company Page – https://www.linkedin.com/company/slate-land-and-development/
Instagram – krisramji • Instagram profile
Website – https://slateventures.co

(Kris Ramji is the Founder and Operator of Slate Ventures, a vertically integrated real estate development, investment, sales, leasing, and property management firm. A lifelong entrepreneur, Kris has built businesses across multiple industries, including real estate development and manufacturing. He is known for his thoughtful leadership approach, commitment to personal growth, and belief that true success is measured by impact, presence, and the value we create for others.)

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/christyhoneycutt/
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Contact Form - Podcast | Empower Your Leadership Journey — Listen Now — Christy Honeycutt

The best leaders know this: people rarely remember the technology. They remember how it made them feel.

In this episode of Inside the C-Suite, I sit down with Matt DeVance, Founder and President of DeVance Electronic Lifestyle, to explore what happens when innovation, leadership, and human connection come together.

After more than 20 years designing luxury smart homes, businesses and experiences, Matt has learned that success isn't about selling the latest technology—it's about listening first, serving well, and creating environments where people can thrive.

From the impact of lighting on focus and well-being to building a business with your spouse, developing employees, and leading with service instead of ego, this conversation is packed with practical leadership lessons that extend far beyond technology.

Because whether you're designing a home, leading a company, or building a team...the experience you create is your legacy.

In this episode, we unpack:

If you lead people, serve customers, or believe business should leave people better than it found them, this conversation is for you.

| Connect with Us |

Follow Matt DeVance:

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-devance-6989541a/
Company Page – https://www.linkedin.com/company/devance-av-design-llc/
Instagram – Devance Electronic Lifestyle (@devanceelectroniclifestyle) • Instagram profile
Website – DeVance AV Design | Home Theater Systems & More | Frisco

(Matt DeVance is the Founder and President of DeVance Electronic Lifestyle, a technology integration company serving residential and commercial clients throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area. For more than 24 years, he has helped clients create connected environments that blend technology, comfort, and functionality. Known for his service-first philosophy and commitment to servant leadership, Matt has built a business centered on delivering exceptional experiences while developing people and fostering long-term relationships.)

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Want to be on the show or know someone who would be a great guest? Podcast Nomination Form - Podcast | Empower Your Leadership Journey — Listen Now — Christy Honeycutt

Leadership often looks different from the inside than it does from the outside. While titles may suggest authority and certainty, the reality of leadership is often defined by difficult decisions, constant change, and the responsibility of guiding people through uncertainty.

As organizations navigate evolving workforce expectations, rapid technological advancement, and increasing complexity, leaders are being challenged to rethink how they build teams, create growth, and foster meaningful connections. The skills that set great leaders apart are becoming increasingly human.

In this episode of Inside the C-Suite, Christy Honeycutt sits down with Jake Zabkowicz, CEO of Hudson Talent Solutions, to explore what leadership looks like from the CEO seat. Drawing from more than two decades of experience in talent acquisition and workforce strategy, Jake shares lessons from his leadership journey, the importance of building trust and autonomy, and how organizations can prepare for an AI-driven future.

Together, they discuss the evolving role of talent acquisition, the power of human connection, and why compassion, adaptability, and relationships remain essential to long-term success.

Because leadership is not defined by titles—it's defined by the ability to help people grow, navigate change, and move forward with confidence.

What You'll Learn:

Why leadership becomes more challenging—and more personal—at the CEO level

The hidden reality of loneliness in executive leadership

How great leaders balance responsibility with vulnerability

Why asking better questions is more valuable than having all the answers

The importance of creating autonomy and trust within teams

How talent acquisition is evolving beyond filling open roles

What organizations must do to stay competitive in an AI-driven workforce

Why workforce planning and talent strategy are becoming inseparable

The role compassion plays in effective leadership

How relationships continue to outperform transactions in business

Why adaptability is becoming a critical leadership capability

The leadership lesson Jake hopes future generations will remember

| Connect with Us |

Follow Jake Zabkowicz:

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/zabkowicz/
Company Page – https://www.linkedin.com/company/hudson-talent-solutions/
Facebook – Hudson Talent Solutions
Instagram – Hudson RPO (@hudsonrpo) • Instagram profile
Website – Home

(Jake Zabkowicz is the CEO of Hudson Talent Solutions and a recognized leader in talent acquisition, workforce strategy, and organizational growth. With more than 20 years of experience helping organizations navigate workforce transformation and evolving talent needs, he is known for his people-first leadership approach, strategic vision, and commitment to building high-performing teams.)

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