What does it take to hire 1,000 people in a year—and still keep your team energized and your culture intact?

In this episode of the Level Up HR podcast, host James Weier welcomes Brittney Bahre, Senior Director of Talent Acquisition at E2 Optics, for a candid look at leading through hypergrowth.

In just 12 months, Brittney’s team expanded from 4 to 22 recruiters and hired over 1,000 employees, all through organic growth, driven by the AI-powered data center boom. She shares how she restructured her team to meet demand, why she seeks out recruiters from fast-paced staffing environments, and how she transformed her team’s role from “order-takers” to trusted business partners.

Beyond the numbers, Brittney opens up about the challenges of managing a four-generation workforce, and how E2 Optics is adapting its onboarding, communication, and culture strategies to keep everyone engaged.

Whether you’re scaling fast, evolving your TA function, or navigating generational complexity, this episode is full of hard-earned insights for HR leaders in the thick of change.


You’ll learn:

1. How E2 Optics doubled headcount without a single acquisition
2. Why fast-paced recruiters with staffing roots were key to scaling TA at speed
3. How to shift TA from “order-takers” to strategic business partners
4. Tactics to engage a four-generation workforce without losing cultural cohesion
5. Why future-focused thinking is essential in high-growth environments

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Get in touch with Brittney Bahre on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittney-bahre-phr-7513132a/

Brittney's book recommendation:
The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins | https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F7PZVCQB
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About the host James Weier:
James is Director, US at EGYM Wellpass and President of the Denver chapter of the Level Up HR Community. With 10 years of experience and a degree from the University of Illinois Urbana‑Champaign, James brings a collaborative, community‑focused approach to his work. When he’s not elevating employee experience or strengthening HR leadership, James enjoys spending time with his wife and their two young boys in Colorado’s great outdoors.

Get in touch with James Weier on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesweier/

When a workplace becomes a true community, strategy and culture grow stronger.

In the first episode of the English edition of the Level Up HR podcast, host James Weier welcomes Sarah Diamond, Chief People & Culture Officer at BOA, for a conversation on building a thriving workplace from the inside out.

Sarah shares how true transformation at BOA is anchored in lived values, and how connecting those values with both strategy and daily practice helps prevent the unhealthy tensions that can arise when culture and business goals drift apart. She also discusses why stakeholder relationships, built on genuine curiosity and collaboration, empower HR to act as both business partner and community builder.

From hiring to leadership development, you’ll get an inside look at BOA’s collective approach to talent, growth, and culture, and why seeing people as a community, not just employees, makes all the difference. Whether you’re navigating a growth phase or a major transformation, this episode is packed with practical takeaways for HR leaders who want to create lasting impact.


You'll learn:

1. How to ensure values guide both strategy and everyday practice
2. The critical role of stakeholder relationships and collaboration in HR’s business impact
3. How to move from “pushback” to “positive challenge” and co-create change
4. Why community-building is at the heart of sustainable company culture
5. Practical ways to attract, integrate, and engage top talent through authentic connection

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Get in touch with Sarah Diamond on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chiefpeopleofficerglobal/


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About the host James Weier:
James is Director, US at EGYM Wellpass and President of the Denver chapter of the Level Up HR Community. With 10 years of experience and a degree from the University of Illinois Urbana‑Champaign, James brings a collaborative, community‑focused approach to his work. When he’s not elevating employee experience or strengthening HR leadership, James enjoys spending time with his wife and their two young boys in Colorado’s great outdoors.

Get in touch with James Weier on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesweier/