Building a world-class recruiting function takes more than filling roles — it’s about strategy, technology and getting close to the work. On this episode, host Ryan Dull is joined by Cortney Grant, Director of Global Talent Acquisition of Johnson Controls. They discuss Cortney’s journey from agency recruiting to leading global TA functions, how specialization and automation transform hiring outcomes and why understanding operations on the ground drives better recruiting strategies. Cortney shares how strategic changes reduced time-to-fill by 40%, how AI is reshaping high-volume recruiting and why measuring quality of hire is just as critical as speed.

Key Takeaways:



00:00 Introduction.

02:35 Cortney shares how agency recruiting built her tenacity.

04:46 Leading high-volume recruiting at Amazon during the peak of COVID demand.

08:31 An opportunity to scale TA through RPO improved time-to-fill.

10:09 Two recruiter tracks built deeper subject expertise.

12:05 The two-track model isn’t one-size-fits-all and must align strategically.

14:00 AI dominates conversations, driving a shift in recruiter training.

18:14 Happy teams drive business success, and tenacity is key in today’s job market.

Resources Mentioned:

Cortney Grant

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cortneygrant/

Johnson Controls | LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/johnson-controls

Johnson Controls | Website

https://www.johnsoncontrols.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

✉ [email protected]

#Talent #Recruiters #Recruiting #HRTech

Navigating talent acquisition at scale requires a balance of technology, candidate experience and recruiter-driven success metrics. On this episode, host Ryan Dull is joined by Carin House, Director and Talent Acquisition Partner at Grainger. They discuss her career journey, the scale of Grainger’s hiring operations, and how her team measures success in TA. Carin also shares initiatives that shape the candidate experience and her advice for those building careers in recruitment.

Key Takeaways:



00:00 Introduction.

02:31 Carin graduated from law school in 2008 and joined Grainger through a temp job.

03:57 Grainger is a global MRO distributor with a mission to keep the world working.

06:08 Carin’s team measures TA success with recruiter-driven metrics.

08:24 The future of TA lies in blending AI innovation with human connection.

10:05 Always ask the question in your mind — it can spark valuable insights.

10:39 Mistakes are opportunities to learn and move forward.

Resources Mentioned:

Carin House

https://www.linkedin.com/in/carin-house-7a7936b8

Grainger | LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/w.w.-grainger/

Grainger | Website

https://www.grainger.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

✉ [email protected]

#Talent #Recruiters #Recruiting #HRTech

Balancing innovation with the human side of hiring is shaping the future of talent acquisition. On this episode, host Ryan Dull is joined by Jeff Ollinger, Director, Talent Acquisition – Corporate and Campus, of Sun Life. They discuss Jeff’s career journey, the evolution of his role and the strategies Sun Life is deploying to strengthen both campus and experienced hiring. Jeff shares how his background in athletics and early career experiences led him into HR and TA, eventually shaping his leadership approach. He highlights the scope of Sun Life’s hiring operations, the company’s student conversion strategy and its focus on inclusion through specialized programs.

Key Takeaways:

00:00 Introduction.

02:36 Jeff shares how he became an accidental HR professional.

05:07 Jeff’s journey from RBC to the tech sector to broaden his campus recruitment work.

10:07 Sun Life hires 500–700 students annually, with a focus on full-time conversion.

13:45 Student recruitment is balanced all-year-round, not just in the summer.

18:03 Sun Life prioritizes manager and new hire satisfaction with a seamless experience.

20:12 Internal hiring is a priority for developing talent and filling senior roles.

22:14 AI is used to boost efficiency and insights, while decisions remain human-led.

25:10 Be open to unexpected career paths and new ways of doing business.

Resources Mentioned:

Jeff Ollinger

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffollinger

Sun Life | LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/sun-life-financial

Sun Life | Website

https://www.sunlife.com/en/

Dean Connor Inclusion Scholarship

https://www.sunlife.ca/en/careers/student-and-new-graduate-programs/scholarship-guidelines/

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

✉ [email protected]

#Talent #Recruiters #Recruiting #HRTech

Predictable hiring isn’t just possible —it’s essential. On this episode, host Ryan Dull is joined by Michael Peterson, Sr. Director of Global Talent Acquisition – Talent Sourcing, Intelligence and Innovation at Edwards Lifesciences, to explore how strategic planning, data-driven practices and a consumer-minded approach are shaping modern TA functions in highly regulated industries. Michael walks through his path from aspiring pilot to TA leadership, sharing lessons from roles across healthcare, tech and international organizations. From building teams from scratch to redefining success metrics, Michael also offers practical insights into the evolving TA landscape.

Key Takeaways:

(00.00) Introduction.

(02:35) Michael pivoted from aviation to a career in TA leadership.

(04:48) Edwards Lifesciences leads in heart valves, with 17 on Michael’s TA team.

(05:59) Intelligence and innovation functions are early, with one analytics role in place.

(07:58) The Valencia plant proves the strategy works and uncovers key process gaps.

(10:11) TA taught the business the market’s tough — now it’s about how to act on it.

(12:52) Quality of hire is the top priority, even if measurement still needs work.

(15:12) TA priorities include field roles, tech optimization and guiding AI innovation.

(17:01) Focus on doing the right thing, not on being liked.

Resources Mentioned:

Michael Peterson

https://www.linkedin.com/in/taleadermichaelkpeterson/

Edwards Lifesciences | LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/edwards-lifesciences/

Edwards Lifesciences | Website

https://www.edwards.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

✉ [email protected]

#Talent #Recruiters #Recruiting #HRTech

A career shaped by competition and strategy is now fueling transformation in talent acquisition. On this episode, host Ryan Dull is joined by Chris Ross, Head of TA of North American Packaging at International Paper. Chris shares insights from nearly 25 years in TA, including agency work, leadership roles at Johnson & Johnson, and now guiding strategic transformation at International Paper. They discuss his unique path from Division I college hockey player to recruiter, and how his hands-on agency experience shaped his leadership approach. 

Key Takeaways:

(02:32) Transitioning from hockey to headhunting in medical sales.

(05:10) Early corporate TA experience begins at Monster during its startup heyday.

(10:00) Strategic TA work unfolds, backed by strong leadership and a 19-person team.

(13:18) DS Smith deal grows IP to 60,000 and expands EMEA reach.

(14:55) A focus on listening and observation reveals early opportunities in team structure.

(18:12) Recruiting efficiency becomes priority, with Gem and Beamery aiding speed to fill.

(20:21) TA metrics shaped by J&J experience guide internal and executive priorities.

(24:09) Growth comes from stretching beyond your comfort zone and taking the leap.

Resources Mentioned:

Chris Ross

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisrossrecruiter/

International Paper | LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/international-paper/

International Paper | Website

https://www.internationalpaper.com/

Monster.com

https://monster.com

MathWorks

https://www.mathworks.com/

Johnson & Johnson

https://www.jnj.com/

DS Smith

https://www.dssmith.com/

Beamery

https://beamery.com/

Gem

https://www.gem.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.

✉ [email protected]

#Talent #Recruiters #Recruiting #HRTech

Talent acquisition in healthcare demands a unique blend of strategy, adaptability and human-centered leadership. In this episode, host Ryan Dull speaks with Josh Dudzik, Associate Vice President of Talent Acquisition at Inova Health, about transforming TA practices to support a growing health system. Josh shares how his team revamped Inova’s talent acquisition structure by introducing a dedicated sourcing function that has already delivered significant ROI. He also dives into the importance of balancing AI with human touchpoints, optimizing referral programs and engaging early-in-career talent through proactive workforce development. 



Key Takeaways:

(02:30) Josh starts in agency recruiting and grows into system-level TA leadership.

(04:46) Inova averages 6,000–7,000 hires annually, supported by low turnover.

(09:38) Recruiters turn survey feedback into action plans that drive progress.

(12:29) TA teams must balance tech adoption with maintaining human connection.

(15:31) Early outreach and military transition programs expand future talent pipelines.

(17:59) Referral sourcing shows strong results and is being scaled with the right tech.

(21:01) Don’t overlook small wins — celebrating success boosts team morale.

(22:55) Own your data and use it to tell a clear, consistent TA story.

Resources Mentioned:

Josh Dudzik

https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshdudzik/

Inova Health | LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/inovahealth/

Inova Health | Website

https://www.inova.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

✉ [email protected]

#Talent #Recruiters #Recruiting #HRTech

Stepping outside your comfort zone can shape your career in unexpected and rewarding ways. That’s exactly what Jenny Hofler, Director, Early Career Recruiting, Global Talent Acquisition at Labcorp has done — and now she’s building opportunities for early career talent at a global scale. On this episode, she joins host Ryan Dull, and they discuss how Jenny’s journey from a communications graduate to a TA leader has informed her passion for early talent and inclusive hiring.

Key Takeaways:

(02:33) Jenny’s non-traditional entry into talent acquisition.

(04:20) Her transitions across Fidelity, MetLife, AWS and eventually to Labcorp.

(06:37) An overview of Labcorp’s global presence and mission.

(07:59) Internships across the globe — from the US to Singapore and Bulgaria.

(10:00) Enhancing internal and external communications around early talent.

(13:34) Leveraging data to improve conversion, diversity and retention.

(15:40) Taking ownership of the internship experience beyond recruitment.

(16:51) What’s next: evolving internship programming and university outreach.

(18:34) Advice for job seekers and those transitioning into TA.

(20:05) TA professionals inspire creativity, perseverance, and growth.

Resources Mentioned:

Jenny Hofler

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennyhoflerlovestalent/

Labcorp | LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/labcorp/

Labcorp | Website

https://www.labcorp.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

✉ [email protected]

#Talent #Recruiters #Recruiting #HRTech

Navigating global hiring challenges takes more than process — it takes strategy, relationships and relentless curiosity. In this episode, host Ryan Dull is joined by Ryan Alexander, VP of Global Talent Acquisition at Flowserve. They discuss Ryan’s experiences at Flowserve, a global leader in flow control solutions with over 18,000 employees across 52 countries. Ryan also breaks down the company’s hiring model, explains the challenges of operating in diverse geographies and outlines his strategic approach to transforming TA delivery and aligning it with business needs. 



Key Takeaways:

(02:42) Ryan started his career in retail, becoming the top salesperson in his company at 18 years old.

(07:14) Flowserve builds critical pumps and valves for fluid systems.

(10:06) Flowserve outsources 90% of hiring to a global RPO team.

(13:32) Ryan outlines four TA pillars: delivery, search, operations and talent intelligence.

(16:03) TA success is measured through KPIs, retention, diversity, and audits.

(18:48) Strategic workforce planning is a top HR priority linked to TA.

(21:40) TA success depends on treating everyone as a customer.

Resources Mentioned:

Ryan Alexander

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanalexandersphr/

Flowserve | LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/flowserve/

Flowserve | Website

https://www.flowserve.com/en/

Workday

https://www.workday.com/

SAP IBP

https://www.sap.com/sea/products/scm/integrated-business-planning.html

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

✉ [email protected]

#Talent #Recruiters #Recruiting #HRTech

Knowing your career path early can be a game-changer, but aligning internships to long-term hiring goals is where most companies fall short. Jacquilynne Ellison-Wickson, Director of Talent Acquisition for Canada of HUB International, joins Ryan Dull to explore how HUB builds career pipelines, rethinks intern hiring and redefines what success looks like in TA. 

Key Takeaways:

(02:38) Jacquilynne’s journey into recruitment and how a serious life event reshaped her career focus and passion.

(08:07) Creating her first internship program showed how vast and impactful TA can be.

(12:18) HUB International offers personalized, solution-focused insurance guidance.

(16:51) Tailoring internships to student intent creates meaningful outcomes.

(20:53) Partnering with schools and converting newcomers strengthen HUB’s talent pipeline.

(25:40) Standardized tools and training ensure recruiter success and hiring integrity.

(28:03) Leverage your personal brand in TA while leading with empathy and kindness.

Resources Mentioned:

Jacquilynne Ellison-Wickson

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaellison/

HUB International | LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/hub-international/

HUB International | Website

https://www.hubinternational.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

✉ [email protected]

#Talent #Recruiters #Recruiting #HRTech

In today’s tight labor market, delivering the right talent at speed isn’t just an advantage, it’s a necessity. On this episode, host Ryan Dull is joined by Tara Darnell, Vice President of Talent Acquisition Strategy and Workforce Planning at Sutter Health. Tara discusses how she led the transformation of a decentralized TA model into a highly efficient, centralized function serving one of the largest healthcare systems in the US. She also offers advice on prioritization and the power of small, consistent improvements in driving long-term impact. 

Key Takeaways:

(02:47) Tara’s journey into the recruiting space and her development at Sutter Health.

(04:32) Sutter Health’s scale and the scope of its TA operations.

(06:25) Transitioning from a decentralized to a centralized TA model.

(07:08) The rollout of a CRM and enterprise platform to unify recruitment tools.

(08:52) The impact of lean project management and data discipline on outcomes.

(13:09) Dashboards for workforce planning and TA performance metrics.

(15:08) Internal TA dashboard tracks aging, time to fill, and stuck roles.

(16:40) “Getting better never stops” drives daily 1% improvements.

Resources Mentioned:

Tara Darnell

https://www.linkedin.com/in/taradarnellvpofta/

Sutter Health

https://www.linkedin.com/company/sutter-health/

LinkedIn Enterprise Platform

https://business.linkedin.com/marketing-solutions/cx/24/01/ads-for-linkedin?mcid=7059959449221828769&src=go-pa&trk=sem-ga_campid.20073717598_asid.147321868543_crid.670678880585_kw.linkedin%20for%20business_d.c_tid.kwd-313105743753_n.g_mt.p_geo.9197977&cid=&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw5PK_BhBBEiwAL7GTPRQFZ03lMs2pex5JwHvoFHcMuyvQpe-wvGBdI0hz55-r_NYeaH7JnRoCPBQQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

“Atomic Habits”

https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits

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

✉ [email protected]

#Talent #Recruiters #Recruiting #HRTech