What’s Coming in 2024 – Part 2

Nicole Smartt, Author, From Receptionist to Boss

As the president and owner of Star Staffing, a recruiting firm that Inc. Magazine called “one of the fastest-growing companies in America,” she has made a career out of supporting the companies in need of talented people — and the talented people in need of work. In 2016, Smartt published From Receptionist to Boss: Real-Life Advice for Getting Ahead at Work, the now bestselling manifesto that detailed her rise from a receptionist at a local staffing firm just out of high school to the owner of a 55-person company. The book is now required reading in the entrepreneurship program at Sonoma State University.

Smartt has been featured as a guest columnist on platforms including Forbes, The Huffington Post, and Entrepreneur. She has been interviewed as an expert in leadership and recruiting by publications and media outlets, including The Washington Post, Fox News, and CBS. She is also a business columnist for her local paper, The North Bay Business Journal and writes her own monthly column on LinkedIn dedicated to her favorite leader, Ted Lasso.

Richard Rosner, Host, Staffing Influencer Channel

Richard is called “The Staffing Shark” for a reason, because he never sleeps and is always on the Hunt for the next candidate and client! He is for sure the most energetic guy in the Industry and always brings a Positive Mindset to every situation! He also founded Staffing Shark Media, where he creates and co-hosts Live Podcast shows weekly, with Industry Leading Professionals talking about everything Staffing and Recruiting! In addition to that he is a National Speaker and started the nationwide program of “Jobs Across America” were he goes on a “Hiring Road Tour” across the country helping Companies and Job Seekers get Hired! A Branding/Marketing GURU that loves to take the Staffing Industry to a new level! 

Kortney Harmon, Host, Full Desk Experience Podcast

Kortney Harmon is a staffing and recruiting expert with over 15 years’ experience who serves as Director of Industry Relations at Crelate. She has worked with hundreds of owners, executives, and operations leaders as a consultant, including leading a services network of over 260 offices. Kortney has trained over 1,000 recruiters and sales managers, developing training programs and streamlining operations and technology implementation to drive overall growth. She has a track record of success running a desk herself and leading owners and managers, as well as serving as a Director of Learning & Development.

Her expertise lies in identifying and resolving growth blockers related to people, processes, and technologies to help businesses thrive. At Crelate, she leverages her extensive experience as a strategic consultant and podcast host to provide insights to clients and listeners seeking to overcome challenges and succeed in staffing/recruiting. Known for delivering results and building high-performing teams, Kortney is a dynamic and experienced industry leader.

Lauren Jones, Co-Host, You Own the Experience Podcast

A staffing industry powerhouse. Workforce technology whiz. Change management mastermind. Fierce female leader champion. Professional storyteller.  

Lauren Jones is all of these things as well as the founder and CEO of LEAP Consulting Solutions. After decades as an innovator and influencer in the staffing industry, Lauren founded LEAP to make recruiting companies more efficient, more successful, and more human. How? By helping firms define and understand their technology needs, embrace change, and optimize their technology investments.  

Lauren is a powerful voice on staffing, technology, entrepreneurship, and women’s leadership. With several industry peers, she recently published her first book called “Together We Rise,” a compilation of their personal stories of women empowerment. Her reputation has landed her guest spots on almost every recruiting industry podcast, including Settle Smarter, You Own the Experience Podcast (which she now co-hosts), TheEdge, Ivy Podcast, Staffing Hub, HR Lift Off, and more. 

Rob Mann, Co-Host, You Own the Experience Podcast

As the Director of Sales & Marketing at 3DIQ, Rob helps staffing and recruiting agencies supercharge their sales and placements by using 3DIQ’s all-in-one tool for the modern recruiter. With over 10 years of experience in the staffing industry, Rob has a passion for adding automation to marketing, onboarding, and general processes to optimize the people experience with your brand.

Rob also consults with staffing leaders on digital transformation, including automation and AI, and creates or curates content relevant to marketing, operations, and positivity in the staffing industry. Additionally, Rob co-hosts the You Own the Experience Podcast, where he interviews staffing leaders and shares insights on how they hire, engage, and train their staff and combine their tech stack to create an incredible experience for customers, candidates, and internal teams. Rob’s values are to bring positive energy, work smart and hard, learn daily, and be prepared. 

Steve Gipson, Co-Host, Distinctly Digital

Steve Gipson, a recruiting industry veteran with over 14 years of experience, is the Director of Sales and Operations at Recruiters Websites. After spending seven years as a recruiter with a boutique search firm, he joined Recruiters Websites, a digital marketing agency specializing in the recruitment industry. For the past decade, Recruiters Websites has helped nearly 700 firms of all sizes and specialties enhance their digital presence and make more placements through their expertise in digital marketing, website development, and SEO services. 

Brad Bialy, Director of Digital Marketing, Haley Marketing