Whether you’re looking for inspiration on people and culture, a direction on recruiting strategy during economic downturns, or simply looking for fresh perspectives in recruiting, we’ve curated a list of some of the most successful and inspiring recruiting and TA folks we’d recommend following. They will inspire and challenge you to think outside the box and revolutionise the way you recruit.
Recruiting and TA thought leaders to follow
- Adrian Tan
- Alyssa Rhoda
- Amy Miller
- Bonnie Dilber
- Dean Da Costa
- Hung Lee
- Jennifer McClure
- John Sullivan
- Johnny Campbell
- Katrina Collier
- Kevin Wheeler
- Linda Le
- Liz Ryan
- Lou Adler
- Mervyn Dinnen
- Pradeep Desu
- Stacy Zapar
- Stephanie Yu
- Tim Sackett
- William Tincup
1. Adrian Tan, founder and CEO, Career Hero
Having crossed over 30K connnections on his LinkedIn, Adrian spent the last decade, starting 5 businesses in recruitment, career coaching, consultancy and technology. It led to accolades such as HR Vendors of the Year and Global Recruiter's marketing award. Seeing that success got him thinking if the same success could be possible for individuals. So he started applying the same principles to himself and sharing them on LinkedIn. Which led to more than 30k followers and numerous business and job opportunities. It also made him HR Entrepreneur of the Year and one of the top global HR tech influencers. Adrian’s current mission is to help more companies and individuals to greater success with the power of strategic marketing.
Adrian is also a prolific writer, and his articles on recruiting, HR, and career development have been published in leading industry publications such as Recruiter.com, HRD Asia, and HR Zone. He shares his opinions and insights on LinkedIn and Twitter, and his blog, Adrian Tan Blog, is a must-read for anyone interested in the future of HR.
Connect with Adrian on:
2. Alyssa Rhoda, Director - Talent Acquisition at Zefr
Alyssa Rhoda is a talented digital marketing professional with over 10 years of experience in the industry. Currently based in San Francisco, she has worked for a range of clients across multiple sectors, including technology, healthcare, and finance. Alyssa has a proven track record of developing and executing successful marketing campaigns that drive engagement and increase revenue. Her passion for marketing and innovation has helped her stay ahead of the curve in an ever-changing industry. You should especially check out her sarcastic takes on the harsh reality of the employment world.
Connect with Alyssa on LinkedIn
3. Amy Miller, Senior Client Lead Recruiter - Project Kuiper, Amazon
Amy is calls herself a “Recruiting Truth Teller & Mythbuster”. She’s also been LinkedIn Top Voice 2022. Based in New York City, Amy has worked for a variety of companies, ranging from startups to established enterprises, in the healthcare, finance, and technology sectors through her decade long career in recruiting. Amy is passionate about driving growth through innovative approaches and has a keen eye for identifying emerging trends in the industry. She shares fun and interesting content and also hosts AMA sessions on Friday on her Youtube channel which has thousands of subscribers.
Connect with Amy on
- Recruiting in yoga pants on Youtube
4. Bonnie Dilber, Zapier
Bonnie is a former educator and dog/toddler mom who is passionate about equity. She loves sharing her thoughts on recruiting and workplace culture on LinkedIn, as well as in her newsletter, Landed!, and on TikTok. She’s been featured in publications including Huffington Post, Fortune, Business Insider, Forbes, and Time as well as on numerous podcasts and speaking events. Her newsletter has over 50k subscribers. Currently, BonnieI leads Zapier's business recruiting team. She is committed to equity in the hiring process, for which she provids as much free support by continually sharing free or low-cost guides and resources.
Connect with Bonnie on
5. Dean Da Costa
Sourcing top executives for over 30 years with a breeze, Dean Da Costa is known for his unique ways of sourcing the best talent in the industry. Every sourcer aspires to be like Dean. If you're hearing about Dean for the first time, you’re surely going to want to know more about him as you discover his tips, tricks and wisdom on finding the top talent in a world that has more jobs than people. He is also the founder of The Search Authority, a sourcing and recruiting consultancy firm. Da Costa is known for his expertise in sourcing, recruitment technology, social media, and talent acquisition strategies. He is also a frequent speaker at industry conferences and events and has written extensively on sourcing and recruiting topics.
Connect with Dean on
6. Hung Lee
Hung Lee is the founder of Workshape.io, a startup that matches job seekers with companies based on their skills and experience. Hung is also the curator of the popular Recruiting Brainfood newsletter, which shares the latest news and trends in recruiting and talent acquisition. He shares his insights and industry updates on Twitter, LinkedIn, and the Recruiting Brainfood blog. He is a recruitment industry professional with over 15 years experience as an agency recruiter, Recruitment manager, Internal Head of Talent, recruitment trainer, founder of award winning online recruiting platform WorkShape and now Editor and Community builder at Recruiting Brainfood - the best weekly newsletter in recruitment. Lee is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and events and has been recognized as one of the most influential people in HR and recruitment. He is known for his expertise in recruitment technology, talent acquisition, and employer branding.
Connect with Hung on LinkedIn
7. Jennifer McClure
Jennifer McClure is a keynote speaker, author, and leadership coach who focuses on helping individuals and organizations improve their leadership skills and build more effective teams. She has been a leader in the HR industry for over 25 years and is known for her expertise in talent management, leadership development, and organizational strategy.
McClure is the CEO of Unbridled Talent LLC, a consulting and coaching firm that works with organizations to help them develop their leaders and build high-performing teams. She is also a popular speaker and has presented at numerous conferences and events, including the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Annual Conference and the HR Technology Conference. McClure is also the host of the popular podcast "Impact Makers with Jennifer McClure," where she interviews industry leaders and explores topics related to leadership, talent management, and organizational development. She is the author of the book "Unleashing Capacity: The Hidden Human Resources," which explores the potential of people and how organizations can tap into that potential to drive success.
Connect with Jennifer on
8. John Sullivan
John Sullivan is a well-known HR thought leader, consultant, and professor of management. He has been working in the HR industry for over 40 years and is known for his expertise in talent management, employer branding, and HR technology.
Sullivan has worked with numerous companies to help them improve their HR processes and build more effective teams. He is also a frequent speaker at industry conferences and events and has written extensively on HR-related topics, including his blog "ERE.net."
Connect with John on
9. Johnny Campbell
Johnny Campbell is an entrepreneur and thought leader in the field of recruitment and talent acquisition. He is currently the CEO of SocialTalent, a company that provides online training for recruiters on a range of topics, including sourcing, candidate engagement, and diversity and inclusion.
Campbell is a passionate advocate for the use of technology in recruitment, and he is particularly interested in how artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning can help recruiters work more efficiently and effectively. He is also a frequent speaker and commentator on the future of work and the role of technology in talent acquisition.
In addition to his work at SocialTalent, Campbell is an active member of several industry organizations and initiatives, including the Talent Tech Labs Advisory Board and the European Talent Acquisition Leaders Forum.
Connect with Johnny on LinkedIn
10. Katrina Collier
Katrina Collier is a keynote speaker, author, and HR consultant who specializes in helping companies to improve their recruitment processes and build more effective teams. She is also known as "The Searchologist" and has been working in the recruitment industry for over 20 years. Collier is the founder of The Searchologist, a consultancy firm that provides recruitment training and consulting services to companies around the world. She is also a popular speaker and has presented at numerous conferences and events, including the LinkedIn Talent Connect conference and the HR Tech World conference.
Collier is the author of the book "The Robot-Proof Recruiter," which explores how recruiters can use technology to enhance their recruitment processes and build more effective teams. She is also a regular contributor to industry publications and has been featured in The Guardian, Forbes, and The Wall Street Journal.
Connect with Katrina on LinkedIn | Listen to The Talent People Podcast
11. Kevin Wheeler
Kevin Wheeler is a renowned thought leader on talent acquisition and HR trends, based in the United States. He is the founder of the Future of Talent Institute, a research and education organization that focuses on the future of work and the changing nature of talent. With over 30 years of experience in the field, Kevin is widely recognized for his expertise in talent management, recruitment strategies, and HR technology. He has advised numerous Fortune 500 companies and startups on talent acquisition and HR issues and is a sought-after keynote speaker at events around the world.
Kevin is also a prolific writer and has published numerous articles and books on talent acquisition, including "The Corporate University Handbook" and "Hiring Success: The Art and Science of Staffing Assessment and Employee Selection." He is an adjunct professor at San Francisco State University and a fellow at the Human Capital Institute.
Connect with Kevin on LinkedIn
12. Linda Le
Linda is a fabulous Human Resources (HR) professional. She is currently working as a Talent Acquisition Analyst at Lockheed Martin. Her experience includes recruitment, employee relations, HR operations, and talent management. She's also a mental health advocate and talks about similar topics on social media. Linda’s LinkedIn bio is worth a read, where she also currently has thousands of followers.
Connect with Linda on LinkedIn
13. Liz Ryan
Liz Ryan is a well-known author, speaker, and entrepreneur who is best known for her work in the field of career development and workplace culture. She is the founder and CEO of Human Workplace, a consulting firm that helps organizations improve their workplace culture, leadership, and employee engagement.
Ryan has had a varied career, having worked as a Fortune 500 human resources executive, a university professor, and a software executive. She has also written extensively on career development and job search, and her articles and blogs have been featured in numerous publications, including Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and The Huffington Post.
Ryan is known for her unconventional and innovative approach to career development, which emphasizes the importance of building a personal brand, networking, and creating a professional reputation. Her approach is based on the idea that people are more than just their job titles, and that they should focus on developing their skills and passions in order to create fulfilling careers. Ryan is also a frequent keynote speaker and workshop facilitator, and she has delivered talks and training sessions to thousands of people around the world. She is a sought-after expert on topics related to workplace culture, employee engagement, and leadership development.
Connect with Liz on LinkedIn
14. Lou Adler
Lou Adler is a well-known business consultant, executive coach, and author who is best known for his work in the field of talent acquisition and management. He is the founder and CEO of The Adler Group, a management consultancy firm that provides training, coaching, and consulting services to companies around the world.
Adler is also the author of several books on talent acquisition and management, including "Hire With Your Head" and "The Essential Guide for Hiring & Getting Hired." He is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and events, and has been recognized as one of the top 50 thought leaders in the HR and recruiting industry.
Adler's approach to talent acquisition and management focuses on a performance-based hiring process that emphasizes hiring candidates based on their skills and potential for success in a particular role, rather than relying solely on their past experience or education. His methodologies have been widely adopted by companies of all sizes, and have helped many organizations to build more effective teams.
Connect with Lou on
15. Mervyn Dinnen
Mervyn Dinnen is a highly respected HR and talent acquisition consultant, speaker, and author based in the UK. He has more than 20 years of experience in the industry, having worked with a range of global brands across various sectors, including retail, hospitality, and technology. As a thought leader in the field of talent acquisition and HR, Mervyn regularly writes for publications such as Personnel Today, HRZone, and Forbes, covering topics such as recruiting, employer branding, and employee engagement. He is also the author of the book "Exceptional Talent: How to Attract, Acquire and Retain the Very Best Employees." Mervyn is a popular keynote speaker at conferences and events worldwide and is highly regarded for his practical, down-to-earth approach to talent acquisition and HR. He is an active member of the CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development) and is also a regular guest on HR and talent acquisition podcasts.
Connect with Mervyn on LinkedIn
16. Pradeep Desu
After failing at 75 odd interviews and freezing during the interviews in the initial days of his career, Pradeep Desu has risen through the ranks. Once a Call Center Executive at Amazon, Desu is now the Group Head of Talent Acquisition and India GM at GoTo. In his previous stints, he took up recruiting roles at Qualcomm, Uber, and Stripe among others. There's a lot to learn from Pradeep when it comes to climbing the ladder as a recruiter.
Connect with Pradeep on LinkedIn
17. Stacy Zapar
Stacy Zapar is a well-known recruitment expert, speaker, and author. She is currently the founder of The Talent Agency, a recruiting consultancy, and the former Director of Recruiting for Tenfold, a sales performance platform. She has been featured in several media outlets, including Forbes, Entrepreneur, and Inc., and has spoken at numerous conferences and events.Her Twitter account is a great place to keep up with her latest insights on recruitment and the job market. Her YouTube channel includes recordings of her presentations and interviews with other recruitment experts. Finally, her blog features articles and resources on topics such as recruitment strategies, candidate engagement, and employer branding.
Connect with Stacy on
18. Stephanie Yu, The Unicorn Recruiter
Stephanie Yu is a talented talent acquisition professional, known in the industry as the "unicorn recruiter" for her ability to find and attract top-tier talent. Based in San Francisco, she has over 12 years of experience in recruiting, working for a variety of companies in the technology sector, including Google, Uber, and Square. Stephanie is skilled in sourcing, interviewing, and negotiating with candidates, and has a proven track record of placing candidates in high-demand roles. She is also passionate about diversity and inclusion and has championed efforts to increase diversity in the tech industry through targeted recruiting strategies. Stephanie is a strategic thinker, an excellent communicator, and a dedicated recruiter who is committed to finding the best talent for her clients.
Connect with Steph on
LinkedIn
Youtube channel
19. Tim Sackett
Tim Sackett is a well-known HR thought leader, speaker, author, and blogger. He is currently the President of HRU Technical Resources, a leading staffing and recruitment firm based in Michigan. On his LinkedIn profile, Tim Sackett highlights his experience in the HR and recruitment industry, including his work as a recruiter, HR executive, and entrepreneur. He has also authored several books on recruitment and talent management, including "The Talent Fix" and "The Talent War". His Twitter account is a great source of insights and commentary on HR and recruitment, and his YouTube channel includes videos on a variety of HR and talent management topics. Finally, his blog features articles on HR trends, recruiting best practices, and leadership.
Connect with Tim on
20. William Tincup
William Tincup is a well-known HR and recruiting industry thought leader, speaker, author, and entrepreneur. He is the President of RecruitingDaily, a leading HR and recruitment news and insights website. William Tincup highlights his experience in the HR and recruitment industry, including his work as an HR consultant, entrepreneur, and author. He has also authored several books on HR and talent management, including "Recruiting in the Age of Googlization" and "The Future of Work". His Twitter account is a great source of insights and commentary on HR and recruitment, and his YouTube channel includes videos on a variety of HR and talent management topics. Finally, his blog features articles on HR trends, recruiting best practices, and leadership.
Connect with William on
Well, that’s a wrap there! Would you like to recommend someone to the list? Feel free to drop a note on hello@kula.ai
Happy recruiting!
