I seek to amaze each client, and to do so, I need to keep the team a few steps ahead, operating with a strong bias towards action. In this industry, having the ability to be nimble and adaptable to shifting client demands is key.
Q&A with Kathy
1. Tell us about your career path here. How did you find yourself at Acertitude and why did you join the firm?
Almost 27 years ago, I started my career working for TEG Consulting under Rick DeRose, where I held a project management role. When the decision was made to form Acertitude in 2015, I was eager to lean in and help set the foundations in place.
I started as the research director, leading a team of associates in conducting high-quality research. Great research is the backbone of a great outcome for our clients, and I was proud to grow and further develop in the role. After a few years, I realized my passion was more on the administrative side and pivoted into a chief of staff position working with all team members focusing on the Technology practice.
2. Describe a day in your life. Favorite parts of your job?
As chief of staff, I manage the workload of all team members, as well as taking the helm as project manager. My daily goal is to foresee challenges, keep momentum strong, and ensure alignment among all parties, both internal and external, to directly influence the success of our searches and the satisfaction of our clients.
I seek to amaze each client, and to do so, I need to keep the team a few steps ahead, operating with a strong bias towards action. In this industry, having the ability to be nimble and adaptable to shifting client demands is key.
3. What is special about working here?
What I love most about our work is the impact we have on people's lives – placing top candidates in roles that propel their success. Acertitude’s dedication to excellence and our collaborative environment are the driving forces behind our achievements.
4. How has Acertitude helped you grow and perform at your best?
Our leadership has been extremely influential and helped guide my professional development. Everyone here is a team player, willing to lean in and help others develop their careers.
Over the years, I've taken on many different roles, which has sharpened my ability to align responsibilities, anticipate challenges, and take decisive action – skills that are crucial in my current position.
5. In what ways - big or small - do you live out our mission of unleashing human potential?
A strong worth ethic should be at the core and heart of every team member, especially to deliver positive results and experiences for clients and candidates alike. I feel I have helped others succeed by empowering individual growth and accountability as we all drive towards the same result – client satisfaction – while at the same time, encouraging them to unleash their own potential and achieve individual goals.
6. What advice do you have for people looking to join Acertitude? What qualities do people need to be successful here?
Acertitude is an outstanding workplace with an entrepreneurial spirit and ample opportunities for career growth. New team members should genuinely care about connecting with others, as teamwork and collaboration are at the heart of our culture.
Kathy at a glance...
Our culture is | collaborative, empowering - ability to learn, grow, and evolve - and fast-paced. |
I live by the fundamental | take extreme ownership. This is a mindset. We are all responsible and should be acting as leaders to get the job done. We should push ourselves and our teammates to be the best, and if each of us takes extreme ownership of our individual tasks, great results will follow. “The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand.” -Vince Lombardi |
The most valuable lesson I've learned is | is working in a hybrid environment, as I feel the need for extreme ownership is even more prevalent. We need to own every part of an assignment, execute with utmost precision, and always anticipate what might be around the corner. |