Katie Rakusin Email and Phone Number
As the Director of Talent Acquisition at Merit America, a non-profit organization committed to empowering adults without bachelor's degrees, I've made significant strides. Over my 15-year career in talent, I've led a substantial organizational expansion, increasing staff by 400%. My strategic hiring practices have effectively mitigated bias, ensured transformative candidate experiences, and optimized our recruitment process. I've also been a key advocate for equity, developing inclusive promotion policies and retention strategies that have made a tangible impact.❤️ What I love about my jobWhat truly fuels my professional journey is my deep passion for developing equitable, inclusive, transparent, and consistent hiring processes. This commitment is not just a part of my job but a core value that I bring to every aspect of my work. I believe that empathy is the cornerstone of a positive candidate experience, and I strive to ensure that every interaction with Merit America is welcoming and respectful. My dedication to these principles is unwavering, and I am committed to promoting them in every professional endeavor.Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of connecting talented individuals with fulfilling opportunities that align with their skills, interests, and aspirations. I am also a skilled facilitator and talent development expert, enabling me to empower and retain top talent at all levels.👩💻What you might see me post here:🔹Insights and best practices in hiring🔹Benefits of #RemoteWork & #FourDayWorkWeek🔹Building diverse talent pipelines and fostering an inclusive workplace🔹The importance of empathy in recruitment and creating a positive candidate experience🔹Innovative approaches to talent acquisition🔹Advice for job seekers on navigating the ever-changing labor market🔹Articles, podcasts, and resources I find interesting⭐️Beyond work:While my professional life at Merit America is a significant part of who I am, there's much more to me. I'm a mom (to the best little boy!), a wife, a sister, a friend, a daughter, and a voracious reader. I subscribe to a multitude of magazines and newspapers, and I read around 100 books a year. These personal interests not only enrich my life but also shape my perspective and approach to work.👋Feel free to connect if you're interested in discussing talent acquisition, DEI, or the future of work!*All thoughts are my own and do not reflect the views of my employer.
Merit America
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Director Of Talent AcquisitionMerit America Aug 2022 - PresentWashington, Washington, Us• Implemented a research-based strategy that significantly increased BIPOC representation in panel interviews to at least 50% in 2023 and 2024. This initiative, which I led, involved the development of competency-aligned processes, bias mitigation training, and structural improvements, all aimed at achieving this goal.• Built and developed a high-performing talent acquisition team. I fostered a collaborative culture that valued each team member's input and set clear expectations, resulting in a 100% positive team rating in management, teamwork, ownership, and innovation.• Utilized data analytics to make strategic decisions and drive performance. By establishing clear performance metrics and making data-driven decisions, I played a key role in surpassing organizational goals in 2023 and 2024.• Developed and executed a comprehensive talent acquisition strategy. I led the team in attracting, hiring, and developing top-notch talent, always ensuring an exceptional candidate experience, an essential aspect of our approach.• Created and optimized systems and processes to scale talent acquisition. I designed efficient processes to support the organization's growth and maximize the team's impact.• I partnered closely with hiring managers to refine interview processes with a DEI lens, ensuring a fair and inclusive hiring process. By fostering strong relationships with hiring managers, I was instrumental in building a robust talent pipeline.
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Senior Director Of RecruitmentKipp Dc Jul 2021 - Aug 2022Washington, District Of Columbia, Us• Lead the fourteen-person recruitment team, which is consists of three sub-teams, that is responsible for all talent acquisition functions, including candidate outreach and cultivation, candidate management, selection, talent management, vacancy forecasting, and new hire on-boarding• Design and execute multi-year strategy on talent pipeline building plan that systematically builds a short- and long-term talent pool for all roles at KIPP DC • Directly manage three associate directors, including setting goals, holding team members accountable, and providing professional development • Sequence priorities over the short- and long-term developing an implementation plan for achieving recruitment goals and driving communication of strategy across KIPP DC • Create systems and structures to ensure equitable hiring processes, including alignment to KIPP DC’s core competencies, creating templates and resources that measure skills and competencies, and educating hiring managers on best practices in hiring -
Director Of RecruitmentKipp Dc Jul 2018 - Jul 2021Washington, District Of Columbia, Us• Led full cycle recruitment for KIPP DC, including twenty schools and headquarters staffing (approximately 300 hires a year)• Collaborated with the senior leadership team to discuss trends, new hire performance, and ideas to improve recruitment and hiring process• Created the vision and manage the execution of the recruitment team geared towards cultivating strong instructional and non-instructional candidates for KIPP DC • Oversaw the development of short- and long-term recruitment strategies and programs to attract and select a strong and diverse team to KIPP DC• Trained and supported KIPP DC staff members and senior leaders on effective and equitable hiring best practices • Monitored retention of top talent as a key focus by reviewing data to create an employee value proposition• Supervised and managed ten direct reports • Planned quarterly recruitment team retreats on strategic vision and talent management
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Associate Director Of RecruitmentKipp Dc Jan 2015 - Jun 2018Washington, District Of Columbia, Us• Owned the hiring process for all of KIPP DC’s secondary schools’ roles and headquarters roles (approximately 150 hires a year), while working alongside twenty hiring managers• Tracked metrics related to recruiting to evaluate various strategies and improve hiring efficiency• Managed three direct reports • Facilitated the cultivation, recruitment, interview, and selection efforts across KIPP DC by refining and managing the applicant tracking system through Salesforce, monitoring the progress of prospective candidates through the recruitment process, including ensuring timely communications from school leaders and hiring managers; and conducting initial resume and telephone screens with prospective candidates • Coached and supervised three direct reports• Maintained and managed detailed records of the status for each available position and act as main point of contact for candidates throughout their recruiting process with KIPP DC • Tracked metrics related to recruiting to evaluate various strategies and improve hiring efficiency • Provided regular recruitment updates to sixteen KIPP DC school leaders • Assisted in developing short- and long-term recruitment calendars, strategies, and programs to attract and select a strong and diverse team to KIPP DC and its schools • Supported in developing relationships with key partner organizations such as Teach For America and local universities, including hosting informational sessions and professional development sessions
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Recruitment ManagerKipp Dc Jun 2013 - Dec 2014Washington, District Of Columbia, Us• Monitored the progress of prospective candidates through the recruitment process, including ensuring timely communications from school leaders and hiring managers• Refined the applicant tracking system through Salesforce• Led all outreach and recruitment efforts to build a strong talent pool, including creating a monthly e-newsletter, recruitment events, managing job postings, and leading the referral bonus program
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Recruitment AssociateKipp Dc Jun 2010 - Jun 2013Washington, District Of Columbia, Us• Oversaw relationships with key partner organizations, including Teach For America and local universities • Maintained and managed detailed records of the status for each available position and acted as main point of contact for candidates throughout their recruiting process with KIPP DC• Led all sourcing efforts through LinkedIn Recruiter, and created strong email templates for high open rates
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Vice President Of OperationsYoung Education Professionals May 2015 - May 2016As the Vice President of Operations at YEP-DC, I oversee the daily management of the YEP-DC listserv and emails and manage the selection process for the leadership team. -
Special Education TeacherDistrict Of Columbia Public Schools (Dcps) Jun 2009 - Jul 2010Washington, District Of Columbia, Us• Instructed primary grade students diagnosed with learning disabilities, emotional disturbance, and with moderate-to-severe needs in self-contained and inclusion setting• Provided data-driven instruction in all subjects using Fountas and Pinnell and Wilson Reading Program assessments -
Special Education TeacherTntp Teaching Fellows Jun 2009 - Jul 2010Multiple Locations, Usa, Us• Admitted to a highly selective cohort committed to raising student achievement in Washington, D.C.’s highest need schools• Participated in six-week summer training institute
Katie Rakusin Skills
Katie Rakusin Education Details
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University Of North Carolina At Chapel HillHistory
Frequently Asked Questions about Katie Rakusin
What company does Katie Rakusin work for?
Katie Rakusin works for Merit America
What is Katie Rakusin's role at the current company?
Katie Rakusin's current role is Director of Talent Acquisition @ Merit America | Scaling Teams Through Equitable Hiring | 15+ Years Building Inclusive Workplaces.
What schools did Katie Rakusin attend?
Katie Rakusin attended University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill.
What are some of Katie Rakusin's interests?
Katie Rakusin has interest in Education.
What skills is Katie Rakusin known for?
Katie Rakusin has skills like Curriculum Development, Recruiting, Staff Development, Public Speaking, Event Planning, Editing, Leadership Development, Higher Education, Tutoring, Fundraising, Teaching, Lesson Planning.
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