Katie Rakusin
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Katie Rakusin Email & Phone Number

Director of Talent Acquisition @ Merit America | Scaling Teams Through Equitable Hiring | 15+ Years Building Inclusive Workplaces at Merit America
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, United States 9 work roles 1 school
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Director of Talent Acquisition @ Merit America | Scaling Teams Through Equitable Hiring | 15+ Years Building Inclusive Workplaces
Location
Washington, District of Columbia, United States

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Katie Rakusin is listed as Director of Talent Acquisition @ Merit America | Scaling Teams Through Equitable Hiring | 15+ Years Building Inclusive Workplaces at Merit America, based in Washington, District of Columbia, United States. AeroLeads shows a matched LinkedIn profile for Katie Rakusin.

Katie Rakusin previously worked as Director of Talent Acquisition at Merit America and Senior Director of Recruitment at Kipp Dc. Katie Rakusin holds B.A., History from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill.

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Merit America

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About Katie Rakusin

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.

Listed skills include Curriculum Development, Recruiting, Staff Development, Public Speaking, and 48 others.

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Merit America
Merit America
Director of Talent Acquisition @ Merit America | Scaling Teams Through Equitable Hiring | 15+ Years Building Inclusive Workplaces
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9 roles

Katie Rakusin work experience

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Director Of Talent Acquisition

Current

Washington, 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.

Aug 2022 - Present

Senior Director Of Recruitment

Washington, 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

Jul 2021 - Aug 2022

Director Of Recruitment

Washington, 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

Jul 2018 - Jul 2021

Associate Director Of Recruitment

Washington, 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

Jan 2015 - Jun 2018

Recruitment Manager

Washington, 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

Jun 2013 - Dec 2014

Recruitment Associate

Washington, 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

Jun 2010 - Jun 2013

Vice President Of Operations

As 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.

May 2015 - May 2016

Special Education Teacher

Washington, 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

Jun 2009 - Jul 2010

Special Education Teacher

Multiple 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

Jun 2009 - Jul 2010
1 education record

Katie Rakusin education

  • University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
    University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
    History
FAQ

Frequently asked questions about Katie Rakusin

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What company does Katie Rakusin work for?

Katie Rakusin works for Merit America.

What is Katie Rakusin's role at Merit America?

Katie Rakusin is listed as Director of Talent Acquisition @ Merit America | Scaling Teams Through Equitable Hiring | 15+ Years Building Inclusive Workplaces at Merit America.

Where is Katie Rakusin based?

Katie Rakusin is based in Washington, District of Columbia, United States while working with Merit America.

What companies has Katie Rakusin worked for?

Katie Rakusin has worked for Merit America, Kipp Dc, Young Education Professionals, District Of Columbia Public Schools (Dcps), and Tntp Teaching Fellows.

How can I contact Katie Rakusin?

You can use AeroLeads to view verified contact signals for Katie Rakusin at Merit America, including work email, phone, and LinkedIn data when available.

What schools did Katie Rakusin attend?

Katie Rakusin holds B.A., History from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill.

What skills is Katie Rakusin known for?

Katie Rakusin is listed with skills including Curriculum Development, Recruiting, Staff Development, Public Speaking, Event Planning, Editing, Leadership Development, and Higher Education.

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