PALLADIAN WEST - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- President
- President Chief Talent Architect
For several years, Angela was an Executive Recruiter for Palladian West before she served as VP of Talent for nationwide non-profit, Bethany, building out an all new recruiting department for the 1400+ employee organization. In 2018, she rejoined Palladian West as the Managing Director, and in late 2019 purchased the company from our founder, Shelley Crooks. Angela initiated the addition of Predictive Index and Psychometrics to our suite of services and is a Certified Predictive Index Practitioner and Talent Optimization Consultant.
Mavericks are visionaries who want to achieve what's never been achieved before. They're not fans of the status quo and will shake things up. Mavericks tend to be innovative, influential, daring, and direct-with a remarkably high tolerance for taking chances.
Angela loves hosting parties and enjoying time with friends, cheering on her often questioned favorite NFL team, the Detroit Lions. She lives with her husband, David and their not-so-miniature Bernedoodle, Guster, getting used to the empty nest with their children now in college.
Recruiting and team building have been part of Angela's life since the 2nd grade, when she was convinced her parents were going to purchase a restaurant and held interviews for her entire class to be employees. Ever since, she's worked to recruit and build teams in both nonprofit and for-profit companies and organizations she believes in…
Job Titles:
- Executive Recruiter Talent Architect
A leader in Human Resources for almost 15 years, Ashley has been attracting talent and transforming Executive teams for the majority of her career. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in business administration and public relations through Ferris State University, and has earned SHRM-CP, PHR and, LDSS certifications. Ashley partnered with Palladian West in March of 2020 to become a Certified Predictive Index (PI) Practitioner utilizing the tool to be intentional in crafting teams and succession planning. Enraptured by PI and the Palladian West model, Ashley joined the team in February of 2022. She loves to explore career passions with candidates to find the ideal talent fit for enhancing client teams.
Persuaders are leaders and motivators within their organizations. Socially poised and extraverted, they love to make their mark, and won't shy away from risk. Persuaders will rally the team around projects-confidently making decisions and delegating tasks before they move on to their next project.
Ashley and her husband Matt are typically cooking and entertaining family and friends with their two "littles" Frankie & Marlowe. You can also find her solo pounding pavement in her running shoes, unless there is a football or baseball game to watch.
Job Titles:
- Executive Recruiter Talent Architect
Brendan brings a rich professional background to Palladian West, spanning recruiting and business development in healthcare, higher education, commercial real estate, and the tech sector. With a focus on outcomes, Brendan loves negotiating win-win scenarios, coaching, and focusing on how team architecture can enhance teams and the companies that they work within.
Valuing results while centering people through the process is part of Brendan's signature style and helps infuse his work with humor while creating a supportive experience for clients and candidates. Having joined the team in February 2024, Brendan is thrilled to be back in the full-time recruiting arena!
Mavericks are visionaries who want to achieve what's never been achieved before. They're not fans of the status quo and will shake things up. Mavericks tend to be innovative, influential, daring, and direct-with a remarkably high tolerance for taking chances.
Brendan absolutely loves adventure, and will go out of his way to take the scenic route, read a historical sign, try a new coffee or cocktail spot-and has often been told he can sense a good time from miles away. You'll often find him next to a body of water, being towed behind a boat, whipping something up in the kitchen, listening to a book on Audible, and likely singing to himself along the way. He loves West Michigan, most major cities, anything having to do with International travel or food-and prefers to experience all of these things with his wife Aundi, and two children!
Job Titles:
- Certified Predictive Index Trainer
- VP of Executive Search & Team Architecture
Chaz joined Palladian West in 2018, bringing a background in HR, recruiting, and leadership. As VP of Executive Search + Team Architecture, Chaz leads the Palladian West recruiting team, provides search strategies for our clients, and consults with clients to best use and implement The Predictive Index.
Prior to coming to Palladian West, Chaz worked in HR leadership roles for Praxis and Bethany Christian Services in Grand Rapids. He started his career in recruiting with The Habitat Company in Chicago. He has a Bachelor's Degree from Calvin College and an MBA from Loyola University Chicago.
Chaz is motivated by solving complex talent challenges for our clients. Whether it is recruiting for hard-to-find talent or helping a client improve their dynamics, he loves finding the "missing ingredients" so teams can work better together. This includes helping our team of recruiters at Palladian West to achieve their personal and professional goals.
In addition to speaking "PI" language everywhere he goes, Chaz is a certified Predictive Index trainer and Talent Optimization consultant.
Job Titles:
- Development Professional Turned Executive Recruiter
- Executive Recruiter Talent Architect
Corey Turner is an experienced Fund Development professional turned Executive Recruiter. A graduate of Aquinas College, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a dual major in Business and Communication. Corey spent a decade in the non-profit sector, raising funds to support the missions of environmental, education, and healthcare organizations. Building relationships and aligning interests with opportunities is at the core of her professional work. She joined Palladian West in 2022 and is excited to continue learning and growing while making a positive impact for both clients and candidates.
Job Titles:
- Executive
- Recruiter
- Executive Recruiter Talent Architect
As the newest Executive Recruiter at Palladian West, Daisy brings a background in sales and executive recruitment fueled by a genuine passion for connecting exceptional professionals with exciting career opportunities and finding those "needle in a haystack" candidates for clients. Originating from California, Daisy made the cross-country move from sunny San Diego to Grand Rapids, MI in 2022. A proud alumna of the University of San Diego, where she earned a degree in International Relations and International Business, Daisy's love for travel and cultural exploration seamlessly aligns with her enthusiasm for research and relationship-building in the world of recruitment. Joining the firm in January 2024, Daisy is eager to hit the ground running and contribute to Palladian West's continued success.
Guardians are usually unselfish and approachable, with a focus on work that requires skill and great attention to detail. They're thoughtful, steady, and reliable. Things don't accidentally fall through the cracks in a Guardian's world-they like structure and precision, and tend to be perfectionists.
Outside of work, Daisy spends her free time reading, cooking, watching Jeopardy, and spending quality time with her fiancé and their goofy Golden Retriever, Obi.
Emily earned her degree in Psychology from Central Michigan University and went on to join an Interpreter Training Program for American Sign Language after graduating. She has used her captivation with human behavior to administratively support others in a variety of professional fields, with a cross-section of creativity and detail management as her sweet spot. Emily joined the Palladian West team in April of 2021. She loves cultivating an organized and efficient workplace in which all the members of her team can thrive. Emily appreciates the opportunity to provide individualized support to such an incredible team and systematize processes for them. She can't stop, won't stop, creating checklists and keeping all the details in line.
Job Titles:
- Executive Recruiter Talent Architect
Kate joined Palladian West in 2023, bringing over 15 years of experience in the non-profit sector. Seeking to support her community while connecting people to their passion, she became a seasoned fundraiser and leader. In her most recent role, Kate served as Vice President of Advancement with Family Promise of West Michigan. Utilizing her strengths as a trained social worker, executive leader, and fundraiser, she provides executive leadership, strategic vision, fundraising, and communications experience to advance business goals. Kate double majored in social work and theology with a minor in communications from Kuyper College.
Captains love rising to meet challenges. Independent and strong-willed, they connect easily with colleagues and direct reports. They're natural leaders who both inspire and challenge their teams and raise the bar for their organizations.
Kate and her husband, Patrick, reside in the northeast side of Grand Rapids with their dog, Pilot. In her spare time, she loves to travel, eat great food, watch documentaries, and go on long walks. She loves all things 90's R&B and loves a strong cup of coffee.
Job Titles:
- Executive Recruiter Talent Architect
After over 6 years of recruiting in educational settings, and almost 3 years living and working in China, Kirsten joined Palladian West at the beginning of 2022. She loves not only working with excellent teams (shout out to the team at Palladian West) but also building them.
She received her BBA in Management from Davenport University, and M.Ed. from Framingham State University, and finds joy in continuing to learn new things.
Once Venturers identify an opportunity to push the organization forward, it becomes an irresistible magnet. Venturers are always exploring and moving past boundaries. They're strong-willed, goal-oriented, and focused on making an impact at work. Expect them to be self-starters and innovators who tackle new problems with enthusiasm.
If you were to cross paths with Kirsten in a non-work setting, it would probably be on a running or hiking trail, in a yellow kayak, or on the way to a national park she hasn't been to yet.
From finance to sales to small business owner to executive recruiter. Meredith's path to Palladian West was not a traditional one. No matter the role, her success has been founded on her ability to cultivate meaningful relationships. The connection with her colleagues, clients, and customers is exactly where she has placed value throughout her career, and is where she finds the most fulfillment. Adding candidates to that growing list of people is exactly why she loves her job. As a former corporate cubicle dweller, she is thankful to have found a home where collaboration and creativity collide and where an initial interaction can develop into a seen, heard, known, and appreciated friendship. And maybe even a new and exciting career path for a former stranger who answered a call from a random 616 area code.