ELISABETH BARENHOLTZ
Summary
Transformational Talent Acquisition leader with 18+ years’ experience driving innovative, strategic hiring for global organizations. Proven expertise in leveraging data-driven insights to enhance recruitment outcomes, shape workforce strategy, and advance DEI-focused initiatives. Known for building impactful programs aligned to business goals, leading large, high-performing teams, implementing recruitment technologies, and fostering internal mobility. Strong cross-functional collaborator who thrives in dynamic, matrixed environments.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Executive Vice President, Head of North America Talent Acquisition
Edelman
05.2022 - Current
- Lead Edelman’s Talent Acquisition function across Executive Search to Early Careers, driving enterprise-wide recruitment strategy, talent forecasting, and workforce planning in alignment with evolving business priorities.
- Act as a key member of the Global Talent Acquisition leadership team, driving strategy across Centers of Excellence including TA Operations, Early Careers, Talent Attraction, and Effectiveness.
- Serve as a key member of Edelman’s strategic workforce planning initiative focused on AI integration to evolve talent development, optimize organizational design, and support a technology-empowered future.
- Enhance the Talent Acquisition process by integrating AI tools to drive greater efficiency, scalability, and productivity.
- Contribute strategic input to the design and testing of Workday HRIS and ATS, ensuring a streamlined, data-driven, and candidate-friendly recruitment platform.
- Leverage predictive analytics and workforce data to forecast hiring needs, optimize headcount planning, and define KPIs to enhance efficiency and agility.
- Collaborate with Compliance, Legal, and Compensation to implement equitable hiring practices and adhere to Pay Transparency laws.
- Lead firmwide inclusive hiring strategies in partnership with internal stakeholders, achieving a 42% increase in racially and ethnically diverse hires. Developed and deployed a comprehensive toolkit that embeds equity and belonging into every stage of the recruitment journey.
- Led redesign of internal mobility program to foster cross-functional career growth and long-term talent retention across global markets.
- Partner with Marketing and Communications to launch a new employer value proposition (EVP), enhancing brand presence across digital and social platforms.
- Manage recruitment budgets and vendor partnerships to ensure cost-effective delivery and a high-quality candidate experience.
Partner, Director, Talent Acquisition
Ogilvy & Mather
NY
05.2010 - 10.2015
- Responsible for all account management/client service hiring within the NY office, Ogilvy’s global headquarters.
- Partner to CEO of Ogilvy East for recruiting, providing strategic guidance, status and key metrics for critical hires across the division.
- Own executive searches recruiting top industry talent including the Head of Account Management, Head of OgilvyOne West and multiple Managing Directors across various businesses within the Agency network.
- Handle entire recruiting lifecycle, offer negotiation and on-boarding of initial hires, without the use of outside firms.
- Partner with hiring managers and C-Suite to architect and develop talent plans that include internal mobility, succession planning and pipeline strategies.
- Craft ideal profiles, job descriptions and leveling based on business drivers and marketplace intelligence.
Recruiting Director
Markinekt Professional Resources
NY
01.2006 - 04.2010
- Responsible for staffing for top advertising and marketing agencies. Positions included client service, strategy, creative, production, data analytics and technology in traditional and integrated marketing with a focus on digital.
- Filled executive-level, specialized positions such as Director of Digital Strategy and Analytics, Director of Strategy, and Director of Production.
- Built strong relationships with recruiting clients and hiring decision-makers, increasing existing business and continually contributed to new business development.
- Worked with HR and hiring managers to identify hiring needs, consult on job descriptions, compensation, search strategies and succession planning.
- Identified viable candidates through direct sourcing, personal networking, agency websites, job boards, social business networks and research.
- Developed trust and respect from initial screening, through offer and acceptance, to ensure successful placements.
- Managed recruiting staff of 4-7. Responsible for profitability, sales goals, activity metrics, hiring, training and performance evaluation.
- Established best practices for recruiting process and operations. Co-authored Markinekt’s training program. Additionally, wrote key internal documentation, including job descriptions and reference checks based on position.
Group Account Director
AtmosphereBBDO
NY
05.2004 - 08.2005
Account Executive – Account Director
Deutsch Inc.
NY
09.1999 - 05.2004
Account Executive
Nelson Communications
NY
09.1997 - 09.1999
Director of Special Events
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
NY
10.1996 - 09.1997
Marketing Assistant
Three Trees Entertainment
NY
09.1995 - 09.1996
Education
Bachelor of Arts and Sciences -
University of Vermont
Burlington, VT01.1995
Skills
- Talent acquisition
- Recruitment strategy
- Stakeholder collaboration
- Data-driven decision making
- Employer branding
- Workforce planning
- Executive recruiting strategies
Timeline
Executive Vice President, Head of North America Talent Acquisition
Edelman
05.2022 - Current
Partner, Director, Talent Acquisition
Ogilvy & Mather
05.2010 - 10.2015
Recruiting Director
Markinekt Professional Resources
01.2006 - 04.2010
Group Account Director
AtmosphereBBDO
05.2004 - 08.2005
Account Executive – Account Director
Deutsch Inc.
09.1999 - 05.2004
Account Executive
Nelson Communications
09.1997 - 09.1999
Director of Special Events
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
10.1996 - 09.1997
Marketing Assistant
Three Trees Entertainment
09.1995 - 09.1996
Bachelor of Arts and Sciences -
University of Vermont
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