If you’ve worked with our recruiting team before, there’s a pretty good chance you’ve seen Laura Strickland’s name in your inbox (or in one of our many 5-star reviews raving about her!). Now, we’re excited to share that Laura is our new Partner Success Manager, and that she’s helping us expand into Northeast Wisconsin! We wanted to take a moment to reflect on Laura’s journey with Carex and talk about what she’ll be doing in her new role.
An Appleton, WI native, Laura attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison. After school, she began her career in the realm of sales and marketing, which eventually led her to the nonprofit sector. Her sales background seamlessly translated into advocating for causes and building meaningful relationships with donors and volunteers. Through experiences at the American Cancer Society and Clean Lakes Alliance in Madison, she honed her skills in event planning, board management, and fundraising.
Laura’s career journey took a turn in 2021 following the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and she decided to expand her horizons beyond the nonprofit sector. Laura sought guidance from various mentors, who pointed her in the direction of talent acquisition and, ultimately, Carex.
“I had met Theresa [Carex’s VP of Candidate Relations] years ago when she actually recruited me for a job in the nonprofit sector,” says Laura, “So, I reached out to her and asked if we could sit down and have a conversation about Talent Acquisition, Carex, and becoming a Carex Candidate.” Theresa recognized her potential, and instead of a consultant role, Laura seamlessly transitioned into a full-time position at Carex.
Laura’s genuine passion for connecting with people and understanding their needs made her a natural fit for the team.
“I love people…understanding who they are and what makes them tick. My mission is to provide enthusiastic engagement with everyone I interact with…So, this role at Carex felt perfect for me.”
“Sometimes we’ll encounter candidates who’ve been jaded in the past by recruiters. I always approach candidates with the Carex mentality of ‘Care, Be Real, Have Fun,’ and communicate with open, honest, transparent conversations. That whole ‘Be Real’ aspect, really opens the conversation so candidates can communicate however they need to and share their feelings, which is so important when understanding how and why someone would be successful in a role…I think that’s what makes the Carex experience different and helps us stand out.”
Recently, Laura’s family made the decision to relocate and put down roots in the greater Green Bay area. “I grew up in Appleton so the chance to be close to family and live in this amazing community was an easy decision for us,” says Laura. Thanks to Carex’s remote-first setup she didn’t have to worry about starting fresh again. In fact, Laura’s move presented a new opportunity for her and for Carex.
Several Carexians hail from the Green Bay / Fox Valley area, so it had always been a market of interest; but with no one located in the area full time, expansion had been slow. It kicked into high gear with Laura’s desire to be out and network with people in the community, driven by her passion for enthusiastic engagement. As she networked, she was also unofficially doing outreach for Carex.
When given the option to draw on her sales background and lead Carex’s expansion into Northeastern Wisconsin, it felt like a no-brainer. “I need to believe in what I’m representing, and I believe in Carex,” says Laura. “I know how our organization is positively impacting people and impacting businesses and making a difference. We strive to be an extension of our Partner organizations and lead with transparency. We build strong relationships with candidates, and I can’t wait to pair them with these great organizations in Northeast Wisconsin. We have the ability to draw great talent into this area.”
As Laura embraces her new role as Partner Success Manager and works to expand Carex’s reach in Northeastern Wisconsin, she brings a wealth of experience in sales and recruiting and community engagement, a people-centric approach, and a genuine belief in the impact that Carex can have on individuals and businesses in the Green Bay and Fox Valley area. Congratulations on this next step, Laura—we can’t wait to see the new heights you’ll take us to!
If you want to learn more about how Laura and the team support our partners, click here!