Bridgette Retamoza

I attribute much of my success to the people who have poured into me along the way, particularly women who support other women. I have been fortunate to encounter incredible women throughout my career who have shared their knowledge, opened doors, offered honest feedback, and advocated for me when I wasn't in the room. Those experiences shaped not only my career, but also the kind of woman and leader I strive to be for others.

Mentorship and networking have also played an important role in my journey. I believe the strongest professional relationships are built authentically-not simply around what someone can do for you, but around how we can learn from, champion, and create opportunities for one another. Some of the most meaningful growth in my career has come from being willing to ask questions, seek guidance, and surround myself with people who challenge my thinking.

I also attribute my success to never becoming too comfortable with what I already know. I have a genuine curiosity and love of learning, and I believe complacency can be one of the greatest barriers to growth. That is especially true today, as technology and AI continue to transform how we work and lead. I want to remain a student throughout my career-continuing to learn, adapt, and evolve rather than relying solely on what made me successful yesterday.

Ultimately, I don't view success as something achieved alone. Success is about who helped you along the way, what you do with the opportunities you've been given, and most importantly-how you turn around and create opportunities for the women coming behind you. When women champion other women, we don't just create individual success; we create a stronger path forward for everyone. A special thank you to Lauren Nasri and Nicky Gibson for your mentorships.

The best career advice I’ve received is to stay true to myself and choose opportunities that align with my values and sense of purpose. While livelihood, compensation, and career progression are important, I’ve learned that a title or salary alone cannot create fulfillment. Being part of an organization and culture that reflects who I am, where I can contribute authentically and feel connected to the work, ultimately leads to a much more rewarding career.

I’ve also learned to trust my instincts. Sometimes an opportunity can look perfect on paper and still not be the right fit and sometimes taking a chance on something unexpected can completely change the trajectory of your career. Success isn’t always about climbing the ladder as quickly as possible; sometimes it’s about recognizing which ladder you actually want to climb.

As my career has evolved, so has my definition of success. Today, I place much greater value on meaningful relationships, continuous growth, purpose, and the ability to make an impact. My advice to others would be: know what matters to you, remain open to where your career may take you, and never lose yourself in pursuit of the next opportunity. The right opportunity should allow you to grow professionally without asking you to compromise who you are personally.

My advice to young women entering my industry is to never stop learning, never underestimate the power of relationships, and never convince yourself that it is too late, or too early to pursue something bigger.

Growth does not have to happen all at once. Take the class. Apply for the opportunity. Ask the question. Introduce yourself to the person you admire. Even one small step at a time is still forward movement. And perhaps most importantly, don't wait until you feel 100% qualified before raising your hand. Too often, women feel they need to check every box before pursuing an opportunity. Sometimes growth begins by being willing to step into a space that challenges you and trusting yourself to learn along the way.

I would also encourage young women to intentionally build their professional networks and seek out mentors and sponsors. Some of the most valuable career opportunities begin with genuine relationships. Surround yourself with people who challenge you, advocate for you, and are willing to share what they've learned—and be equally intentional about supporting others.

Finally, stay curious. Talent Acquisition, like so many industries, continues to evolve rapidly with technology and AI. The skills that make us successful today may look very different tomorrow. Be willing to adapt, continue learning, and reinvent yourself when necessary. And when you reach a place where you have the ability to open a door for another woman, open it. Success becomes much more meaningful when we use it to create opportunities for others.

One of the biggest challenges, and opportunities, in Talent Acquisition right now is the rapid adoption of AI. We are seeing technology transform nearly every stage of the recruiting process, from sourcing and screening to how candidates develop resumes and prepare for interviews. I see tremendous potential in that evolution, but I also believe we have to be thoughtful about how we use it.

AI can make recruiters more efficient, provide greater access to information, and allow us to spend less time on administrative tasks and more time on strategic work. For candidates, it can be an incredible tool for preparation and professional development. The challenge comes when we stop using AI as a tool and begin allowing it to replace human judgment, authenticity, and connection.

As recruiters, our responsibility is evolving. It is no longer enough to simply match keywords on a resume to a job description. We have to understand the person behind the application their experiences, transferable skills, motivations, potential, and what they can contribute beyond what an algorithm may recognize. I believe the greatest opportunity is finding the right balance between technology and humanity. The organizations that will be most successful will leverage AI to make recruiting smarter and more efficient while preserving the relationships and human judgment that great hiring decisions require. Technology should enhance our ability to recognize talent, not define talent for us.

The values that matter most to me are integrity, empathy, giving back, and creating opportunities for others. I believe success becomes far more meaningful when we use what we have learned and the positions we have earned to make someone else’s path a little easier.

Throughout my career and personal life, I have benefited from people who took the time to offer guidance, encouragement, and opportunities. Because of that, I feel a responsibility to pay it forward, whether through mentorship, volunteering, helping someone navigate their career, or simply making sure the people around me feel seen, heard, and valued.

Empathy is particularly important to me. In talent acquisition, we sometimes meet people during incredibly important transitions in their lives. Behind every resume is a person with a story, responsibilities, aspirations, and often challenges we know nothing about. I never want to lose sight of that human element.

I also value integrity and authenticity. I believe in doing the right thing even when it is not the easiest thing, treating people with respect regardless of their title, and staying true to who I am.

Ultimately, I am drawn to people and organizations that recognize success and humanity are not mutually exclusive. We can achieve ambitious goals, deliver results, and build successful organizations while still taking care of our people and our communities. That is the kind of impact I hope to make in both my professional and personal life.