Brittany Hartley
Brittany Hartley is a nationally recognized executive advisor and Founder & CEO of J28, a strategic advisory and retained search firm supporting organizations across infrastructure, environmental services, and engineering.
With more than 40 years of experience, Brittany has placed over 15,000 professionals and leaders, connected 10,000+ leaders with Top LinkedIn voice, building high-impact teams that drive growth, strengthen leadership, and enhance long-term enterprise value. Her work extends well beyond traditional talent acquisition—she partners directly with leadership teams across industries, advising executives on organizational structure, succession planning, and the complexities of building high-performing teams in evolving markets.
Brittany has also played a role in bringing organizations together in merger and acquisition scenarios, leveraging her relationships and market insight to connect companies strategically. Following transactions, she advises on leadership alignment, talent integration, and organizational design to help ensure continuity and long-term value creation.
Prior to founding J28, Brittany held senior leadership roles within a Fortune 500 organization, where she managed a $300M+ revenue portfolio and led global integration efforts across 15 business groups. She worked internationally, including strategic initiatives tied to Cisco’s global business units, bringing a strong commercial and operational lens to her work.
Today, Brittany advises organizations nationwide on talent strategy aligned with growth, transformation, and infrastructure expansion. Through J28, her work includes retained executive search, leadership advisory, executive training, and workforce intelligence.
With a network of more than 20,000 senior leaders, engineers, and operators, Brittany remains closely connected to how industries are evolving—from consolidation and regulatory complexity to shifting expectations of leadership.
She works closely with executive-level leaders to build, align, and strengthen organizations positioned for long-term success. She does not view talent as transactional—she sees it as one of the most powerful levers in building a successful organization.
• SWANA
• SHRM
• Several boards for recruiting and AI interactions in technologies
• Phoenix Children's Hospital
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to more than 40 years of staying deeply connected to people—understanding leaders and talent, and building relationships that have endured over time.
There is something incredibly meaningful in witnessing that evolution—seeing individuals step into greater responsibility, expand their influence, and make a lasting impact over the course of their careers. To be part of that journey, even in a small way, is something I never take for granted.
That is what continues to drive me—having a front-row seat to the growth and impact people create over time.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Early on, I was told to stay curious about people—how they think, how they lead, and what drives them. That mindset has shaped how I approach my work and define strategy, helping me recognize patterns that often signal future impact—whether in leaders, talent, or organizations.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Build genuine and meaningful relationships and invest in them over time—they will shape your career in ways you can’t predict.
At the same time, learn to see what others cannot. What makes people and organizations distinct, what drives them, where they may be headed, and the beauty in each experience along the way—even the unexpected ones. That perspective will shape how you think, how you lead, and how you make decisions.
And as you grow, pay it forward. The most meaningful careers aren’t built alone—they’re built through the people you encourage, support, and help elevate along the way.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges right now is the growing disconnect between how organizations define talent and how talent actually shows up in the market. Many companies are still relying on rigid criteria, while the reality is far more nuanced.
At the same time, that creates a significant opportunity—especially for those who know how to interpret talent differently. The ability to recognize patterns, understand trajectory, and see beyond what’s on paper has never been more important. That’s where better decisions are made, and where organizations gain a real advantage.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
What matters most to me has always come down to the people in my life and the relationships I’ve built over time.
Family is everything to me. It’s my foundation and my perspective on what truly matters, and that carries into how I show up in my work. I believe in being there for people—not just in the good moments, but in the harder ones as well. That kind of consistency is what builds real trust.
I’ve never viewed success as just outcomes or achievements. To me, it’s about how you show up, how you treat people, and the role you play in helping others move forward in their lives and careers.