Courtney Steiner

I attribute my success to my 10-year journey in recruiting and the diverse experiences I’ve had across the entertainment industry in Los Angeles and companies like Gap Inc., Airbnb, Amazon, and Selkirk Sport. Each role has shaped how I approach talent strategy, relationship-building, and understanding what both candidates and organizations need to succeed. At Selkirk Sport, I was proud to help double the company’s employee count and launch its first tech internship program, which reinforced the impact of building strong talent pipelines. In my current role at a hedge fund recruiting firm in Rhode Island, representing Newport, I continue to grow by connecting top talent with meaningful opportunities, while staying grounded through my personal passions like running, baking chocolate chip oatmeal cookies, and preparing for my upcoming marriage in the fall.

The best career advice I’ve ever received is that you can build a successful career that you love while also creating a fulfilling personal life. I’ve learned that it’s possible to pursue professional goals and still prioritize meaningful relationships and future milestones, including marriage. Balance, intention, and choosing a path that aligns with both career ambitions and personal happiness are key to long-term success and fulfillment.

I would advise young women entering this industry to recognize the meaningful impact they can have in recruiting by helping others find successful employment opportunities. This field is not just about filling roles, but about changing lives, building confidence, and connecting people with careers where they can thrive. Stay open to learning, be persistent, and lead with empathy, as those qualities will help you grow while also making a real difference for the individuals and organizations you support.

Being in her role for under a year, she is still developing a full perspective, but recognizes both challenges and opportunities within the field. Key challenges include navigating established systems, overcoming process inefficiencies, and adapting to ongoing changes and expectations early in the role. At the same time, there are strong opportunities for growth, skill development, and the ability to make a meaningful impact by learning quickly and contributing fresh insight.

The values most important to me center around connection, resilience, and giving back. I'm very passionate about Connecting to Cure because I, my sister, and my dad are all diagnosed with Crohn's disease. I had to have surgery and move back home to LA because of my illness, which cut short my planned career path at Christie's Auction House, but I believe everything happens for a reason. I want to provide resources and a safe place where people feel comfortable talking about Crohn's and ulcerative colitis, because it's not easy, but you can still continue life - you just need those resources and boundaries where sometimes you have to say no to things, and that's okay. In my work, I value staying connected, keeping my network open, helping others find the right opportunities, and bringing that human element to recruiting by doing video calls whenever possible so candidates feel that face-to-face connection. In my personal life, I love running because it helps me get over stress, spending time with my rescue dog from Potter League, being with friends and family, and baking chocolate chip oatmeal cookies - my mom made them all the time growing up, so it's nostalgic and brings people together. I'm also getting married in the fall, which is incredibly exciting.