Her Story
About Dai
Dai Strong's career in talent acquisition began in 1999, and over more than two decades she has built a reputation as a leader who connects people strategy with business results. Today, she leads Talent Acquisition Operations, Strategic Programs, and Talent Brand at Western Digital, where she designs the technology, processes, and hiring practices that help the company identify smart talent and keep its best people engaged for the long term. Her path there wound through healthcare, financial services, and tech — including leadership roles at Baylor Scott & White Health, Barclays, Sunrun, and Cisco Meraki — each one deepening her expertise in recruiting operations, employer branding, and building talent organizations that scale with the business.
Long before she was shaping hiring strategy for global teams, Dai Marie was a journalism and public relations student at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, chasing a very different dream: she wanted to be the next Connie Chung. Watching a successful woman of color anchor the national news gave her a vision of what was possible, and that early inspiration shaped the confidence and communication skills she'd carry into every room she entered afterward. Her career took a different turn than the one she imagined as a student, but she has come to see that path as exactly the one she was meant to walk — one where storytelling and connection show up not on air, but in how she builds teams and brands.
What ties her journey together is a belief that people, not just technology, drive great organizations. She's spent her career proving that AI and modern HR technology are tools for enabling people rather than replacing them, and she brings that same philosophy to her leadership: create environments where talented people choose to stay, grow, and lead. Outside of work, she's a devoted foodie always on the hunt for a new favorite restaurant, and a loyal sports fan — Go Pack Go.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Dai
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to faith, a commitment to continuous learning, strong personal values, meaningful networking, and the courage to lead even when it felt uncertain. Each of these has played a role in shaping the career I've built.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received was to step out on faith and believe in myself. Early in my leadership journey, I doubted whether I was truly capable of managing people. A mentor encouraged me to trust my own abilities and reminded me that I was smart, capable, and ready. That encouragement gave me the confidence to accept a leadership role in 2007, and it's a decision I have never regretted.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I'd tell women entering human resources to stay current, both on HR trends and on the industry they support. Attend conferences, keep reading, and never stop learning. Build a diverse professional network that includes HR leaders as well as executives, CEOs, and senior leadership outside your immediate function. Continue offering your skills, adding value, and positioning yourself as someone who grows with the field.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges I see is finding the right talent. Many people are actively seeking employment, yet organizations are searching for candidates with very specific, often narrow skill sets. Hybrid work requirements have further narrowed talent pools, making recruitment increasingly competitive. Companies need to clearly communicate their culture and employee value proposition to stand out and attract top talent, especially in an uncertain job market.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me, both professionally and personally, are leading with care and compassion, maintaining high character and integrity, embracing innovation while staying thoughtful about how new technology is applied, and being results-driven by following through on my commitments. I also prioritize working for organizations whose values align with my own.
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