Her Story
About Denise
Denise Reitz brings 8 years of experience in staffing and employment services at Kelly to her role, where she leads operations and focuses on talent development while driving business relationships and results. She manages the complete talent lifecycle, maintaining engagement with talent and stakeholders and supporting internal teams on payroll, benefits, expenses, and related processes. Prior to this, she spent 12 years in banking, advancing from teller to managing her own branch at a credit union, building on a finance degree earned while working full time. Denise attributes her success to the influence of past leaders and mentors who shaped her leadership style, and she emphasizes the importance of empowering people to achieve beyond their expectations. She values honesty, genuineness, and following through on commitments, and advises reflecting on personal identity to guide professional decisions amid evolving technologies such as AI.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Denise
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute much of my success to the leaders I’ve had throughout my career. Each of them has helped shape the kind of leader I strive to be—someone others can trust, respect, and look up to. Every supervisor, manager, and mentor I’ve worked with has contributed to my growth, whether through positive examples or challenging experiences.
I’ve learned just as much from the leaders who inspired me as I have from those who showed me what I wanted to do differently. Those experiences have helped define my leadership style and made me the leader I am today.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is the importance of empowering people. When you help others believe they are capable of achieving things they never thought possible, you build confidence that extends far beyond a single task or role. Investing in people’s growth and helping them recognize their potential not only strengthens the individual but also sets them apart and enables them to achieve more than they imagined.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The advice I would give to young women is to always take time to pause and reflect on who you are and what matters most to you. When you’re grounded in your values and have a clear sense of who you are, it becomes much easier to make decisions with confidence and purpose. Let your character and values guide your choices, rather than outside opinions or expectations.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is strengthening communication between people in order to create a positive impact and achieve success. As AI and technology continue to evolve, it is essential that we keep the authenticity of everyday human life at the forefront. While these advancements should be embraced, people must remain at the center—guiding, leading, and shaping the direction of change.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that matter most to me—both in my career and in my personal life—are honesty, authenticity, and integrity. I believe in being genuine, treating people with respect, and following through on my commitments. Trust is earned through consistency, and I strive to lead by example by doing what I say I will do. To me, integrity is the foundation of strong relationships, effective leadership, and lasting success.
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