Influential Woman · Employment staffing
Joni Lee Rossi
Founder and CEO, Back Bay Staffing Group
Boston, MA 02116
Her Story
About Joni Lee
Joni Lee Rossi is the Founder and CEO of Back Bay Staffing Group, bringing more than 30 years of experience in the employment staffing industry. Based in Boston, she specializes in connecting talented professionals with opportunities across legal, government services, and event staffing and administrative. Her recruitment expertise encompasses attorneys, paralegals, legal support professionals, administrative personnel, and hospitality and event teams. Through Back Bay Staffing Group, Rossi provides direct-hire, temporary, contract-to-hire, and payrolling solutions, partnering with law firms, government agencies, hospitality organizations, and corporations to meet their workforce needs. Rossi’s career has been shaped by a strong foundation in advocacy, business, and workforce development. Earlier in her career, advice from a law firm executive encouraged her to explore marketing, while a Harvard professor inspired her to continue the work she had begun through the federal CETA program, helping individuals overcome difficult circumstances. These experiences ultimately led Rossi to apply her advocacy skills to staffing and establish her own company. She is also a member of the Harvard Club and has contributed her expertise through board service, including work with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Affirmative Market Board. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Rossi is deeply committed to integrity, diversity, trust, and service. She believes in creating fair and transparent opportunities for candidates and employers, particularly when navigating compensation, benefits, and career decisions. Her commitment to community extends to supporting charitable organizations and events, including chairing galas benefiting the Girl Scouts, Home for Little Wanderers, and Italian Home for Children. Family is equally important to Rossi, which has further strengthened her dedication to fairness, clarity, and strong values. Through her leadership, mentorship, and community involvement, she continues to advocate for people while helping organizations build stronger, more diverse and successful workforces.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Joni Lee
01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have ever received came from two influential mentors. My boss at a major law firm encouraged me to pursue marketing, while a Harvard professor urged me to continue the passionate work I had begun through the federal CETA program, where I helped people navigate difficult circumstances and find job opportunities. Their guidance inspired me to recognize the value of my advocacy skills and apply them in the staffing industry rather than law. That perspective ultimately led me to start my own company, where I could help businesses hire while also supporting individuals in finding meaningful employment.
02What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest opportunities in my field involve helping highly qualified candidates with strong skill sets navigate hiring processes that can sometimes overlook their applications due to automated company websites and applicant tracking systems. With deep roots in the Boston and New York markets and registration in six states, I have built strong networks and ongoing talent pipelines across lehal, administrative, and hospitality roles. At the same time, the industry faces challenges from budget reductions and corporate mergers, which can lead to layoffs and create additional demand for temporary staffing solutions. I also see an ongoing need to advocate for candidates who may apply to numerous positions yet struggle to receive meaningful responses, and I am committed to connecting talented professionals with employers who recognize their value.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity and diversity are at the core of my work and personal life. I believe in treating every candidate and client fairly and transparently, particularly when negotiating salaries, compensation packages, stock options, and sign-on bonuses. Trust is essential to building lasting professional relationships, which is why I believe important agreements and expectations should always be clearly documented in writing. Family is equally important to me, and raising our son, which has reinforced my commitment to fairness, clarity, and strong values in an ever-changing world influenced by social media. I also believe in giving back to the community and value opportunities to serve through board involvement, community events, and other meaningful initiatives.
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