Katielyn Esposito
Katielyn Esposito is an accomplished HR professional at Ipsos North America, where she serves as an HR Generalist supporting a team dedicated to streamlining HR processes and enhancing employee experience. She collaborates with HR and department managers to oversee employee relations, onboarding, offboarding, and labor law compliance, while also assisting with performance management and training initiatives. Katielyn is committed to ensuring HR strategies align with organizational goals and deliver meaningful impact for employees.
With extensive experience in talent acquisition, Katielyn has led the recruitment efforts for the Generation Ipsos Analyst Development Program, Ipsos’ early careers program, for several years. She has successfully managed sourcing, screening, interviewing, and onboarding, overseeing hundreds of analyst hires and partnering with universities to implement effective campus recruiting strategies. Her approach combines strategic insight, process optimization, and mentorship to support both employees and organizational growth.
Katielyn is recognized for her problem-solving skills, teamwork, and ability to create more efficient HR processes. She is passionate about building inclusive and people-first workplaces, leveraging her expertise to improve employee engagement, career development, and operational excellence.
• Elmhurst University - BA
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a combination of curiosity, adaptability, and seizing opportunities as they come. I originally studied speech therapy in college but quickly realized it wasn’t the path for me. My career trajectory shifted when I worked at a staffing agency—one candidate’s gratitude for giving her a chance at a position made me reconsider my career direction. That experience sparked my interest in talent acquisition and recruiting, which ultimately led me to Ipsos North America. I started as a contract employee and, over the course of seven years, became a permanent team member. One of my proudest achievements at Ipsos was overseeing the college recruitment program. When I joined, the program was in its infancy—a pilot with only four core leaders and limited reach. In my first year, we recruited around 100 students, and over my tenure, the program grew to include 400–500 analysts. Working alongside seasoned leaders, while contributing my own staffing and acquisition experience without a traditional HR background, expanded my perspective and taught me the importance of collaboration, innovation, and persistence. What makes this experience especially rewarding is seeing the analysts I hired grow in their careers and receiving follow-up messages thanking me for the opportunity. That connection and impact on others’ professional journeys is why I love HR and remain passionate about building talent and fostering growth within an organization.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to not sweat the small stuff. Early in my career, I was very rigid and expected tasks to be executed exactly the way I would do them. It would frustrate me when others approached work differently. My manager taught me to respect the way others handle tasks and to shift my mindset. I learned that two people may complete the same task differently, and that’s okay—as long as the outcome meets the required standards, their approach is valid. I now share this perspective with those I mentor, encouraging them to pause and reflect: is the disagreement about the quality of the work or simply about differences in approach? This mindset helps foster collaboration, open-mindedness, and mutual respect, which are critical in any professional environment.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Starting your career can feel overwhelming, especially if you don’t yet know exactly what you want to do and that’s okay. When I graduated high school (and even college), I didn’t have it all figured out. What helped me was finding a professional field with many different sub-areas, which gave me room to explore, grow, and eventually discover where I could thrive. Here are a few pieces of advice I’d share with anyone just starting out: • Don’t give up when the going gets tough. Every career comes with challenges, and resilience will carry you further than you think. • Ask questions. If you’re not sure about something, speak up. Curiosity shows initiative, and it’s how you’ll learn the fastest. • Try different things. Say yes to new opportunities, each experience helps you figure out what energizes you and what doesn’t. • Trust your gut. If an opportunity or move doesn’t feel right, listen to that instinct. The right role will align with both your goals and your values. Your career isn’t a straight line. It’s a journey of learning, experimenting, and building confidence in yourself. Stay open, stay curious, and trust that you’ll find your path.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The most important value to me in both my work and personal life is a strong work ethic. I grew up in a household where both of my parents worked full-time, and I spent my childhood around farmland, learning early the importance of dedication and effort to achieve your goals. This mindset has carried into my professional life, where I am committed, driven, and often go above and beyond in my responsibilities. While I sometimes forget to take my own vacation time, I always encourage my colleagues to use their PTO and prioritize balance, as I recognize its importance even if it’s not always my own practice.