Ruth L. Neelon

I attribute my success to drive. Drive has been the one constant throughout my entire journey. From the time I was young, even before my son was born, I was driven. But when I had him at [AGE], that drive intensified in a way I never expected. He became the motivation I needed, the love that changed my world. When I went back to school at Cittone Institute for an accelerated program, working full-time, raising a toddler by myself, going to school four nights a week from 6 to 10:30 p.m., I told myself that if I was going to do this, I was going to graduate on the Dean's List, and I did, with a 4.0. I had a personal loss during that time, but I kept going because that's what builds character. The grit comes from my humble beginnings, from really having to find my way, and when you do find your way, you just keep going because it is one of the most satisfying feelings you will experience. I think drive is what has allowed me to pick things up and run with them, to work two jobs at times, and to never stop learning or pushing forward, no matter what obstacles were in front of me.

The best career advice I ever received came from Brendan Curran, and it was simple but life-changing: 'Your job is to listen and learn.' When I started at SDI in 2008, I didn't even know what MSP meant. I had no clue. I knew I needed a job, I knew HR, I'd done full in-house payroll and worked at an accounting firm, but I had no idea what I was walking into. And the first thing Brendan ever said to me was, 'Your job is to llearn.' That changed everything for me. I think there's something that we all could learn, whether it's about ourselves, about our role, maybe it's something we haven't done before. But I think we should never stop thirsting for knowledge. Giving someone the ability, especially in leadership, to hear that it is your job to learn is a reminder that it's impossible for any of us to know everything. That advice shaped how I approach every role, every challenge, and every opportunity. If you teach me, or if you tell me something, I will take it, run with it and perfect it. I've always tried to lead the same way Brendan led me, with that same openness and commitment to continuous growth.

I would say two things: give yourself grace, and think outside the box. Give yourself grace, because I think I've been hard on myself at times. There were moments where I didn't know something, moments where I made mistakes, times I broke down, times when my son would go to sleep and I would sit up through the night till 4 in the morning working on expenses. Giving yourself grace in those moments where you don't know something is huge. It's okay to not know everything. And then, think outside the box. Learn as much as you can. I also think it's so important to find someone who supports you, sees greatness in you, and to appreciate that, because those are the people that remind you that the world is your oyster. I will say it over and over again: without Brendan Curran, I wouldn't be where I am today. He gave me a role that I didn't even know existed, and he told me to learn, and I did. But it wasn't always easy. So give yourself grace to make mistakes and to not know everything, and then find that person who wants to help you elevate. Find your mentor. Those two things together will carry you through this industry and help you grow into the leader you're meant to be.

One of the biggest opportunities in my field is the chance to use AI to create a more transparent, equitable, and human hiring experience. Many candidates feel like they are applying into a black hole, and employers often lack the tools to provide meaningful feedback or visibility into how decisions are made. This gap is not just a challenge. It is a powerful opening for innovators to build solutions that bring clarity, fairness, and partnership into the hiring process. Leaders who understand both people and technology have a unique opportunity to shape tools that support candidates, strengthen sourcing strategies, and elevate the entire talent ecosystem.

The values most important to me are honesty, integrity, drive, and being humble. I believe honesty is foundational to everything I do. Integrity ensures that my decisions and actions remain aligned with strong ethical principles, even when things get difficult. Drive is a huge factor for me - it's what keeps me going, what pushes me to give my best shot no matter what. And then there's humility. I think being humble and remembering where you started is so important. I never want to forget where I came from - growing up in very humble beginnings, homeless in 11th grade, on my own at home in 9th grade at [AGE], held in my room while they robbed us, growing up with a single mother on welfare and Section 8. I always knew I wanted more, but I never want to lose sight of that journey. Just never forgetting where you started - I think that's one of the biggest factors. Those values - honesty, integrity, drive, and humbleness - guide how I lead, how I work, and how I show up every day, both professionally and personally.