Lisa Hester

Principal, Recruiter - Networked in emerging technologies - Executive, Technical, Science, AI/ML & Blockchain + TA Leader and People Operations

Seattle, Washington, United States

About

Results-driven, Principal Recruiter with extensive experience building well-researched pipelines on the front lines of advanced technology — engineering, biologics, AI, deep neural, ML, cloud, biotech, blockchain, fintech, robotics, etc. Data-driven to deliver measurable hiring objectives, engaging scalable, inclusive process, actualizing prioritized headcount and defining employment brand through to a best-in-class candidate experience...managing performance through innovative, data-analytic processes and automation.

Experience

  • Amazon Web Services (AWS) (1 yr 8 mos)
    • AWS Emerging Technology
      Dec 2024 - Present · 1 yr 8 mos

    • Executive Recruiter
      Dec 2024 - Present · 1 yr 8 mos

      Principal/Distinguished Engineers and Executive recruiting support within AWS Emerging Technology and Infrastructure Services, partnering with senior leaders on complex, high‑bar leadership hiring in one of the world’s most technically demanding environments.

  • SunPower (3 yrs 3 mos)
    • Technical Vice President
      Oct 2021 - Dec 2024 · 3 yrs 3 mos

      Led executive search and people operations for a global solar manufacturing and financial services platform during rapid scale.

    • Principal Executive Recruiter and VP, Talent Acquisition & People Ops
      Oct 2021 - Feb 2024 · 2 yrs 5 mos

      Researched ideal targets to lead engineering, product and scientific R&D, as well as, the financial services platform for a solar manufacturing company - concurrently implemented systems (ATS/HRIS) which integrated automation and enabled hiring to scale, doubling the headcount within five quarters. Reduced hiring costs by $3.7M in first year, led to exceed team goals by 240% and my individual hiring goals by 125%.

  • AGC Biologics (1 yr 9 mos)
    • Executive and Distinguished Scientist Recruiter - Sr. Director Global Talent Acquisition
      Feb 2020 - Oct 2021 · 1 yr 9 mos

      Partnered with leadership to strategized hiring priority and execute headcount initiatives for a global CDMO which provides development and manufacturing services for protein-based biologics and advanced therapies. Player-Coach road-mapped the hiring program for two manufacturing facilities to produce mRNA vaccines during the pandemic, delivering highly targeted scientific solutions in a high-volume hiring cadence. Exceeded executive and distinguished scientist hiring goals by 180% (as an IC) and high-volume team hiring by 330%, which lead to vaccine production 4 months before plan. Reduced the executive and principal IC hiring budget by 95% and $4.4M.

    • Vice President
      Feb 2020 - Oct 2021 · 1 yr 9 mos

      Executive talent acquisition leader for a 2,700‑person global biotech organization - during rapid expansion and pandemic response of advanced of biologics and mRNA therapies.

  • Bittrex (1 yr 10 mos)
    • Principal Recruiter and Head of People/HR Operations
      May 2018 - Feb 2020 · 1 yr 10 mos

      Founding recruiter, partnering with C-level to optimize hiring across all business - scaling headcount 410% in the first year; pioneering hiring strategy in a bleeding edge industry. Collaborated with stakeholders to identify, budget for and prioritize critical headcount and exact initiatives. Lead mergers and acquisitions from a people collateral perspective. Launched Bittrex Labs to incubate innovation in cryptocurrencies from an internal thinktank to cultivate talent internally. Reduced hiring costs by $2.7M and personally held the list scaling Bittrex from its original 18 to 117 with the year.

    • Head of Human Resources
      May 2018 - Feb 2020 · 1 yr 10 mos

      Founding recruiting leader for a hyper-growth cryptocurrency exchange.

  • ICEBRG (acquired by Gigamon) (7 mos)
    • Founding Recruiter + Head of Talent Acquisition & People Ops
      Nov 2017 - May 2018 · 7 mos

      • Spearheaded talent acquisition efforts at Icebrg.io, scaling the team from 14 to 110 engineers in just 7 months. • Established best practices in recruitment and implemented Lever ATS to streamline hiring processes. • Managed HR vendor relations to enhance operational efficiency, contributing to the successful acquisition by Gigamon.

    • Head of Recruitment
      Nov 2017 - May 2018 · 7 mos

      Engaged by Madrona Venture Group to prepare ICEBRG for acquisition through strategic talent scale.