Company: Athena, San Juan, PR
Company Description: Athena, founded in 2019 by Jonathan Swanson and Robert Hayes, connects CEOs, founders, investors, and executives with the top 1% of Executive Assistants worldwide. Athena Assistants empowers leaders to unlock time abundance through the art and mastery of delegation.
Nomination Category: Thought Leadership Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Achievement in Thought Leadership
 Nomination Title: Carmela Sais: Building Talent Powerhouses and Championing Filipino Leadership
- Which will you submit for your nomination in this category, a video of up to five (5) minutes, explaining the achievements since July 1, 2022 of the nominated organization, OR written answers to the questions? (Choose one):
Written answers to the questions
- If you are submitting a video of up to five (5) minutes in length, provide the URL of the video here, OR attach it to your entry via the "Add Attachments, Videos, or Links to This Entry" link above, through which you may also upload a copy of your video. If you are providing written answers to the questions, provide them in the appropriate spaces below:
- Briefly describe the nominated organization: history and past performance (up to 200 words):
Total 199 words used.
Carmela Sais does not only build teams. She builds powerhouses.
Born and raised in Iloilo, Philippines, Carmela's professional journey took her from the heart of the archipelago to the bustling corporate scene of the Philippines and United States. From the province to the world stage, Carmela left her mark in key leadership positions for industry giants like Nordstrom and JP Morgan and skyrocketing the growth of innovative startups.
A true industry veteran with over 24 years of experience in the fields of Human Resources and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), Carmela currently serves as the Vice President for Recruitment at Athena, a thriving startup on a mission to create over 10,000 jobs in the Philippines by 2030.
Carmela leads the strategic charge to find the perfect matches for Athena’s clients, ensuring these power players have the support they need to make a global impact.
More than just a recruiter, Carmela is a visionary leader, a mentor, and a champion for diversity and inclusion. Her story is one of dedication, innovation, and a commitment to empowering others to reach their full potential. In a world constantly seeking top talent, Carmela Sais is the architect building the dream teams of tomorrow.
- Outline the organization's thought leadership achievements since July 1 2022 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words):
Total 248 words used.
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Carmela was recognized as one of Bridge's Top 100 Talent Leaders for 2024. The annual Bridge100 List recognizes and celebrates the Top Talent Leaders and the change-makers shaping the Philippines’ workplace culture.
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As the Head of Recruitment for TaskUs (2016-2021), Carmela created a strategic growth plan that expanded the team from 4,000 to 23,000 employees. This fostered a lasting, positive culture of employee advocacy which directly contributed to a stellar 40% employee referral rate, that exceeded the industry average of 25-30%. This leadership helped propel the company to a successful IPO, a testament to her ability to identify and cultivate top talent.
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During her impressive 24-year tenure at Nordstrom, Carmela was named HR Leader of the Year. She also received the prestigious Nordstrom All-Star award three times and numerous Manager of the Month and Quarter accolades.
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As the Vice President for Recruitment at Athena, Carmela spearheaded the creation of Athena's Employee Referral Program (ERP), where Atheneans are encouraged to use their social media networks and professional connections to identify qualified candidates for open positions. This program fosters a collaborative spirit within Athena, actively contributing to the company's growth, and is responsible for over 30% of its new employees.
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Recognized as one of the Top 100 Most Influential Filipino Women on LinkedIn in 2023, Carmela leverages the platform to connect with talent globally and inspire others. She firmly believes in LinkedIn's power as a tool for professional growth and encourages her team to build their networks actively.
- Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the organization's past performance (up to 250 words):
Total 244 words used.
Compared to peers, Carmela's achievements are unparalleled in their scope and impact, demonstrating her exceptional leadership and innovative approach to talent management.
Being recognized as one of the Philippine HR Magazine's Top 100 Talent Leaders for 2024 highlights her influence and the innovative impact she has made in fostering an environment that values talent and growth.
Under her leadership as Head of Recruitment at TaskUs, the team facilitated a remarkable 1,875% increase in employee headcount, from 4,000 to 23,000. This growth was achieved through Carmela's strategic vision and effective execution, including the development of a targeted recruitment campaign that leveraged social media and employee referrals. This campaign resulted in a 40% employee referral rate, which is significantly higher than the industry average of 25-30%. This outstanding performance demonstrated her ability to cultivate a culture of employee advocacy and played a crucial role in TaskUs's successful IPO.
As Vice President for Recruitment at Athena, Carmela's creation of the Employee Referral Program has been instrumental in the company's growth, accounting for over 30% of new hires. This program not only fosters a collaborative spirit but also leverages employees' networks, illustrating her innovative approach to recruitment.
Carmela's recognition as one of the Top 100 Most Influential Filipino Women on LinkedIn in 2023 further cements her status as a thought leader in the industry. Her ability to connect with talent globally and inspire others through the platform showcases her commitment to professional growth and influence.
- Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 250 words):
Total 54 words used.
Athena's VP of Recruitment Honored as Top 100 Talent Leaders for 2024
Fast Talk with Carmela Sais
Recruitment Passion and Purpose with Carmela Sais
#TaskUs121: Francis Kong sits down with Carmela Sais, VP of Recruitment
PH Top 100 Talent Leaders 2024 - The Bridge Club
Top 100 Most Influential Filipino Women on LinkedIn 2023
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