Our team
Curtis is an accomplished executive with over two decades of experience in the talent and human resources industry. In 2012, he founded LevelUP HCS with a visionary purpose of bridging the gap between exceptional organizations and talented individuals. His mission has been to redefine recruitment practices by providing innovative, tailor-made talent solutions that foster workplace diversity.
Under Curtis' leadership, LevelUP HCS has garnered widespread acclaim as an award-winning organization renowned for its unparalleled solutions, client-centric service, and vibrant corporate culture. Through his strategic direction, the company has expanded from its humble beginnings in New York to a global enterprise with dedicated teams operating across the Americas, EMEA, and APAC regions.
Curtis has demonstrated a strong commitment to cultivating talent and leadership within LevelUP HCS and its clients' organizations, spearheading the development of numerous impactful mentorship programs that facilitate skills growth.
Curtis is a member of RPOA and Forbes Human Resource Council where he is a frequent contributor on topics related to elevating the workplace and improving talent.
John is an executive well known for reshaping human capital. As the former Chief Human Resource Officer at a multinational investment bank, he revolutionized talent management by seamlessly integrating diversity, culture, conduct, and risk management with core business objectives, setting new industry benchmarks.
At LevelUP HCS, John leverages his expertise to architect an unparalleled talent acquisition and management technology stack. With a focus on efficiency, quality enhancement, and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) best practices, he curates cutting-edge tools that empower organizations to achieve optimal results. His strategic vision positions LevelUP HCS as a trailblazer, driving transformative advancements in the HR landscape through innovative technology integration.
John's exceptional qualifications are strengthened by his educational background, including a master's degree from NYU's Management of Information Systems program and a finance degree from Salisbury University. These credentials enable him to leverage technology-business intersections and financial acumen in strategic decision-making.
John resides with his family in Long Island, New York, and spends his summers enjoying boating the waters of New York and New Jersey.
Amie is an accomplished thought leader known for her expertise in talent acquisition strategies and optimization. With a successful background in agency recruitment and outstanding interpersonal skills, she has emerged as a true industry expert, cultivating a diverse network across multiple sectors. Since joining LevelUP HCS in 2014, Amie has played a pivotal role in the organization’s evolution and growth, optimizing operations, implementing standardized client delivery processes, and enhancing our overall capabilities and services.
Amie's strategic insights and innovative approaches have propelled the organization's performance to new heights, establishing LevelUP HCS as a trusted industry leader. As the leader of LevelUP HCS's financial services vertical, she consistently surpasses client expectations and industry standards, delivering exceptional results for the company's largest accounts.
Amie is an active member of Chief, a private network designed for the most powerful women in executive leadership to strengthen their leadership, magnify their influence, and pave the way to bring others with them. She holds a bachelor's degree from The University of Reading.
Jinefer is an experienced recruitment strategist and workforce management expert with over 25 years of industry experience and has successfully launched numerous workforce solutions worldwide. She is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) with the Project Management Institution (PMI).
Her knowledge and contributions to various projects during her career have been recognized with numerous awards, including Vendor of the Year, Service Excellence, and Delivery Excellence.
As a leader in our RPO and MSP solution growth, Jinefer is dedicated to developing efficient implementation processes and ensuring smooth operations for our clients. She is also responsible for driving the adoption of key technologies that keep our systems at the forefront of the industry. With her expertise, all procedures are compliant, and clients can expect a seamless onboarding experience throughout our partnership. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Jinefer is deeply passionate about mentorship, training, and development. She actively creates programs that foster growth among her colleagues and eagerly shares her expertise to empower others.
Jinefer is based in Michigan, where she and her family find joy in camping. Their shared love for travel has taken them to almost every corner of the country.
Grant Jessup brings more than 15 years of experience to his role as Chief Client Officer and Senior Vice President, International at LevelUP HCS. With a rich background in staffing and talent solutions, Grant has been a driving force behind the global expansion of the LevelUP HCS brand.
Known for his exceptional leadership, Grant has a proven track record of building high-performing commercial organizations, strengthening strategic client relationships, and navigating complex talent challenges across global markets. His strategic vision and unwavering commitment to excellence make him a natural fit for guiding LevelUP HCS's continued growth and delivering world-class client experiences.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Grant is a dedicated advocate for equity and inclusion. He has pioneered initiatives to encourage underrepresented individuals to pursue careers in tech and has been recognized for his innovative approaches to talent solutions.
In addition to his role at LevelUP HCS, Grant is passionate about mentorship, dedicating his time to guiding individuals aspiring to build careers in recruitment or sales. He actively supports early-stage businesses that promote better employment outcomes for marginalized or underrepresented communities.
As Chief Client Officer and Senior Vice President, International, Grant leads LevelUP HCS's global Sales and Solutions function while providing strategic oversight across markets outside the Americas. He is responsible for driving commercial growth, fostering long-term client partnerships, and ensuring exceptional client experiences across every stage of the engagement journey. His leadership is characterized by a commitment to excellence, a passion for inclusion, and a vision for helping organizations solve complex talent challenges around the world.
Ashley Smith steers the marketing and communication efforts for LevelUP HCS and its portfolio of brands. With a successful career in building highly effective teams and supporting organizations during critical times of growth, Ashley has a proven track record of developing and executing successful marketing strategies to drive brand awareness and exceed company goals. Leveraging her diverse industry experience and strong understanding of consumer behavior and market trends, Ashley excels in crafting compelling employer branding initiatives, employer value proposition development, and executing recruitment marketing strategies.
Ashley lives in Richmond, VA where she and her husband are outdoor enthusiasts. As a member of the American Marketing Association, she remains at the forefront of industry trends and practices, consistently enriching her knowledge base. She also sits on the Advisory Board of Soldiers to Sidelines, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing training and opportunities for military members to become athletic coaches, so they connect, engage and motivate athletes.
Diana Hinojosa leads LevelUP HCS’s Healthcare Clinical Division with unwavering dedication and client commitment. In her role, she oversees a growing team responsible for delivering Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) and Contingent Workforce solutions for LevelUP HCS's healthcare portfolio.
Since spearheading LevelUP HCS's Healthcare Recruitment Division in 2018, Diana has garnered recognition as a creative recruiter and strategic leader with profound industry expertise in clinical healthcare. Her innate ability to establish meaningful connections with executive stakeholders, hiring managers, and candidates has facilitated the development of enduring relationships within the industry. Her influence extends to the significant enhancement of recruitment strategies, positively impacting our clients' success.
Diana is a thought leader driven by her passion for empowering individuals to unlock their inner potential. In line with this vision, she has created the LevelUP Yourself Workshops, a transformative series of personal development workshops. These workshops focus on fostering confidence, nurturing a growth mindset, and cultivating healthier habits.
Diana conducts multiple workshops annually, empowering her team, our organization, and our valued clients to achieve profound success in their personal growth and mindset.
Amy Bowater leads LevelUP HCS operations across EMEA and APAC, bringing more than a decade of combined in-house and agency recruitment experience with deep expertise in financial services and investment banking. As Managing Director, she provides strategic leadership and operational oversight across the region, building high-performing recruitment teams and aligning talent programs with each client’s business priorities.
Since joining LevelUP HCS in 2017, Amy has progressed from Senior Talent Advisor to Engagement Manager and Regional COO, EMEA, before stepping into her current role. She has managed recruitment engagements for two Tier 1 investment banks, overseeing permanent and contract hiring through to Managing Director level, and has led executive searches across the UK and Frankfurt that strengthened direct recruitment channels and reduced reliance on external agencies.
Amy is a committed advocate for social mobility and inclusive recruitment, helping clients build hiring plans that broaden access to opportunity and support their diversity goals. She is based in London.
Veronica is an accomplished operations leader with an extensive background in the recruitment industry. With an impressive 20-year tenure, she has played a pivotal role in LevelUP HCS's global expansion, spearheading operations in South Africa as the head of the Cape Town division.
Prior to joining LevelUP HCS, Veronica held a prominent position as the global systems and operations manager at a global recruitment organization, specializing in technology and energy talent solutions. Her nine-year tenure at the organization showcased her expertise in driving operational excellence and overseeing complex systems to deliver exceptional client experiences. In her most recent role as Talent Director, she successfully managed key markets including DACH, US, and the Middle East, solidifying her reputation as a trusted leader in the industry.
Outside of work, Veronica is a mom of two and prioritizes staying fit and healthy through CrossFit and cycling. She is passionate about adventure and travel, having visited close to 80 countries. She considers her greatest achievements to be hiking to the top of Kilimanjaro and to Everest Base Camp. In her spare time, you will find her wine tasting in Cape Town.
Simmy is a highly skilled Regional Director of Recruitment with over 13 years of expertise in talent acquisition strategy and delivery, specifically within the financial services sector. Her extensive experience has allowed her to develop a thorough understanding of the industry and establish a wide-ranging professional network.
In her current role as LevelUP HCS's EMEA Recruitment Director, Simmy plays a pivotal role in enabling each client to unlock their full potential. She achieves this by optimizing account performance and implementing tailored strategies that effectively reduce time-to-fill across searches.
Simmy's in-depth knowledge of the financial services sector stems from her prior positions at organizations such as Nomura and Macquarie Group in London, where she focused on recruiting for front office and investment banking roles.
Simmy's exceptional track record and deep industry insights make her a valuable asset to LevelUP HCS and its clients in Europe, as well as across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.
Her dedication to delivering personalized recruitment solutions and her ability to leverage her vast network ensure that LevelUP HCS consistently provides exceptional talent acquisition services.
Naomi Smith is LevelUP HCS's Head of Lateral Recruitment for APAC, bringing extensive expertise in talent acquisition across key Asian markets, including Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, and Thailand.
Prior to her role at LevelUP HCS, she was integral to the talent acquisition team at Credit Suisse Hong Kong, holding positions as the TA Lead for Corporate Functions and the TA Diversity Lead for APAC. In these roles, she was dedicated to enhancing recruitment processes, improving candidate experiences, and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) initiatives.
Naomi is known for strategic implementations that have resulted in increased satisfaction for both managers and candidates, a reduction in the time to hire, and an improvement in the quality of candidate shortlists. Her commitment to DE&I is evident through her successful introduction of debiasing recruitment processes and her efforts to increase the representation of diverse candidates at all stages of the hiring process. She has also been instrumental in developing recruiters into DE&I Ambassadors, ensuring that LevelUP HCS's recruitment practices not only meet but exceed industry standards.
Naomi holds a BA in Media and French from The University of Sussex.
Rene Gordis leads client strategy across LevelUP HCS’s RPO and embedded talent solutions. He partners with talent and HR leaders from the first conversation through to launch, designing recruitment models that fit how their organizations hire. His recent work spans manufacturing, financial services, and healthcare organizations.
Rene brings more than a decade of talent acquisition leadership to every client relationship. Before moving into client strategy in 2026, he spent ten years as a VP-level talent acquisition leader embedded at LevelUP HCS client sites across financial services, technology, and professional services. In that role, he owned TA strategy, operations, and technology for mid-sized and large recruiting teams, led ATS and HCM implementations, and advised client leadership on workforce planning and hiring strategy.
His programs delivered measurable cost savings through direct sourcing, vendor consolidation, and process improvement, reducing agency dependency and improving time to fill year over year. That firsthand experience inside client organizations shapes the practical, results-focused solutions he designs today. Rene is based in New York.
Sara Paluch helps organizations reduce recruitment spend while improving hiring outcomes. As AVP, Business Development Director at LevelUP HCS, she partners with HR and talent leaders to build RPO and embedded talent solutions across healthcare, technology, manufacturing, and financial services, with recent work focused on health systems, senior living communities, and home infusion providers.
Sara brings a strong foundation in healthcare staffing and recruitment. Before joining LevelUP HCS in 2025, she spent more than three years at Amergis Healthcare Staffing, first recruiting healthcare professionals and then as Sales Manager, where she built business development strategies to grow market share across healthcare, government, and education and negotiated client and partner agreements.
Her earlier experience in specialty pharmacy case management gives her a clear view of the clinical and operational pressures healthcare organizations face, and she brings that perspective to every client partnership. Sara is based in Chicago.