Michael Shelsen
Vice President of Talent Acquisition
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Professional Overview
Michael Shelsen is an accomplished human resources executive with over 15 years of experience driving talent acquisition, leadership development, and strategic business partnerships. As the Vice President of Talent Acquisition at Manulife, he is responsible for developing and executing comprehensive talent strategies to attract, retain, and develop top-performing teams across the organization.
Experience Summary
Current Role
As the Vice President of Talent Acquisition at Manulife, Michael is responsible for leading a team of talent acquisition professionals to support the company's growth and strategic initiatives. He oversees all aspects of the talent acquisition lifecycle, including sourcing, screening, and onboarding of top talent. Under his leadership, Manulife has significantly improved its ability to attract and retain skilled professionals, contributing to the organization's overall success.
Career Progression
Prior to his current role, Michael held several senior leadership positions in the financial services industry. He served as the Vice President of Strategy Partnerships and Business Development at Scene+, where he was instrumental in driving the company's strategic partnerships and digital transformation. Additionally, he held a Canadian Banking Executive Leadership Secondment at Scotiabank, where he gained valuable insights into the bank's operations and leadership development programs.
Michael's earlier experience includes serving as the Global Head of Campus Recruitment and Talent Development at Scotiabank, and the Global Head of Talent Acquisition for the Global Banking & Capital Markets division. He also held roles at TD and EY, where he led enterprise-wide talent acquisition and development initiatives.
Academic Background
Michael holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Toronto, where he specialized in Accounting and Finance. He is a passionate advocate for continuous learning and professional development, and has participated in various executive leadership programs and industry-specific training.
Areas of Expertise
- Talent Acquisition Strategy and Execution
- Workforce Planning and Talent Management
- Organizational Development and Change Management
- Strategic Partnerships and Business Development
- Leadership Development and Succession Planning
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives
Professional Impact
Throughout his career, Michael has demonstrated a proven track record of driving transformational change and delivering measurable results. At Scotiabank, he led the implementation of a successful campus recruitment program that increased the organization's ability to attract and retain top graduate talent by 25%. During his time at TD, he spearheaded the development of a comprehensive early talent and leadership development program that has since been recognized as an industry best practice.
Conclusion
With his extensive experience in the financial services industry and a deep understanding of talent acquisition best practices, Michael Shelsen is a strategic and innovative human resources leader. In his current role at Manulife, he is committed to aligning the company's talent strategies with its broader business objectives, ensuring that Manulife continues to attract, develop, and retain the high-performing teams necessary for long-term success.
