Rachael Kennedy
Director, Talent Acquisition
Professional Overview
Rachael Kennedy is an accomplished talent acquisition professional with over a decade of experience driving strategic workforce planning and building high-performing teams. As the Director of Talent Acquisition at Gap Inc., she leads a team of recruiters in sourcing and securing top talent to support the company's growth and innovation initiatives.
Experience Summary
Current Role
In her current role as Director of Talent Acquisition at Gap Inc., Rachael is responsible for overseeing the end-to-end recruitment process for the organization. She collaborates closely with business leaders to align hiring strategies with evolving workforce needs, implementing data-driven approaches to optimize sourcing and selection. Under Rachael's leadership, the talent acquisition team has achieved a 20% reduction in time-to-hire and a 15% increase in employee retention across key business units.
Career Progression
Rachael's career trajectory has been marked by progressive growth and increasing responsibility within the talent acquisition field. Prior to her current directorship, she served as a Senior Manager and Senior Recruiter at Gap Inc., where she developed and executed talent strategies to support the company's expansion and digital transformation initiatives. Rachael also brings valuable experience from her previous roles at West Elm and New York-Presbyterian Hospital, where she honed her skills in sourcing, screening, and onboarding top talent.
Academic Background
Rachael holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Resources Management from Temple University, where she graduated magna cum laude and was recognized as a Dean's List scholar.
Areas of Expertise
- Talent Acquisition Strategy and Workforce Planning
- Recruitment Process Optimization
- Employer Branding and Candidate Experience
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives
- Performance Tracking and Data-Driven Decision Making
- Cross-Functional Collaboration and Stakeholder Management
Professional Impact
Throughout her career, Rachael has demonstrated a proven track record of driving impactful talent acquisition initiatives. She has spearheaded the implementation of a comprehensive employee referral program that has resulted in a 30% increase in qualified applicants. Additionally, Rachael has been instrumental in the development and roll-out of a diversity hiring strategy, leading to a 25% improvement in the representation of underrepresented groups within the organization.
Conclusion
With her extensive expertise in talent acquisition, strategic vision, and proven track record of success, Rachael Kennedy is well-positioned to continue making a significant impact within the Gap Inc. organization and the broader retail industry. Her innovative approaches and unwavering commitment to building high-performing teams make her a valuable asset to any organization seeking to attract and retain top talent.