Dena Taylor

Dena, a distinguished leader in the financial services recruiting industry, serves as the CEO and Founder of Talent Elevation Partners. Boasting an extensive 30-year background in financial services recruiting and 20 years in management positions, her experience is truly remarkable.

Prior to launching her own company in February 2000, Dena fine-tuned her expertise at prestigious organizations such as Prudential and AXA Advisors. Following a successful 13-year stint at her own firm, she returned to Prudential and assumed the role of Director of Recruiting and Diversity before earning a well-deserved promotion to Vice President of Talent Acquisition for Financial Advisors.

As VP, Dena adeptly managed a team of 41 direct reports and effectively led numerous initiatives centered on social media recruitment, strategic talent acquisition, and diversity-driven recruiting. In January 2022, she established Talent Elevation Partners to address a pressing need within the Financial Services and recruiting sectors.

Dena’s exceptional leadership style is characterized by her unique combination of candor, humor, and grace, which distinguishes her from other industry leaders and creates a highly productive team environment. Outside of her professional pursuits, Dena enjoys unwinding with knitting and cherishing quality time spent with her family.

Sean Denny

Sean is President and Co-owner of Talent Elevation Partners. He has worked in the financial industry as a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and Chartered Financial Consultant since 1989. In addition to being a CFP, Sean is a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA). He has wide ranging expertise in money management and business acquisition. He has worked with both private sector businesses and government organizations. He is passionate about helping clients with big goals transition from where they are today to where they want to go. For the last 25 years, he has provided strategic advising and planning for businesses at all stages of development, guiding them from start-up to success. He brings his wealth of knowledge and experience in the financial industry to Talent Elevation Partners as co-owner. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, exploring new places, spending time with family, and golfing.

Kim Zakrzewski

Kim has 30 years’ experience in the financial industry. Her expertise is in recruiting and sourcing for niche roles, coaching, and advising practice development. Her main responsibility as Vice President of Recruitment at Talent Elevation Partners is to work with hiring managers and leaders to develop world class recruiting methods and identify top talent for our clients. She leads our National Recruiting Team to implement strategies that attract high caliber professionals. Kim works closely with the recruiting team to scale sourcing strategies to fit each client’s unique recruitment goals. She is an avid dog lover and supporter of female led businesses.

Liz Zaloznik

Liz has leveraged her 15 years of recruiting experience to become a top-notch Vice President of Recruitment. Working closely with hiring managers and leaders to create successful recruitment processes, Liz leads our National Recruiting team in devising methods that bring in the highest caliber professionals while also meeting each client’s individual goals. In addition to her recruiting background, Liz has an impressive portfolio which includes policy and program development for a non-profit and finance/operations for a grassroots marketing firm. This wide range of experience brings valuable knowledge to both the clients she works with and the candidates seeking employment. Liz is passionate about providing the best possible service to both clients and candidates and strives to maintain the highest standards in recruitment methodology that allows us to serve our clients with world class recruitment solutions. When she’s not busy helping others achieve their career goals, Liz loves spending quality time with her husband and two sons. They enjoy exploring new places together and embarking on thrilling adventures that create lasting memories.

B.K. Hardin

B.K. received his BS degree in Sports Management/Education and his MS degree in Business/Marketing Education while participating as a member of the University of TN football program from 1985-1990, and an Ed.S degree in Administration/Supervision from LMU. B.K. spent 10 years as a high school business teacher and football/baseball coach in both Knox and Sevier Co. Then, after a period of time in the business world working in insurance/financial services, he made the transition to law enforcement with the Knox Co. Sheriff’s office in 2007 where he served as a Reserve Deputy and Corrections Officer. B.K. transitioned to KPD in 2011. During his time at KPD, he was assigned to Patrol, Central Business District, Investigations and School Resource Officer. He was a Crisis Intervention Officer, Community Liaison Officer, Peer Support Team member, Recruit Mentor, Field Training Officer, Driving Instructor, and served on the Search & Rescue Team and Mobile Field Force. B.K. received a Purple Heart for a line-of-duty attack in 2018.  He retired from law enforcement in 2022 and is now working as a Recruiter with Talent Elevation Partners. B.K.’s volunteer activities have included Badges for Baseball with the Boys & Girls Club, Philip Moore Youth Boot Camp, KPD Literacy Initiative, CAC Leadership Council, Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentor 2.0 and he is currently a board member of Real Talk Mentoring Inc. and Hand Up For Women. In addition to his POST certification, B.K. has held licenses in secondary education and administration, insurance and investments and currently holds his TN real estate license. B.K. is married to his wife Adrienne, and has 2 children and 2 stepchildren.

Mark Sturges

Mark Sturges is a highly skilled National Sales Director with over 22 years of experience in talent acquisition and management. He has worked with various companies, including Talent Elevation Partners, Bridge Security Advisors LLC, and Cerner Federal Solutions LLC. Mark’s expertise ranges from recruitment strategy and employment branding to recruitment marketing. With a proven track record of developing onsite recruiting plans and growing companies.

Sara Craig

Sara graduated from NC State University in 2013. Following graduation, she worked as a veterinary assistant at a large animal clinic where she got her unofficial start in marketing and web design managing the clinic’s website. While not working for TE Partners, Sara is a combined DVM/PhD student at the NC State University College of Veterinary Medicine. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, camping, and spending time with her husband Daniel, their two cats Stella and Newton, and their Chihuahua Nacho.

Madison Taylor

She has 2 years of media experience.

Parker

As a valued employee he comes to work every day to check on his team. In his off time enjoys long walks and cookies.