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.

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.

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 candidate 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.