From the Community: Why this Winner Stands Out

“Hailee Centrella exemplifies what it means to be a Career Catalyst. As a team manager and leader of ALKU’s Campus Recruiting Team, she is redefining how organizations engage Gen Z talent—through empathy, innovation, and a relentless commitment to mentorship and growth. Over her five-year ALKU tenure, including 2.5 years as a leader, Hailee has played a pivotal role in developing the next generation of recruiting professionals and building intentional early-career experiences that resonate with today’s students.

Hailee began her journey at ALKU in July 2020, right in the heart of the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting as a College Relationship Specialist, she quickly became a lifeline for students navigating the new world of remote learning. Her ability to empathize, relate, and support students—while learning alongside them—cemented her as a trusted and authentic voice for Gen Z. She used that connection to drive engagement through virtual career fairs, Zoom classrooms, and ALKU’s Virtual Sales Internship Program, building a foundation of trust and enthusiasm that continues to shape ALKU’s campus presence today.

Now leading a team of four, Hailee still actively recruits, manages university relationships, and consistently brings forward strategic insights to ALKU’s Executive Leadership Team. Her spring semester alone included over 40 on-campus events—career fairs, classroom presentations, workshops, and more—all with the goal of connecting with students in real, meaningful ways. Her work directly fuels ALKU’s growth while also preparing future leaders within her team and across the company.

Beyond recruiting, Hailee’s leadership extends into her roles on ALKU’s DE&I Team and as a leader of one of the company’s Employee Resource Groups. She mentors employees across departments, promotes equity in hiring, and brings ALKU’s inclusive culture directly to the classroom. With her passion, empathy, and strategic mindset, Hailee Centrella is not just recruiting the future—she’s helping shape it.”

“Hailee is truly the queen of all things campus recruitment. Thanks to her leadership, in just one year, we have improved our Campus Recruiting Team's applicant to hire ratio from a 10:1 to a 6:1, meaning that for every 6 students who apply after meeting us at an event, 1 is hired! This is due to Hailee's strategic mindset and willingness to adapt to students' wants and needs on campus when it comes to the type of events we're hosting and attending, and the professional development assistance we provide. Out of the 355 Interns that will be working with ALKU this summer, our Campus Recruiting Team is responsible for 45% of those hires. Hailee is the backbone to our on-campus approach and strategy, and she is more than deserving of this award!” - Delaney Bradley, Senior Manager of Talent Acquisition