From the Community: Why this Nominee Stands Out

“Megan Colonna Zickwolf has empowered both her recruiting team and the candidates they serve by completely reimagining early career engagement through programs that are experiential, inclusive, and tailored to the values of Gen Z. Her leadership of the Embark Summer Intern Program and the piloting this Summer’s Squad Model has equipped H&R Block’s recruiting team with innovative, scalable frameworks to attract and retain top student talent across a wider range of majors and skill sets moving beyond traditional profiles to tap into emerging talent in finance, product, design, copywriting, and engineering.
By intentionally designing programs around ownership, purpose, and connection, Megan has enabled her recruiting team to foster deeper candidate relationships and improve conversion rates. Interns aren't just given tasks, they’re given real-world projects, leadership opportunities, and a platform to make their voices heard. Her creation of Immersion Week helps interns bond as a cohort while aligning with company culture from the very start, while her four-pillar program structure (Professional Development, Giveback, Networking, and Social Engagement) ensures interns have a well-rounded experience that mirrors what today’s students expect from a meaningful employer.
In parallel, Megan has empowered her recruitment team by launching stretch assignments like the Embark Program Lead role, allowing internal associates to develop new skills in project and change management, coaching, and enterprise communication which is strengthening talent pipelines from within.
Through her work, Megan has built a people-first, values-aligned early career culture that resonates with Gen Z’s desire for authenticity, social impact, and growth. At the same time, she has created recruiting strategies and program models that are data-informed, experience-rich, and scalable, helping her team thrive while elevating H&R Block’s reputation as an employer of choice for the next generation.”