“It is with great enthusiasm that I recommend Chris Englin for talent management and recruitment opportunities. Chris recently partnered with Kitsap Credit Union (KCU) to successfully fill a pivotal leadership role—our first-ever Chief People Officer (CPO). Her expertise, dedication, and strategic approach were instrumental in achieving outstanding results for our 91-year-old, member-owned organization based in Bremerton, WA.
This search presented unique challenges. The CPO role required a highly skilled individual who could act as an agile, strategic leader and change agent. The position also demanded progressive experience across HR disciplines and the ability to develop and align scalable people practices with our business strategies, mission, and values. Complicating matters further, our location is removed from traditional talent hubs, adding an additional layer of complexity to finding the right candidate.”
“Chris approached this challenge with remarkable insight and professionalism. As a longtime resident of the greater Kitsap area, she brought a deep understanding of our community and organizational values, including our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). She unearthed compelling strategic characteristics about KCU to attract top-tier candidates, such as our desire for growth, operational excellence fueled by a need to develop our culture. Our community service and development initiative supported by the KCU Cares Foundation, our financial literacy programs for students, and the thousands of volunteer hours contributed by our staff annually. Her ability to combine these elements with stakeholder insights ensured a robust and targeted search process which attracted non-financial institution candidates.”
“Chris delivered results that exceeded expectations. Through her inclusive and thorough approach, she identified exceptional candidates who aligned with our values and strategic vision. Her partnership extended beyond traditional recruiting—Chris provided thoughtful input on organizational design and guided us on structuring an offer to align with our goals.
Working with Chris was a transformative experience. She invests time to fully understand the unique needs of an organization, listening deeply and focusing on identifying candidates who will thrive in a mission-driven environment. Her extensive network across the Puget Sound area allowed her to reach a diverse and talented pool of candidates. Chris is not just a recruiter—she is a strategic partner who adds immeasurable value to any talent management effort.
I am confident that Chris will bring the same level of expertise, dedication, and success to any organization fortunate enough to work with her.”
Sincerely,
Shawn Gilfedder
CEO, Kitsap Credit Union
