Lives in: Katonah
Works in: Mount Kisco
Children: Two
Accolade of interest: Hosts Project Renewal clothing drives for the homeless at the Saw Mill Club in Mount Kisco.
Lea Tal is humble enough to call her business an “add-on service.”
As founder and president of Tal & Associates in Mount Kisco, a health care recruitment company she started five years ago, Tal is often on the front lines of attracting and retaining talent.
But when the economy takes a turn for the worse, the job market freezes and a service like hers can go under.
“I”™m an incredible barometer for the economy,” she said. “If facilities and organizations aren”™t hiring, they”™re certainly not going to pay a fee for our service.”
But these days she”™s been very busy, leading her to one conclusion ”“ things are beginning to turn around.
Tal was recently named Woman of the Year in the category of health care search firms by The National Association of Professional and Executive Women, which recognizes outstanding accomplishments, leadership and service.
She said she feels honored to be recognized, but true gratitude comes from those she places.
“When I get thank you notes from people who tell me I jumpstarted their career it really brings me satisfaction,” she said. “To place someone in a junior position and to see how they”™ve risen up in their career ”¦ and I get paid for what I do.”
Tal earned a degree in psychology from the University of Massachusetts, but cut her teeth in retail post-college, opening four women”™s apparel stores in Massachusetts.
She transitioned to sweater manufacturing and managed seven showrooms nationwide under the umbrella of Beba and Co., which later merged with a sportswear company called Alex Sports.
Tal in 1996 entered the health care recruitment business.
A move to Westchester County with her economist husband and two children laid the groundwork for her to open a recruitment business in 2006.
Tal now has 12 employees and two new company divisions, both in pharmaceuticals and physician searches.
Like any health care industry professional, Tal has been impacted by the many “nuances” enveloped in the new federal health care legislation.
“The fascinating thing about recruitment is there will always be shortages in particular segments of health care,” she said. “Right now, we”™re looking for physicians that work with family practice, which has shifted from five years ago when we were looking for pharmacists and radiologists.”
One thing remains the same and that is identifying talented workers with key skills who fit into a client company”™s culture.
“Recruiting is understanding who the client is and where to find people who will be interested in a good opportunity.”
