What Sets Us Apart

Most recruiters optimize for speed and scale.

HDV Talent Advisory optimizes for alignment and longevity.

Because we work across organizations of varying size and complexity, we bring a well-rounded market perspective. With leaner teams, our work often becomes more embedded and hands-on—allowing us to fully understand leadership goals and guide hiring decisions based on real operational needs.

We don't simply present candidates.

We help founders think through the hire itself.

That includes:

  • Calibrating roles to stage and growth trajectory

  • Advising on trade-offs between experience, potential, and budget

  • Preparing both sides for honest, high-signal conversations

  • Staying close through decision, offer, and transition

The result is fewer mis-hires and leaders who gain traction faster.

Founder and CEO

Helene is a trusted talent advisor known for helping leaders make thoughtful, high-stakes hiring decisions when the human side of growth matters most. Often described as part strategist, part unicorn hunter—and by many as the “Talent Whisperer”—she brings more than two decades of experience guiding both clients and candidates through moments that shape careers and companies alike.

As Founder and CEO of HDV Talent, Helene partners with organizations of varying sizes, with her greatest impact in founder-led businesses where each hire carries real weight. Her work is grounded in a deeply human, consultative approach, one that begins with curiosity and authenticity and ends with alignment, clarity, and long-term fit. Rather than simply filling roles, Helene acts as embedded talent counsel, helping leaders define what they truly need and helping candidates show up as their strongest, most authentic selves.

Helene’s experience is shaped from a decade of helming Head of Talent Acquisition roles inside of ad agencies, as well as from a decade of leading the marketing services practices at a global boutique search firm where she placed senior level executives across corporate, agency, consulting and non-profit organizations.

Helene holds a BA in Political Science and Psychology from Union College. She is a member of CHIEF and Allies in Recruiting, and is deeply engaged in the PR, marketing, and advertising community staying close to evolving roles, leadership expectations, and best practices.

At the core of her work is a simple belief: hiring is human—and when done thoughtfully, it can change everything.

HDV Talent in the News.

As quoted in Forbes.com