Meet our seasoned talent executives offering high‑impact guidance that strengthens every student’s career journey.

Real‑world insight from leaders who’ve shaped hiring at top organizations.

Laura Azar

Laura brings deep recruiting expertise built over years of leading searches, advising hiring teams, and supporting talent needs across diverse functions. She’s known for her ability to navigate complex hiring environments and partner closely with leaders to identify and develop strong talent. Her experience offers students a practical, inside‑the‑process perspective on what employers look for.

Denise Brooks

Denise is an accomplished HR leader with a foundation in quantitative and qualitative research, giving her a mix of data‑driven insight and human‑centered leadership. She is a trained facilitator of I Am Remarkable, a workshop that highlights the importance of self‑promotion and helps participants speak confidently about their strengths.

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Samantha Golbert

Sammi has extensive experience guiding early‑career talent, leading hiring programs, and mentoring candidates as they navigate competitive job searches. She’s known for her straight‑shooting approach and her ability to give students clarity about what employers truly value. Her perspective blends practical hiring insight with genuine support.

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Kristin Knihnicki

Kristin is a senior talent acquisition leader with a decade of experience in the public relations and media industries. She brings deep insight into what employers look for in emerging professionals and how early‑career candidates can stand out. She is strongly committed to supporting early‑career talent and helping young professionals build the confidence and clarity they need to succeed.

Edward Frankel

Ed is the founder of Hire Proximity and a seasoned HR executive who has spent his career helping organizations hire, grow, and support early talent. He brings a practical, real world understanding of what employers look for and translates that into clear, accessible guidance for students. Ed created Hire Proximity to give students the confidence, skills, and support they need to take meaningful steps toward their future.

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Jack Prohens

Jack is a seasoned executive recruiting leader with extensive experience guiding candidates through high‑stakes hiring processes. His background gives him a unique perspective on how decisions are made at the most senior levels and what truly differentiates strong talent. He brings a thoughtful, people‑centered approach to every conversation.

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Taylor Yarbrough

Taylor brings deep expertise in diversity, equity, inclusion, and talent development. She has designed and led programs that help people understand their strengths, navigate complex environments, and show up with confidence. Her perspective blends empathy, strategy, and real‑world insight.

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The Advisory Team is a curated group of senior talent and business leaders who offer guidance based on their real‑world experience.
Join us at hour monthly office hours where Advisors can support students with:
- Interview preparation
- Career direction and role exploration
- Resume and LinkedIn feedback
- Networking strategy
- Understanding industry norms and expectations
- Navigating job offers or workplace decisions
They provide perspective shaped by years of hiring, leading teams, and working inside competitive industries.
Advisors cannot:
- Guarantee interviews, referrals, or job offers
- Provide preferential consideration at their current employer
- Share confidential, proprietary, or non‑public information
- Disclose internal hiring processes or candidate evaluations
- Offer insight that conflicts with their employer’s policies
All guidance reflects their personal experience as tenured professionals, not the views or commitments of their employers.
No. Advisors do not recruit, refer, or place students into roles. Their purpose is to provide strategic guidance, clarity, and preparation, not to influence hiring decisions.
The Advisory Group participates in different aspects of the Hire Proximity offering. Each are able to offer perspective from inside the industry - proximity that helps students get closer to getting hired.
Advisors are senior talent leaders, hiring managers, and business executives with deep experience across industries. Each brings a unique perspective shaped by years of evaluating talent and building teams.
Depending on availability, members of our Advisory Team may be available for one-on-one mentorship. Reach out to learn more.
Yes. Advisors maintain professional confidentiality and will not share session details with employers, schools, or other parties unless required by law or safety concerns.
We’re building a community of experienced professionals who care deeply about supporting early-career talent. Our advisors bring real-world insight, thoughtful perspective, and a genuine commitment to helping students and emerging professionals navigate the transition from education to work. If that sounds like you, we’d welcome the opportunity to connect and start a conversation.