CARA MATRAHAZY
Ottawa,Canada
Summary
Talent acquisition advisor with 20 years of experience in developing and executing recruitment strategies in technology and healthcare sectors. Expertise in high-volume hiring and filling niche roles, utilizing AI-driven tools and analytics to enhance full-cycle processes. Demonstrated ability to align talent acquisition with business objectives, fostering high-performing teams. Strong collaborator, building trust with hiring managers and candidates in fast-paced, evolving environments.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Talent Acquisition Leader @
Ciena
Ottawa, Canada
10.2022 - Current
- Lead strategic hiring initiatives across North America by partnering with senior business leaders to align talent acquisition with business objectives for current and future talent needs.
- Drive business-first recruiting practices through stakeholder engagement and cross-functional collaboration with the Global Talent Acquisition team, Global Mobility, Compensation, and HR Business Partner teams.
- Analyze market trends and labor intelligence to inform sourcing plans, optimize candidate pipelines, and drive Ciena's competitive positioning.
- Tools: Microsoft Suite, Workday, HiredScore, Rooster.
Recruitment Lead @
Shopify
Ottawa, Canada
09.2021 - 07.2022
- Led a team of high volume recruiters through a centralized recruitment process focused on Data Science hires for Shopify teams.
- Set expectations and goals on interview volume and target signings week over week, and measured overall outcomes of each recruiter.
- Tools: Google Suite, Slack, LinkedIn Recruiter, GEM, GoodTime, SmartRecruiters.
Recruiting Manager, Health Services @
Calian Group
Ottawa, Canada
01.2008 - 08.2021
- Led the performance, development, and coaching of a high-performing recruiting team, delivering large-scale health services staffing across Canada.
- Directed strategic recruiting efforts by aligning hiring plans with business priorities, forecasting demand, and adapting to changing market conditions.
- Partnered with senior leadership (directors, VPs, and C-suite) on talent strategy, workforce planning, and proposal development to support business growth.
- Drove continuous improvement by updating recruiting policies and leveraging key metrics to enhance process efficiency and overall recruitment performance.
- Tools: Microsoft Suite, Deskflow ATS.
Education
Some College (No Degree) - American Sign Language
Algonquin College
Ottawa01-2015
Bachelor of Arts Degree - Communications
University of Ottawa
05-2004
Skills
- Strategic workforce planning
- Recruitment metrics
- Data-driven decision making
- Recruitment marketing
- AI-driven recruitment tools
- Stakeholder engagement and influence
- Diversity and inclusion initiatives
- Talent market intelligence
- Team leadership and mentorship
- Internal mobility and referral programs
- Recruiting operations and process optimization
Professional Development
- Social Talent, Talent Advisor Certification Series, Planning, Influence, Sourcing Strategies, AI in Recruitment, Critical Conversations, Brand, 2024-2026
- Shopify Remote Leadership Program, 2022
- Calian Leadership Development Program, 2019-2021
- Calian Management Development: Presentation Excellence, 2018
- Corporate Executive Board Workshops, Manager Transition, Coaching, Feedback, 2016
- Strengths Finder: Leading with Empathy, Talent Theme Coaching, 2016-2018
- Fierce Conversations, Team, Coaching, Delegation, Confrontation Modules, 2017
Timeline
Talent Acquisition Leader @
Ciena
10.2022 - Current
Recruitment Lead @
Shopify
09.2021 - 07.2022
Recruiting Manager, Health Services @
Calian Group
01.2008 - 08.2021
Some College (No Degree) - American Sign Language
Algonquin College
Bachelor of Arts Degree - Communications
University of Ottawa