Today we’d like to introduce you to Rochelle Rawls
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I first got started in Recruiting back in the Summer of 2018 after graduating from college. It was my first “big girl” job. My first taste of corporate America when I joined AMN Healthcare under the Staff Care branch. I went through a rigorous training program starting out as a Recruiting Coordinator where I helped out a seasoned Recruiter while getting to know the ins and outs of Healthcare Recruiting. Early on it was a grueling call center environment doing 800+ calls a week. Looking back now I could not imagine going back into that environment, but I was hungry back then.I was the first one in at 7am and the last one out, sometimes working 10+ hour days, but it showed. I quickly rose up the ranks, and made a name for myself while taking on a new speciality within Internal Medicine Subspecialties.
Then fast forward to the Pandemic, and I made the transition to tech and I have been hooked ever since. Coming into a company like Salesforce with 0 prior tech experience in Recruiting was quite the experience. Had it not been for a great manager and team to show me the ropes, the transition wouldn’t have been as seamless. Now I am almost 4 years into Tech recruiting at Salesforce, and it’s never a dull moment that’s for sure. Not only am I a Recruiter, but I have made a name for myself on LinkedIn at #RoTheDEIPro and I have been speaking at conferences throughout the United States specifically that have a focus on serving the underrepresented communities. Diving headfirst into the conference environment has definitely helped in my day to day role. Now the talent essentially comes to me, since I do have that name recognition in correlation specially with Salesforce. I’m on a first name basis with a lot of the conference founders within the tech industry, and when I can I utilize my network within some of the organizations I am apart of to create more opportunities both internally at Salesforce and externally within the DFW community and beyond.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road, but having the right network to pour into you and steer you in the right direction makes all the difference. Imposter Syndrome has been a beast, especially as I am gearing up to return from Maternity Leave I feel like I’m coming back to a totally different environment after being away for 6 months. The job market honestly hasn’t been the same since the Pandemic, and it definitely shows. The new executive orders recently passed by the new President is only making my job harder, but I will never stop advocating for change with the position that I have been given.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I specialize in talent attraction and recruitment within diverse, high-impact industries, with a particular focus on driving inclusive hiring practices and advancing organizational diversity goals. Currently, as a Diversity Talent Attraction Partner at Salesforce, I design and implement data-driven talent attraction strategies that engage underrepresented groups, resulting in significant increases in diversity within key roles. I have a strong track record in utilizing advanced recruitment technologies, including LinkedIn Recruiter, SeekOut, and Beamery, to enhance candidate engagement and streamline hiring processes.
What sets me apart is my passion for championing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the hiring process. I believe in the power of advocacy—particularly for candidates from underserved communities—and have successfully reduced time-to-fill for critical positions by 25% while improving candidate quality by 20%. I work closely with stakeholders at all levels, using data insights to foster collaboration and secure buy-in for strategic changes that drive recruitment success.
In addition to my technical expertise in recruiting, I have a proven ability in public speaking, community engagement, and mentorship. Whether at industry events like Dreamin’ in Color or as a representative of Salesforce in networks like Latinas in Tech and AfroTech, I actively engage in discussions that promote the future of talent acquisition and the importance of inclusive environments. I also mentor colleagues and stakeholders within the Salesforce ecosystem, guiding them on best practices for employee engagement and recruitment.
One of my proudest accomplishments is helping Salesforce increase the diversity of its candidate slates by 40%, directly contributing to the company’s diversity goals. Beyond my work, I’m known for my commitment to continuous learning—whether through diversity certifications or representing Salesforce at global conferences—and for my ability to leverage creative sourcing methods and platforms like ChatGPT, Google Workspace, and SeekOut to attract top talent.
Ultimately, what drives me is the belief that great organizations are built by people, and I’m committed to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to thrive within those environments.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I love most about the DFW area is the diverse food scene—there’s always something new and exciting to try, whether it’s international cuisine, local favorites, or trendy spots popping up all the time. It really reflects the multicultural vibe of the city, and I enjoy how food connects people and cultures here.
However, the one thing I like least about the city has to be the traffic. It can get pretty intense, especially during rush hours. That’s actually one of the reasons I choose to live in the suburbs—it allows me to avoid some of that chaos while still being close enough to enjoy everything the city has to offer.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rochelle_monayr/profilecard/?igsh=MTZxa2JucXRkenV2MQ==
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rothedeipro/
Image Credits
Headshot – Always Have Hope Photography
