Dynamics of today’s technical recruiting environment
Oct 26, 2020
Melissa Acton-Buzard of Chameleon Technologies
Dynamics of today’s technical recruiting environment
Chameleon Technologies’ CEO and Founder, Melissa Acton-Buzard, leads with a focus on diversity and inclusion in a woman-owned business. At Chameleon Technologies, she set out to emphasize the importance of diversity in the workplace with an unparalleled focus on outstanding customer service. Most technical recruiting environments focus on volume. Chameleon succeeds by providing a very personal, hands-on, high-quality service—quality as opposed to quantity. Melissa will discuss with Rotarians the growth of her business, the influence of the global pandemic on her strategy, and how her leadership and business are adapting to today’s economic pressures.
Melissa has worked in the staffing industry ever since graduating from the University of Washington with a political science degree in 1995. She planned to go to law school but decided to call a time-out from school and get a job for a year. A friend working at one of the nation’s leading staffing companies suggested Melissa apply there. Hired as the vendor coordinator for a large contract the company landed with Microsoft, Melissa quickly fell in love with the fast pace and personal relationships of the staffing business. After stints at several other staffing and consulting firms, Melissa started Chameleon Technologies in 2000.
Melissa supports her community through volunteering and board commitments. She participates in the city of Kirkland's Business Roundtable and the Kirkland Chamber of Commerce. She serves as board co-chair for the Consulting and Business Development Center (CBDC) for the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business, and the board for Attain Housing. She is actively involved with IGNITE (Inspiring Girls Now In Technology Evolution) Worldwide Washington, FIRST Robotics, and The University of Washington Women’s Center.
Melissa holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science as well as an MBA in Organizational Leadership. She currently resides in Kirkland with her husband, her daughter, a Havanese pup and two cats.