Our Team

Curtis is an accomplished executive with over two decades of experience in the talent and human resources industry. In 2012, he founded LevelUP with a visionary purpose of bridging the gap between exceptional organisations and talented individuals. His mission has been to redefine recruitment practices by providing innovative, tailor-made talent solutions that foster workplace diversity.

Under Curtis' leadership, LevelUP has garnered widespread acclaim as an award-winning organisation renowned for its unparalleled solutions, client-centric service, and vibrant corporate culture. Through his strategic direction, the company has expanded from its humble beginnings in New York to a global enterprise with dedicated teams operating across the Americas, EMEA, and APAC regions.

Curtis has demonstrated a strong commitment to cultivating talent and leadership within LevelUP and its clients' organisations, spearheading the development of numerous impactful mentorship programs that facilitate skills growth.

Curtis is a member of RPOA and Forbes Human Resource Council where he is a frequent contributor on topics related to elevating the workplace and improving talent. 

John is an executive well known for reshaping human capital. As the former Chief Human Resource Officer at a multinational investment bank, he revolutionised talent management by seamlessly integrating diversity, culture, conduct, and risk management with core business objectives, setting new industry benchmarks.

At LevelUP, John leverages his expertise to architect an unparalleled talent acquisition and management technology stack. With a focus on efficiency, quality enhancement, and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) best practices, he curates cutting-edge tools that empower organisations to achieve optimal results. His strategic vision positions LevelUP as a trailblazer, driving transformative advancements in the HR landscape through innovative technology integration.

John's exceptional qualifications are strengthened by his educational background, including a master's degree from NYU's Management of Information Systems program and a finance degree from Salisbury University. These credentials enable him to leverage technology-business intersections and financial acumen in strategic decision-making.

John resides with his family in Long Island, New York, and spends his summers enjoying boating the waters of New York and New Jersey. 

Amie is an accomplished thought leader known for her expertise in talent acquisition strategies and optimisation. With a successful background in agency recruitment and outstanding interpersonal skills, she has emerged as a true industry expert, cultivating a diverse network across multiple sectors. Since joining LevelUP in 2014, Amie has played a pivotal role in the organisation’s evolution and growth, optimising operations, implementing standardised client delivery processes, and enhancing our overall capabilities and services.

Amie's strategic insights and innovative approaches have propelled the organisation's performance to new heights, establishing LevelUP as a trusted industry leader. As the leader of LevelUP's financial services vertical, she consistently surpasses client expectations and industry standards, delivering exceptional results for the company's largest accounts.

Amie is an active member of Chief, a private network designed for the most powerful women in executive leadership to strengthen their leadership, magnify their influence, and pave the way to bring others with them. She holds a bachelor's degree from The University of Reading.

Jinefer is an experienced recruitment strategist and workforce management expert with over 25 years of industry experience and has successfully launched numerous workforce solutions worldwide. She is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) with the Project Management Institution (PMI). 

Her knowledge and contributions to various projects during her career have been recognised with numerous awards, including Vendor of the Year, Service Excellence, and Delivery Excellence.
 
As a leader in our RPO and MSP solution growth, Jinefer is dedicated to developing efficient implementation processes and ensuring smooth operations for our clients. She is also responsible for driving the adoption of key technologies that keep our systems at the forefront of the industry. With her expertise, all procedures are compliant, and clients can expect a seamless onboarding experience throughout our partnership. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Jinefer is deeply passionate about mentorship, training, and development. She actively creates programs that foster growth among her colleagues and eagerly shares her expertise to empower others. 

Jinefer is based in Michigan, where she and her family find joy in camping. Their shared love for travel has taken them to almost every corner of the country

Ashley Smith steers the marketing and communication efforts for LevelUP HCS and its portfolio of brands. With a successful career in building highly effective teams and supporting organisations during critical times of growth, Ashley has a proven track record of developing and executing successful marketing strategies to drive brand awareness and exceed company goals. Leveraging her diverse industry experience and strong understanding of consumer behaviour and market trends, Ashley excels in crafting compelling employer branding initiatives, employer value proposition development, and executing recruitment marketing strategies. 

Ashley lives in Richmond, VA where she and her husband are outdoor enthusiasts. As a member of the American Marketing Association, she remains at the forefront of industry trends and practices, consistently enriching her knowledge base. She also sits on the Advisory Board of Soldiers to Sidelines, a non-profit organisation dedicated to providing training and opportunities for military members to become athletic coaches, so they connect, engage and motivate athletes.

Eric Giordano oversees LevelUP's technology practice, serving as the executive sponsor for many of LevelUP’s most dynamic accounts. With over a decade of expertise in talent acquisition and consulting, he has established successful collaborations with startups and publicly traded technology companies across a diverse range of specialities.

Eric's professional experience spans AI, SaaS, PaaS, e-commerce, financial services, hospitality, non-profit sectors, and fintech.
Since joining LevelUP in 2014, Eric has been at the forefront of technology sector recruitment, leading the training of staff on industry best practices, driving operational efficiency, standardising client delivery, and fostering overall growth in team capabilities and services. With his hands-on recruitment experience, he confidently ensures the success of our delivery teams.

Eric is a collaborative leader, consistently surpassing client hiring targets in challenging market conditions and limited talent pools. Beyond his recruitment leadership, he provides guidance to boards, C-level executives, and investors on acquiring diverse, mindful, and forward-thinking talent to thrive in today's ever-evolving business landscape.

Diana Hinojosa leads LevelUP’s Healthcare Clinical Division with unwavering dedication and client commitment. In her role, she oversees a growing team responsible for delivering Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) and Contingent Workforce solutions for LevelUP's healthcare portfolio.

Since spearheading LevelUP's Healthcare Recruitment Division in 2018, Diana has garnered recognition as a creative recruiter and strategic leader with profound industry expertise in clinical healthcare. Her innate ability to establish meaningful connections with executive stakeholders, hiring managers, and candidates has facilitated the development of enduring relationships within the industry. Her influence extends to the significant enhancement of recruitment strategies, positively impacting our clients' success.

Diana is a thought leader driven by her passion for empowering individuals to unlock their inner potential. In line with this vision, she has created the LevelUP Yourself Workshops, a transformative series of personal development workshops. These workshops focus on fostering confidence, nurturing a growth mindset, and cultivating healthier habits. Diana conducts multiple workshops annually, empowering her team, our organisation, and our valued clients to achieve profound success in their personal growth and mindset.

Grant Jessup brings over 15 years of invaluable experience to his role as Global Head of Sales at LevelUP HCS. With a rich background in staffing and talent solutions, Grant has been a driving force behind the global expansion of the LevelUP brand.

Known for his exceptional leadership, Grant has a proven track record of building high-performing sales engines and navigating complex talent challenges. His strategic vision and unwavering commitment to excellence make him a natural fit for guiding LevelUP towards continued success.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Grant is a dedicated advocate for equity and inclusion. He has pioneered initiatives to encourage underrepresented individuals to pursue careers in tech and has been recognised for his innovative approaches to talent solutions.

In addition to his role at LevelUP, Grant is passionate about mentorship, dedicating his time to guide individuals aspiring to build careers in recruitment or sales. He actively supports early-stage businesses that promote better employment outcomes for marginalised or underrepresented communities.

As Global Head of Sales, Grant is entrusted with fostering LevelUP's global partnerships and facilitating clients in accessing our exceptional total talent solutions. His leadership is characterised by a commitment to excellence, a passion for inclusion, and a vision for driving the success of both individuals and organisations.

Veronica is an accomplished operations leader with an extensive background in the recruitment industry. With an impressive 20-year tenure, she has played a pivotal role in LevelUP's global expansion, spearheading operations in South Africa as the head of the Cape Town division.

Prior to joining LevelUP, Veronica held a prominent position as the global systems and operations manager at a global recruitment organisation, specialising in technology and energy talent solutions. Her nine-year tenure at the organisation showcased her expertise in driving operational excellence and overseeing complex systems to deliver exceptional client experiences. In her most recent role as Talent Director, she successfully managed key markets including DACH, US, and the Middle East, solidifying her reputation as a trusted leader in the industry.

Outside of work, Veronica is a mom of two and prioritises staying fit and healthy through CrossFit and cycling. She is passionate about adventure and travel, having visited close to 80 countries. She considers her greatest achievements to be hiking to the top of Kilimanjaro and to Everest Base Camp. In her spare time, you will find her wine tasting in Cape Town.

Simmy is a highly skilled Regional Director of Recruitment with over 13 years of expertise in talent acquisition strategy and delivery, specifically within the financial services sector. Her extensive experience has allowed her to develop a thorough understanding of the industry and establish a wide-ranging professional network.

In her current role as LevelUP's EMEA Recruitment Director, Simmy plays a pivotal role in enabling each client to unlock their full potential. She achieves this by optimising account performance and implementing tailored strategies that effectively reduce time-to-fill across searches. Simmy's in-depth knowledge of the financial services sector stems from her prior positions at organisations such as Nomura and Macquarie Group in London, where she focused on recruiting for front office and investment banking roles.

Simmy's exceptional track record and deep industry insights make her a valuable asset to LevelUP and its clients in Europe, as well as across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. Her dedication to delivering personalised recruitment solutions and her ability to leverage her vast network ensure that LevelUP consistently provides exceptional talent acquisition services.

Aprill DeSimone, Global Head of HR at LevelUP HCS, brings over two decades of dynamic expertise in human resources, with a distinguished background in management, talent assessment, and HR technology. Since joining LevelUP in 2019, Aprill has propelled the company's business maturity, fostering an HR program aligned with global compliance, consistency, accessibility, and strategic objectives. 

With a PHR certification and a BBA in Industrial/Organisational Psychology, Aprill implements policies and programs to enhance organisational success. Her commitment to collaboration and upholding LevelUP's core values is evident in every facet of her work. 

As a woman, mother, and immigrant, Aprill's unique perspective embodies a belief in the power of a growth mindset and manifesting success. Her passion for self-improvement has driven initiatives at LevelUP to enhance the overall employee experience. 

In her role as Global Head, Aprill plays a vital role in the current and expanding global operations of LevelUP, ensuring organisational success and cultivating a thriving team on a global scale. Her strategic vision and dedication to fostering a positive workplace culture make her an invaluable asset. Beyond her professional achievements, Aprill actively contributes to mentoring programs and corporate citizenship initiatives, enriching LevelUP's commitment to excellence. 

Vice President of Client Solutions, Valerie Quinata leverages over 15 years of experience in strategic talent solutions to lead and drive innovative programs at LevelUP. Her extensive background, including her previous position as Vice President of Workforce Management Solutions, has provided her with a deep understanding of workforce strategies and program development across diverse industries.

Valerie excels in designing and executing tailored workforce solutions that address complex client challenges, aligning talent initiatives with business objectives to deliver impactful results. Known for her creative vision and practical execution, she continuously pushes the boundaries of conventional thinking while staying focused on delivering value to clients.

At LevelUP, Valerie plays a key role in shaping the direction of client solutions, ensuring the company remains at the forefront of the market with cutting-edge offerings that meet the evolving needs of businesses. Her forward-thinking leadership is critical in driving the company’s continued growth and success.