Employee Spotlight

A Leadership Journey Comes Full Circle

Some career journeys take unexpected turns. Others come full circle.
For Colleen, that journey began more than 15 years ago when she joined AlliedBarton, now Allied Universal.

Where It All Began

During her six and a half years with AlliedBarton, Colleen began building a career dedicated to improving how organizations attract, hire, and support talent.

Starting as a Talent Acquisition Specialist and advancing into leadership roles, she gained experience across recruiting operations, workforce development, recruiting technology, employer branding, systems implementation, and process improvement. As her responsibilities grew, she led initiatives that strengthened recruiting programs, modernized hiring processes, and supported teams across the organization.

But during her time with AlliedBarton, Colleen was building more than a career. She was building a life.

Those years marked some of her most meaningful personal and professional milestones. She purchased a home and grew her family while building her career. The people she worked alongside became more than coworkers. They celebrated life's milestones with her, supported her through life’s changes, and together they created a sense of community that stayed with her long after she left the organization.

When organizational changes stemming from the merger created an opportunity for a new chapter, Colleen left with much more than professional experience.

Growing Into a Strategic Leader

Over the next decade, Colleen continued building upon the strong foundation she established earlier in her career.

"My time at AlliedBarton opened the door to new opportunities that allowed me to grow professionally."

Joining well-known, industry-leading global brands, she expanded her expertise and gained experience leading talent acquisition initiatives across complex, large-scale organizations.

As her career progressed, so did the scale of her impact. What began with implementing recruiting systems and building workforce development programs evolved into leading national teams, directing talent acquisition systems, and guiding large-scale technology transformations. Along the way, she became known for solving complex recruiting challenges, improving hiring outcomes, and creating better experiences for candidates, hiring teams, and the businesses they supported.

Yet through every chapter, one thing remained constant.

"Throughout that journey, I was always searching for another company that offered the same sense of purpose, culture, and opportunity that I experienced during my time at AlliedBarton."

Relationships That Stood the Test of Time

Many of the connections Colleen made during her early years at Allied remained strong throughout the next decade.

When the Director of Recruiting Enablement opportunity became available, a former colleague from AlliedBarton personally recommended her for the role and encouraged her to apply.

"When the opportunity arose to return to Allied Universal as Director of Recruiting Enablement, it felt like coming home.”

More than a decade after leaving, Colleen returned to the organization where so much of her personal and professional journey first began.

"One of the things that has impressed me most since returning is the incredible tenure of so many employees and the number of familiar faces still here years later."

Today, she works from the same Conshohocken office where her AlliedBarton journey began more than 15 years ago.

Leading with Purpose and Impact

Today, Colleen brings together nearly two decades of experience to support recruiting teams across Allied Universal. Drawing on the lessons, mentorship, and expertise she's gained throughout her career, she helps drive initiatives that strengthen recruiting and hiring across the organization.

"Today, I am excited to bring the knowledge, leadership, and experiences I've gained throughout my career back to Allied Universal."

While Colleen's responsibilities have evolved over the years, her focus has remained consistent: finding better ways to support people and help teams succeed.

Colleagues describe Colleen as bringing enthusiasm, energy, and authenticity to her work. Whether she's discussing strategy, mentoring team members, or brainstorming new ideas, she brings energy, optimism, and authenticity to everything she does.

That commitment is one of the reasons her colleagues hold her in such high regard.

"What stands out most about Colleen is how genuine she is," says Felicia Rush, Recruitment Marketing Manager. "No matter how much she has on her plate, she always makes time for people. She listens, she encourages, and she wants everyone around her to succeed. Her leadership has had a meaningful impact on me, and I'm grateful to have her as one of my leaders."

Looking Ahead

Today, Colleen's journey has come full circle.

From Talent Acquisition Specialist to Director of Recruiting Enablement, her career is a testament to the power of growth, perseverance, and the relationships that shape us along the way.

Now, she is helping build the future of the organization that helped build her, creating opportunities for others to grow, lead, and succeed along the way.