Episode 72 - From Disrupted to Disruptor: How Tech is Reshaping the Staffing Industry with Kelli Ryan

Episode 72 - From Disrupted to Disruptor: How Tech is Reshaping the Staffing Industry with Kelli Ryan

In today's episode, I sit down with Kelli Ryan, a 28-year veteran of the staffing world who made the bold leap from being part of a disrupted industry to becoming one of its disruptors. Now at Cartwheel, a SaaS company focused on accounts receivable automation, Kelli shares how automation, AI, and smarter tech stacks are revolutionizing everything from operations to client experience. We get into the critical trends shaping staffing today like gig platforms, digital transformation, and what it really means to grow in a down market without burning out your team or budget.

Together, we explore why healthcare staffing is outpacing traditional firms in tech adoption, the power of white-labeled platforms for smaller agencies, and the mindset shifts staffing leaders need to make to stay competitive. Kelli also breaks down how to evaluate your current tech stack, ask the right questions before buying, and why solving invisible bottlenecks, like AR, is one of the fastest ways to scale. Whether you're a new founder or running an established agency, this conversation is full of honest advice from someone who's lived both sides of the industry.

Key Moments:

• Trends in the industry that are likely to stick around.

• Why AI is a little bit controversial in such a people-based industry.

• How to balance tech with manual labor - start small.

• Why do we resist collaboration when it comes to platforms and solutions in the staffing industry?

Favorite Quote: 

"You don't often think of accounts receivable as being a growth lever, but it really can be—because when you automate the manual, you give your team the space to actually drive revenue."

• Kelli

 

Connect with Kelli:

Kelli Ryan is a results-driven executive sales leader with extensive experience in leading business development and customer retention teams. As the Chief Customer Officer, Kelli works closely with the Cartwheel team to drive growth and deliver the best possible experience for their customers. 

 

Before joining Cartwheel, Kelli was the SVP of the National Partnership Group at Employbridge, leading teams responsible for new Enterprise customer development and existing customer retention and expansion. Kelli played key roles at Employbridge, and The Select Family of Staffing Companies, where her strategic leadership enabled her to build and maintain high-performing, cross-functional teams that consistently exceeded revenue targets and drove company-wide success.

 

Kelli holds a BA in Industrial Psychology from San Diego State University.

 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelliryan/

 

Connect with Suky:

I’m Suky an adrenaline junkie who celebrates every single win. I believe we must celebrate and collect all our wins along the way as it fuels forward momentum to ensure we exceed our goals. When we fuel forward momentum, complacency simply can not settle in.

With over 25 years of experience working in the staffing industry, 16 of those working with global recruitment companies, I bring the knowledge and experience of working