Kate Clarke
Owner, Make Waves Inc.
I started my career at Saatchi & Saatchi and continued to work for leading ad agencies in the area of account management across CPG and various retail businesses. I earned the title of Account Director quickly through my ability to generate and sell in new ideas that created incremental revenue. I still get passionate about ideas!
In 1999, I began Make Waves Inc. to leverage an odd and natural knack for “reading” people quickly. It had been acknowledged as a significant asset of mine in my advertising career. I decided to put this skill to the test leveraging my relationships in the advertising industry by recruiting and working for people I knew. Over the last 20 years, those relationships have grown and I have added new ones.
Contact: kate@makewavesinc.com
People have asked about the company name. I picked the name Make Waves Inc. because truthfully I love being on the water. It makes me happy. Beyond that, it struck a chord with me. I am attracted to people who make waves. There is an awesome power and energy in waves and I believe talented people share those characteristics. I surround myself with people like that and place them in roles where they can thrive.
Liza Ramos Executive Recruiter
I am a native New Yorker and have lived in three out of the five boroughs: Manhattan, Bronx, Queens and most recently, Long Island. I started off my career at a recruiting agency called Vance Staffing, which no longer exists. After realizing I wanted more than recruiting, I joined a proprietary trading firm where I learned the ins and outs of Human Resources. Six years later, I jumped at the opportunity to work at one of the most iconic luxury fashion houses in the world, Chanel. Close to three years led to me breaking into the advertising world as an HR & Recruiting partner at Ogilvy & Mather. At Ogilvy, I found my niche and quickly developed myself as a Talent professional.
I have spent the past eight years helping to establish and evolve the HR & Recruiting departments at Droga5 NY, Fitzco in ATL, and most recently Mekanism, Inc. After many fruitful years in Talent leadership, I am focused on my passion for people, diversity, and career pathing.
From helping companies establish effective hiring strategies to assessing and working with top talent within the marketing and advertising industry, I revel in building strong and diverse pipelines and connecting companies with the best talent.
Beyond my love for what I do, I absolutely love my family inclusive of 2 dogs and a cat, music, dancing, traveling, reading, and diy.
Contact: liza@makewavesinc.com
Emily Barker
Executive Recruiter
I started my career in agency account management and operations at McCann, working with a variety of brands, from P&G to Johnson & Johnson, Minolta and Verizon. While climbing the management ladder, I uncovered a passion for mentoring and staffing, prompting me to switch my focus to talent acquisition.
I have been an Executive Recruiter for 6+ years, placing quality candidates in account management, a variety of digital roles and strategy positions. I also place client side marketing and advertising candidates. I believe that close partnerships with my clients and candidates is the best path to finding the perfect intellectual and cultural fit.
When I am not working, I enjoy chasing after my 2 very active boys and grabbing a quiet minute here or there for a good book!
Contact: emily@makewavesinc.com
Nicole Baumgardner
Executive Recruiter
I bring to the table 10 years of advertising experience from an account management, HR and recruiting perspective. I’ve walked in the shoes and interacted with the disciplines that I now recruit for enabling me to assess talent with a more critical eye. My honest, straightforward approach help develop long-lasting respected partnerships with candidates and clients alike. My keen sense of discerning personalities allows me to connect the right candidate with the right agency from a cultural as well as skillset standpoint.
In my free time, I enjoy exercising, skiing, boating and playing tennis. You can also find me standing on the sidelines with my husband at one of my three daughters softball, soccer, lacrosse or volleyball games, or sitting in the theater watching my daughter perform on stage.
Contact: nicole@makewavesinc.com