Interview: Lisa Brezonik, CEO, Salo

When it comes to competing for business talent, Minnesota companies are well served to get out of their comfort zone and cast a wide net that extends well beyond their circle of family and business contacts. So says Lisa Brezonik, CEO of Salo, a Minneapolis-based company that helps businesses recruit and retain talent in finance, accounting, human resources and other fields. “If we want to invite more diversity in our workplace, then as we have openings and opportunities to invite new people to come work with us, we have to go to different sources,” says Brezonik. “We have to ask different people; we have to call people that we never knew.” Brezonik’s experience in recruiting and human resources is deep and wide. After eight years as owner of her own organizational and consulting firm, Brezonik joined Salo in 2015. She started as chief talent officer and quickly climbed the ladder to chief operating officer and CEO. Brezonik’s resume also includes HR leadership positions with RBC Dain Rauscher, Integ, and Room and Board. She has served on boards for Bridgewater Bank, consumer software firm Kipsu, Hennepin Health Foundation, the Jeremiah Program and more. In the following interview with reporter Brian Johnson, Brezonik talks about the importance of having a diverse workforce, flexible work environments in the post-pandemic age and more.