Gary-based executive recruiter finds
career opportunities for Region residents
In the matchmaking world of executive recruitment, who you know can make all the difference. Human resources professionals in the Region find it pays to know Veronica Banks.
The Crown Point resident launched the Gary-based executive search firm V Elizabeth Talent Acquisition Solutions in 2018 — her second entrepreneurial venture.
Banks is on a twofold mission.
First, she wants to place residents of the Region into meaningful roles in human resources and other fields that offer growth, opportunities, and the kind of pay and benefits that can improve lives. She calls herself a “passionate advocate for people and purpose.”
Second, she works to help organizations find the best new hires — professionals who bring the right skills, temperament and mindset and who can contribute immediately. This way, she said, “individual fulfillment and business success go hand-in-hand.”
Banks hopes to grow her team so she can further connect residents of the Region with career opportunities that will allow them to excel.
“My goal is to use my platform and my knowledge and skills and experience to help others gain higher-paying jobs,” Banks said. “I’m trying to scale my business, so I can make a better impact. That’s my dream.”
This dream might not have occurred if Banks had not been laid off.
My goal is to use my platform and my knowledge and skills and experience to help others gain higher-paying jobs.”
She was on a path to becoming an electrical engineer, but then she lost her job. The setback caused her to change course but not for the usual reasons. The human resources team at the company that let her go was so sincere, understanding and professional that it left an impression on Banks.
“The way they delivered the message — it was in a caring manner. They were clear on next steps, the reasons why,” Banks said. “After I left that meeting, instead of being upset, I had a goal in mind that I wanted to explore the HR field and figure out how to become an HR professional.”
Since her layoff in 2003, Banks earned a bachelor’s degree in human resource management from DeVry University and an MBA from Walden University. She’s built more than 20 years of experience in human resources by working as a recruiter or HR executive in fields such as health care, hospitality and government. She even ran her first solo venture, Jave Staffing, from 2004 to 2009.
In her seven years of operating V Elizabeth, Banks has placed 37 people into what she describes as “roles that inspire them.”
Among them are Arlene Mitchell-Pace of Merrillville and Nicole Dunham of Schererville. Both praise Banks for how she helps employees connect with their purpose and how she helps businesses build positive cultures.
Mitchell-Pace met Banks at a networking event for women. She wasn’t actively searching for a position in 2022 when Banks reached out looking to fill the vice president of human resources at Illinois Action for Children. But Mitchell-Pace listened to details about the position, applied and, “because of (Banks’) ability to get me the interview,” got the job she holds today.
“Northwest Indiana will benefit from having her business in the community,” Mitchell-Pace said.
Dunham, meanwhile, has known Banks professionally since they crossed paths about eight years ago. Then, in 2022, Banks checked in to see whether anyone in Dunham’s network would be interested in becoming chief human resources and compliance officer at PrimeCare Health in Chicago. While Banks called looking for leads, she found that Dunham was interested. Dunham then interviewed for and landed the role.
Dunham has moved on to work as executive vice president/chief human resources and compliance officer at One Hope United in Chicago, but said she appreciates Banks’ help getting her previous job — and her acumen for assessing and understanding the skills of jobseekers from the Region.
“She takes the time to get to know the candidates in order to present the best candidate for the employers,” Dunham said.
This type of meaningful recruiting, Banks said, is “really a passion of mine. •”
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