Mary Catherine Bennewise
Owner
Preferred Nickname:
Cat
Preferred Pronouns:
She/her/hers
Phone:
865-361-0297
Email:
LinkedIn Profile
A Peek into My World
Allow me to introduce myself the IRS knows me as Mary Catherine Bennewise, but you can just call me Cat.
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In 2021, I launched my own Southern boutique consulting firm, specializing in full-cycle recruitment. But let’s be real: for me, recruitment is way more than just filling roles. It’s about shaping vibrant cultures, advancing diversity, and creating lasting impact through thoughtful, data-driven strategies. Sure, I can find you the right candidate but I’m here to build hiring processes that are seamless, human-centered, and maybe even a little fun. Tell me something’s impossible? I’ll find the workaround.
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Fast forward to 2025, after witnessing another wave of massive layoffs, I knew I had to do more than just help companies hire. I wanted to support the people behind the resumes, especially those navigating an exhausting and often disheartening job market. That’s why I expanded my services to include 1:1 job search coaching giving job seekers the strategy, structure, and confidence they need to take control of their career journey.
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Because after 10+ years in recruiting, one thing is clear: winging it just doesn’t cut it anymore. You need a job search strategy. You need direction. You need someone in your corner.
So now, whether I’m optimizing a hiring process for a fast-growing tech company or customizing a job hunt game plan for someone who’s burned out and stuck, I’m all in.
A little about my journey: I got my start in recruitment back in 2015, when I was recruited to be a recruiter (the irony still makes me laugh). Two amazing people took a chance on me, trained me up, and became lifelong friends. I originally wanted to be an interior designer but talent acquisition gave me something better: the chance to build futures, not just spaces.
These days, I thrive in fast-paced, ever-evolving environments where process, heart, and creativity collide. I bring Southern charm, smart strategy, and a little sass to everything I do.
Whether I’m working with candidates, clients, or coaching someone through the chaos of job hunting: I’m here to help, guide, and grow.
And always, always with a smile.
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My Life's Motto:
Be the person your dog THINKS you are!
Portfolio Snapshot
September 2020 - May 2025
January 2020 - July 2021
May 2017 - January 2020
💡 What I Did for 2K Games:
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Talent Acquisition Strategy: Leading end-to-end recruitment across all levels and functions.
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Process Optimization: Identifying bottlenecks and implementing solutions for greater efficiency.
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Diversity & Inclusion Initiatives: Building diverse pipelines and fostering inclusive recruitment practices.
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Candidate & Hiring Manager Experience: Focusing on seamless communication and an exceptional experience for both sides. Actively ensuring 👻 never occurs
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Stakeholder Engagement: Partnering with leadership teams to align recruitment strategies with organizational goals.
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Clients: 2K Publishing, Cat Daddy Studios, Gearbox Entertainment , Firaxis Games, 31st Union, and an unannounced studio
💡 What I Did:
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Led end-to-end recruitment processes, including but not limited to candidate sourcing to onboarding, I manage and ensured quality, speed, and efficiency throughout the process.
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Global Talent Sourcing: Leveraging both traditional and innovative sourcing methods to identify top talent from across the globe, with a focus on meeting diverse client needs.
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Outsourcing Expertise: In-depth knowledge of global outsourcing markets, with a focus on building long-term relationships and delivering outstanding recruitment services for both IT and non-IT functions.
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Strategic Partnering: Collaborating with business leaders to understand talent needs, drive workforce strategies, and contribute to achieving business goals through optimal talent solutions.
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Diversity & Inclusion Initiatives: Building diverse pipelines and fostering inclusive recruitment practices.
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Clients: Stryker Medical, Rivian, and 2K Games
💡 What I Did:
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Led full cycle recruitment for Engineering Clients specializing in sourcing, screening, and placing engineers in a wide range of roles, from design and development to quality assurance and project management.
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Client & Candidate Partnerships: I take a consultative approach to recruitment, building strong relationships with clients to truly understand their engineering talent needs while ensuring candidates are placed in roles that align with their career goals and technical expertise.
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Clients: Denso Manufacture, ARC Automotive, Shaw Industries, Mercedes, Gestamp, Aisin Automotive Casting Tennessee, Exedy America Corporation, JTEKT, Astec Industries, & Grupo Antolin
Sep 2015 - May 2017
💡 What I Did:
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Full-Cycle Recruitment: From sourcing and screening to offer negotiation and onboarding, I manage the complete recruitment process, ensuring a smooth and efficient experience for both clients and candidates.
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Tech Talent Acquisition: Focused on sourcing specialized talent for roles such as software engineers, data scientists, system architects, network engineers, and other technology-driven positions.
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Strategic Partnerships: I work closely with companies to understand their unique needs, fostering long-term relationships while delivering top talent that aligns with their technical requirements and company culture.
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Networked with local colleges: Fountainhead College of Technology, Pellissippi State Community College, and ITT Technical Institute.
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Attended network events, managed booths at career fairs, and hosted “How to Land a Job'' and “Mock Interviews'' classes at local colleges
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Clients: SAIC, Ed Financial, Warner Bros Discovery, Elavon, and JTV
Partners
