What does it take to hire 1,000 people in a year—and still keep your team energized and your culture intact?
In this episode of the Level Up HR podcast, host James Weier welcomes Brittney Bahre, Senior Director of Talent Acquisition at E2 Optics, for a candid look at leading through hypergrowth.
In just 12 months, Brittney’s team expanded from 4 to 22 recruiters and hired over 1,000 employees, all through organic growth, driven by the AI-powered data center boom. She shares how she restructured her team to meet demand, why she seeks out recruiters from fast-paced staffing environments, and how she transformed her team’s role from “order-takers” to trusted business partners.
Beyond the numbers, Brittney opens up about the challenges of managing a four-generation workforce, and how E2 Optics is adapting its onboarding, communication, and culture strategies to keep everyone engaged.
Whether you’re scaling fast, evolving your TA function, or navigating generational complexity, this episode is full of hard-earned insights for HR leaders in the thick of change.
You’ll learn:
1. How E2 Optics doubled headcount without a single acquisition
2. Why fast-paced recruiters with staffing roots were key to scaling TA at speed
3. How to shift TA from “order-takers” to strategic business partners
4. Tactics to engage a four-generation workforce without losing cultural cohesion
5. Why future-focused thinking is essential in high-growth environments
___________
Get in touch with Brittney Bahre on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittney-bahre-phr-7513132a/
Brittney's book recommendation:
The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins | https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F7PZVCQB
___________
About the host James Weier:
James is Director, US at EGYM Wellpass and President of the Denver chapter of the Level Up HR Community. With 10 years of experience and a degree from the University of Illinois Urbana‑Champaign, James brings a collaborative, community‑focused approach to his work. When he’s not elevating employee experience or strengthening HR leadership, James enjoys spending time with his wife and their two young boys in Colorado’s great outdoors.
Get in touch with James Weier on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesweier/