Kelly Bonn on Branding, Hiring, and the Human Factor
Mon Oct 20 2025
Guest: Kelly Bonn — Navy veteran, retained executive recruiter, executive coach
Location: The Centre Club, Tampa
Episode in a sentence
From small boats in the Med to C-suite searches in boardrooms, Kelly unpacks modern hiring, executive presence, and why your LinkedIn should teach—not trumpet.
What we cover
Kelly’s Navy path (Italy, small boats unit, coxswain/engineer) and the through-line to recruiting
Retained search vs. contingency—and why “human” beats “process”
Branding that works: educational posts, clear profile, and consistent presence
Posting cadence/windows that reach senior decision makers
Building a talent flywheel with employee advocates (and how to bonus them)
Interviewing that actually reveals judgment and fit (ditch lazy behavioral scripts)
Diversifying revenue streams so a weird year doesn’t sink you
Why the job market feels strange—and the signals it’s warming
Playbook & Tactics
Intro line: “I’m an executive coach and a headhunter. I help companies hire and leaders land.”
Three questions to ask in interviews:
“What would your current manager say about you?”
“What did you like most/least about your last role?”
“What’s the biggest challenge in the first 90 days here?”
LinkedIn content rule: educate > advertise. Case-style posts win.
Best posting windows (for exec audiences): Sun late AM/early PM; Mon late PM; Tue late AM.
Book pick: Captivate — Vanessa Van Edwards.
Offers & Resources
Kelly’s giveaway: Executive Bio + 1 hr coaching (leadership/job search) or hiring-manager interview training.
Services: retained search (Sr. Director → C-suite), executive coaching, resumes/executive bios, LinkedIn optimization.
Keep up with us
Tampa: monthly third-Tuesday meetups at The Centre Club
Clearwater: monthly wellness workouts
Message “TAMPA” to get reminders and invites.
More
Guest: Kelly Bonn — Navy veteran, retained executive recruiter, executive coach Location: The Centre Club, Tampa Episode in a sentence From small boats in the Med to C-suite searches in boardrooms, Kelly unpacks modern hiring, executive presence, and why your LinkedIn should teach—not trumpet. What we cover Kelly’s Navy path (Italy, small boats unit, coxswain/engineer) and the through-line to recruiting Retained search vs. contingency—and why “human” beats “process” Branding that works: educational posts, clear profile, and consistent presence Posting cadence/windows that reach senior decision makers Building a talent flywheel with employee advocates (and how to bonus them) Interviewing that actually reveals judgment and fit (ditch lazy behavioral scripts) Diversifying revenue streams so a weird year doesn’t sink you Why the job market feels strange—and the signals it’s warming Playbook & Tactics Intro line: “I’m an executive coach and a headhunter. I help companies hire and leaders land.” Three questions to ask in interviews: “What would your current manager say about you?” “What did you like most/least about your last role?” “What’s the biggest challenge in the first 90 days here?” LinkedIn content rule: educate > advertise. Case-style posts win. Best posting windows (for exec audiences): Sun late AM/early PM; Mon late PM; Tue late AM. Book pick: Captivate — Vanessa Van Edwards. Offers & Resources Kelly’s giveaway: Executive Bio + 1 hr coaching (leadership/job search) or hiring-manager interview training. Services: retained search (Sr. Director → C-suite), executive coaching, resumes/executive bios, LinkedIn optimization. Keep up with us Tampa: monthly third-Tuesday meetups at The Centre Club Clearwater: monthly wellness workouts Message “TAMPA” to get reminders and invites.