Jo Macdonald

Jo brings extensive recruitment experience, partnering with organisations to find the people who will help them grow and succeed. Her career began in advertising with agencies including Promotus (now Hemisphere), Saatchi & Saatchi, and Dublin-based Chemistry, where she developed strong client relationship and storytelling skills. She later moved into recruitment with Talent Shop before joining Kin, a recruitment business spun out of Humankind, where she worked with organisations across technology, purpose-led sectors, and high-growth companies while also leading a small team. Her clients have included Storypark, Manaaki Tāngata Victim Support, Wellington Hospitals Foundation, Good Shepherd, Snapper, Totara and Spiral.

Jo is known for building trust quickly with both clients and candidates and for her ability to understand what organisations truly need from a hire. Drawing on her advertising background, she is particularly skilled at telling the story behind an organisation and the opportunity a role presents. This helps her engage candidates, especially those not actively looking, and identify people who can support the organisation’s next stage of growth

Jo takes pride in the long-term impact of the people she has helped place into organisations. Through her work with companies such as Storypark and Manaaki Tāngata Victim Support, she has supported hires who have gone on to take on senior leadership roles and contribute to significant organisational change.

Jo is motivated by helping organisations solve hiring challenges and connecting people with opportunities where they can thrive. She believes recruitment should be honest, transparent, and respectful for everyone involved. When the right person meets the right opportunity, it can strengthen teams, support growth, and have a lasting impact on an organisation.

Jo approaches recruitment with care, honesty, and strong communication. She listens closely, asks thoughtful questions, and works in partnership with clients to ensure every hire supports the organisation’s long-term success.