Tays Heyer
Tays Heyer
Vice President Human Resources, EverGreene Manufacturing
Tays Heyer’s journey into talent acquisition reflects a common truth in the industry: the most impactful careers are rarely planned—they evolve.
Like many in recruiting, Tays didn’t begin with a clear roadmap into talent leadership. Instead, his path was shaped by experience, curiosity, and the people he learned from along the way. What stands out most is not just how he entered the field, but how he’s continuously refined his perspective through real-world exposure and leadership influence.
Over time, Tays developed a strong foundation in recruiting by observing what great leadership looks like—and just as importantly, understanding how those experiences shape one’s own approach. His career has been influenced by leaders who modeled not only technical excellence, but also the importance of being guided in the right direction.
That belief—that great leaders are shaped by great leadership—continues to inform how Tays shows up today.
What Energizes Him Most
At the core of Tays’s work is a deep appreciation for growth—both personal and organizational.
He is energized by the opportunity to evolve alongside the industry, continuously learning from new challenges, new technologies, and new people. Recruiting, for Tays, is not static. It’s a space where adaptability and perspective are everything.
Equally important is the ability to influence and shape others. Having experienced the impact of strong leadership firsthand, Tays is driven to pay that forward—helping others navigate their own paths and reach their potential.
That combination of growth and impact is what fuels his passion for talent leadership.
How Recruiting Is Changing
Tays sees the current moment in recruiting as one of rapid transformation—largely driven by the rise of AI and emerging technologies.
In the past year alone, the landscape has shifted significantly. Automation, data-driven tools, and AI-powered solutions are changing how recruiters source, engage, and evaluate talent. Tasks that once required significant manual effort are now being streamlined, allowing teams to operate with greater speed and efficiency.
But for Tays, the shift is not just about technology—it’s about mindset.
The most successful talent leaders are those who embrace change rather than resist it. AI is not something to fear, but something to understand and leverage. It creates opportunities to work smarter, focus on higher-value activities, and ultimately deliver better outcomes.
Still, technology alone is not the answer.
Tays recognizes that while tools can enhance the recruiting process, they cannot replace the human judgment, intuition, and relationship-building that define great talent acquisition.
Tays’ Advice for 2026
Looking ahead, Tays emphasizes the importance of staying adaptable in an ever-changing landscape.
The pace of innovation—especially with AI—will only accelerate. Talent leaders must remain open to new ways of working, continuously exploring how technology can support and enhance their strategies.
At the same time, he stresses the importance of grounding that innovation in strong leadership fundamentals. Tools may change, but the need for clear thinking, strong decision-making, and people-first leadership remains constant.
For Tays, success in 2026 and beyond will come down to balance: embracing innovation while staying rooted in the principles that make recruiting effective.
It’s this blend of adaptability, awareness, and leadership perspective that makes Tays Heyer a compelling voice in the future of talent acquisition—and a well-deserved nominee for the Talent 100 Awards.
