Our founders aren’t just industry veterans—they’re a strategic force. With decades of combined experience spanning high-growth recruiting empires and disruptive startup leadership, they’ve engineered Catalyst specifically to dismantle the barriers holding recruiters back.
From the Corporate Side: A former executive who scaled a Top 50 staffing firm, battling inefficiencies that stifle recruiter potential - who then started his own independent firm.
From the Startup Side: A serial entrepreneur who’s built and exited multiple tech ventures, running large scale branding and digital marketing shops.
At Catalyst Recruiting, we don’t just support independent recruiters—we champion a movement. For too long, talented professionals have been shackled by corporate structures, forced to split hard-earned fees and conform to someone else’s brand. We’re rewriting that story.
Our mission is rooted in a simple but radical idea: recruiters deserve to own their success completely—their clients, their brand, and their future.Founded by industry veterans who’ve battled the limitations of traditional firms firsthand, Catalyst was built to dismantle barriers. We provide the infrastructure, technology, and strategic freedom recruiters need to thrive independently—without sacrificing the leverage of a larger network. This isn’t just about going solo; it’s about elevating the entire profession.
Every recruiter who joins Catalyst becomes part of a legacy: one where autonomy and ambition aren’t at odds, but fuel each other.
The backbone of your independent future
Our combined expertise lets us provide every service independent recruiters require at the highest level.
Partner
Zack Cress is a driven entrepreneurial recruiter and founder of WH Talent Solutions, where he brings a fresh, independent approach to executive recruiting for architecture and engineering firms. With a sharp focus on niche talent acquisition, Zack built his firm from the ground up to prioritize deep industry relationships, personalized service, and strategic matches that drive long-term success for both clients and candidates. Unlike large corporate agencies, WH Talent Solutions thrives on agility and high-touch collaboration—ensuring that every placement reflects a true cultural and technical fit.
Before launching his own venture, Zack spent 14+ years at a big agency recruiter in leadership roles, including Director of Sales Operations and Director of Market Operations, where he mastered the art of scaling recruiting teams and optimizing talent strategies. This corporate experience now fuels his entrepreneurial edge, allowing him to blend big-firm expertise with the flexibility of an independent recruiter. Zack’s mission is clear: to disrupt traditional staffing models by putting people over process, helping A/E firms secure top-tier talent efficiently—without the red tape. When he’s not advising clients or closing placements, he’s championing the future of relationship-driven recruiting in a competitive market.
Partner
Kenny Kline is a serial entrepreneur and digital growth expert with a proven track record of building, scaling, and exiting high-value content brands. As Co-Founder and President of BarBend, he led the fitness media platform to a successful acquisition by Pillar4 Media after seven years of rapid growth, cementing its place as a leader in the strength sports niche. Kenny’s strategic vision extends across industries—from founding JAKK Media (an SEO-driven content empire acquired by Pillar4 and Centerfield) to serving as President of Fitness and Central Testing Operations at Pillar4, where he optimized performance marketing and scalable monetization. His ability to identify untapped opportunities and transform them into thriving businesses is matched only by his mastery of digital marketing, SEO, and audience monetization.A Columbia MBA and former McKinsey strategist, Kenny combines analytical rigor with creative execution. His early ventures, like Med Preps LLC, laid the groundwork for a career defined by disruptive content models and data-driven scaling. Whether leading acquisitions, pioneering affiliate strategies, or advising startups, Kenny thrives at the intersection of media, technology, and consumer behavior. Beyond boardrooms, he’s an advocate for founder education—sharing hard-won insights on building (and profitably exiting) digital brands.
