Who We Are

With The Choice Inc. Since 2023

Path that brought me to the choice:
Originally from Brazil, I moved to the DC area in 2019 through a cultural exchange program. I have always been interested in working in the business industry, however, I was still determining exactly what path to pursue when I started working as a technical copywriter, crafting resumes and cover letters for a career consulting company. When I saw on LinkedIn that The Choice had an HR position open, I thought that was the perfect opportunity to expand my horizons and delve deeper into the Human Resources field.

What I enjoy about working at The Choice and what makes us different:
I really enjoy working with a team that genuinely cares and supports one another. This is something rare to find nowadays, and it is exactly what makes us different.

What is your favorite part of work and why?
My favorite part of my work is interacting with people from different backgrounds and assisting them at every step of their onboarding process. It is nice seeing the excitement of our candidates when they get placed in positions where we know they will thrive!

What advice do you have for job seekers?
Don’t be too hard on yourself and be patient! Searching for a job can sometimes feel like a roller coaster, but you will get there! Just stay persistent and consistent in your efforts, keep refining your skills, and remain open to feedback.

With The Choice Inc. Since 2007

Path that brought me to the choice:
I applied to an ad on Craigslist for a Recruiter. I had been working in Boston in development for Simmons College in a department that had a lot of openings. I handled all of the administrative tasks for the recruitment team, and it prompted me to explore recruiting jobs.

What I enjoy about working at The Choice and what makes us different:
The team. I am an athlete and a middle child. I grew up a competitor, but always was surrounded by support on the field and at home! The Choice Team works collaboratively on everything. It’s nice to support other members of the team in their careers but also feel supported day in and day out. Also, I get to bring my dog, Louie to work with me!

What advice do you have for job seekers?
To be as flexible as you can and to keep an open mind! Sometimes getting the job that you really want requires you to start in a position that isn’t your dream job, but will help you build your skill set and gain experience and exposure.

What appeals to you about working with a women-led organization?
I am proud to be a working mom and have been fortunate to receive so much support from The Choice to help me navigate working and motherhood. I have a daughter and a son, and I want to show both of them that women can be leaders and do anything they want to do!

With The Choice Inc. Since 2014

Path that brought me to the choice:
I was working in the hotel industry after finishing my degree in Hospitality Management and had been considering an industry change to Human Resources. The Choice offered me a great opportunity to jump into HR and recruiting. I have found my hospitality training to be transferable to recruiting as well as employee and client relations.

What I enjoy about working at The Choice and what makes us different:
There are so many great opportunities in Washington, DC, and I love helping candidates navigate the market and assist in getting their foot in the door. Our approach to recruiting is very genuine and thoughtful- I love match-making! We have an incredible work culture internally. We all truly support each other as a team.

What advice do you have for job seekers?
Don’t give up, and keep an open mind! We have seen many people get great full-time jobs from a temporary position. There are so many open doors in DC. Partnering with an agency can be a great help!

If you weren’t working in staffing at The Choice – what would your dream job look like?
A cooking show judge. And for a more practical dream- I would like to eventually teach resume writing.

With The Choice Inc. Since 2019

Path that brought me to the choice:
I applied to general opportunities with The Choice after graduating from college. The summer before my senior year, I interned in DC and fell in love with the city! I connected to The Choice during my job search. I was particularly interested in working with non-profit organizations in a job where I could interact with people all day long. I found just that!

What I enjoy about working at The Choice and what makes us different:
The team here is unique, and everyone is supportive. My favorite part about my job is meeting with motivated candidates and finding them positions with mission-driven organizations. What makes us different is everyone in our office gets to know each of the candidates individually, we get to know you and you get to know us.

Why staffing – what attracted you to this industry?
Finding a new job that you are excited about can be one of the best feelings. I love that I can be a stepping stone in connecting an individual to their dream job!

If you weren’t working in staffing at The Choice – what would your dream job look like?
Outside of The Choice, I teach yoga. I would love to lead a yoga retreat somewhere I’ve never been!

With The Choice Inc. Since 2024

Path that brought me to the choice:
I started out as a recruiter working on government contracts, which really helped me build a strong understanding of hiring needs and compliance. But deep down, I’ve always been drawn to nonprofits and organizations that create real change in communities. When I found The Choice, a woman-owned staffing agency that’s all about making an impact, I felt like I’d found the perfect match. The work they do lines up with my personal values, and I love that I get to help others find meaningful work while supporting causes I care about.

What I enjoy about working at The Choice and what makes us different:
What I love most about working at The Choice is the sense of purpose. We’re not just filling jobs—we’re helping people find careers they’re passionate about, and we’re working with organizations that are making a difference. What sets us apart is our personal approach. We really take the time to understand the unique needs of both our clients and our candidates, which helps us create lasting, meaningful matches.

What is your favorite part of your work and why?
I love connecting talented people with opportunities that really fit them. There’s something so rewarding about watching someone thrive in a role that not only plays to their strengths but also makes a positive difference. Knowing I’ve helped someone reach their career goals or contributed to an organization that’s making a difference is what keeps me going every day.

What advice do you have for job seekers?
My biggest piece of advice is to stay true to yourself. Focus on finding roles that not only fit your skills but also align with your values and what really motivates you. Networking is key, too—building connections can lead to opportunities you might not expect. And lastly, be patient and adaptable. The job search can be tough, but with the right mindset, you’ll find something that’s worth it.

With The Choice Inc. Since 2004

Path that brought me to the choice:
After spending 12 years working in management for 2 large staffing firms in DC, I was searching for a different, less corporate experience. I was introduced to Drew Hudson who was described as someone who thinks “outside of the box” and was looking to expand his family-owned boutique staffing firm. That was 2004.

What I enjoy about working at The Choice and what makes us different:
The Choice has provided me with an excellent standard of living, enabling me to travel the world, my favorite thing to do other than spending time with my family and friends.

More importantly, because of the exciting and worthwhile organizations that we staff, we have the opportunity, daily, to impact the lives of our candidates. But, what I enjoy most is mentoring our internal team of Choice employees, helping to develop their skills and strengths to enable them to either advance within our firm and thrive or to move on to another exciting career. A former Choice operations assistant who we hired right out of college is now Senior Manager of Events for a data media firm in DC. One former recruiter has gone on to become a Specialist in Marketing and Communications at a major conservation non-profit and another has a successful fundraising and development career.

If you weren’t working in staffing at The Choice – what would your dream job look like?
I would love to be a food critic! Maybe I can take over for Tom Sietsema at the Washington Post when he retires?

With The Choice Inc. Since 1996

Path that brought me to the choice:
The Choice’s past Chairwoman, Tracy Rogers Paquin. Tracy helped me land my first job out of college and also became my sister-in-law. My career led me to government contracting at NASA, and Tracy wanted to grow the government sector of our business when she became President of The Choice in the mid-90s. We forged an incredible partnership for us, our families, our corporate team and all the associates and clients to whom we owe our success.

What I enjoy about working at The Choice and what makes us different:
I was very impressed with The Choice’s mission statement of “valuing people and profits”. I liked the idea of working with a company that truly valued people and didn’t apologize for valuing profit. When Cheryl Marquis came to The Choice, her vision was exactly that. She taught the same vision to Kate Lyons, our CEO, who learned the lesson well and is very talented at driving The Choice in a wise manner that keeps us on the forefront of our service offerings while valuing our relationships. I enjoy watching our team advocate for highly skilled citizen leaders as they launch careers in work cultures with purposeful missions. To this day, Cheryl and Kate emphasize valuing people and doing the right thing for our clients—and the profit will come. We don’t have business development people. Instead, we invest in great recruiters and give them the tools they need to quickly identify, thoroughly vet and deeply engage in associates for the good of our clients. I have enjoyed watching Allison take the recruiting process to another level, while keeping engagement a priority. The Choice is about people and purpose. How could I not love being a part of that?

You have worked at The Choice for a long time – what has motivated you to stay all of these years?
Quite simply the future. I am elated to be a part of a succession plan that rewards the tenure and talent of our team. Kate and Cheryl, together, have been with The Choice for decades. They have driven our success and it is one of the most gratifying parts of my career to watch them take The Choice to the next level. Allison is a thought leader and the three of them together are destined for great things. I am humbled to be part of it in the CFO role, which allows them to focus on service and success.

With The Choice Inc. Since 1995

Path that brought me to the choice:
A friend of mine had interviewed with The Choice’s Chairwoman, Tracy Rogers Paquin. I gave her my resume to share with Tracy. Tracy was interested in speaking with me and the rest has been history. I knew I enjoyed people and conversation.

What I enjoy about working at The Choice and what makes us different:
It is an understatement to simply say “The Choice has facilitated my professional growth”. The Choice is like no other culture I have seen. As Chairwoman, Tracy understood the demands of balancing career and motherhood. The Choice not only facilitated my professional development, it afforded me a career path which allowed me to truly balance life and work. As I grew, and The Choice grew, the leadership team did a great job combining the two sets of goals to ensure mutual success. I watched Cheryl come in and apply methodologies learned from global leaders in the staffing industry while embracing The Choice’s mission to provide optimal customer service to everyone with whom we interact. Cheryl’s leadership, engagement in details and eagerness to serve as a client and associate advocate serve as an example for the entire organization as we approach our day-to-day work.

What is your favorite part of work and why?
I have enjoyed watching The Choice evolve. When I started, we used fax machines and typewriters. I am always challenging myself to learn new skills, new software, new approaches to providing our services in a quality and efficient manner. The Choice is always eager to invest further in tools that position the team for success—I enjoy helping the team implement these new processes to provide great service to our associates and clients.

With The Choice Inc. Since 2014

Path that brought me to the choice:
My owner, Kate Lyons brought me into the office as a young puppy, just 12 weeks old. I was planning on only coming during the puppy phase, but then everyone liked me so much and I liked the job, they decided to keep me. I guess you could say I was a temp to hire!

What I enjoy about working at The Choice and what makes us different:
Being around people that love me every day. And the belly rubs are great too.