Gem Spotlight - Sharon Hoffman

Sharon is an accomplished Recruitment Leader with more than 18 years’ experience across Australia and Europe. She brings a strong track record in revenue growth, enterprise account management, executive search and team leadership, with a particular focus on recruiting senior talent across technology, digital and commercial functions.

With the growing focus on AI, innovation, digital transformation and technology across the for-purpose sector, Sharon adds valuable capability to the Gembridge team. She will focus on executive and corporate services appointments, particularly C-suite, technology, digital, innovation and commercial leadership roles, helping clients access exceptional talent that can drive growth, transformation and impact. Her combination of commercial acumen, executive search expertise and genuine commitment to purpose makes her a valuable addition to Gembridge and the organisations we support.

Sharon was drawn to Gembridge because of its shared commitment to people, purpose, integrity and positive impact. At this stage of her career, the opportunity to bring her recruitment expertise into the for-purpose sector feels like a natural fit. She is particularly motivated by the opportunity to work with organisations where leadership has the potential to create meaningful change, not only within the organisation, but across the communities and people they serve.

Tell us about yourself.

I was born in New Zealand and grew up in a very cultural environment. My mum is Japanese, and I was fortunate to grow up surrounded by such cultural diversity, particularly our indigenous culture, with lots of land, space and a strong connection to nature.

I left New Zealand to travel overseas, driven by a desire to expand myself, experience different cultures and take myself on an adventure. My first corporate role was Talent Acquisition Specialist with Cisco Systems, an American technology company with its European headquarters in Amsterdam. This was really my first taste of recruitment and gave me the opportunity to understand the world of technology, innovation and the people behind it.

I eventually arrived in Melbourne in 2021 and worked across a few recruitment agencies before to London, where I returned to Talent Acquisition roles. It was also during my time in London that I trained to become a Yoga and Meditation Teacher.

I eventually returned to Melbourne, which has very much become home, and found a way to bring my new skills and passion for mindfulness into the workplace. I love that I can now bring together the two worlds that have shaped me — recruitment and people, alongside wellbeing, mindfulness and personal growth.

What is your proudest accomplishment or career highlight?

One of my career highlights was being given the Government portfolio to manage when I was an Account Manager. I had never worked in the government space before and suddenly had some very large federal agencies to look after. Services Australia was one of those accounts, and within my first year of managing the portfolio, I was able to double the revenue for the business. That was a really proud moment and a great reminder of what can happen when you build strong relationships, understand your clients and genuinely immerse yourself in their world.

But perhaps my proudest accomplishment was stepping away from the corporate world for a year to teach yoga and become a Love & Relationship Coach. It was an incredible experience and one I’m very grateful I had the courage to pursue.

Interestingly, it also taught me that I really missed recruitment! Rather than choosing between the two worlds, I realised I could integrate them — and that’s exactly what I’ve done ever since.

How do you unwind or recharge after a long day?

Yoga, without a doubt. It’s my reset button.

Whether it’s getting onto my mat, taking some time to meditate or simply slowing everything down, yoga helps me reconnect with myself and get out of my head. It’s something I genuinely can’t imagine not having in my life.

If you could invite any three guests, living or from history, to dinner, who would they be, and what would you serve?

Michael Jackson, Kevin Hart and Taika Waititi. What a dinner party that would be!

I’d serve up a huge smorgasbord of delicious food and plenty of wine. I’d probably spend most of the night fascinated by the conversations and wondering how on earth I ended up at that table!

What motivated you to move into or start in the “for purpose” sector?

It feels like a really natural fit for me, particularly at this stage of my life and career.

The values behind the for-purpose sector — being of service, making a difference and genuinely showing up for people — really resonate with me. I see my role as being a facilitator: listening, connecting people and helping organisations find the right leaders to take their purpose forward.

It feels like an opportunity to bring together my professional experience with the values and way of being that are important to me personally.

What is something you can talk about for hours?

Anything and everything to do with biohacking, health, wellbeing and longevity!

I’m endlessly curious about how we can optimise our health, energy and wellbeing and feel our best as we move through life. I’m always researching, learning, experimenting and discovering something new.

If I wasn’t in recruitment, I honestly think I would be an alternative medicine doctor. I find the connection between the mind, body and overall wellbeing fascinating.

If your friends described you in three words, what would they say?

Loyal, hardworking and calm.

Although I’m sure they could probably come up with a few more if you gave them enough time!

If you weren’t working in the world of recruitment, what career would you do?

I always wanted to be a midwife.

There’s something incredibly special about being present for such an important and transformational moment in someone’s life. I think it probably connects back to my natural desire to support people through significant transitions and be there when it really matters.

Are you spontaneous or a planner?

Definitely spontaneous — although there are some things I absolutely need to plan!

I love the freedom of being able to make a last-minute decision, change plans and see where the day takes me. But when it comes to the important things, I’m definitely capable of being organised and making sure the details are taken care of.

I think I’m somewhere between spontaneous and selectively organised!

What has kept you in recruitment and what drives you?

At the heart of it, it’s my love of people. I genuinely enjoy getting to know people, understanding what motivates them and helping them navigate their career aspirations and next steps. There’s something incredibly rewarding about being part of someone’s career journey and seeing them step into an opportunity where they can really thrive.

I also love the diversity of recruitment. No two days, clients or people are ever the same, and there is always something new to learn, solve or navigate. It keeps the work challenging, interesting and rewarding.

After 18 years, I still get a real buzz from connecting the right people with the right opportunities and knowing that a great appointment can make a meaningful difference — for the individual, the organisation and the people they serve.