Ellen Gowdy

About Ellen Gowdy

Technology recruiter with nearly two decades of experience helping early-stage software companies build impactful teams — both in-house and as the owner of a recruiting agency. Most of my work has focused on companies in the 25–100 employee stage, where each hire can meaningfully shape the trajectory of the business and culture.I tend to think of hiring managers as my clients, and much of my work has centered on building recruiting processes that make their lives easier while maintaining a high bar for talent. Experienced with executive and principal-level recruiting, and with designing practical TA systems that help startups move from scrappy, founder-led hiring to a more structured and scalable approach.Known by clients and candidates for being honest, thoughtful, and delivering results without wasting time. Passionate about scientific research, technology, and macroeconomics. Currently taking a break from paid work to raise my young kids and explore new ideas. Open to roles working with kind, curious people who care about building meaningful things in the world Based in Raleigh, NC.

Experience

1. Founder

   Curious

   Sep 2017 — Present · Raleigh-Durham, NC, US

   I founded Curious to partner with high-growth, mission-driven startups seeking a smarter, more human approach to hiring. I work primarily with early-stage to Series C software and biotech companies across the U.S, often as an embedded recruiting partner, helping build teams from the ground up.Much of my work has been with companies in the 25–100 employee stage — where each hire meaningfully shapes the trajectory of the company. In those environments, recruiting isn’t just about filling roles; it’s about helping founders and hiring managers make thoughtful decisions that will define the culture, capabilities, and long-term success of the organization.My philosophy is simple: prioritize quality over volume, treat people with dignity, and create lasting matches that allow both candidates and companies to thrive.Highlights- Built and executed full-cycle recruiting strategies for dozens of VC-backed companies, many of which went on to raise additional rounds or achieve successful acquisitions- Served as a trusted advisor to founders, VPs, and hiring managers — crafting thoughtful hiring plans, advising on org design, and translating ambiguous needs into focused, high-quality searches. I pride myself on truly understanding the business and technology so that I don’t waste hiring managers’ time- Placed engineers, scientists, product leaders, and executives by focusing on culture contribution, ability to excel in the role, and long-term alignment- Negotiated hundreds of offers, balancing founder constraints, candidate expectations, and market realities with transparency and care- Skeptical of buzzwords, author of many professional love letters, and crafter of REAL job descriptions that humans might actually want to read.

Education

• Curtin University

  Study Abroad

  2007 — 2007

• Elon University

  Bachelor of Science

  2005 — 2009

Skills

• Technical Recruiting
• Organizational Culture
• Strategic Planning
• Corporate Communications
• Public Speaking
• Blogging
• Full-Life Cycle Recruiting
• Onboarding
• Social Media Marketing
• Public Relations
• Content Strategy
• Fundraising
• Marketing Communications
• Recruiting
• Google Analytics
• Change Management
• International Recruitment
• Digital Marketing
• Start-Ups
• Leadership
• Event Planning