Our Team
Your Success Starts with Our Dedicated Recruitment Team.
INNOVA Healthcare Leadership TEAM
At the heart of our commitment to quality healthcare staffing is a dedicated team of professionals who possess a passion for connecting exceptional talent with opportunities that make a meaningful impact. Get to know the faces behind our healthcare recruiting success.
JOEL SLENNING
Founder / CEO
Joel Slenning, the founder and president of Innova People is a seasoned expert in the field of talent acquisition, with a career spanning over two decades dedicated to sourcing top-tier technical and healthcare professionals for a diverse range of companies. His passion lies in revolutionizing the industry through the integration of cutting-edge AI technology and a personalized human touch.
Throughout his career, Joel has been instrumental in assisting numerous venture-backed startups and scale-ups, as well as Fortune 500 companies, in building robust talent acquisition programs. As the founder and president of Innova People, Joel leads teams committed to reshaping the landscape of talent acquisition with the most sophisticated AI-driven tech stack in the industry, complemented by a personalized approach that fosters trust and connection with sought-after talent. Joel enjoys investing in emerging technologies, mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs, and spending quality time with his family.
Frank Myeroff
Partner / COO
Frank Myeroff, Managing Partner and Executive Search Practice Leader of DRI’s Hospital IT team, has built a reputation for understanding and solving client needs in the IT consulting industry for over 25 years.
His vast experience enables him to provide insightful consultation on staffing solutions. As a leading Hospital IT recruiter, Frank Myeroff connects top talent to hospitals and health systems across the country.
Frank has a reputation for outstanding client satisfaction, honest approach, and excellent follow through. He has earned the trust of clients and candidates by solving their needs. Frank is recognized for his ability to attract and deliver superstars in an expedient manner. His hands-on approach and personal attention to each of his clients yields immediate and measurable results.
Frank is PMP certified (Project Management Professional) and a member of PMI (Project Management Institute).
Frank attended Ohio University, is married, and has two children. He enjoys family time, watching his children in their many sporting activities, billiards and is an automobile enthusiast.
Dr. DAVID GORSTEIN
Partner, Population Health Practice Leader
Dr. David Gorstein is Partner and Population Health Practice Leader at DRI.
Dr. Gorstein joins us through the acquisition of his esteemed firm, Health Innovations, by our shared parent company, Starfish Partners. Health Innovations has long been the go-to resource for organizations transitioning from volume and fee-for-service models to value-based care delivery and Population Health focus.
Dr. Gorstein’s impressive academic background includes a BA from Amherst College in 1979 and an MD from NYU in 1983. He completed a surgical internship at Yale in 1984 and a residency in Radiology at Vanderbilt in 1986. Throughout his career, Dr. Gorstein has maintained a passion for the cost-effective delivery of quality healthcare.
A pioneer in Health Informatics and Clinical Innovation, Dr. Gorstein has provided strategic consulting to nationally renowned healthcare organizations, helping them recruit leaders in clinical innovation and transformation. His expertise and visionary approach will be invaluable as we continue to support our clients in navigating the evolving healthcare landscape.
SHAYLA JASTRZEBSKI
Partner, Director of Healthcare Talent Delivery
Shayla Jastrzebski is Partner and Hospital IT Recruiting Manager at DRI.
She focuses on placing Healthcare IT professionals into both contract and FTE positions, primarily Epic positions from Analysts to Management level as well as Data Analytics, Data Scientists and Software Engineers. Shayla Jastrzebski is a valuable Hospital IT Recruiting Manager to hospital and health systems across the United States.
Shayla joined DRI right out of college, however she gained valuable internal recruiting experience through two HR internships during college. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Business with a focus on Human Resources Management from the University of Akron.
Outside of work, Shayla enjoys traveling and skiing. She has a love of animals and has one dog and one cat. She now resides in Colorado with her husband and son.
LAURIE JOHNSON
Senior Talent Delivery Specialist
Laurie has been a recruiter for thirteen years and is well known for building strong and enduring relationships with both clients and candidates. Prior to joining INNOVA People, Laurie spent nine years recruiting Advanced Practice providers and nurse leaders. She currently focuses on IT staffing both within and beyond the healthcare industry. Her introduction to the recruiting world came through a dozen years spent as a vender partner with Global Mobility Solutions offering services to MRI franchises.
Laurie graduated from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California with a double major in psychology and sociology. She is also a Certified Staffing Professional through the American Staffing Association.
She and her husband Bruce live in Laurie’s hometown of Scottsdale, Arizona. They have two grown daughters and four grandchildren. She enjoys traveling, quilting, rooting for Air Force football, and spending time with family and friends.
KRISTIN HOPPER
Senior Healthcare Talent Acquisition Specialist
Kristin Hopper joins the Hospital IT team at Direct Recruiters as an executive recruiter.
Through a relationship-focused approach, Kristin helps connect candidates with opportunities to not only better their careers, but their lives too.
Before joining Direct Recruiters, Kristin spent many years working in the public sector in both HR and Compliance. She has an associate degree in Business Management, Human Resources from Cuyahoga Community College.
When Kristin isn’t busy building relationships with the top companies in the healthcare industry, you can find her spending time with her family. Kristin has been happily married for 14 years and has 2 beautiful children. Together, with their two dogs, they enjoy camping, hiking, and boating.
NATHAN LOVANO
Healthcare Talent Researcher
Nathan Lovano joins the DRI as a researcher for the Hospital IT sector. He works alongside the Executive Search team to source, recruit, & retain high-impact talent for industry leaders in the hospital technology space.
As a researcher, Nathan works hard to help candidates get the role and all its amenities that they deserve.
Before joining Direct Recruiters, Nathan held various roles across multiple industries that have garnered him skills to help with his current role. Nathan spent time as an Automotive technician, home renovator, website designer, and served as a Cryogenics technician for the United States Marine Corps. Currently, Nathan is pursuing a bachelor’s in business.
Outside of his work, Nathan enjoys building models, streaming on Twitch, and spending quality time with his son.
Cameron Maples
Travel Nursing Recruiter
Drew Wyatt
Hospital Leadership & Nursing Management
With over 15 years of experience in the search industry,
Drew Wyatt is recognized as a thought leader and highly
sought-after recruitment partner within hospital
leadership and nursing management. His journey from a
senior executive search consultant to a managing partner
to owning his own recruitment firm has laid a strong
foundation for Drew and his team to engage with clients
and candidates on both a personal and professional level.
Through acquisition, Drew and his team joined and
integrated with Kaye/Bassman International (KBIC) in
November 2022. This move has extended KBIC’s influence
into various leadership verticals and segments of the
healthcare industry specific to hospital leadership and
nursing management.
As a Managing Partner, Drew leads the Hospital
Leadership and Nursing Management Practice.
Throughout his career, Drew has consistently championed
hospital organizations, empowering them to secure toptier
talent. His dedication extends to candidates as well, as
he’s been instrumental in facilitating significant and
strategic career moves within their professional journey.
Drew’s success is built on the foundation of a collaborative
partnership, industry insight, and empathic guidance for
both clients and candidates. He goes beyond recruitment,
acting as a career promoter, ensuring clients and
candidates embark on a meaningful and rewarding paths
together.
Whether you’re a hospital seeking visionary leadership or
a professional aiming for a transformative career move,
Drew and his dedicated team would welcome the
opportunity to partner with you.
Drew Wyatt earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in
Communication Studies with an emphasis in Human
Communication from the University of Northern Colorado.
Hailey Gasser
Hospital Leadership & Nursing Management
Hailey Gasser is a dedicated Project Consultant at Kaye/Bassman International (KBIC),
specializing in Nurse Management. With a profound belief
in the value of follow up and follow through, Hailey brings
a wealth of healthcare experience spanning seven years to
her role. Her journey into healthcare is deeply rooted,
having grown up with her mother working as a NICU
Nurse Practitioner, instilling in her a profound
understanding of the healthcare field.
In May 2022, Hailey and her mother embarked on a tenday
medical mission to Guatemala through Hearts in
Motion, showcasing her unwavering passion for serving
others. Hailey is a compassionate and driven individual
who finds fulfillment in making a positive impact on
people’s lives.
Her academic background includes a bachelor’s degree in
biology, earned from Washington State University.
Throughout her career, Hailey has cultivated a deep
understanding of interdisciplinary teamwork, effective
communication, and exceptional organizational skills.
Beyond her professional life, Hailey enjoys hiking in the
foothills with her two dogs, and spending quality time
with friends and family. Hailey Gasser is a dynamic
professional with a genuine commitment to the
healthcare field and a passion for enriching the lives of
those around her.
Kristi Webster
Travel Nursing Business Development
Kristi Webster is a dedicated Business Development professional at INNOVA, where she excels in building long-term partnerships with healthcare clients. Through clear communication, attention to detail, and genuine relationship-building, she ensures her clients feel supported every step of the way.
With 18 years of experience in Business Development, including the last six in staffing solutions, Kristi brings a strategic and client-focused approach to her work. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University.
Outside of her career, Kristi has a deep passion for coaching cheerleading, a role she has embraced for the past 27 years. She currently coaches her daughters’ All-Star competitive cheer team, combining her love for leadership and teamwork. Happily married to her biggest supporter, Tim, they raise four children together and share their home with their beloved English Bulldog, Dors.
Jenn Stockdale
Sr. Travel Nursing Recruiter
Jenn Stockdale is a dedicated healthcare recruiter at Innova People, passionate about making a meaningful impact in the industry by connecting talented professionals with rewarding career opportunities. With a background in physical therapy and radiation therapy, Jenn brings a deep understanding of the healthcare field to her recruiting approach. Her experience in healthcare recruiting and sales allows her to identify top talent and match them with roles where they can thrive.
Outside of work, Jenn enjoys spending time with family and friends, embracing the outdoors, and, most of all, being a mom to her daughter. Her commitment to both her professional and personal life reflects her drive to create meaningful connections and positive outcomes in everything she does.
INNOVA TECH Leadership TEAM
Unleashing the power of technology requires a team of skilled professionals who understand the intricate dance between talent and innovation. Dive into the profiles of our IT Recruiter Team, the driving force behind our success in building robust tech teams.
JOEL SLENNING
Founder & Managing Partner
Joel Slenning, the founder and president of Innova People is a seasoned expert in the field of talent acquisition, with a career spanning over two decades dedicated to sourcing top-tier technical and healthcare professionals for a diverse range of companies. His passion lies in revolutionizing the industry through the integration of cutting-edge AI technology and a personalized human touch.
Throughout his career, Joel has been instrumental in assisting numerous venture-backed startups and scale-ups, as well as Fortune 500 companies, in building robust talent acquisition programs. As the founder and president of Innova People, Joel leads teams committed to reshaping the landscape of talent acquisition with the most sophisticated AI-driven tech stack in the industry, complemented by a personalized approach that fosters trust and connection with sought-after talent. Joel enjoys investing in emerging technologies, mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs, and spending quality time with his family.
JOE GOMER
Technology Recruiting Manager
Joe Gomer joins the team as a Recruiter and Account Manager within the areas of Information Technology including Healthcare and Hospital IT.
With him, he brings 23 years of industry experience and has won numerous awards and accolades for his recruiting performance. After a successful sales career, Joe has always enjoyed helping and working with people and technology. In his past positions, he has held responsibility for training, motivating, on-boarding, guiding, and transforming new hires into successful recruiters.
Joe Gomer operates under the mission statement: “Present People that Hiring Managers Want to Interview”. His clients depend on him and come back year after year to fill their open roles. In turn, Joe fully commits to filling their open roles. From start to finish, Joe Gomer does the “whole job” and he does it well.
Building strong relationships and a solid network of referrals are at the core of his business development strategy. Joe believes listening carefully to both clients and candidates and asking the right questions is critical. He is a recruiter for the long term and has and will continue to build solid relationships that stand the test of time.
Nick Castillo
Recruiter, Information Technology
Nicolás ‘Nick’ Castillo is a bilingual (English/Spanish) recruiter and researcher with a degree in Social Communication and Journalism from Universidad del Valle. With two years of experience in engineering and IT recruitment, he excels at identifying top talent and matching them with the right opportunities, combining keen analytical skills with a deep understanding of the industry.
Beyond his professional expertise, Nicolás is passionate about storytelling, film, and writing. His creative mindset and sharp communication skills bring a unique perspective to both his work and personal pursuits.
Sheryl Soon
Technology Recruiter
Sheryl Lynn is a dedicated Technical Recruiter at Direct Recruiters, Inc. (DRI), specializing in sourcing and placing top-notch people in I.T. and Engineering roles, With nearly three years of recruiting experience and a background in IT roles, Sheryl brings a unique blend of technical insight and talent acquisition expertise.
Before joining DRI, Sheryl worked extensively in IT roles within the Managed Services Provider (MSP) sector, gaining valuable hands-on experience that enabled her to assess candidates’ technical capabilities and align them with client needs. In the recruiting space, Sheryl excels at sourcing top talent, building relationships, and identifying strategic hiring solutions. She is skilled in conducting interviews, cold calling, and engaging with candidates effectively.
Outside of work, Sheryl enjoys playing billiards, riding motorcycles, especially through mountain roads and twisty routes, and watching movies, bringing a well-rounded and personable approach to both professional and personal connections.
