Our Team

Guided by a set of values that prioritize people, Mary Malone McCarthy believes that the work that you do can change people’s lives. As Founder and CEO of M3 Placement and Partnership, a Certified Woman-Owned national executive search, talent acquisition, and strategic HR firm, her vision of excellence begins with a focus on building strong partnerships and a passion for exceptional service.  

As a certified MWBE, Minority/Women-owned Business Enterprise, Mary Malone works nationwide, helping both companies and talent achieve ultimate success. She is a believer in building long-standing relationships and is a true servant leader at heart. Growing up in a family business, Mary Malone lives by a simple philosophy of delivering “a little more, a little better” each and every day. This philosophy has guided her in her commitment to her relationships, her work, and her community. 

Prior to founding M3, Mary Malone spent over 15 years as Senior Vice President at Northland Communications, responsible for the oversight of Public Relations, Marketing and Customer Relations for the firm. 

Mary Malone’s commitment to building healthy and economically viable communities continues to be an important part of her extended mission. She currently serves on the leadership board for the Capital Region Chamber of Commerce Center for Economic Growth (CEG) and Albany CanCode Communities. Mary Malone previously served on several other boards including the Mohawk Valley Health System Foundation, Mohawk Valley Community College, United Way, Stanley Center for the Arts, and Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce. She founded the Women’s Roundtable, which facilitates meaningful conversations for female senior executives and was co-founder of Accent on Excellence which is a program that honored young leaders who excel in their professional work while giving back to their communities. 

Mary Malone has received the Women’s Business Council Young Careerist Award and was honored by the YWCA for the Salute to Outstanding Women. In 2023, she was awarded Women in Business Champion Award by the US Small Business Administration Upstate New York District. In May of 2024, she received the Capital Region Chamber of Commerce’s Women of Excellence, Excellence in Business Award.     

Mary Malone is a graduate of Wells College and has an unwavering commitment to building better organizations and communities. When not at work, Mary Malone enjoys spending time in the Adirondacks with her husband and three grown children. 

Establishing strong relationships and managing growth are central to the role of Jackie Walters, Vice President of Strategy and Operations at M3. With a deep understanding of the complexities involved in delivering an exceptional client experience, Jackie expertly oversees the broader operational aspects of a rapidly growing business.

Throughout her professional career, Jackie has made a significant impact as a highly respected collaborator and community leader. She possesses a deep understanding of the fundamental needs of business owners while adeptly managing multiple roles as a high-level administrator. At M3, she oversees various facets of the business, including long-term planning and initiatives, team leadership, setting company goals and projects, and identifying opportunities for growth. In addition, Jackie is responsible for M3's Women-Owned Business Enterprise certifications, develops and manages proposals for RFPs and leads Supplier Diversity outreach initiatives.

In her previous role as the Executive Director of the Clinton Chamber of Commerce, Jackie played a pivotal role on the Local Planning Committee for two notable initiatives.

Along with a group of community members, she spearheaded and secured the 2018 Kraft Hockeyville title for the Clinton Arena, which allowed the venue to host an exhibition game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Buffalo Sabres, broadcasted by NBC Sports.

In 2022, Jackie was part of an ad-hoc committee that formed a 501(c)(3) - Clinton Kirkland Improvement Corporation (CKIC) that won the $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) from New York State for the Mohawk Valley Region.

Jackie received the Robert J. Uplinger Distinguished Service Award, established in 1993 by the New York State and Bermuda Lions Foundation and presented by the Clinton Lions Club for "Recognition of her positive, energetic, and hands-on leadership as Executive Director of the Clinton Chamber of Commerce since 2015."

Jackie serves as a member of the Clarkson University Alumni Association Leadership Board and the Hamilton College Town Gown Fund Committee. Jackie actively participates in local economic development organizations. Her roles include serving as an Ambassador for CenterState CEO and a member of CKIC.

Jackie is a graduate of Clarkson University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering.  Outside of work, Jackie loves to travel, spend time with family and volunteer with local community organizations.  She lives with her husband in Clinton, NY and has two kids in college. 

Meeting new people every day and hearing their stories is what makes Paige, M3 Placement & Partnership’s Vice President of Talent Servcies, want to get up and come to work in the morning. Paige is extremely curious and loves to learn, which makes her a natural in her role at M3.

Her duties include account management, recruiting, candidate interviews, candidate research and sourcing, relationship building – and asking a lot of questions. She loves nothing more than connecting people with fulfilling careers and discovering more about the people she assists, new industries, and the impact that clients have on their communities through the work they do.

When Paige is not at M3, she can be found spending time with her family. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, the great outdoors, travel, cooking and watching shows on the Bravo network – especially the Real Housewives franchise!

Elisha has over 7 years of experience working in Talent Acquisition, and over 11 years within Sales and Operations. Elisha contributes a wealth of knowledge to the team from her previous role as Talent Acquisition Specialist and prior to that as a Staffing Manager. Elisha has worked in high volume recruiting roles, direct placement searches for mid-level talent, and executive level searches where seeking passive talent is key. Customer service has always been a part of her career and she tries to handle every approach with quality service which is why she was drawn to M3. M3 Placement and Partnership exhibits the same high standards for taking great care of clients and contacts, which is very important to her.

Working in Talent Acquisition and building connections with both candidates and clients is what Elisha loves most about working at M3. Taking the time to get to know what the candidates are looking for in a position and matching them with a company that is the perfect fit for their values and career goals is what is most fulfilling about her role as Vice President of Direct Placement and Executive Search. She loves leading a team and helping others grow their careers.

Outside of work, Elisha enjoys travel and tries to take advantage of what the Upstate NY weather brings while spending time with her husband and two daughters. 

Kristi has 20 years of professional recruiting experience in RPO and internal human resources. After earning a Master of Science in Human Resources Development from the Rochester Institute of Technology, Kristi started recruiting in the non-profit and healthcare industries. These industries are where the majority of her experience has taken place, but she has also recruited in the construction and manufacturing fields. Kristi has expertise in full life cycle recruitment in both high volume and professional recruitment. Onboarding and process improvement are other areas that Kristi has extensive experience in.

She enjoys building relationships with clients, candidates, and team members. High volume recruitment is her specialty, and she enjoys the challenge of this fast-paced work.

Kristi was drawn to M3's mission to impact individuals, organizations, and the community for the better while also ensuring that all are fulfilled and cared for. These values are important to Kristi both personally and professionally and she is grateful to work with a like-minded organization where she can contribute to making a positive difference in the lives of others and the world.

Her approach is to look for the strengths and the positives in every situation and build from there. She believes that everyone is doing the best that they can and she tries to meet everyone where they are at.

Outside of work, Kristi's favorite thing to do is spend time with her daughters and husband. Over the past few years she has become a dance and sports mom, and can often be found watching her daughters in their activities. You can also find her out shopping, one of her other favorite pastimes.

When organizations need to find the right person, or people, for their company, they can count on Carrie. As M3 Placement & Partnership’s Executive Recruiter and Career Specialist, she helps people connect in a way that is rewarding and meaningful. She targets ideal candidates and builds relationships to determine the best fit.

Carrie brings a wealth of experience to M3, having worked in a variety of industries. In addition to recruiting, Carrie has over twenty years’ experience in career coaching, training, facilitation and program development. She loves working with companies and individuals to establish goals, and then facilitate the process from assessing the current to executing the plan. Identifying the purpose of each action and decision is important to Carrie, as she feels this serves as a guidepost to track progress and measure success.

Carrie graduated from the College of New Rochelle with a double major in Business and Psychology, and is a 2001 graduate of Leadership Greater Syracuse. She currently sits on the Hospice Foundation of Central New York Board of Directors as Vice President. Carrie also served on the Executive Committee of the Global Outplacement Alliance.

When she’s not at work, Carrie enjoys running, both for fun and competitively (recently completing a half-marathon and triathlon!). For something more relaxing, she loves the theater and reading. She and her husband enjoy boating, both sailing on the St. Lawrence and power boating on the Gulf and Intracoastal. Originally from Fayetteville, NY, the couple recently relocated to Venice, Florida, where they are having fun exploring the Sun Coast.

With over 11 years of experience in the talent acquisition and recruitment process outsourcing fields, Christine brings a genuine passion for connecting people and organizations in meaningful ways. Her approach is rooted in building authentic relationships with clients and candidates alike, driven by a desire to make a positive and lasting impact.

Christine's true fulfillment comes from facilitating successful matches where both the client and the candidate can thrive together. She takes great pride in guiding candidates through the interview process with a warm and supportive presence, helping them feel at ease as they pursue their dream roles. For clients, Christine's goal is to provide an efficient and effective recruiting process that sets them up for continued success, even after an engagement concludes.

Some of her most fulfilling collaborations have been with purpose-driven nonprofit organizations operating in the healthcare services realm. Attracting and retaining top talent for these purpose-driven companies is a challenge she embraces wholeheartedly, recognizing the invaluable impact of their work.

"M3 gives me the opportunity to build truly meaningful relationships with our clients," Christine shares. "The partnerships I create with their HR teams are so impactful. We come in as a partner, meeting the client where they are, and then guide them through best practices, implementing new processes and procedures to ensure their future success. It's a collaborative journey that I find immensely fulfilling."

In her free time, Christine loves spending quality time with family, going out on the lake for night cruises, reading, gardening, and enjoying the outdoors as much as possible. She also has a self-professed talent for excelling as a sports spectator.

With a desire to uplift lives and leverage her educational background in human resources, Veronica embarked on her recruiting journey with M3 two and a half years ago. Her warm and empathetic nature perfectly complements her role as a Senior Talent Acquisition Associate, where she oversees large-scale recruitment projects.

Veronica's approach is multifaceted – she invests her time not only in increasing applicant flow and placing talented candidates, but also in advising clients on best practices within the talent acquisition space. Her genuine commitment to making a positive impact is evident in the work she has undertaken across various sectors, including healthcare, nonprofit, and professional services.

One of Veronica's most remarkable achievements was tripling a client's applicant flow while providing guidance on how they could optimize their recruitment platforms and streamline their processes. The impact she created within a single department was so impactful that the organization sought her expertise to implement the same successful methods across multiple departments.

"At M3, we understand that recruitment is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor," Veronica shares. "Our personalized touch and ability to mold to each client's unique needs truly set us apart. It's a collaborative partnership built on trust and tailored solutions."

Veronica is actively involved in her community as a front desk volunteer at the local women and children's homeless shelter and a member of the Greenville Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals group. In her free time, she enjoys spending quality time with her pets, learning golf and hiking. She is looking forward to completing her first 5k soon.

Abby joined the recruiting industry because she loves to help others find their dream careers while building more vibrant organizations. She has been in the recruiting field for the past three years and excels in placing a high volume of candidates in essential positions in the healthcare and nonprofit industries.

Abby's expertise shines brightest in the healthcare realm, where she has facilitated the placement of over 700 personnel, including Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), CNA trainees, Certified Home Health Aides (CHHA), CHHA trainees, Housekeepers, and Food Service workers. Her most notable achievement was overseeing the successful staffing of a prominent long-term healthcare facility, a testament to her unwavering commitment to excellence.

At the heart of Abby's success lies her dedication to fostering long-standing, trust-based partnerships with companies. As she states, "We don't take over a company's work, we work with them to create a successful partnership." This collaborative approach has enabled her to consistently deliver outstanding results to both clients and candidates.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Abby is an active volunteer with Cornell Cooperative 4-H, where she channels her energy into supporting the local community. When not immersed in her work or volunteering, she enjoys spending quality time with her family, hiking, camping in state parks, and horseback riding.

With a drive to uplift others, Jennifer found her calling as a Talent Acquisition Associate at M3. Her genuine love for helping people shines through in every aspect of her work, inspired by the impact she makes on both clients and candidates alike.

For clients, Jennifer's expertise lies in her ability to identify top talent, meticulously curating exceptional teams that propel their organizations forward. For candidates, she serves as a trusted guide, helping them navigate their career journeys and secure meaningful employment opportunities that align with their aspirations.

Drawing from over five and a half years of recruiting experience across various fields, including administrative, corporate accounting, and healthcare, Jennifer has honed her skills with a keen eye for talent and a commitment to streamlining processes. In a recent client engagement, she exemplified her capabilities by successfully increasing the number of hires for hard-to-fill positions while optimizing recruitment functions, ensuring efficiency and outstanding results.

"I love working at M3 because of the incredible team of co-workers who inspire me every day," Jennifer shares. "Their talent and dedication push me to continually learn and grow as a professional. What truly sets M3 apart is the impact we make on our clients and our unwavering commitment to consistently meeting their needs. We have had the privilege of fostering amazing partnerships built on trust and collaboration."

In 2023, Jennifer was honored to be included on the Central New York Business Journal’s 40 under Forty list which recognizes both her professional achievements and community involvement. Jennifer is passionate about giving back to her community and serves as the Volunteer Coordinator at Paige's Butterfly Run. Additionally, she volunteers annually with Honor Flight, Feed My Starving Children, and Samaritans Purse. In her free time, she enjoys an active lifestyle through kickboxing, camping, traveling, hiking, boating, and fishing.

With a background in excellent customer service across various industries, Rebecca has seamlessly transitioned into her role as an invaluable member of the M3 recruiting team over the past two years. Her journey began as the executive assistant to the company's founder and CEO, providing her with an inside look at M3's core values and mission. This foundational experience laid the groundwork for Rebecca's current position as a dedicated recruiter on the recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) team.

Since then, Rebecca has embraced every opportunity to apply her warm and personable nature to serving clients across a diverse range of industries, including hospitality, long-term care, renewable energy, and nonprofits. Her passion lies in tackling complex recruitment processes, partnering closely with clients to create lasting solutions that address their most critical hiring needs.

One of Rebecca's most notable achievements was her work with a renewable energy client, where she played an instrumental role in filling over 300 positions through RPO services. This large-scale project not only showcased her ability to deliver outstanding results but also highlighted her commitment to understanding each client's unique requirements.

"The work we do at M3 is truly meaningful because we genuinely care about our clients and candidates," Rebecca shares warmly. "Our personalized approach and dedication to understanding each client's unique needs set us apart. We strive to build lasting partnerships built on trust and collaboration."

Beyond her professional endeavors, Rebecca is invested in her local community, volunteering her time and energy to organizations such as Miller's Mills Ice Harvest & Ice Cream Social and the Ducks Unlimited Banquet. A true lover of the great outdoors, Rebecca finds joy in activities that allow her to connect with nature like riding her motorcycle, practicing archery, or recreational target shooting.

Janna joined M3 Placement & Partnership in November 2023 as an Executive Assistant. In her role, she supports the executive team across various organizational functions, including scheduling, event planning, and maintaining seamless communication throughout the team.

With over 10 years of experience in customer service and financial services, Janna brings a diverse skill set to her position. Her background enables her to handle complex and confidential administrative tasks with precision and professionalism. Janna is dedicated to delivering exceptional service and ensuring smooth operations to foster a productive and successful work environment.

Outside of work, Janna enjoys hiking, boating, and cooking with her husband and two children. On weekends, she can often be found cheering on her children at their sporting events or rooting for her favorite team, the Buffalo Bills.

Lisa is passionate about building real connections with clients, both personally and professionally. She goes above and beyond to provide exceptional service, ensuring everyone she works with feels valued. A true people person, Lisa enjoys making meaningful connections and brings this energy to her role as an Account Executive.  Learning about others comes naturally, and being a helper by nature, she takes great pride in the work she does.

Lisa was inspired by M3’s mission to positively impact individuals, organizations, and the community while creating a culture where everyone feels fulfilled and cared for. She’s proud to be part of a like-minded organization and is passionate about contributing to meaningful change in people’s lives and the world around her.

Outside of work, Lisa enjoys spending time with her family, often at a hockey rink or soccer field cheering on her kids. She’s also a huge Buffalo Bills fan, and loves rooting for them, whether at home with family and friends or in person at the games!

Anne Rush is passionate about providing flexible work solutions by connecting independent talent and companies.

As the Founder and CEO of Elasta Jobs, Anne believes that freelancing will play a key role in the future of work as it offers strong benefits to freelancers and companies alike. At Elasta Jobs, Anne believes in providing simple and direct access between freelancers and companies at a fair price. 

Before launching Elasta Jobs, Anne gained experience in Talent, Operations, and Technology Product Leadership. She started her career in HR, holding a variety of roles including HR Operations, Employee Relations, and Recruiting. Anne worked as a Talent Advisor to Executive teams and eventually led HR teams who supported organizations of 2,000+ employees. After finishing her Masters in Management at Harvard University, Anne moved to the business side of Liberty Mutual where she oversaw several Operations teams. Anne brought her business expertise back to the Talent space in roles responsible for strategic and financial planning as well as global teams responsible for the digital employee experience. The knowledge gained through these roles positioned Anne well to start Elasta Jobs, a business focused on creating mutually beneficial solutions for independent talent and companies.

Anne is also passionate about mental health awareness and de-stigmatization. She is proud to serve on the Board of Advocates for Bay Cove Human Services; a non-profit specialized in helping people with developmental disabilities and mental illness.