ABOUT
UpTalent Consulting & Search
Founded in 2022, UpTalent Consulting & Search specializes in executive search, strategic talent acquisition, and fractional HR solutions.
Meet the Leadership Team
Louise Bijesse
Founder | CEO
Louise Bijesse is the founder and CEO of UpTalent Consulting & Search, a talent acquisition and HR consultancy firm serving a national market and based in the greater Asheville area of North Carolina. Founded in 2022, UpTalent specializes in executive and leadership search, strategic talent acquisition, and fractional HR solutions. With deep roots in hospitality, healthcare, and corporate HR, Louise combines strategic insight with a people-first approach to help companies build and develop high-impact teams that drive success.
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Before launching UpTalent in 2022, she led talent acquisition at BrightSpring Health Services and PharMerica and spent over a decade in leadership roles with Compass Group North America. Earlier in her career, she founded Brighten Staffing, a successful culinary and hospitality staffing agency in New York City.
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Louise holds a master’s degree from UNC Greensboro in Information Technology Management, a bachelor’s in business from Empire State University, and a culinary arts degree from NYIT. She’s an active member of the Asheville Rotary Club, where she co-chairs the DEI Committee, and serves on the board of the Asheville Brewer’s Alliance. Louise also brings her passion for conservation to life by contributing to initiatives that protect and care for sea turtles.
With decades of leadership and executive search experience, I’ve seen the industry evolve dramatically. Staying ahead means embracing today’s best practices while sharing hard-earned wisdom with the next generation. Coaching recruiting teams—both within UpTalent and for our clients—is one of the most rewarding parts of my work. Helping businesses build stronger, future-ready teams is what drives me every day.
Carolyn Ellison
Managing Partner | Search Consultant
Carolyn Ellison has a multifaceted background in writing, communications, sales, event production, and talent acquisition. Originally from the Virgin Islands and raised in Western North Carolina, Carolyn’s career has been grounded in a deep love for connecting with people, cultivating relationships, and creating meaningful experiences across industries.
With a foundation in professional writing and a passion for human connection, Carolyn brings a thoughtful and strategic lens to her work in recruiting and HR. She is especially drawn to the principles of Nonviolent Communication (NVC), fascinated by their potential as powerful tools for transforming how we relate to one another in the workplace and beyond.
Carolyn is also a certified health coach with a passion for holistic wellness, emergency first aid, the integrity of our food systems, and sharing the joy of home cooking as a vital life skill.
