Shaker Unfiltered: Ep. 6 – Mark Smith

Redefining Talent: Vision, Resilience, and Patient-Centric Recruitment

What happens when a talent leader stops focusing on acquisition and starts thinking like an architect? In this episode of Shaker Unfiltered, John Graham sits down with Mark Smith, VP of Global Talent Acquisition at Medtronic, live from The Vision Lab.

Mark shares his path into TA, why people remain at the center of great hiring strategy, and how AI and automation can create more space for recruiters to focus on higher-value work. He also reflects on a life-changing accident that reshaped how he leads—with more clarity, humility, and presence. The result is a thoughtful conversation about the future of hiring, the power of listening, and what it takes to build talent strategies that are both human and high impact.