Shaker x “Don’t Tell Me About Yourself” featuring Stef Nikitas

The best hiring processes don’t just move fast, they move with intention.

In this Shaker x “Don’t Tell Me About Yourself” collaboration, hosts Victoria Gates and Lorna Erickson sit down with Stef Nikitas, Director of Talent Acquisition at Ace Hardware, to explore how high-volume recruiting, AI, and candidate experience are evolving in real time.

In this conversation, Stef shares how Ace Hardware has adapted Paradox AI into its recruitment process, how the team uses “Grace” (Ace’s AI persona) to improve efficiency, and why keeping the candidate at the center remains essential even as technology changes the hiring landscape. She also discusses the guardrails that matter most, including decision-making, data privacy, and the importance of making sure AI supports the process without replacing the human touch.

You’ll hear a real-world perspective on what it takes to balance speed, scale, and brand promise in retail hiring, why candidates are also customers, and how talent leaders can use AI with clear intent instead of adopting it for its own sake. If you care about highvolume recruitment, responsible AI, and building a candidate experience that reflects your brand, this conversation is a must-watch.

Check out our portfolio to see our work with Ace and other clients:
https://shaker.com/portfolio/