Founder/Consultant Alex Bowden started her career as professional dancer after graduating with her Bachelor's from The Ohio State University. After some time, she required a career change and found herself struggling to identify what to do as a profession. Upon getting into HR she realized that she had found a new passion- working with people and businesses, helping them grow, and providing constant support of them achieving their personal and professional goals.
Alex had an extensive history of hiring/managing personnel and employee development through her work with various non profit organizations in Baltimore, MD and NYC. Upon working for a prominent marketing operations firm in Cincinnati, she quickly grew their internal talent team, optimized their processes for reduced costs and increased efficiencies, and developed their Diversity and Inclusion programs-including building from the ground up 2 Employee Resource Groups. Alex worked with leaders and hiring managers at all levels to be more strategic in their hiring decisions and be trained on such things as unconscious bias in the hiring process. Alex developed a strategic employer branding campaign and elite candidate experience that continues on today. She left pep after almost 5 years to start her own business, allowing her more time with her young son and focusing on the elements of Talent she's most passionate about.

PEOPLEfirst is Alex's passion for helping others, come to life. Both hiring and job searching can feel overwhelming. PEOPLEfirst works with businesses and professionals to identify the root causes of hiring and retention issues, and to develop and implement strategic plans to drive success. We do so by understanding each and every individual we work with: their history, goals, challenges, desires, strengths, etc. We adapt our approach to the person or organization because we see every case as unique. PEOPLEfirst provides hands-on coaching and development, as well as HR support around hiring, onboarding, engagement, and retention. We help our clients gain the power to achieve results, and we do it all with a smile.
Why?Because we LOVE what we do.