Sharon Hulce

When there’s a challenge on the horizon, Sharon Hulce reminds herself: Be the buffalo.

“The buffalo is the only mammal that runs toward an impending storm to get through the storm faster, while all others run away to try and avoid the storm,” she said. “In life and in business, when things get challenging, I tell myself, ‘Be the buffalo.’ The challenges are going to come regardless, but the quicker I take things head-on, the quicker I can get through the storms of life and business.”

Hulce has applied that lesson in her role as president and CEO of Employment Resource Group, Inc., an executive recruiting and search firm. ERG works with clients to place professionals in C-suite-level roles in the construction, manufacturing and service industries.

ERG was founded in 2002 by Hulce and began with her as the sole associate in a one-room office in Appleton. Since then, ERG has grown to 20 full-time associates, a much larger office and a strong book of business, with clients from highly admired companies from across the country.

Hulce believes in giving back to the community that was so welcoming to her when she started the business. To date, ERG has completed more than 90 pro bono searches for area nonprofit organizations, resulting in more than $6 million in donated search fees back to the community.

Hulce has served on over 15 boards, including Fox Valley Technical College, Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce, Fox Cities Performing Arts Center and United Way Fox Cities, and she was recently named co-chair of the capital campaign for Wisconsin Veterans Village in Appleton.

Hulce has been awarded the Walter L. Rugland Community Service Award by the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region and the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce’s Gus A. Zuehlke Distinguished Service Award and Rising Star Award. She was also awarded Person of the Year by the global MRI Network in 2019.

Her recent book, published through Forbes in 2020, titled “A Well-Done Professional Midlife Crisis,” has allowed her to connect with professionals across the country who face hardships in their careers and has opened the door to mentorship and coaching opportunities all over the U.S.

“Being an industry leader starts with people,” Hulce said. “If you take care of those around you, meaning all stakeholders, they will in turn take care of you and the business. I also believe as a community leader we have an obligation to give back to those less fortunate. We conduct all local nonprofit searches pro-bono as our gift to the community.”