About Ezra Penland

Sally has spent over two decades recruiting actuaries. She has developed strong professional relationships and a vast network of clientele. They value her commitment, resourcefulness, her personal attention, and her high level of professional ethics. Sally can be reached at sally@ezrapenland.com or (773)-598-4756.

Kevin has a proven business development, sales and leadership background in finance and technology. He can be reached at kevin@ezrapenland.com or (773) 598-4753.

Lauren has a long history of hiring experience in various industries and has been a recruiter with Ezra Penland since 2014. She is detail-oriented and thoughtful in her work and enjoys forming long-term relationships with her candidates and clients. In this way, she develops an understanding of the motivations and interests of candidates and clients alike and strives to find the best mutual fit for all involved. Reach Lauren at lauren@ezrapenland.com or (773) 598-4717. 

Liz listens to candidates and helps them navigate career goals by making thoughtful and pragmatic connections. She uses her background in human resources, management and customer service to build relationships with both candidates and clients. Liz can be reached at liz@ezrapenland.com or (773) 598-4752.

Bailey has been with Ezra Penland since 2015, where she started as an Actuarial Recruiter. After earning her Master’s degree in Organizational Psychology, her role has expanded to also include training & development and employee engagement.  She enjoys helping people reach their full potential, and is always rooting for the success of her candidates, clients, and colleagues. Reach Bailey at bailey@ezrapenland.com or (773) 598-4747.

Jennifer is a Partner with a focus on Retained Engagements and Executive Searches in the Insurance Industry. Her team creates opportunities for experienced Actuarial and Analytics professionals in C-Suite and Senior-Level roles across Actuarial, Underwriting, Broking & Claims, Product, Marketing, and Finance. Over 18 years of recruiting experience in the Actuarial and Analytics profession with a deep understanding of the industry and its dynamics. She has placed numerous actuarial professionals with top employers in North America and globally and is known for her proactive approach of staying engaged with both clients and candidates, regardless of whether they are actively searching. Jennifer can be reached at jennifer@ezrapenland.com or 773-598-4751

Brea joined Ezra Penland in December 2024. Brea has completed two master's degrees—an MBA and a degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. During this time, she developed a passion for recruitment and talent acquisition. She also has gained valuable experience as an HR Advisor and will be using these skills to support Jennifer Retford. Brea can be reached at Brea@ezrapenland.com or 773-598-4758.

Quentin is an experienced recruiter with a strong background in talent acquisition. He specializes in identifying top talent and matching candidates with organizations that align with their goals. Known for a strategic and people-focused approach, Quentin is dedicated to helping build strong, successful teams. Quentin can be reached at quentin@ezrapenland.com or 773-598-4716

Lauren joined Ezra Penland in May 2025, bringing over a decade of experience in client and public relations. A graduate of Carthage College with a degree in Performing Arts, Lauren has built a career on strong communication, relationship-building, and a commitment to exceptional client service. She will be using these skills to support Sally Ezra and help connect top actuarial talent with leading employers. 

Leia is a dedicated researcher and leader who supports the recruiting team with her thoroughness and excellent attention to detail. She leads the Ezra Penland Data Team, maintains our website and social media position listings, and conducts market research to keep things running smoothly. Leia can be reached at leia@ezrapenland.com. 

Thrishna joined Ezra Penland in May 2025. Prior to joining the firm, she received a Bachelor's Degree from Rutgers University in Cognitive Science/Human Resource Management and was employed as a Healthcare Recruiter. Thrishna brings a personalized and attentive approach to recruitment, making her a great resource for candidates and clients. She can be reached at Thrishna@ezrapenland.com or 732-309-4033.

Diane has extensive experience in office administration and operations. She consistently works to maintain strong support for Ezra Penland’s recruiting team as well as our clients and candidates. You can reach Diane at diane@ezrapenland.com or (773) 598-4750. 

Gigi Castro is a student at Roosevelt University in Chicago studying Data Analytics. She enjoys learning about databases, systems and how data interacts. Gigi is excited to discover the ways she can apply her degree in different industries. In her spare time she enjoys discussing pop culture themes in film and television. 

Justin is a computer science major with a minor in data science who enjoys working with numbers as he considers himself a logical person, preferring logic over sentiment. He believes that in regard to all kinds of data, the more we understand based on knowledge or analytical methods, the more we can take advantage of it. Outside of academics, Justin likes to play pool since he can also apply his mathematical and statistical skills using geometry to estimate the error percentage in each shot! He is also a treasurer of DePauw's Billiard Club and won their most recent tournament!

David Mokaya is a student at the University of Michigan, pursuing a degree in Actuarial Mathematics with a minor in Data Science. He is on track to graduate in May 2027 and is currently preparing for Exam P. Proficient in R, C++, Python, and Java, David enjoys the rigor and analytical depth of the actuarial field. Outside the classroom, he combines his technical skills with some of his personal interests like poker and sports analytics. David has a passion for learning and is excited to gain more experience to positively contribute to the actuarial profession.