Spotlight on Kelly Meeks: Recruiting the next wave of talented Spotters

Senior Technical Recruiter Kelly Meeks has a knack for hiring top-tier new talent across Spotnana’s departments. Even more important, Kelly has helped Spotnana create a positive and engaging interview experience that gives candidates a comprehensive understanding of our mission, values, and culture— ensuring they are ready to thrive in one of our many teams and make Spotnana the best stop of their careers.

Senior Technical Recruiter Kelly Meeks

We spoke with Kelly about her personal experience as a Spotter, and her approach to recruiting candidates who embody our values and contribute to our long-term success.

Can you share your career journey before joining Spotnana?

“My childhood dream was to be a commercial pilot, so I started my career in the private jet industry, working in sales, operations, scheduling—you name it. Essentially, I did everything except fly the planes. Though I did earn my private pilot’s license!

“After several years in that world, I felt a strong pull to try something new. Growing up in Silicon Valley fueled my desire to explore tech. I was grateful for the opportunity to pivot to recruiting, because so many of the skills I developed in the travel industry translated well. The need for a strong attention to detail, a solid work ethic, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment have all served me well in recruiting.

“Before joining Spotnana, I built my recruiting experience at large and mid-sized companies. At Yahoo, I gained firsthand experience with executive hiring in a large, complex organization. I also spent over six years at Pure Storage, helping to scale engineering teams through hands-on recruiting and sourcing. These experiences helped me develop a strong foundation in talent strategy and operations.”

Why did you choose to come work at Spotnana?

“I came to Spotnana because my role here blends my background in travel, my love for tech, and my passion for recruiting. Spotnana’s unique approach to travel and technology really stood out to me. Plus, I was excited to join a team full of people I respect and admire—some of whom I’d worked with before. I’m grateful to be here, working alongside such talented colleagues and contributing to something great.”

What was your interview experience like at Spotnana?

“No matter how amazing the experience is, I think interviewing is always a bit stressful. That said, my interview process at Spotnana was great. I met with members of the People Team as well as the Engineering team, which gave me a clear sense of team dynamics and who I’d be closely collaborating with.

“The interview itself was the perfect length, everything was scheduled quickly, and feedback was provided quickly. Expectations were managed well throughout the process, which made it extremely smooth. For candidates, I believe the interview process is a reflection of how the company functions, giving you a glimpse into what to expect. My experience with Spotnana was positive, and this gave me a lot of confidence in my decision to join.”

How do we shape our candidate experiences?

Senior Technical Recruiter Kelly Meeks (right) with members of our People team.

“Shaping a great candidate experience that reflects our values is a priority for us. We take time to communicate clearly, manage expectations, and provide timely feedback. We also ensure that every candidate feels respected and heard.

“At Spotnana, we start by aligning internally to ensure that the job description, interview process, and interviewers are all on the same page before we begin the search. We know that candidates can tell when a process is well-organized, so we always aim to put our best foot forward. From there, our goal is to create a seamless interview experience—whether virtual or in-person. We strive to ensure candidates know what to expect, from preparation to when they’ll hear back from us. 

“If things don’t work out, we communicate that quickly and thoughtfully. We also keep in touch with candidates. Just because a role may not be the right fit at the moment, it doesn’t mean that another opportunity won’t arise in the near future.”

What is our hiring philosophy at Spotnana?

“A portion of our interview training document speaks to the core of our hiring philosophy at Spotnana, and it deeply resonates with me: ‘We’re not just focused on hiring the best talent—we’re also committed to creating a process rooted in honesty, integrity, and respect.’

“I love that we’re dedicated to providing an exceptional experience for every candidate and assessing them fairly and consistently. This approach is not only aligned with my values but also makes me proud to be part of a company that truly cares about the people we bring in and the impact they have on our culture and growth.”

What is it like to work on the People Team?

“For me, it’s about the people you spend your time with and the people you choose to share the journey of life with, both personally and professionally. Our team has worked together since each of us started. We’ve created a close-knit group that you can trust completely, always count on, and seek support from. Our goal is to succeed and win as a team, and we’re all committed to making that happen. I wouldn’t want to be on this journey with anyone else.”

How has Spotnana supported your professional development?

“Hiring for a startup definitely requires a specific set of recruiting muscles, and I’m grateful that Spotnana has given me the chance to develop them. I’ve had the opportunity to be hands-on when it comes to building the foundation of our recruiting processes, from shaping the interview structure to selecting the tools we use. You’re not just following an existing process—you’re actively creating it, which is incredibly rewarding.”

What is your favorite thing about working at Spotnana?

“One of my favorite things about working at Spotnana is being part of a company that’s truly at the forefront of modernizing such a huge industry. Being part of a team that’s actively redefining the way the travel industry works is exciting.

“There’s a real sense of innovation here, and everything we do is focused on improving the experience for our customers, partners, and employees. It’s energizing to work on something that has such a big impact, and knowing that we’re shaping the future of corporate travel keeps me motivated every day.”

Reflecting on your Spotnana experience, what are you most proud of?

“I’m most proud of being part of people’s career journeys. It’s a privilege to help people make choices about where they want to work. I’m proud of every person I’ve hired here and enjoy watching them grow, succeed, and make an impact. It’s a constant reminder that I’m in the right profession. Knowing I’ve helped build a strong team at Spotnana is quite fulfilling.”

Fun Facts!

• What’s the best trip you ever took and why? It’s hard to pick just one, but the best trip I ever took was to Switzerland! It was not only the most beautiful country I’ve ever visited, but I also had an incredible experience hang gliding there. Combining adventure with a vacation is something I absolutely love and it’s a trip I’ll never forget!
• What’s your favorite thing to do at the airport? Play Candy Crush to pass the time.
• What’s your favorite airplane snack? Red Vines.
• Aisle, middle, or window seat? Window.
• What’s your go-to movie or show to watch on a trip? Reruns of The Morning Show or Top Gun (1 or 2).
• What’s the top destination on your bucket list? It will never happen (unless Richard Branson wants to invite me) but Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands or the Amanzoe Resort in Greece.