Leading Talent & L&D at Taboola with Brett Underhill
What does it take to lead both Talent Acquisition and Learning & Development in a high-growth tech company? Brett Underhill is doing it in real time at Taboola.
From her early career in MBA recruiting at the Federal Reserve and American Express to shaping employer brand at LinkedIn, Brett brings a rare dual perspective on how hiring and internal growth intersect. Now at Taboola, she’s building an L&D function from the ground up while continuing to lead global talent acquisition.
Building Dual Impact: Hiring and Growing Talent
In this episode of The Intelligence Amplifiers Podcast, Brett shares how she balances the demands of attracting top talent while building a robust learning ecosystem that enables them to thrive.
She reveals how her L&D team launched four core programs in its first year—including leadership development and onboarding—and how they used lightweight, scalable approaches to meet the needs of a global, distributed workforce.
Prioritizing Women’s Leadership and Inclusive Growth
One of Brett’s top priorities is advancing women in leadership. She shares how Taboola is actively supporting the development of women leaders through mentorship, peer learning, and visibility programs—creating a culture where talent at all levels can grow.
Blending High-Tech and High-Touch Learning
Brett and Marko discuss the tension between AI-driven tools and the human side of learning. While Taboola is exploring text-based microlearning and automation, Brett emphasizes that personalization and connection remain central to successful learning design.
Using Data to Show L&D’s Business Impact
How do you prove the value of learning programs? Brett shares how she uses data—alongside powerful employee stories—to make a compelling case for L&D’s impact on engagement, retention, and performance.
Advice for L&D Leaders Building from Zero
If you’re building a learning function from the ground up—or juggling multiple people-focused roles—Brett’s story offers a blueprint for creating high-impact programs without burning out.
🎧 Listen now to hear how Brett is scaling learning at Taboola and redefining what it means to lead both Talent and L&D.
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