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Wunderkinds2016
Upon graduation from college, three friends with a shared passion for music banded together to form a business with one objective: to use online data to identify future music icons. Founded in 2015 by Keshav Garg, CEO (center); Connor Lawrence, CCO (left); and Matthew Pavia, CTO (right), proprietary-data platform indify uses listener data, social metrics, and online trends —with a collection of extensive data points from SoundCloud, YouTube, and Twitter—to rank and analyze up-and-coming artists. After winning a $10,000 grant from Colgate University last spring via a Shark Tank-like mock competition featuring a group of panelists, including Jessica Alba and MC Hammer, the three 22-year-olds, all Scarsdale High School grads, have developed a fully functional data platform that ranks more than 100,000 emerging artists based upon their chances of future success. The fledgling service has drawn the interest of more than 150 industry contacts, from major record labels and streaming services to media agencies. “By taking into account key modern metrics, indify has the potential to turn any DIY artist into a superstar, and the platform has the unique ability to connect artists with the opportunity to be heard by the masses,” says Lawrence. —MI
Tracy Engel, 29 Assistant Director, Human Resources, NewYork-Presbyterian/Hudson Valley Hospital
Even though Tracy Engel just wrapped up her first year at NewYork-Presbyterian/ Hudson Valley Hospital, she’s already gone way above and beyond simply screening ré- sumés. She’s played an instrumental role in mod- ernizing the hospital’s HR operations, including its payroll systems, communication plans, and new-hire orientation programs. But talent acqui- sition is the real bread and butter of Engel’s job. “It’s a really important function for any organiza- tion to make sure the new talent are high-quality, driven individuals who will enhance our func- tions,” says Engel. She’s learned that the key to identifying good talent means interviewing for behavioral fit. It’s essential to look at the full pack- age (acquired skills, background, personality, etc.) instead of just individual segments of their résu- mé, she says. Engel also consults management on how to continually foster talent and keep employ- ees engaged in the hospital’s mission to serve the community. “Those working in HR know we are sometimes the guidance counselors to our staff,” says Engel. “Especially to those working in an en- try-level role.” —TK •
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