This feature is in our weekly Monday Morning Report newsletter, which showcases our highest-level members. Leaders You Should Know highlights community leaders who are making a notable impact in the Nashville region.
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Meet Christina Schmitt, Tennessee Market Leader | Workforce & Talent Strategy Partner at AppleOne & ActOne Entertainment Staffing
Tell us about yourself?
I’m a Tennessee Market Leader and strategic workforce partner who is passionate about helping businesses grow through people. My career has centered around connecting organizations with the right talent, building strong teams, and creating long-term partnerships that drive both business success and community impact.
Beyond staffing and workforce strategy, I’m deeply involved in the local business community and believe economic growth happens when companies, leaders, and organizations collaborate intentionally. I currently serve on the Board of Directors for Monroe Harding and chair the Development Committee, where I help support initiatives that create opportunities and long-term stability for youth transitioning out of foster care. Giving back and building meaningful community connections is a core part of who I am professionally and personally.
Outside of work, I’m a creative at heart with a background in media and content production, and I love blending business, community, and lifestyle experiences. Nashville has become home, and I’m passionate about helping both businesses and people thrive here.
Tell us about your business/industry?
We partner with companies to solve workforce challenges by providing flexible talent solutions including direct hire, temporary staffing, and temp-to-hire placements. Our goal is to help businesses build strong teams while reducing hiring risk and improving long-term retention.
One of the things that truly sets us apart is our 5-year guarantee on direct-hire placements, which reflects the confidence we have in our process and our commitment to long-term success for both clients and candidates.
Beyond traditional staffing, we help organizations implement and manage paid internship programs, handling the heavy lifting from sourcing and screening to onboarding and ongoing support. This allows companies to build strong future talent pipelines while staying focused on their core operations.
In addition to talent partnerships, we also support businesses with process automation and workforce optimization solutions. We see ourselves as more than a workforce provider. We serve as an organizational partner, helping companies improve efficiency, scale strategically, and align their people, processes, and technology for long-term growth.
At the core of our industry is partnership. By combining talent strategy with operational support, we help businesses grow stronger while contributing to the overall economic health of our community.
What should we know about you?
I’m a relationship-driven leader who believes business is built on trust, connection, and showing up consistently for people. Whether working with clients, candidates, or community partners, my focus is creating meaningful, long-term impact. I serve on the Board of Directors for Monroe Harding and chair the Development Committee, supporting initiatives that create opportunity and stability for others. Outside of work, I’m a creative at heart who enjoys bringing people together through networking, events, and shared experiences.
How did you get to your current position?
I was referred by an internal employee for a leadership opportunity and ultimately joined the organization as an Account Executive. Early on, I focused on building relationships and earning trust while helping the team align around a shared vision for growth. As we strengthened partnerships and expanded our impact in the community, I naturally stepped into a leadership role. My ability to gain buy-in, drive collaboration, and focus on long-term strategy helped position me for my current role.
What value do you see in Chamber involvement?
Chamber involvement creates a powerful environment where leaders come together to build relationships, share ideas, and move our business community forward. The greatest value, in my experience, comes from the connections that turn into collaboration, partnerships, and real impact. It allows us to learn from one another, support local growth, and align business success with community progress. Being involved in the Chamber means being part of something bigger than your own organization and helping shape the future of our region together.
How is your company recruiting and retaining talent?
We support clients beyond recruiting by providing resources that strengthen team building and improve retention. Through employee temperature checks, engagement surveys, and workforce insights, we help companies understand team sentiment and address challenges early. Combined with strategic recruiting and talent pipeline development, our approach helps clients build stronger teams and retain top talent.
What local non-profit has a mission that resonates with you?
Monroe Harding is the local nonprofit that resonates most deeply with me because of its commitment to supporting children, youth, and young adults involved in the foster care system. While many people recognize the organization for helping young adults transition out of foster care, its impact goes far beyond that. Monroe Harding also provides foster care services that create safe, stable homes and strong support systems for children and families throughout their journey.
My connection to the organization comes from a belief that strong communities are built when we invest in people, especially those navigating significant life challenges. Through my involvement, I’ve seen how critical it is to provide support at every stage, from foster care placement to preparing young adults for independence. Monroe Harding takes a holistic approach by focusing on stability, relationships, life skills, and long-term success rather than short-term solutions.
I currently serve on the Board of Directors and chair the Development Committee, which allows me to contribute both strategically and hands-on. In this role, I help lead fundraising initiatives, build partnerships within the business community, and support efforts that ensure the organization has the resources needed to expand its programs. It has been inspiring to work alongside leaders who are deeply committed to creating lasting impact for children and young adults across Middle Tennessee.
What stands out most to me is Monroe Harding’s commitment to individualized care. Whether supporting foster families, helping children find safe and nurturing environments, or guiding young adults as they transition into independence, the organization meets people where they are and walks alongside them with consistency and compassion. Their programs focus not only on immediate needs but also on building confidence, resilience, and long-term stability.
Professionally, my work centers around people, opportunity, and growth, so supporting Monroe Harding feels like a natural extension of my values. I believe businesses and community organizations share a responsibility to create pathways for success, and Monroe Harding demonstrates what that looks like in action. By supporting foster care services and transition programs, they are helping build stronger futures for individuals while strengthening the entire community.
Being involved with Monroe Harding has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my professional and personal life. It reminds me that leadership is about more than business outcomes. It is about using your skills, network, and resources to help others thrive. I’m proud to support an organization that provides hope, stability, and opportunity to so many and continues to make a lasting difference in our community every day.
What is the future of AI and new digital technologies in your industry?
The future of AI and new digital technologies in our industry is centered on creating smarter, more strategic workforce solutions while keeping people at the center of the process. AI is not replacing human connection in recruiting and workforce strategy. Instead, it enhances our ability to make better decisions, move faster, and deliver stronger outcomes for both clients and candidates.
In staffing and talent solutions, AI is already improving sourcing, screening, and matching by analyzing skills, experience, and market data more efficiently. This allows our teams to spend less time on manual tasks and more time building relationships, understanding company culture, and helping clients navigate complex workforce challenges. Technology enables us to identify trends, anticipate hiring needs, and build proactive talent pipelines rather than simply reacting to open roles.
Beyond recruiting, digital tools are transforming how organizations manage and retain talent. Workforce analytics, engagement surveys, and employee temperature checks provide real-time insight into team sentiment and culture, helping companies make data-informed decisions that strengthen retention and performance.
The goal is not simply automation for the sake of technology. It is about helping companies operate more strategically and profitably by aligning people, processes, and technology. When businesses can eliminate inefficiencies and make smarter use of their resources, they are better positioned to scale, innovate, and support their teams.
Looking ahead, I believe the organizations that will thrive are those that view AI as a tool for augmentation rather than replacement. The human element of leadership, culture, and decision-making will always matter. Technology gives us better data and faster processes, but success still depends on strong partnerships and thoughtful strategy.
Ultimately, AI and digital innovation are helping our industry evolve from transactional recruiting to true organizational partnership. By combining technology with human expertise, we can help companies not only find the right talent but also build more efficient, resilient, and profitable businesses for the future.
What is your favorite local restaurant?
My favorite restaurant in Nashville is Sushi | Bar because it’s truly an experience, not just a dinner. From the moment you walk into the intimate, speakeasy-style space, you feel like you’re part of something special. Sitting at the chef’s counter and watching each course prepared in front of you makes the meal feel personal, creative, and intentional.
I love that it slows you down and turns dining into an experience you share rather than just a quick night out. Every course feels like a surprise, and the attention to detail, presentation, and flavor is incredible. It’s one of those places that feels elevated but still welcoming, and it’s my go-to when I want a memorable Nashville experience.