Tanya Giscombe

Director, Talent Strategy - Executive Search

Tanya Giscombe serves as the Director of Talent Acquisition for the Executive Search team at VCU Human Resources, where she leads strategic efforts to identify, attract, and retain top executive and senior-level leadership. With more than 20 years of progressive human resources experience, Tanya brings deep expertise in talent acquisition, talent management, recruitment strategy, and organizational leadership.

Her career spans national and global corporate manufacturing firms as well as public sector organizations, where she has consistently delivered impactful talent solutions that align with long-term business goals. Known for her ability to build strong partnerships and deliver results in complex, high-stakes environments, Tanya plays a critical role in shaping the leadership pipeline at VCU.

Tanya holds a Master’s in Public Administration with a concentration in Human Resources Management from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Virginia State University. She is SHRM-CP certified and an active member of both the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR).

Rachel Turner

Talent Strategy Consultant - Executive Search

Rachel Turner serves as the Talent Strategy Consultant for the Executive Search Team within VCU Human Resources, where she is committed to identifying and supporting exceptional leadership talent. Prior to joining VCU, Rachel was a Recruiting Associate with the University of Virginia’s Executive Search Group, where she played a key role in senior leadership recruitment in collaboration with the Office of the President. During her time at UVA, she developed strong expertise in sourcing, project management, and candidate engagement, with a consistent focus on building meaningful relationships and enhancing the overall hiring experience.

Rachel brings a multifaceted professional background, including experience in nonprofit educational recruitment, global project management in the field of intellectual property, and the training of teams on internal systems and processes. She holds a Bachelor of Applied Studies in Paralegal Studies (magna cum laude) and a Master of Human Resource Management (summa cum laude), both from the University of Richmond.