Joan Graci: President, APA Solutions and CAREERsavers

Joan Graci is a name not soon forgotten by both job seekers and employers alike who have crossed her path in surfing through today’s volatile job market.  Owner and President of APA Solutions, a direct hire permanent placement firm located in Williamsville, NY, Joan’s overriding mission is to bridge the widening gap between today’s candidates and employers.  This is the primary reason she decided to start CAREERsavers in 2005.  “We spent so much time counseling candidates on how to talk to employers and manage their background, we needed to offer an extended resource”.  

Joan started her career in the buying industry until she was recruited to work as an Executive Recruiter at APA over 22 years ago.  Shortly thereafter, she was made a partner and was instrumental in the expansion of APA Solutions.  Joan obtained sole ownership of APA Solutions nine years ago and is a major contender in the staffing industry with offices throughout Western New York.  Joan takes a different perspective on recruiting from the majority of her competitors, which involves gaining an in-depth understanding of both the candidate’s and employer’s needs.  This comprehensive approach has earned APA a 98% retention rate for candidates placed.  “It’s a vastly different employment landscape from our parents’ and grandparents’ generations…people need to change their perspectives and take ownership of their career to be successful”.  It is with this mindset that CAREERsavers was created and Joan has helped countless job seekers find positions that make them happy.

Besides managing two thriving companies, Joan is an active speaker in the Buffalo business and academic community.  Not to mention hosting “Buffalo Works” radio show on KB1520am radio every Sunday from 9:00am to 10:00am.  Her affiliations include: 2002 graduate from University of Buffalo’s Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership Program (CEL) as well as 2005 CEL President and mentor in the Canisius College Business Woman’s Center.  A Buffalo native, Joan is a dedicated wife and mother of two children.

Speaking Engagements:
On-site Employer Seminars
CAREERsaver Work Shops
Villa Maria College, Buffalo NY
Williamsville High School, Williamsville, NY
Amherst, NY Chamber of Commerce
Cheektowaga, NY Chamber of Commerce
Buffalo News’ Career-Fest Spring and Fall
Buffalo and Niagara Sales & Marketing Executives
Western New York Association of College Career Counselors
Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, UB School of Management

Jean Szulc-Filipiak: Managing Partner

Jean is an alumnus of Mercyhurst College where she obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree with a focus in Business and Fashion Merchandising. Seeking to utilize her education, Jean began a successful career in the retail management sector with high end women's retail organizations. After ten years and progressive upward movement in the retail sector, Jean moved back to her hometown of Buffalo, New York and reinvented herself. In the summer of 2000, Jean joined APA Solutions as a Human Resource Assistant, a move that allowed her to utilize her management and recruitment skills. Within three months, Jean was promoted to Executive Recruiter of a specialty division. She was again promoted in 2002 to a Regional Management role of a specialty division covering Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse. Jean is currently a key member of the APA management staff and is involved several organizations including the Amherst Chamber of Commerce and the Buffalo Niagara Sales and Marketing Organization. She is the chair of the DMSA program for the BNSME and graduated from Canisius' Women's Leadership program in 2005. Most recently, Jean has embarked on a new venture with members of the APA team to launch CAREERsavers. Her passion for people and their success continue to be a driving force in Jean's career.