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In this episode of Behind the Screens, I speak with Kym Kurey, Chief Revenue Officer at True Corpus and a powerful voice in the fight against human trafficking. Kim brings a compelling blend of industry expertise, advocacy, and creativity to the conversation—from her leadership in background screening to founding A New Life International, a nonprofit supporting trafficking survivors.

We explore how Kim’s professional journey intersected with her passion for justice, including her work on task forces, efforts to help survivors expunge criminal records, and why human trafficking awareness remains central to her mission. Beyond her advocacy, Kim opens up about her creative side—from performing in musicals to writing children’s books and directing plays—showing that leadership takes many forms.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How background screening professionals can play a role in combating human trafficking
• The origin story and mission behind A New Life International
• What it’s like to uncover a major fraud case and what it taught Kim about diligence
• How creativity and compassion fuel her leadership in and beyond the industry
• The value of mentorship, community, and staying rooted in purpose
  
  

This episode is for you if:

• You’re in background screening and want to connect your work to a greater mission
• You’re curious about how industry leaders contribute to anti-trafficking advocacy
• You value stories that blend business insight with personal passion
• You’re new to the industry and looking for inspiration on how to make a meaningful impact

Connect with US:

• Les Rosen- https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesterrosen/
• Subscribe to our podcast- https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2400707.rss
• Subscribe to our YouTube Channel- https://www.youtube.com/@BehindtheSCreens200

This podcast is sponsored by:
The Preemploymentdirectory, publisher of the Background Buzz! https://preemploymentdirectory.com/

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In this episode of Behind the Screens, I sit down with Mike Coffey, founder of Imperative, host of the Good Morning HR podcast, and a familiar force in the background screening world. If you think you know Mike—think again. From his early days managing chinchillas and tearing up carpet with P90X, to founding one of the industry’s most meticulous and high-touch screening firms, Mike’s story is as entertaining as it is inspiring.

We cover his HR roots, the philosophy behind his screening approach, and why investing in relationships—whether with clients, employees, or regulators—has always been at the core of his business. Mike also opens up about his yoga journey, family, and the story behind Concerned CRAs—a movement that challenged the industry to raise its standards.

Whether you’re new to background screening or a seasoned professional, Mike’s mix of humor, honesty, and hard-earned insight makes this one of our most engaging conversations yet.

🔹 Key Takeaways:

1. Do It the Hard Way—Because It’s Worth It: Mike shares why being thorough, detailed, and client-first isn’t the easy path—but it’s the right one.
2. From HR to Screening Pioneer: His deep HR roots shaped how he built Imperative—and why he still thinks like a practitioner first.
3. Podcasting with Purpose: Good Morning HR became a post-COVID passion project that’s now helped over 275,000 listeners—and counting.
4. Values Drive Everything: From quoting Seneca to prioritizing “earned appreciation,” Mike shows how values shape decisions at every level.
5. Invest in Your Industry: Whether it’s PBSA, Concerned CRAs, or mentoring the next generation, Mike shows that advocacy, standards, and service matter.
   
   

🎧 Episode 55 is now streaming. If you enjoyed this conversation, share it with a colleague, leave a review, and subscribe for more stories from behind the scenes of background screening.

Connect with US:

• Les Rosen- https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesterrosen/
• Subscribe to our podcast- https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2400707.rss
• Subscribe to our YouTube Channel- https://www.youtube.com/@BehindtheSCreens200

This podcast is sponsored by:
The Preemploymentdirectory, publisher of the Background Buzz! https://preemploymentdirectory.com/

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"If you're going to call yourself an expert, make sure you are one."

In this episode of Behind the Screens, I sit down with Mary Poquette, a pioneer in the background screening industry, co-chair of PBSA in its earliest years, and recipient of the Mike Sankey Lifetime Achievement Award. What follows is a rich, funny, and deeply insightful conversation that traces Mary’s journey from a high school teacher and word processor trainer to one of the most respected compliance leaders in screening.

We talk about her early days with Verifications Inc., building a team from 10 to over 300 employees, and how she turned compliance into her calling. Mary opens up about the lessons that shaped her—from shredders and streakers to strategy and mentorship—and shares the powerful, practical advice she gives to newcomers today.

From her volunteer work post-retirement to her memories of South Africa and Minnesota winters, this episode captures what it truly means to lead with integrity, humility, and humor.

Key Takeaways:

1. Start Small, Think Big: Mary joined a screening firm as its 10th employee and helped scale it to 300—proving the power of good people, strong systems, and a little bit of risk.
2. Don’t Pretend to Know—Learn It: A misstep with the FCRA taught Mary a lifelong lesson about preparation and owning your expertise.
3. Leadership Means Letting Go: As the company grew, Mary handed off departments but held onto compliance—her passion and strength.
4. PBSA Built Her Up—and She Gave Back: From helping craft the first accreditation standards to mentoring future leaders, Mary’s PBSA journey is a model of service and growth.
5. Listen, Prepare, and Keep Your Promises: These three principles guided her through every challenge and remain her lasting advice for industry newcomers.
   
   

🎧 Episode 54 is live now. If Mary’s story inspired you, please share it with a colleague or friend in the industry—and don’t forget to subscribe, review, and repost to keep these conversations going.

Connect with US:

• Les Rosen- https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesterrosen/
• Subscribe to our podcast- https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2400707.rss
• Subscribe to our YouTube Channel- https://www.youtube.com/@BehindtheSCreens200

This podcast is sponsored by:
The Preemploymentdirectory, publisher of the Background Buzz! https://preemploymentdirectory.com/