Lisa Benson Named President and CEO of Mary Kraft Staffing

HUNT VALLEY, Md.—Mary Kraft Staffing and HR Solutions promoted Lisa Benson to president and CEO. Benson succeeds Linda Balestrini, who retired at the end of 2015. Balestrini founded the company in 1989 with Mary Kraft and served as president after Kraft’s death in 2012.

Mary Kraft Staffing partners with health care, financial, commercial and service industry clients to increase productivity and drive cost savings through staffing and outsourced human resource services. The company is certified in Maryland as a Minority Business Enterprise and Women’s Business Enterprise and in Baltimore as a Women’s Business Enterprise.

“I’m thrilled to be stepping up at such an exciting time in the industry and in the growth and development of our firm,” Benson said. “I’m leading a dream team of bright, energetic HR professionals who are engaged in helping our clients win, develop top talent and grow their businesses.”

Prior to becoming president, Benson was staffing director and contract administrator for Mary Kraft Staffing, where she applied her new business development, staffing and contract skills to the medical and commercial teams, government contracting and other divisions.

“Our clients and prospects embrace us as a partner who can consistently help them analyze and top-grade their operations and better manage employment challenges with regard to recruiting, benefits, risk management and onboarding, among other things,” Benson said.

Benson joined Mary Kraft Staffing in 2001 as a staffing coordinator on the commercial team, coming from a position as acquisition editor in scholarly publishing at Brookes Publishing. Prior to that, she was project manager at Mosby Publishing.

Benson serves on the board of the Caroline Center and on the Distinguished Women event committee for the Girl Scouts of Central Maryland. She also volunteers with the Church of the Nativity in Lutherville-Timonium. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mass communication from Towson University and lives in Hunt Valley.

Mary Kraft Staffing and HR Solutions partners with health care, financial, commercial and service industry organizations to increase productivity and reduce costs through staffing services and outsourced human resources. Headquartered in Hunt Valley, Maryland, Mary Kraft Staffing is certified in Maryland as a Minority Business Enterprise and Women’s Business Enterprise and in Baltimore as a Women’s Business Enterprise. (www.marykraft.com)