Rita Steel is President of the Central and Western United States operations for the professional staffing divisions of Robert Half, the world’s first and largest specialized staffing service with more than 330 offices worldwide.  In this role, she is responsible for the operations of four specialized staffing divisions including Accountemps, OfficeTeam, Robert Half Finance & Accounting and Robert Half Management Resources encompassing more than 110 locations and close to 2,000 employees.

Steel graduated from Rutgers University in New Jersey with a degree in Economics and Accounting. She spent several years working as an accountant for The Gap Stores and in public accounting.  Steel joined Robert Half in 1987 as a staffing manager in the San Francisco office, assisting Bay Area businesses with their quest to hire the most talented accounting and finance professionals.  Building a remarkable track record with Robert Half over the last 28 years, Steel is a key member of the company’s executive leadership team.

She is committed to the development of a strong workforce, an objective she pursues through a variety of initiatives.  For example, Steel played an integral role in the development and successful execution of Robert Half’s recently redesigned mentor program which truly underscores the importance the company places on developing its staff. Supported by Steel’s advocacy, the program provides an invaluable opportunity for both mentors and mentees helping to ensure that the company’s mentoring culture is fully optimized. 

In addition to a board role with an organization that helped disadvantaged women launch entrepreneurial businesses in their local communities, Steel has also served on the Advisory Board of Dress for Success San Francisco and pioneered Robert Half’s annual suit drive benefiting Dress for Success and similar non-profits. This program helps low-income women re-enter the workforce by providing suitable clothing and accessories as well as career resources.  Since 2002, the Robert Half suit drive has grown from a local effort under Steel’s guidance to a North American initiative for the company that has seen the company collect and donate close to 280,000 articles of professional clothing.  As a result of her groundbreaking work partnering with Dress for Success, Steel has been honored by the organization in both NYC and San Francisco.  She is also active with the Boys and Girls Club of America and sits on the advisory board of City Ballet of San Diego.

Steel appeared on the San Francisco Business Times' list of the Top 100 Most Influential Women in Business in the Bay Area from 2005 through 2013 and was permanently named to their inaugural list of Forever Influential Women in 2014.  

Who’s Worldwide Association of Notable Alumni Member Rita Steel can be found on the Who’s Who Directory where she is looking forward to networking with you.