by Elisabeth Coon, Student Public Relations Writer
As Peak Retirement Planning continues its rapid expansion, the Columbus-based firm is aiming to hire 20+ full-time team members in the coming year. Helping lead that effort is Haley Mast, a recent Cedarville University graduate who plays a key role in the company’s recruiting process.
Peak Retirement Planning has earned recognition as the fastest-growing private company in Columbus on the Inc. 5000 list and as the No. 1 most-applied-to employer at Cedarville University. As the firm grows, Mast’s work in talent acquisition has become an important part of building the team behind that momentum.
Leading Hiring and Growth
As part of Peak’s hiring team, Mast helps lead several parts of the hiring process, including conducting interviews, managing candidates and supporting recruiting strategy. She also helps oversee a large internship program, giving her a direct role in how the company continues to grow.
“I’ve learned how important it is to bring on the right people,” Mast said. “Every person we hire shapes our team and ultimately the experience our clients receive. That responsibility is something I take seriously every day.”
A defining aspect of Mast’s work is guiding candidates through Peak Retirement Planning’s six-step hiring process, which looks beyond résumés to evaluate character, values and long-term fit. In a season of rapid growth, that process has become central to how the company maintains its standards while expanding its team.
The Education That Shaped Her Path
Mast, a communication alumna, stepped into her role at Peak Retirement Planning only months after graduating from Cedarville. Her path there was not always clear.
She initially came to Cedarville interested in engineering because of her strengths in math and science. But after beginning classes and taking Communication Theory with Dr. Chuck Elliott, she found herself drawn to work centered on people, relationships and communication.
“That really made me think,” Mast said. “I realized I didn’t want to pursue something just because I was capable of it — I wanted to do something I genuinely loved. And for me, that was working with people.”
With several college credits already completed, Mast chose an accelerated path through college, finishing her degree in two years while balancing heavy course loads, summer classes and involvement in student organizations.
Now, the skills she developed through Cedarville’s communication program — including public speaking, professional development and relationship-building — are part of her daily work at Peak Retirement Planning. The university’s emphasis on excellence and purpose also helped shape how she views her work.
Continued Growth and Impact
As Peak Retirement Planning continues to add employees, Mast’s role remains closely tied to the company’s future growth. Her work helps shape not only who joins the organization but also how the company builds its culture during a period of major expansion.
For Mast, the job is about more than filling positions. It is about helping build a team that can sustain the company’s growth with purpose.
About Cedarville University
Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences and professional fields. With 7,265 students, it is among Ohio's largest private universities and is ranked among the nation’s top five evangelical universities in the Wall Street Journal’s 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.
