Where We Started
Founded in 1986 and managed by partners Diane Boly and Pat Welch, Boly:Welch established a reputation for excellence early on with their clients in the downtown Portland area. Pooled resources and strong local connections have grown the agency over the ensuing 25 years to six divisions, 26 employees and a reputation as one of the area’s most respected recruitment and staffing firms. Committed to developing trust and nurturing long-term, cost-effective partnerships, we have worked hard to understand the ambitions, attitudes, and philosophies that define the cultures of our clients. Successes are reflected in the thousands of connections made over the years and reinforce daily the firm belief that FIT MATTERS MOST™. Backed by this local market presence, financial strength, deep business partnerships and tenured managers in each of our divisions, we consistently exceed client expectations.
Relationships have always driven partners Diane and Pat. Whether managing a client consultation or nurturing a candidate through the job search process, people have always mattered most.
Diane Boly
As a University of Oregon Sociology graduate, Boly began her career in the field of social work. The matchmaking started in the early 80’s when she met future partner and Boly:Welch co-founder Pat Welch. Along the way she managed to add four children, seven grandchildren and a house full of four-legged friends to the mix.
Diane is a true believer in the power of networking and that network extends across all segments of her life. From involvement with Chamber Music Northwest and Young Audiences to membership on the Governor-appointed Employer Advisory Council, Boly has always been an active participant in the community. She is a current member of the WPO, the Woman’s President Organization, a national affiliation of women business owners and C-Level corporate executives.
As an avid cyclist, runner and yoga enthusiast, Boly balances trips through the mountains of France or the California Coast with reading, friends and family. She and her husband are proof of the benefits of healthy living and the value of positive connections.
Pat Welch
Pat braved chilly Detroit winters as the oldest of four girls. This self-proclaimed movie-freak then moved east where she pursued her film studies degree at Boston University before making her way to Portland in the late 70’s. Over the past three decades Pat has built a career connecting top talent with the best opportunities in the metro area.
Today, Pat balances a busy schedule as co-founder of Boly:Welch with an active personal life. In addition to working a successful recruiting desk supporting Portland’s legal community, she partners with Diane Boly in the management of their 25 person staff at this multi-division consulting and recruiting firm. Pat’s passions are widespread, from her extended family to her standard poodles, Rudy and Talulah. From skiing to tennis, to weekly poker games, Pat’s enthusiasm is as legendary as her dedication to community service. Still the film buff, she makes the annual pilgrimage to Telluride to pay homage to the silver screen.
Real people solving real problems and making a difference. Still connecting after all these years.
