Working with PEs, VCs, CEOs, and CFOs on building and scaling teams 🎯

Hire. Build. Scale. Soar. 

Christian | Wife | Mother | Ibanker Alum | Start-Up Alum | Connecter of People

With a background in investment banking, executive search, and as an operational leader at a successful Chicago start-up, I've always been drawn to one thing, people. People matter and the right people can make all the difference. Now, as a trusted partner in search, I work with scaling organizations to make critical hires. The candidates I work with are experienced leaders, team players, and builders. Finding the right match allows companies and individuals to grow faster together than they could apart. 

I've placed 500+ candidates from Senior to C-suite. 
I've worked with 100+ companies on securing top talent from a start-ups 4th hire to fortune 100.
We generally fill roles within 60 days (from kick-off to start date).

Are you part of the lattice?

I’ve never disliked Zoom meetings more than I did last week.

My eyes were red and puffy from crying, but it’s Zoom, so they couldn’t tell.
Our sweet dog’s breathing was labored in the background, but it’s Zoom, so they couldn’t tell.
I showed up anyway. I did my job. Because I needed to keep a piece of my life moving when so much felt stalled, and they couldn’t tell.

That’s the strange thing about work these days. We can be present and quietly breaking at the same time. Grief and exhaustion stay muted while the meeting moves on.

On Thursday, we said goodbye to a dog who loved us unconditionally from the moment she met us nearly 11 years ago. The joy, the jumps, the kisses, they were worth the goodbye. And while we miss her so much more than words, we feel immense gratitude for having loved her, and being so deeply loved by her.

We never really know what someone is carrying into a conversation, especially on Zoom. Lead with patience. Assume good intent. And give grace. 

Be kind out there everyone, and if you are a pet owner, share an extra treat with yours today.

Loving you forever and always, Piper 🤍

Kelly Hansen

Executive Search | Working Parent | Faith & Work

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With nearly 5,000 new followers since January 2025, it's probably time for a quick reintroduction!

Investment Banking --> Executive Search --> Start-up Exec --> The Lattice Group 

I care deeply about my family, faith, and helping companies find the right finance talent quickly and thoughtfully so teams get stronger, not just bigger.

I write about faith&work, recruiting, private equity, and the realities of being a working parent. I don’t post many pictures, but here’s one for the new year.

At The Lattice Group , we focus on Finance, Accounting, and M&A hires for private equity and venture firms and their portfolio companies across the country.

I end most posts, with "Are you part of the lattice?" because whether we realize it or not, we're all connected and none of us build anything meaningful alone 💗

I can’t believe I actually have to say this:

🚫 Do not backchannel at a candidate’s current employer without permission 🚫

A friend asked me last week if this is a standard recruitment practice. It’s not. And it shouldn’t be.

Yes, your hire is critical, but so is basic professionalism. Here is the best approach IMO to get the information you want without jeopardizing someone’s current employment:

ASK. A simple, “Hey, I know your [CEO], would you be comfortable if I reached out to them?” goes a long way.

Whew, now that we’ve covered that, let’s get back to scrolling for tips to make $100M investing in medical real estate 🙃

Want a cleaner experience? Are you part of the lattice?

Hire. Build. Scale. Soar. 

Christian | Wife | Mother | Ibanker Alum | Start-Up Alum | Connecter of People

With a background in investment banking, executive search, and as an operational leader at a successful Chicago start-up, I've always been drawn to one thing, people. People matter and the right people can make all the difference. Now, as a trusted partner in search, I work with scaling organizations to make critical hires. The candidates I work with are experienced leaders, team players, and builders. Finding the right match allows companies and individuals to grow faster together than they could apart. Are you part of the lattice?

Earlier this week, I shared the news of our dog’s passing and the difficulty of grieving in a virtual world. And today I want to celebrate the other side, the beauty of human connection. 

In the wake of our loss, neighbors, friends from our kids’ school, friends from church, and friends I’ve known for 20+ years showed up. With flowers and food. With books, messages, artwork, and gentle check-ins. Our family felt seen. And we felt deeply loved.

In a world that often feels fast, and transactional, I was reminded that one of the most human things we can do is to acknowledge circumstances and offer comfort. I also reminded me that villages are built slowly through years of showing up for one another. And we have a might village here in Chicago (and on LinkedIn!) and for that, I am grateful 💗   

And they are all part of the lattice. Are you?

When Isaiah Bailey hit the final note in Music of the Night as the orchestra flexed their bows, the entire room felt it. A moment that transcended what seemed natural. 

That’s what theater/art does to people. If you let it, it will remind you that beauty isn’t just seen, it’s felt. Our divine gifts, are meant to captivate. 

And at the curtain call as the room erupted, he did something interesting. He pointed up with both his index fingers. I imagine in gratitude, for his voice, for his success, and for what his song awakens in those who hear it.

And while my gifts aren’t quite as far reaching as a packed theater, I hope I can bring passion to the companies and processes I run. That it might look and feel a bit different. 

Hiring? Are you part of the lattice?

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