Fresh out of college, Lisa took a role at J.P. Morgan on Wall Street. During her tenure, the company merged with Chase, and she had opportunities in New York, London, and Los Angeles, where she worked for the Private Bank in investment management. 

As time went on, she wanted to find a more meaningful avenue for connection with the community. Her mentor suggested she activate her passions by working with the Grammy Foundation. Lisa became a founding member of a music mentoring program through Fox Music and Hamilton High School. Her experiences there convinced her it was time to pivot towards a career that would allow her to connect with others on a deeper level.

“It really inspired me to go to grad school, pursue my passions, and make a career shift,” Lisa Linehan said. 

She decided to pursue her Master of Social Welfare degree at UCLA, with a focus on Organizations, Communities & Policy. While she was in school, Lisa also focused on songwriting. She wrote and recorded an album called Attachment Theory. Her resulting qualifications, combining business with a focus on how a person thrives in an organization, stood out — she was contacted regarding a position as an executive recruitment associate. Lisa was captivated by the opportunity. 

“When I completed my Masters, I was looking to pivot my career into Executive Search. I was recruited into the profession by someone I trusted who saw potential in me.”

Lisa established her footing in the executive search industry by working for a large firm in L.A. before transitioning to a boutique firm. She found herself drawn to mission-oriented work and the deep connections that came from it. A successful, woman-owned firm eventually caught her eye — Ksquared Search seemed to perfectly mirror her own high touch, relationship oriented approach to the executive search process.

“The more I learned about the company, the team, and its approach, the more I was drawn in,” Lisa Linehan said. 

Seven years later, Lisa has become an essential part of the firm. She describes her expertise as industry-agnostic but focused primarily on Human Resources and Marketing. Focused on two ever-evolving areas of the C-suite, she revealed that both HR and Marketing leaders have a common desire for innovation and organizational transformation. 

Whether searching for Marketing executives or HR exectuives, she holds great pride in tailoring her work to meet the needs of each organization. Lisa identifies leaders dedicated to pushing organizations forward in modernization and better serving customers, both internally and externally. Her team’s high-touch approach has allowed personal and professional connections to continue over many years. 

“Every job is interesting and unique,” Lisa Linehan said. “But to me, what speaks volumes is when we have repeat clients who specifically ask if I can work on an assignment or when we reach out to a candidate of mine in the past and they remember the positive experience!”

Reflecting on her contributions to Ksquared Search, Lisa emphasized that her creative, strategic, and diligent mindset empowers her to navigate even the most complex searches. Beyond that, she prides herself on her agility — she thinks on her feet to adapt her process to organizational needs 

“I’m versatile,” Lisa said. “I can pivot pretty quickly to a different set of priorities, industry focus, or criteria for a role.”

Her expertise often helps fill somewhat obscure positions. In the past, Lisa has jumped from one search to the next — finding a Chief Talent Officer and then transitioning to find a Head of Supply Chain and Logistics for the same client.

Regardless of the search requirements, connection continues to be the driving force of her work. Externally, Lisa carefully listens to client needs and builds connections that stand the test of time. Internally, she builds from a wealth of collective expertise — sharing databases and networks to create the best possible experiences for clients. 

“I can collaborate with my colleagues, which is really helpful because sharing talent among our team leads to the best outcomes for our clients and candidates,” Lisa Linehan said. 

Lisa believes that Ksquared Search stands out from other firms by providing first-class service. Every single search, client, and job is treated as a top priority. To Lisa and her team, the executive search process is so much more than checking off a box. Instead, each interaction acts as the starting point for organizational transformation and long-lasting partnerships. 

“We treat every individual as our most important client, including the candidates,” Lisa said. “That, in turn, creates a stronger relationship and a more rewarding experience for everyone.”

Ksquared Search is a reliable partner for organizations in need of strong, qualified leaders. From our very first interaction, we begin to assess your needs and preferences to identify the ideal leader for you. 

Interested in finding HR or Marketing leaders with Lisa Linehan? Contact Ksquared Search today to start the process.