She’s the Chief Executive Officer for Kinetix. She’s got a  background as a finance executive for companies that do hundreds of thousands of hires annually. She rode the corporate wave then opted out to do her own thing. Shannon founded Kinetix with the goal of creating a firm that could help growing companies get the talent they need to compete. In her role as CEO, Shannon is responsible for overall operations and leading the strategic direction of Kinetix. Prior to forming Kinetix, Shannon held various positions throughout ten years at Spherion Corporation, a Fortune 500 staffing, recruiting and workforce solutions company. Prior to Spherion, Shannon held various positions at large, public and privately traded companies such as W.R. Grace, M&M/Mars, Inc., and Kidder, Peabody & Co. Incorporated in the US and overseas. She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics Management from Ohio Wesleyan University while running track and playing field hockey and achieving academic All-America status. 

Specialties: Financial chops. Deal-maker. Eye for talent. Lack of need for sleep.

5 Questions with Shannon Russo

1. What is 1 fun fact people might not know about you?  

I have ridden an Ostrich!

2. What lesson from your professional career has left a lasting impact on the type of leader you are today?  

Experiencing the challenges of navigating our business through the impact of Covid-19 in 2020 was a profound learning curve. The adversity we faced during that period has significantly shaped my leadership style. Witnessing our team's resilience, welcoming back and integrating new members, and fortifying client relationships showcased the strength of our collective efforts. The subsequent growth and improvement in our company's performance were particularly gratifying. Throughout this transformative journey, I deepened my trust in the team, and reciprocally, their trust in my leadership increased. This lesson in mutual trust has been instrumental in elevating my Glassdoor approval rating from 82% to 94%, emphasizing the importance of trust in achieving our shared vision at Kinetix. 

3. Which character from any show or film would you want to recruit to your team and why?  

Jason Bourne. He figures it out and makes it happen against all odds, no matter what.  

4. If you could give your younger self one piece of advice about leadership, what would it be and why?  

A reminder that “hire slow and fire fast” as a company leader is critical, no matter what. “Hire slow” doesn’t mean take a long time. It means take the time and effort to think through and get agreement/alignment on what you’re hiring with all involved. Don’t rush in because you “like” the person.  The process can be super fast once you take the time to know exactly what you need and what they will do for you. Most figure that out as they go, which can lead to failure. On the flip side, I’ve never let someone go where I afterwards said, “I wish they were here longer.” That tells me I didn’t move fast enough. Don’t let the fear of what you don’t know slow you down when someone is a bad fit or needs to go. It’s always better.   

5. Finish the following sentence: “People want to hang out with me because…” 

Others seem normal in comparison. 

Kipli Storey is the Chief Operating Officer at Kinetix. Prior to joining the team at Kinetix in 2013, Kipli was Vice President of Operations and Business Development for Snapfinger, Vice President of People Services for Church’s Chicken, Director of Shared Services for Randstad, Director of Business Services for Spherion and a First Vice President for Suntrust Banks. Kipli holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Resources from the University of Georgia.  

Specialties: Strategic maestro. Calm in the eye of the storm.

5 Questions with Kipli Storey

1. What is 1 fun fact people might not know about you?  

I’ve owned 71 cars. 

2. What lesson from your professional career has left a lasting impact on the type of leader you are today?  

In 2020, Shannon Russo, our CEO, and I found ourselves in the middle of some serious business decisions due to the pandemic. It was one of those make-or-break moments that really put our leadership to the test. We rolled up our sleeves and tackled the challenges, navigating through a whole bunch of uncertainties. It required us to be tough, strategic and super adaptable. Together, we made calls that not only got us through the rough patches but also made us stronger. As the Chief Operating Officer, this whole experience was like a leadership boot camp, refining my skills and cementing my commitment to our awesome team. Those tough times taught me a ton, and now, looking back, we've used those lessons to level up our team's game. Today, that chapter is a big part of my leadership style – it's all about the people and making sure we're delivering top-notch service to our fantastic clients. 

3. Which character from any show or film would you want to recruit to your team and why?  

Ted Lasso. The believe sign symbolized his biggest value. The show is about perseverance and doing one's best in every endeavor, even if that isn't enough to succeed.   

4. If you could give your younger self one piece of advice about leadership, what would it be and why?  

A mentor can help to minimize the mistakes we make and get us to where we want to be sooner. They can also transfer their experiences to us to accelerate our own learning. 

5. Finish the following sentence: “People want to hang out with me because…” 

I get things done. 

In her role as Vice President of Customer Experience & Technology at Kinetix, Katelyn Giangregorio boasts over a decade of hands-on expertise in analytics. During her ten-year tenure at JPMorgan Chase & Co., she excelled as an Analytics Solutions Manager - VP, leading a team in delivering crucial data, reporting, and analytics for Chase CCB Regulatory Operations. In her time as a Business Operations Manager, she conducted root cause analyses for customer and employee pain points. Katelyn's strategic expertise shined through her execution of roadmaps for customer and employee experience analyses, showcased her proficiency in data exploration and analysis, modeling, forecasting, and storytelling. Holding a Master's degree in Statistics from Cornell University, Katelyn blends academic excellence with practical experience, actively contributing to Kinetix's mission of seamlessly acquiring and retaining top talent for growth companies. 

Specialties: Eye for design. Canoe/Hiking. Data & people management. Wanderlust.

5 Questions with Katelyn Giangregorio

1. What is 1 fun fact people might not know about you?  

 My first career path was fashion design and I have an interior design business.   

2. What lesson from your professional career has left a lasting impact on the type of leader you are today?  

My career journey has been a dynamic evolution, each role contributing to the leader I've become. I’ve developed a multifaceted leadership approach that combines strategic and analytical thinking, effective communication and a commitment to continuous improvement.   

3. Which character from any show or film would you want to recruit to your team and why?  

Sherlock Holmes from "Sherlock": Benedict Cumberbatch's portrayal of Sherlock Holmes showcases exceptional deductive and analytical skills, making him well-suited for a data analyst role where attention to detail and logical reasoning are crucial. 

4. If you could give your younger self one piece of advice about leadership, what would it be and why?  

Learn from others, learn how to manage your time, and work smarter, not harder. 

5. Finish the following sentence: “People want to hang out with me because…” 

If they're with me, they'll be taken care of because I'm the mom of the group. 

Josh is the Director of Recruiting with 17 years of recruiting experience, including over 10 years of managing people. He has an exceptional understanding of motivating and coaching a team of direct reports. He boasts a wide range of experience in unconventional sourcing, social media, networking, compensation, benefits, performance management and creating relationships with both candidates and clients. Additionally, Josh has a proven ability to excel in a fast paced, high volume environment while exceeding customer service expectations.

Specialties: Professional Problem Solver. Manager of People. Girl Dad.

5 Questions with Josh Hutchins

1. What is 1 fun fact people might not know about you?  

I am an excellent pickleball player.

2. What lesson from your professional career has left a lasting impact on the type of leader you are today?  

I have found that if you support and take care of your employees, they will in turn take care of your clients. I think our CEO, Shannon Russo, said it best. She told me to always do the right thing, both for our employees and our clients, no matter what.  

3. Which character from any show or film would you want to recruit to your team and why?  

Tom Cruise’s character from the Mission Impossible movies, Ethan Hunt, because he makes the impossible happen.

4. If you could give your younger self one piece of advice about leadership, what would it be and why?  

Listen more than you talk. God gave you two ears and one mouth for a reason.

5. Finish the following sentence: “People want to hang out with me because…” 

I work hard but also enjoy having a cocktail and a good time. Life is all about balance.