Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Interests
Training
Timeline
Generic
Lainne Kern

Lainne Kern

Talent Leader
San Ramon,CA

Summary

Dynamic sales and talent acquisition leader with a unique blend of experience across digital, social, CTV, search, and experiential media. Began career as a top-performing individual contributor before transitioning into sales leadership, where I built and scaled high-performing teams. Leveraged that foundation to pivot into executive recruiting, focusing on the digital media, SaaS, and technology sectors. Known for a strategic, people-first approach to hiring and client management, with a proven ability to drive revenue, build teams, and deliver top talent. Skilled in full-cycle recruiting, business development, and sales strategy—bringing a dual-lens perspective that bridges media and talent with measurable impact.

Overview

26
26
years of professional experience

Work History

Partner

K&R Talent Partners
10.2023 - Current
  • Co-lead a boutique executive search firm specializing in martech, SaaS, ecommerce, ad tech, healthcare tech, and digital media.
  • Manage a team of three contract recruiters, providing performance feedback, mentorship, and strategic direction.
  • Oversee client onboarding, project scoping, and delivery across contingency, retained, hourly, and flat-fee engagements.
  • Drive 70% of new client acquisition and personally place 60% of final hires across Sales, Marketing, Product, Strategy, and Customer Success roles.
  • Foster long-term client relationships through tailored service, responsiveness, and a solutions-oriented approach.
  • Develop and implement strategies to strengthen partner relations and expand business development opportunities.
  • Represent the firm at industry events and actively network to build strategic partnerships and pipeline growth.
  • Maintain the flexibility to execute select external projects through Kern Recruiting LLC under partnership terms.

Partner

Fource Recruiting
10.2020 - 09.2023
  • Co-founded and scaled a recruiting firm specializing in SaaS, martech, ad tech, ecommerce, digital media, and healthcare technology.
  • Led full-cycle recruiting across Sales, Product, Marketing, Customer Success, and Finance roles, delivering top-tier talent to high-growth startups and enterprise clients.
  • Built and managed client relationships, acting as both strategic advisor and hands-on recruiter.
  • Hired, trained, and mentored junior recruiters while providing ongoing performance feedback to enhance team output.
  • Developed pitch decks, marketing collateral, and customized client materials to support business development.
  • Oversaw internal operations including invoicing, reporting, and optimizing recruiting workflows.
  • Streamlined internal processes to boost efficiency, increase placements, and scale delivery across functions.
  • Collaborated cross-functionally to ensure team alignment and achieve successful client outcomes tailored to their unique goals.

Vice President, Executive Recruiting

Strategy Source, LLC
09.2016 - 10.2020
  • Sold and led executive search projects across SaaS, martech, ecommerce, and healthcare technology verticals, consistently exceeding revenue goals.
  • Built and maintained long-term partnerships with high-growth startups and enterprise clients, delivering 30–40 hires annually across sales, customer success, marketing, product, and leadership functions.
  • Recognized as the top revenue-generating VP for four consecutive years, averaging $500K+ in gross revenue per year.
  • Maintained an 80% candidate-to-hire ratio, demonstrating strong candidate alignment and client satisfaction.
  • Mentored and trained new recruiters, supporting their development in sourcing, client communication, and closing techniques.
  • Partnered with senior leadership to drive long-term strategic planning, growth initiatives, and operational improvements.
  • Spearheaded enhancements to internal workflows and productivity tools, increasing team efficiency and candidate throughput.

RVP, West Coast Sales

Inmar Intelligence (formerly OwnerIQ.)
02.2015 - 02.2016
  • Led and scaled a high-performing West Coast media sales team across major markets including LA, SF, Seattle, Vegas, and Oregon—growing team headcount from 8 to 12 and revenue by 30% YoY.
  • Delivered $14M in revenue in 2015 by driving adoption of OwnerIQ's proprietary first-party retail data solution and positioning it as a key differentiator to agencies and direct brands.
  • Hired, trained, and mentored senior sellers; conducted weekly strategy sessions and 1:1s to drive performance, accountability, and innovation.
  • Secured major new business wins with brands such as Clorox, Best Buy/Microsoft, Whole Foods, Disney, PlayStation, and Acer.
  • Built strong relationships with executive decision-makers at top agencies including Optimedia, Razorfish, AKQA, Grey, and Kelly Brady, influencing multimillion-dollar buying decisions.

Sr. Director, Northwest Sales

Zeta Global (Previously Rocketfuel.)
07.2013 - 07.2015
  • Drove $14.6M in advertising revenue from Fortune 500 brands and top agencies across SF and Silicon Valley.
  • Exceeded sales goals by aligning solutions with clients’ immediate marketing needs.
  • Negotiated integrated contracts, including distribution deals and Yahoo Shopping programs.
  • Collaborated cross-functionally to deliver custom programs beyond standard media.
  • Advised clients on success metrics and digital marketing strategy.
  • Led meetings focused on performance analysis, strategic planning, and new initiatives.
    Earned MVP award for Q4 2005.

Northwest Director of Sales

VDX.tv (previously Tribal Fusion Exponential)
10.2007 - 07.2013
  • Led a four-person media sales team across the Northwest (Seattle, SF, Portland, CO, UT), consistently exceeding $14–16M annual revenue targets
  • Drove quota attainment and team performance through strategic weekly 1:1s and creative revenue-generating tactics
  • Represented the team in high-level sales meetings and client events to influence key decision-makers
  • Oversaw revenue and KPI tracking quarterly; ensured accountability and goal alignment
  • Prospected new leads via ad databases, industry sites, and digital research to support team pipeline
  • Resolved partner issues promptly and maintained strong business relationships on behalf of the team
  • Cultivated a high-energy, innovative team culture known for exceptional client service
  • Secured revenue from major agencies and clients including Optimedia, Razorfish, AKQA, Digitas, Carat, MEC, and brands like Nike, AT&T, Shutterfly, and T-Mobile
  • Drove growth with top advertisers such as Best Buy, eBay, Amazon, Princess Cruises, Disney, and Levi’s

Senior Manager, Business Development

VDX.tv (previously Tribal Fusion Exponential)
02.2005 - 11.2011
  • Secured partnerships with top publishers, expanding Tribal Fusion’s CPM network (e.g., Rollingstone.com, Boston.com, Real Networks).
  • Grew international publisher base across the U.K., Canada, India, and Australia (e.g., Time Out London, News Digital Media).
  • Negotiated display and in-text media buys on CPM and revenue-share models.
  • Closed inbound publisher leads and supported account management.
  • Led business development and revenue growth for the EchoTopic in-text product.
  • Prospected new leads and maintained strong publisher relationships.

Account Executive

Yahoo! Inc
10.1999 - 02.2005
  • Responsible for bringing in new business and renewal revenue through advertising partnerships for fortune 500 companies and top advertising agencies in San Francisco and Silicon Valley territories. (Sharper Image, Verisign, Fujitsu PC, Redenvelope, Webex, Jelly Belly, See's Candies)
  • Strategic revenue driver for the San Francisco Bay area territory. Responsible for bringing in 14.6 million dollars of advertising revenue
  • Exceeded or delivered sales goal by focusing on the immediate marketing needs
  • Negotiated integrated contracts such as distribution deals and yahoo shopping programs
  • Worked with multiple groups internally to build programs beyond standard media
  • Worked with advertisers to understand success metrics and online marketing objectives.
  • Lead client meetings focusing on analysis, strategy and new program ideas.
  • MVP award winner Q4 2005

Education

Bachelor of Arts Degree - Communications

University of California At Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, United States
09.1992 - 1996.06

Skills

  • Salesforce proficiency

  • Hubspot

  • Clearslide

  • Linkedin Recruiting

  • Meeting Maker

  • PowerPoint

  • Outlook

  • Excel spreadsheet management

  • Proficient in MS Word

  • Salesforce proficiency

Talent recruitment

Customer relationship building

Industry expertise

Recruitment and hiring

Marketing

Proficient in hubspot

Sales strategy development

Marketing knowledge

Client relationship management

Account management

Conflict resolution

Business development

Partnership development

Interests

Wine Tasting

  • Gym Workouts
  • Enjoy participating in team events for overall physical and mental well-being
  • Yoga
  • Passionate about balancing physical health with mental and emotional wellness
Dining
Producing and acting in independent films
Movie watching
Travel

Training

  • Cisco- Art of Speaking/ Presentations
  • Wallace- Advanced Sales Skills/ Closing & Negotiating, Lead Qualification, Interpersonal Selling, Negotiation Skills, Territory Management
  • Yahoo-Effective Presentation Skills, Mastering Meetings, Negotiation training
  • Rocket Fuel- Data Management Platform Training
  • Rocket Fuel- Programmatic, attribution training

Timeline

Partner

K&R Talent Partners
10.2023 - Current

Partner

Fource Recruiting
10.2020 - 09.2023

Vice President, Executive Recruiting

Strategy Source, LLC
09.2016 - 10.2020

RVP, West Coast Sales

Inmar Intelligence (formerly OwnerIQ.)
02.2015 - 02.2016

Sr. Director, Northwest Sales

Zeta Global (Previously Rocketfuel.)
07.2013 - 07.2015

Northwest Director of Sales

VDX.tv (previously Tribal Fusion Exponential)
10.2007 - 07.2013

Senior Manager, Business Development

VDX.tv (previously Tribal Fusion Exponential)
02.2005 - 11.2011

Account Executive

Yahoo! Inc
10.1999 - 02.2005

Bachelor of Arts Degree - Communications

University of California At Santa Barbara
09.1992 - 1996.06

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