Christine Kline

I founded ExecThread ~10 years ago, and am still CEO. It’s the longest “job” I’ve ever had. The reason I’ve stuck with ExecThread for this long is because it’s not a “job” to me. Unlike so many other #jobs that we’ve likely all had - at ExecThread I enjoy what I do, who I do it with, and who I do it for. Not only is ExecThread’s core value prop a noble one that provides true value to many people’s lives and #careers (i.e., we provide scalable access to the hidden #job market of confidential exec-level job opportunities and board roles), its also an enjoyable & fulfilling experience from a day-to-day operational perspective. I have the fortune to work with a very smart core team of committed professionals every day, and we do so with zero bureaucracy, zero politics, zero nonsense and zero drama. Everyone on my team knows what they need to do, how to do it, is given the tools and resources to do so, and is left alone to do it. Everyone at ExecThread can also work wherever they want (i.e., work from anywhere), and we have no vacation policy (and everyone takes advantage of it without abusing it). And we compensate people well. And we’ve had unbelievably high retention as a result, which will hopefully continue. This is what happens when you hire adults who just care about getting sh*t done, who couldn’t care less about titles, or how big their teams are, or about anything other than what it takes to get their job done well. And while ExecThread might not be a quote-unquote “rocket ship” — and while we might not be an “AI Everything” company (note: we leverage the heck out of #AI without feeling the need to promote ourselves as an “AI company”) — and although we’re not raising gobs of venture capital (note: we’re profitable, and cash flow positive thank you very much), me and my team are quite fulfilled doing what we do, and we don’t get distracted by all the “noise” around us (and we’re not trying to convince you that we’re something that we’re not). And oh btw, we’re actually growing quite nicely too (perhaps because of the aforementioned?), having just exceeded 900,000+ registered members! And most importantly, my team and I are “enjoying the ride”, in lieu of being overly focused on the destination. Here’s to the next 10 years, and to the next 900,000+ registered members! #NoBS #NoHubris #ShootStraight

Today we're launching Savi, the first app built to protect families from AI-powered scams across calls and texts. Try it now on iOS and Android: https://lnkd.in/gQS9Mc5H There are a million data points I could share, but they all tell the same story: AI has supercharged the scam industry. More people are losing more money, faster than ever before. Tactics once reserved for targeting governments and enterprises are now being used against everyday Americans, with sophistication and at scale. And while big organizations are rightfully beefing up their cyber defenses, families are left fending off daily scam attempts with outdated tools. Savi filters scam texts, screens voicemails, monitors live calls for red flags, and lets you run any suspicious message through a built-in scam checker. One plan covers your whole family. We're starting with text messages and phone calls because that's where scammers are hitting people hardest, but the problem doesn't end there. Our team is building toward a future where protection is shared across your family and extends to every surface where scams show up. Feeling very proud of the Savi Security team and excited to keep charging ahead on our mission: Patrick Coughlin Ryan Coughlin Michael Knopf Gabby Connacher Aleksandar Sajatovic Dusan Brkic Zoran Jankov Jessica D. Marina Damjenic

It's been almost 2 years since the first jar of Quincy hit the shelves at my local butcher shop in Brooklyn. Building Quincy alongside Shelby (Sims) Sears has been one of the most rewarding, yet challenging parts of my career. As I fulfilled the PO from that first customer this AM (yes they still order!), I felt like it was a good time to share some of the many lessons I've learned along the way. ➡️ It's okay to go slow. The early days are for learning who your customer is, where they shop, what they'll pay, and how your product earns its place on a shelf. You get one shot with big retailers, so we wanted to be prepared. And it's paid off: this summer we launch in over 500 doors across two retailers that were at the top of our "dream accounts" list. Comparison will always be the thief of joy, so go at your own pace. ➡️ Move fast, but with intention. Bartenders were excited about Quincy early on, but the format wasn't right. So we listened, worked with the people actually using the product, and expanded into what made sense. Today we're in over 50 bars and restaurants and adding double-digit new accounts every week. ➡️ Lean on your community. None of this happens alone. The bartenders who championed us, the buyers who took a chance, the customers who keep reordering, the founders who picked up the phone. They've shaped Quincy as much as any strategy deck. Build a community that's invested in you and actually let them in. ➡️ Rejection is the tax of building something new. You hear no a lot building something, especially in a category that has been overlooked for so long. No's from buyers, no's from investors, no's from people who don't get it yet. Most of those no's are just not yet, and the only way through is to keep showing up. Below is a photo Shelby and I took after that first sale (not pictured, the martinis we got to celebrate 🍸 ). Two years in and it feels like we're only getting started. I am SO excited for what's to come.

I turn 56 today (i.e., I was born on 6/16/70 — 56 years ago today)! It’s sometimes hard to believe that I’m closer to 60 than I am 50, and that I’m no longer in my 20’s, 30’s or 40’s. Fortunately, I still feel great physically (and fingers-crossed I’ll continue to do so for many years to come). As is often said, age is just a #. And it’s not how old you are, but how old you feel. If that’s the case, I still feel young at heart, and my body feels closer to 40 than it does 60 (although I do occasionally have some aches & pains that I didn’t have at age 40 :). That aside, the biggest difference for me at age 56 (vs. me at age 26, 36 or 46) is that I feel better mentally. I do so because of the following reasons: —> I stopped drinking 18+ years ago. —> I stopped partying. —> I stopped making dumb/regretful decisions at the same time as I stopped drinking & partying. —> I stopped eating meat 6 months ago. —> I started to meet with a mental health therapist on a regular basis a few years ago. —> I started taking an antidepressant a few months ago (after many years of my family recommending I do so). —> I’ve eliminated a few toxic people from my life. —> I’m prioritizing my #family, and my mental & physical #health, over my job (i.e., my job isn’t my #1 priority anymore like it used to be when I was younger). —> I’ve decided to stick with a job at a company I founded (ExecThread) for the past 10 years over switching jobs for more money/prestige — because there are many more important things in life than $$$ (i.e., autonomy, flexibility, control over my own schedule, being my own boss, liking the people you work with, being able to work from anywhere, etc.). - I #travel more, but I also find time to relax and “be still” as well (and not lead a frenetic “always on the move” or “always busy” lifestyle). - I bought a house in #Florida (in West Palm Beach) to be in warm weather during cold months (and to spend more time outdoors). So as I reflect and look back on my life on my 56th #birthday today, I feel good about making proactive & conscious decisions to prioritize mental and physical health over wealth creation (and over expensive hobbies & gadgets), and to prioritize spending quality time with my family (and with my dogs :) over all else. And I’m glad I made these decisions in my 50’s (vs. waiting until it’s too late to do so). Hopefully this post will help someone in their 30’s, 40’s or 50’s make similar decisions, and to begin prioritizing what’s most important in life. #reflection

Each month we highlight an ExecThread member who recently secured a #Board role. Today we spotlight Corby Fine, VP of #Marketing & Performance for IGM Financial Inc., and current Board member for BrandPilot AI Inc. and Health Standards Organization (HSO), who shares insightful career tips with us. 1) Who are you? What's your 'Headline'? “I’m the VP of #DigitalMarketing at IGM Financial Inc. as well as an executive coach, angel investor, board director, drummer (and a guy who wears funky socks). I sit at the intersection of enterprise #strategy and human performance.” 2) What are you passionate about?
“I’m passionate about helping team members and leaders unlock their next level, whether that's through #coaching, AI strategy, or building and growing companies. I believe deeply in personalized #growth over generic playbooks.” 3) What Board(s) are you currently on, and how did you first find out about the opportunity(s)?
“I currently serve on the boards of BrandPilot AI Inc. (TSX: BPAI) and Health Standards Organization (HSO). One came through relationships built over years of showing-up consistently in my industry and being genuinely curious about where things are headed. The other came via an executive recruiter who was looking for new / different profiles for a #healthcare-focused board.” 4) What advice would you give someone trying to secure their 1st Board role?
“Stop waiting to feel "ready" and start building board-relevant visibility now: speak, publish, advise, and get on a committee. Your network opens doors, but your point-of-view is what gets you the seat.” 5) What's your favorite quote?
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now."
- Ancient Chinese proverb 6) Career advice in three words?
“Have many advocates.” 7) Anything else you'd like to add?
“#AI is reshaping what #governance looks like, and boards need directors who understand it from the inside. If that's a gap on your board (or a gap in your own knowledge / work experience) then it's worth closing sooner than later.” Please thank Corby for his #advice and for sharing his #perspective by commenting below. If you’d like to find Board role opportunities for yourself there are >225 active Board searches currently posted on ExecThread - see: https://lnkd.in/gGN7k7w #astute #insightful #funkysocks :)

It was a privilege to host a panel at the Littlejohn & Co Annual General Meeting, where we highlighted our investment in RailPros. Thank you to Kendall Koff for your partnership!

Liebes Netzwerk, ich suche für ein solventes Hamburger Unternehmen mit einem interessantem Aufgabengebiet einen versierten Senior Accountant (w/m/d). Wen können Sie mir empfehlen? Ich freue mich drauf. Mariza Jace Laura Mischke Khadishat Mezhidova Benjamin Elfers Bodo Yooichi Müller ##AccountingJobs #FinanceCareer #HamburgJobs #Buchhaltung #HGB #Karrier #FinanceProfessionals #JobOpportunity #XING

—> 2024 Inc. 5000 winner: #524 —> 2025 Inc. 5000 winner: #2039 —> 2025 Inc. Regionals Northeast winner: #24 —> 2026 Inc. Regionals Northeast winner: #119 —> 2025 Financial Times Fastest Growing Co.’s: #46 —> 2026 Financial Times Fastest Growing Co.’s: #124 Not a bad past few years for ExecThread. And to think that (more than a few) people counted us out, and assumed we would go by the wayside when we struggled in our early days. I learned a long time ago that “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”, and ExecThread is testament to this adage. More than a few times in our company history, especially early-on, we were left for dead. But my team & I never gave-up on ExecThread — much like parents never give-up on their child. And much like what happens when you nurture a child for many years, often times they blossom when least expected. The same can be said for ExecThread. After years of nurturing (and initial fledgling) ExecThread has blossomed. And renowned publications like Inc. Magazine and the Financial Times have taken notice — as evidenced by the recent accolades listed above. Speaking of, check out today’s press release (https://lnkd.in/e9QSAhMq) on ExecThread being named by the Financial Times as one of the fastest-growing companies in the Americas; and being named by Inc. Magazine as one of the fastest-growing companies in the Northeast U.S. (which is on the heels of ExecThread being named to the #Inc5000 list), all three accolades of which have happened for the past 2 consecutive years! Not too shabby for a company that many had written-off. Sometimes it’s worth sticking with a company that others don’t see value in. Speaking of, there’s something very satisfying about rooting for an underdog — especially when you’re the founder of it! I’d like to thank the many people who never gave-up on ExecThread along the way, and who stuck with us throughout the good times and bad — which includes many of our 900,000+ registered ExecThread members! I’d also like to thank everyone who did give-up on ExecThread over the years, as it further inspired me and my team to persevere. Now that I’ve let myself celebrate a bit; it’s back to work for this #entrepreneur and time for me to roll my sleeves up again, because that’s what gritty founders do. They find a way to overcome obstacles, and they trust that hard work & perseverance will lead to positive outcomes. ExecThread exemplifies this mantra. So I’ll smell the roses for a quick minute or so today, but then it’s time for me to put my head back down again and continue grinding it out. #proud

Today is St. Patrick’s Day. For many, it’s a day to be merry (and to drink a lot of beer/alcohol). For me, it used to be such a day as well. But not so anymore. 18 years ago today I quit drinking, for good. I was 37 years old at the time, and I’ve never looked back. I quit drinking because it was adding no value to my life. In fact, it was almost always leading to negative outcomes. Beyond the superficiality of fun that drinking provided me for many years, I ultimately realized that alcohol was always associated with my worst decision-making moments. And while I don’t blame alcohol for many of the poor choices that I’ve made in my life, it certainly didn’t help. It made me weak, when I needed to be strong. It made it easier for me to say yes, when I needed to say no. And it led me to being self-absorbed and selfish, when I should have been caring and empathetic. In a nutshell, alcohol ultimately did me no favors. It might have helped create the illusion of happiness and joy, but the reality is that alcohol wasn’t my friend. It was the devil on my shoulder always hoping that I’d make a decision that would make me feel better in the moment, but that I’d soon regret. And while I take full responsibility for any-and-all poor decisions that I ever made in my life (the vast majority of which were made while I was intoxicated / inebriated), I can confidently state that if I were sober when making such decisions that I very likely would have made better decisions. It is for this reason that I quit drinking. Making the right decision is hard enough sometimes, and I didn’t need alcohol F’ing with my judgement, especially during those moments when I needed to be most strong. So when people ask me if I miss alcohol, I answer them very clearly and confidently. While I occasionally miss the social lubricant that alcohol often provided, I don’t miss the side effects or poor decision-making that it almost always led to. That said, my name is Joe and I’m an alcoholic — and I’m proud to say that I’ve successfully fought-off this disease for the past 18 years & counting, and I plan to keep doing so for as long as I’m on this planet. #sober #sobriety #serenityprayer