Jessye Kass Karlin believes that the way we hire, lead, and communicate has the power to shape not just workplaces, but lives. Her path into this work is not a straight line, it’s a river of lived experience, leadership, and lessons learned.

Before founding Riverwalker Talent, Jessye spent over a decade in nonprofit leadership roles, often in moments of growth or crisis. She discovered that what made the biggest difference wasn’t just strategy or systems, it was people: how they felt seen, how they worked together, and how they found meaning in the mission.

Over the course of her career, Jessye has guided 100+ searches, coached hundreds of leaders, and facilitated trainings on leadership, conflict resolution, and workplace wellness.

Her perspective is also shaped by her own lived experiences as a survivor of domestic violence and bullying, a queer and differently-abled leader, and someone who has navigated both personal and systemic challenges. These experiences ground her commitment to building spaces where people are heard and valued.

Clients and colleagues know Jessye for her deep listening, her ability to ask the questions others avoid, and her mix of warmth and clarity. She brings humor, honesty, and humanity to her work—whether she’s guiding a search, coaching a leader, or facilitating a difficult conversation.

Connect with Jessye: Email | LinkedIn

We chose the name Riverwalker because it reflects both our philosophy and our approach. Walking in a river requires skill: navigating shifting currents, uneven footing, and unexpected turns. At Riverwalker Talent, we move with clients and candidates through the places that are harder to traverse, guiding them across transitions with clarity and care. We stand between multiple sides, bridging the needs of organizations and the talents of individuals, to help both find alignment.

Riverwalker represents how we walk with you through complexity to help your teams find their anchor and flow at every stage.

• 100+ searches led for nonprofit and mission-driven organizations

• 400+ leaders coached, from emerging managers to seasoned executives

• 38+ trainings facilitated on leadership, communication, conflict resolution, and workplace wellness

• 14+ years of nonprofit and social impact leadership, including Executive Director experience and 12 years of supervising staff

• Featured speaker and trainer for national and international organizations

• 7 Publications

• Featured in a CNBC interview as a career expert

• 15.2K followers on LinkedIn

• MBA, Master in Business Administration from Quantic School of Business and Technology, Washington, DC

• Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude with highest honors from Brandeis University, Waltham, MA

• Fulbright U.S. Student Award to Thailand (2013).

Jessye’s approach is rooted in listening, empathy, and practical strategy. She partners with clients whose values align with Riverwalker’s mission, ensuring that each engagement is purposeful and impactful. Her discovery process includes extensive staff input, creating solutions that are holistic, inclusive, and tailored to each organization’s needs.

Stellar candidate experience is a hallmark of her recruitment practice: every applicant receives updates, interviewed candidates receive feedback, and organizations gain trust with their communities through transparent, respectful hiring processes. Jessye also integrates equity into every search, from salary transparency to intentionally sourcing diverse candidate pools.

Her coaching and facilitation style is approachable and grounded. She mixes personal anecdotes, actionable tools, and honest dialogue to help leaders and teams strengthen communication, resolve conflict, and grow together.