Amsterdam, NY, 30+ years ago. Jim Izzano, hot shot sales exec at 3M, gets devastating news—his wife has breast cancer. Career ambitions suddenly mean nothing. He needs to be home.
My parents & uncle need a head of sales. Amy Johnson at PeopleWise makes the connection.
Jim thought he’d stay two years. He stayed his entire career. Here’s what was so impactful for me personally—Jim became my mentor. The non-family exec who told me the truth. No sugarcoating. No family politics.
When I screwed up, he’d close his door: “Let’s talk about what really happened.” When family dynamics got messy, he’d take me to lunch and show me a better way.
Without Jim Izzano, I wouldn’t have made it in our family business. Yesterday, full circle moment…
I met Chris Wessell, who bought Amy’s PeopleWise. I tell him about Stride‘s mission for family businesses.
“I totally believe in it—there aren’t enough resources for family businesses. You’re filling a real void.”
Just like that, he’s in—supporting our 2025 Stride Founder’s Retreat.
Here’s what PeopleWise gets right: When a family business gave Chris 6 months to plan for a retiring CFO, his reaction? “Finally. Real succession planning.”
They only take select clients. Why? They’re not filling seats. They’re finding Jim Izzanos—people who transform businesses.
The Results? Jim helped us grow 20X. But more importantly, he showed a young family member how to become a leader.
Thirty years later, PeopleWise still gets it. Great hires aren’t transactions. They’re transformations.
Welcome PeopleWise to the Stride community! If you’ve had a Jim Izzano in your life, share this. Someone needs to hear it.
About PeopleWise:
Our engagement model is a true partnership, and unusual in the recruiting industry. Mutual commitment, singular focus, transparency, and fair pricing. Most of all, results. Want to chat? Click here to meet our team.
