our
Team MeMbers
We have the relationships
to identify Leaders Who Have It All
At Purple Squirrel Advisors, we know that competition for top talent is at an all-time high. Aside from our process, our broad network of connections drives our ability to deliver quality candidates in any market. This allows us to partner with companies from coast to coast.
Connect
We recognize that finding a good “fit” goes beyond writing a job description or screening resumes. Chemistry and culture are everything. We provide a consultative approach customized to meet the needs of each client and candidate.
our passion
Creating impactful partnerships that result in solving business challenges and growing careers with effectively matched leadership talent.
our team
Get to know our team of passionate recruiters who are not just matching candidates with jobs, but building lasting relationships and paving the way for fulfilling career journeys.
Carrie Schochet
Purple Squirrel CEO
Carrie is the Founder and CEO of Purple Squirrel Advisors, a boutique executive search firm based in Troy. Passionate about helping companies grow by creating exceptional leadership teams, she has spent the past 16 years connecting C-level and senior executives with leadership positions in finance, accounting, human resources, operations, sales, and marketing.
After graduating from the University of Notre Dame in 2001, she spent over a decade climbing the ranks at one of the nation’s leading recruitment and staffing firms in Chicago. In 2012, she moved back to the Detroit area to be closer to her family. On January 1, 2015, she founded Purple Squirrel Advisors with the mission of designing a consultative, white-glove recruitment process customized to each client.
Carrie is passionate about not only building a successful company but also solving challenges for business owners and senior leaders. She has established a brand at Purple Squirrel Advisors focused around enthusiasm, resilience, curiosity, integrity and compassion. She lives these values and applies them authentically to her everyday life. Carrie is humbled that Purple Squirrel Advisors has emerged as a thought leader in the executive recruitment industry and beyond.
Carrie is also the founder of CFO Next, a group she launched in early 2013 when she discovered a lack of resources and networking opportunities for transitioning or unemployed senior financial executives. Carrie also uses her network and resources as Co-Chair of the Career Services Committee for Financial Executives International (FEI), a non-profit organization with the mission to support senior finance executives through professional development and networking. Through this position, she works to bring valuable content and career management education to the organization’s members. In addition, she is the Learning Chair for Entrepreneurs Organization Detroit Chapter and sits on the ACG Detroit Board as Women’s Forum Chair.
Carrie is a passionate philanthropist who has raised money for 100 Women Who Care – Greater Rochester Area, a group focused on steering funds to locally based non-profit organizations and in 2016, Carrie co-founded 100 Businesses Who Care to connect executives who want to make a philanthropic impact on the Metro-Detroit community.
She is a proud resident of Oakland Township, where she lives with her husband, Blake and their children, Brendan, Nicholas, and Amelia. They also have a Bernese Mountain Dog, Chloe. In her free time, Carrie enjoys riding her Peloton, spending time outdoors on the Paint Creek Trail, traveling to the National Parks, and watching her kids play sports.
Meaghan Brown
Director of Recruiting Operations
Meaghan Brown joined the Purple Squirrel team in September of 2022 and currently serves as the Director of Recruiting of Operations. Prior to her time at Purple Squirrel Advisors, she held talent acquisition leadership roles with several blue-chip organizations where she focused on helping to develop and implement recruitment strategies. Meaghan has also worked in private equity organizations setting up talent acquisition teams.
Meaghan has developed a niche for supporting family-owned organizations and home service businesses in the development of their leadership teams. She has a passion for connecting great talent with great companies.
In her spare time, Meaghan enjoys practicing hot yoga and tending to her garden. She also has a love for uncovering discarded items and repurposing them into unique, creative pieces.
Jake Irla
Executive Recruiter
Jake Irla was born and raised in Chesterfield, Michigan and attended Oakland University, where he graduated with a degree in Communication. Before joining the Purple Squirrel team, Jake served as an intern for a publicly traded company in Downtown Detroit, where he was a part of a Client Relations team. This opportunity helped him further strengthen his communication skills and grow his passion for connecting with clients. Jake used his own network to join Purple Squirrel Advisors and is thrilled to be a member of the team. He has been with Purple Squirrel Advisors for almost five years now and serves as an Executive Recruiter with a focus on sales & marketing, operations, and HR searches. Some of Jake’s passions include spending time with friends and family, going to the movies, and all things sports related. He loves connecting with people and has found that the recruiting industry is an excellent avenue to do so.
Kim Lentine
Executive Recruiter
Kim Lentine graduated from Michigan State University with dual degrees in Business Accounting from the Eli Broad College of Business and Social Relations and Political Science from the James Madison College. After graduating from MSU, she started her career at Ernst & Young, LLP, where she worked in the audit practice based in the Chicago office. After 3 years in public accounting, she accepted a position at Kraft Foods North America in Northfield, Illinois, where she held multiple positions in accounting and finance. After 19 years of experience in accounting and finance in multiple organizations, she wanted to leverage her experience into another career. She joined Purple Squirrel advisors as her youngest daughter started school full-time.
Kim has developed a passion for the recruiting environment, working with both candidates and clients to find that perfect fit! She perceives it as a privilege to meet new people and being trusted to discuss their interests and backgrounds to determine how she can help them achieve their ultimate career path.
Kim enjoys spending time with her husband, Bill, their four children and their young Labradoodle. She enjoys traveling to northern Michigan to spend summers on the lake and loves to try new food dishes from all different cultures!
natasha nestorovski
operations manager
Natasha Nestorovski, a graduate of Baker College with a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education, joined Purple Squirrel Advisors in 2021 as the Operations Manager. Before joining the team, Natasha worked in diverse roles, including managing corporate, learning and development for a middle-market company, teaching, and being a medical field professional.
In a dual role for Purple Squirrel Advisors, Natasha focuses on the operational side of the business and recruiting projects. She leverages her passion for customer service, project management, and curiosity to add value to the Purple Squirrel team and their clients. As the Operations Manager, she drives internal efficiencies and exercises her passion for collaborating with candidates and clients.
During her free time, Natasha sits on the board of Team Fox Detroit, where she is focused on raising funds for Parkinson’s research and serves as a board member for her local church. When she’s not working or volunteering, Natasha enjoys spending time with family and friends, shopping, watching movies, and relaxing with her dog, Coco.
Community & Philantrophy
The Purple Squirrel Advisors team is passionate about making an impact in the community through philanthropy and community service. Involvements include: CFO Next, CFO Now, 100 Businesses Who Care, FEI Detroit, ACG Detroit, 100 Millennials Who Care and 100 Women Who Care – Greater Rochester, and Entrepreneurs’ Organization.
The Purple Squirrel Approach is PersonaL
We recognize that finding a good fit goes beyond writing a job description and screening resumes. Finding a Purple Squirrel involves identifying talent that matches not only the needs of the role but also the chemistry and culture of the organization. Every step of our “white glove process” is customized to ensure the best fit possible and designed to create a positive client and candidate experience.
View Our Approach