Meeting Amy Dordek Dolinsky in Chicago
I’m walking through Fulton Market in Chicago’s West Loop on my way to meet Amy Dordek Dolinsky. Before meeting her, I had already heard a lot. Amy has worked across startups, private-equity-backed professional services firms, and her own ventures. She has held executive roles at six companies, four of them startups, and has spent years helping businesses grow at important moments.
Today, she is Partner and Director of Business Development at Lucas James Talent Partners, where she has helped drive strong growth while leading search work across the country.
But that only tells part of the story. Amy is someone people call when a search has become difficult, urgent, or stuck. She is known for her network, her responsiveness, and her ability to help companies find the right person when the usual methods have not worked.
When I walk in, I spot her at a table near the window, laptop open, coffee already in hand. She smiles and waves me over.
Once we sit down, I ask what keeps her motivated.
She answers right away. “I’ve spent my career helping people and companies grow, whether that meant building a company, mentoring a founder, or finding the right person for an important role. I like sharing what I’ve learned, and I really enjoy helping companies find strong talent.”
“What kind of search usually brings people to you?” I ask.
“It’s often when they have a lot of roles to fill and not enough internal bandwidth,” she says. “Or they need expertise their team does not have. Sometimes they tried to handle it themselves. Sometimes they worked with another firm and it did not go well. That is usually when I get the call.”
She continues, “I’m never there just to pitch. I see it as my job to help solve a problem. I listen first. There is this idea that salespeople only want to sell, but the good ones listen much more than they talk. I think of myself as a consultant, a peer, someone people can trust. If I’m the right fit, great. If I’m not, I’m happy to point them to someone in my network who is.”
I ask what makes her approach different.
“Trust,” she says. “And that comes from being reliable, consistent, responsive, and experienced. People know I’ll tell them the truth. I know when to say yes and when to say no. And every search I lead is supported by senior professionals who have been doing this work for years.”
She is also very practical about pace.
“We work in real time,” she says. “When we find a strong candidate, we keep the process moving. Good candidates do not stay on the market for long. There is no magic trick in this business. It comes down to a solid process and strong communication.”
Outside of Lucas James, Amy has stayed deeply involved in civic and professional communities. She has served on the board of Meals on Wheels Chicago, is currently on the board of the International Women’s Forum, and holds a leadership role at The Economic Club of Chicago.
“People know me for different things,” she says, smiling. “Entrepreneur, professional services executive, pizza tours, community work. But professionally, I want to be known for being the best in flexible recruitment process outsourcing and retained search, and for being great to work with.”
As we finish our coffee, her phone lights up with another message, then another. She glances down, smiles, and looks back up.
“I really do love this work,” she says. “It suits me. I’m good at it, and I enjoy it.”
Maarten Schaefer
Chief Storyteller CoolBrands
Digital Expertise eCommerce Leadership
#AI #AIadoption #Culture #Insights
