At Y Scouts, we believe that true leadership goes beyond titles and resumes. It’s about purpose, values, and the impact leaders have on the people and companies they serve.
Born from the realization that traditional recruiting wasn’t solving the deeper problem of alignment, Y Scouts was founded to connect purpose-driven organizations with leaders who are not just talented but also aligned with their mission.
Our journey has been one of learning, growth, and unwavering commitment to transforming the recruiting industry by elevating leadership to a higher purpose.
This is our story—how we turned disruption into opportunity and purpose into action.
At Y Scouts, our core values drive everything we do. They reflect our commitment to excellence, integrity, and innovation in the executive search industry.
True leadership stems from continuous learning, as genuine leaders embrace every opportunity.
True leaders are defined by the tangible results they have achieved.
True leadership is measured by how many leaders you've developed.
We genuinely listen, understand your challenges, and provide honest, tailored solutions.
We promote a healthy, balanced lifestyle for personal and professional success.
Max Hansen began his recruiting career in the aviation engineering industry, working for various companies, including Fortune 50 firm Aerotek.
Early on, he experienced firsthand what makes
a leader impactful—and what happens when inefficiencies and toxic corporate cultures
hold companies back.
The events of 9/11 sent shockwaves through industries, especially aviation. Max witnessed how businesses either adapted or crumbled.
This crisis reinforced the need for resilient, purpose-driven leadership, inspiring Max to seek a more meaningful approach to business—a shift that would later shape Y Scouts.
Frustrated by a broken recruiting system,
Max co-founded his first company, Job Brokers, Inc., with a partner and two investors.
The company’s rapid success, growing 100% annually, led to further entrepreneurial ventures.
Landed significant contracts, including with companies like Avengoa and Goodrich.
This period marked growth and learning, but also eye-opening lessons about the importance of aligning leadership with values.
Omco Solar became one of Max’s biggest clients, helping shape his belief that great leadership goes beyond just filling roles—it’s about creating culture and driving long-term success.
By this time, Max had spent years running recruiting companies, growing increasingly disillusioned with the transactional nature of the industry. He recognized the revolving door of candidates and knew that true, purpose-driven leadership was the missing ingredient.
Max began experimenting with purpose-based recruiting, driven by a desire for deeper,
more meaningful connections between leaders and organizations.
Max and his longtime friend Brian Mohr— also searching for more meaning in their work—began refining the concept of Y Scouts.
They envisioned a different kind of recruiting firm, one that focused not just on skills but on aligning purpose, values, and leadership.
Y Scouts was officially founded, rooted in the philosophy of “Hiring on Purpose.” Max and Brian partnered with a renowned neuroscientist to develop a groundbreaking model focused on cultural alignment and leadership qualities.
They set out to change the executive recruiting game, aiming for true transformation rather than transactional placements.
Y Scouts’ revolutionary approach to leadership recruiting culminated in the release of the book Hiring on Purpose, co-authored by Max Hansen and Brian Mohr.
The book outlined their unique recruiting philosophy and quickly became a must-read in the industry.
When the world shifted during the COVID-19 pandemic, Y Scouts stayed resilient.
Their commitment to employees and clients never wavered, successfully navigating the challenges of remote work and changing business dynamics while maintaining full employment and insurance coverage.
Max was featured in Forbes, solidifying Y Scouts’ reputation as a leader in purpose-driven recruitment.
The feature highlighted Y Scouts’ high-performance management and continued success.
As remote work became the new normal,
Y Scouts thrived. Mobility increased, borders disappeared, and Y Scouts became the go-to recruiting firm for forward-thinking companies adapting to the future of work.
Y Scouts has become the #1 purpose-driven executive leadership search firm on the planet, with affiliations including Genius Network, SaaS Academy, YPO, Conscious Capitalism, EOS, and many more. With a goal to help make 10,000 purposeful hires by 2030, Y Scouts is well on its way to achieving that mission.
This essential guide is designed for business leaders and HR professionals who aim to streamline their hiring process and secure top talent that aligns perfectly with their company’s mission and culture.
