Making Character Count

Bald Ambition

Hiring mistakes cost companies billions of dollars each year, a trend that continues to plague recruiters, hiring managers, and especially candidates, who seek work that best aligns with their natural strengths and career aspirations. Meet Sean Vassilaros, co-founder and CEO of KANNY, a startup that is revolutionizing the hiring process through revealing a candidate's work character, and taking a new approach to training and development.

The Guest

Sean Vassilaros is a mission-driven entrepreneur and philanthropist leveraging technology for social impact. As CEO of KANNY, he is transforming hiring through peer-driven Character Checks, providing a vital tool for building high-integrity teams.

His entrepreneurial journey began at 21 when he co-founded and sold his first company. He later held leadership roles in IT and communications, including COO of Ignite Health (inVentiv/Syneos). In 2012, Sean co-founded THREAD, a leader in decentralized clinical trials, partnering with major brands like Apple, Johnson & Johnson, and AstraZeneca. He remains a THREAD owner and board observer.

Sean serves on the Board of Directors for Spectrum Science and as an Adjunct Professor at Lehigh University, mentoring students on international innovation projects. He is also the Chairman of the Board for OUR Rescue, leading the organization through a critical turnaround.

Committed to philanthropy, Sean founded the Hailey Mayz Foundation, providing therapy to thousands of special needs children. His leadership and global humanitarian efforts continue to drive meaningful change.

The Company

KANNY is transforming hiring by replacing outdated reference checks with real, peer-sourced insights into a candidate’s character—because integrity, accountability, and humility matter as much as skills. The KANNY platform connects employers with verified, firsthand feedback from colleagues who’ve actually worked with a candidate, delivering a unique and unbiased data point that hiring teams can’t get anywhere else. By bringing character to the forefront of hiring, KANNY helps organizations build stronger, more trustworthy teams.

The Resources

www.kanny.com – Learn how KANNY is redefining hiring with peer-sourced insights.

www.kanny.com/employers – See how companies use KANNY to build stronger, high-character teams.

www.kanny.com/whitepaper – Download Dr. Paul Spector’s The Business Case for Character to explore why character matters in hiring and retention.

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