People · operator entity page
Lissa Burke · the exec-search CEO who also invests in MedTech/HealthTech/AI/SaaS — wired into the whole startup network, twice over
Lissa Burke is CEO of Kaizen Executive Search, placing boards and C-suites for venture/PE-backed MedTech, HealthTech, Robotics, AI, and SaaS startups — and investing in them too, which makes her one of the most connected nodes in the startup ecosystem.
Who she is
Connector-to-connector, not vendor-to-prospect
Lissa runs Kaizen Executive Search and invests across MedTech, HealthTech, Robotics, AI, and SaaS. PJ runs SideGuy building the operator + automation layer for businesses. The fit: every startup she places into or backs eventually needs the systems built (not just staffed), and I'm a no-lock-in, operator-honest resource she can refer — adjacent to her work, never competing with a placement, and it makes her the hero for the intro.
What a SideGuy does for Lissa
Where a connector-investor and an operator-builder intersect
- For your clients & portfolio — When a company needs the operator/automation layer built (not just a hire), I'm a clean resource you can route them to.
- Connectors should know each other — Both in the San Diego startup world, both wired into the network. Worth being on each other's radar.
- No-risk referral — Not an agency, no lock-in — an operator-builder your companies can text. Makes you the hero for the intro, never competes with a search.
Connectors should know each other. When a company needs systems built, not just staffed, I'm the clean resource you route them to.
Want to try a tech department for an hour?
I'll give it a quick first look. No Calendly · no meeting · neighbor to neighbor.
Either way · I'll give it a quick first look. Text PJ at 858-461-8054. No Calendly · neighbor to neighbor.
Find Lissa publicly
her work, not ours
- LinkedIn: Lissa Burke
- Company: CEO, Kaizen Executive Search · search + investment in venture/PE-backed MedTech, HealthTech, Robotics, AI & SaaS · San Diego
Same lane on SideGuy
Startup connectors & investors
Related on SideGuy
North County coastal substrate
- The SideGuy Operator Network → the living map of every North County operator we've built a page for — you're on it
- San Diego operator network → all the neighbors in one place
- Local NCSD → the coastal operator network
- About PJ Zonis → the single operator behind this page
- People we work with → the broader operator index