Locke Jillson brings over a decade of executive talent experience to Lightspeed, where he helps founders and CEOs build high-impact leadership teams. He splits his time between advising portfolio companies on hiring strategy and expanding Lightspeed’s broader network of operators, advisors, and search firms.

Before joining Lightspeed, Locke spent six years at Kindred Partners, a boutique executive search firm serving portfolio companies of top-tier venture firms. There, he worked with several Lightspeed-backed startups and was struck by both the caliber of founders and the hands-on support provided by the investing team. When an opportunity opened up on the Executive Talent team, it felt like a natural next chapter. “The thesis I heard from Pete Steinle and Nicole North about serving founders and investors resonated with how I want to spend my career,” Locke says.

Locke’s interest in startups began during college, when he interned at Intel’s Government Affairs office in Washington, D.C. Working on policy issues like patent reform and H1B visa expansion, he began to trace many of them back to one place: Silicon Valley. “The more I followed the thread, the more I realized it all started with venture,” he says.

His approach is grounded in empathy and partnership. “A company’s journey is hardly ever linear,” he says. “We’ve seen breakout successes stumble and near-shutdowns rebound. You just never know, so we owe every founder our full commitment, always delivered with authenticity.”

As a former college and pro hockey player, Locke brings a nuanced view of team dynamics. “I’ve seen talented teams fall short and overlooked teams outperform,” he says. “The ones that go the distance share a mission and lead with humility and humanity.” That belief shapes how he partners with founders to build leadership teams that unlock growth.

Raised in a family that valued curiosity and effort, Locke was encouraged to pursue what captured his imagination and to always keep asking why. A mindset fuels his approach to one of Lightspeed’s core values: Challenge Convention.

Outside of work, Locke spends time with his wife, Casey, and their two young kids, Mo and LJ, and geeks out on wine, golf course architecture, and which Grateful Dead era is the best.