Chris Batz is the President of The Lion Group and brings 12 years to Legal & Executive Search.

“I was connecting people before I knew I could get paid for it.”

Clients and Candidates say “I am genuine, warm and curious.”

He is a business development professional & entrepreneur in the executive search industry with a background in public accounting and a mind for big picture strategic thinking & marketing. He is a connector and catalyst for client’s goals.

What should you expect working with Chris?

“I am a detailed type A, patient, trustworthy advocate. I am a high-level strategic thinker, but I also shift to the nitty-gritty details. I live outside the box. I think big. I deliver in the present but live in the future. I am bold and open doors for people who may not have the time or want to. You can expect a prompt honest service.”

I am from St Louis, raised in South Florida and finished my two accounting degrees in Indiana. My wife, daughter, son and pug call Kansas City home since 2011.

As a family, we value courage, kindness, being connected and celebration.

Fun Facts:
My vice is books. I am a life long learner and tend to read a stack of books at once. I study businesses and am a long-term investor of publicly traded companies.

I’m an ENTP. 

Recruiting since 2019, Deni is known for her love of people and attention to detail as she partners with clients and candidates throughout the US (with an emphasis on the Midwest). While industry agnostic, she’s comfortable filling Corporate Counsel to General Counsel roles (including a sweet spot of helping companies hire their 1st GC). She enjoys placing (non-legal) C-suite executives and building lasting relationships with clients as they grow and their needs change.

In addition to recruiting, she has also been deemed the “Chief Fun Officer” for team Lion Group to celebrate the wins and create fun throughout the year. Life is short. Work hard and smile big as often as you can.

Deni was born in a suburb of Philadelphia and moved to Kansas City in 2009. While she can pull on her northeast roots, she’s settled into the Midwest and fell in love with the warmth and kindness of its people. Prior to recruiting, her experience was centered on customer service and administration in a faith-based, non-profit organization and in the finance and healthcare sectors. In 2023, she married the love of her life, Marcus, and they share a home in south KC with their two rescue pups, Ollie and Winnie. She loves to laugh, eat good food (due to her Italian roots), create art (in all mediums), and get outside in nature. 

Fun Facts:

• You’ll find Deni eating Chick-fil-A more than any other restaurant. It’s a deep love since she was introduced in 2005. 
• Deni is nearly 6 ft tall and it surprises folks in her network often when they meet in person. She did play basketball for one season and was absolutely awful (coordination took time to recover after growing 6 inches in one summer)! 

Raised in an entrepreneur’s household with my 3 brothers. Competition & determination is part of my DNA. Growing up in Kansas City, I have strong opinions on where to find the best BBQ as well who the best QB in the league is. I came to The Lion Group with a strong background in sales and talent acquisition and enjoyed my previous roles focused on serving executives in the healthcare market.

I love the hunt when it comes to recruiting. Learning what a client is looking for and then going into the market and finding the top talent to meet their needs is a thrill. I also enjoy speaking with folks about their career objectives and bringing value and insight on how they might reach those.

Fun Facts:

• I am married to a Scientist and yes, she uses a lot of big words.
• Most Wednesday nights you will find me at our Church’s Youth group refereeing (and most of the time playing) dodge ball as well as mentoring a group of 6th grade boys.
• I love to camp and travel, my favorite places are Tucson, AZ & Portland, OR.

Since joining The Lion Group in September 2022, Bea has been instrumental in streamlining executive operations and enhancing productivity within the company.

Recognized as a “rockstar in research,” Bea excels in gathering essential contact information and conducting in-depth investigations for various projects. Her analytical skills and attention to detail make her a valuable asset in generating crucial data that supports strategic decisions.

Bea’s remarkable ability to manage a diverse range of tasks from a remote location highlights her exceptional organizational skills and her commitment to ensuring the smooth operation of business functions at The Lion Group.

Fun Facts:

• Bea’s all-time favorite series is FRIENDS where she rewatches the series at least 3 times per year and would never get bored of it!
• In her high school days, Bea was a member of their soccer varsity team and was her batch’s Vice Governor during her senior year.

I’m young, hungry, and love to hustle. Growing up a Pastor’s kid, interpersonal skills were a requirement. After discovering a passion for business and participating in various startups through high school and college, recruiting is where my passion for people, love for incentivized work, and new business development have met.

Two things get me out of bed in the morning, helping clients meet their business objectives by getting the right people on their team, and helping candidates advance their careers with rockstar companies. Of course, meeting new people, hearing their stories, and participating in their life aspirations is not a bad gig either.

Fun Facts:

• I love simple competition. Board games, yard games, organized sports. You name it and that is what I want to do in my free time.
• I love my wife, dog, piano (there are few things in life that make me feel more alive than playing Charlie Brown Christmas on a Yamaha Baby Grand), and lifting heavy weights.
• On Wednesday nights you’ll find me at our Church’s youth group and on Sunday morning tickling the ivories for the worship team.