About
Insight before outreach.
Nele Traen — Founder, YATO Solutions
I'm Nele Traen, founder of YATO Solutions. My expertise wasn't built behind a desk, but through more than two decades in HR and executive search — advising organizations, hiring talent, and having thousands of real conversations along the way.
My approach is straightforward, which is precisely why it works: listen closely, ask the sharp questions, and understand the real need before making a connection. I bring analytical clarity together with genuine empathy, because neither delivers lasting results on its own.
To me, search and advisory go far beyond filling vacancies. It's about spotting potential, unlocking career-defining opportunities, and building partnerships that endure. Clients often describe me as their strategic sparring partner — and that captures it best.
Personally
Grounded, curious, and always at eye level.
A full schedule is simply my normal. Between three kids, keeping bees in the garden, and heading into the mountains to ski or bike, quiet moments are rare — and getting outside is how I recharge. But I love bringing people together just as much: great food, good music, a glass of wine, and the kind of honest, uninterrupted conversation where real connections happen.
I have little patience for superficial small talk or rehearsed talking points. When a topic catches my attention, I won't let go until I truly understand how the gears turn. I ask questions, dig into the context, and never settle for the easiest answer.
That is the exact energy I bring to my client engagements: completely unpretentious and down-to-earth, but relentless about looking beneath the surface.
What you can hold me to
Four principles that guide every engagement.
Context before candidates
No search begins until I truly understand what matters most — for the company culture, the role dynamics, and the candidate alike.
Quality over volume
A select roster of engagements, given full attention. I would rather present three people who genuinely fit than thirty who might.
Candor, even when uncomfortable
If something isn't a fit, I say so directly. It saves everyone time and builds the trust that great decisions depend on.
Discretion without exception
Absolute confidentiality across both sides, at every step, with no fine print.
Behind YATO
Giving every client my full attention requires strong support. Behind the scenes, a dedicated team keeps our research and operations running seamlessly. At the table, however, your sparring partner is always me.
Villach, Carinthia
A deliberate vantage point, not an accident of geography.
YATO Solutions is based in Villach — not Vienna, Munich, or Frankfurt. That is an intentional choice: the calm of southern Austria provides the clarity needed to think deeply, advise honestly, and assess talent without distraction.
While our searches take us directly into the major business centers of Germany and Austria, our distance from the metropolitan noise isn't a limitation. It's our greatest strategic advantage.
Let's connect.
Great partnerships begin with an open conversation — confidential, without obligation, and completely free of a sales pitch.
Schedule an introductory call