About Us
Bridging the gap
Leveraging expertise to fill gaps at a fraction of the cost.
We recognized a growing need in the Des Moines metro for a flexible, efficient solution to hiring top talent and services. Organizations were struggling to find the right expertise without incurring excessive costs and resource drains. Simultaneously, independent contractors sought more opportunities to showcase their skills.
We decided to bridge this gap, creating a service that benefits both organizations and contractors. As a broker of independent contractors and services, we provide expertise on demand, saving our clients time, money, and resources, offering them the flexibility to make strategic moves when needed—all while ensuring they only pay for the services they require.
Leverage4 empowers your business with on-demand fractional experts, driving strategic growth without the commitment of full-time hires.
LEVERAGE4 PROCESS
1.
Identify Objectives and Gaps
2.
Build the Solution and Plan
3.
Leverage the Resources
4.
Manage the Process
CORE VALUES:
1. Expertise:
Leverage4 values expertise and strives to connect your business with highly skilled professionals and fractional experts who bring specialized knowledge and experience to their respective fields.
2. Integrity:
Upholding integrity is crucial for Leverage4. We prioritize honesty, transparency, and ethical practices in our interactions with clients and professionals.
3. Collaboration:
We place a high value on collaboration and foster strong partnerships with both businesses and our network of fractional experts. We aim to understand our clients' needs and work closely with them to provide tailored solutions.
4. Flexibility:
Flexibility is a core value for Leverage4. We understand that businesses have unique requirements and adapt to their changing needs, offering flexible arrangements and scalable solutions.
OUR TEAM
Lori Gelhaar
Managing Partner
Lori Gelhaar is a seasoned business operations professional with expertise spanning in Recruiting, HR, Sales, and Finance—a little bit of everything! But if you ask her friends and colleagues, they’ll probably say she’s best known for her quick wit and being a smartass (a title she wears proudly).
Lori’s professional journey started in recruiting, sparked by a college internship that paved the way for a career connecting talent to opportunities. She’s worked in corporate recruiting, headhunting, and even “recruiting in reverse” as a Regional Director for Kaplan University, where she helped graduates find their footing in the job market. Eventually, Lori ventured into entrepreneurship, launching a company in the industrial services arena. It was there she discovered a love for business operations, problem-solving, and building teams that genuinely enjoy their work.
These experiences ultimately led Lori to Leverage4, where she now serves as part of the leadership team. With workforce dynamics evolving post-COVID, Leverage4 was created to bridge the gap between businesses and independent contractors, offering a flexible model that provides companies with highly skilled professionals only when they need them. Why pay for a full-time employee or 40 hours when you really only need 5-20 hours of expert support? As the traditional 8-5 workday continues to shift, Lori is passionate about helping both businesses and contractors thrive in this new landscape.
Outside of work, Lori and her husband are raising three teenagers (one in college and two not far behind) and taking care of a house full of pets, including a dog, a cat, a gecko, four chickens, and some fish. While she jokingly blames the kids for most of the menagerie, she takes full credit for their Golden Retriever—“the sweetest dog ever!”
When she’s not busy with work or running between kids’ activities, you’ll find Lori by the water. Whether it’s a pool, lake, ocean, or just a good old-fashioned pond, she’s happiest near the water with a cold beer, a glass of wine, or a whiskey in hand. Day drinking is her favorite—because, as she likes to say, you can have all the fun and still be in bed by 9:00 (okay, maybe 9:30).
What makes Lori unique in her profession is her ability to connect the dots—whether it’s building strong working relationships, solving complex problems, or envisioning the big picture. She’s driven by the challenge of finding solutions and helping others see the possibilities.
Melanie Lane
Partner
Melanie Lane is a dynamic sales professional with a natural talent for building strong, authentic relationships. Known for her ability to establish trust and provide tailored solutions, Melanie has built a career centered around creating impactful, long-term connections with clients.
Her professional journey began at Mayo Clinic in clinical research, where she coordinated studies and collaborated with MDs and PhDs across the globe. Alongside this, Melanie pursued her passion for coaching volleyball and earned a Master’s in Educational Leadership & Sports Management, leading her to the collegiate coaching world. She quickly became adept at recruiting and building winning team cultures, which translates seamlessly into her sales and recruitment expertise today.
Melanie’s experience spans companies like Palmer Group, SmartClean, Bing Bang, and Leverage4, where she’s known for her unique approach to solving problems and matching clients with complementary talent. Her coaching background has given her a deep understanding of motivation and leadership, making her exceptionally skilled at connecting the right people and enhancing team dynamics.
Outside of her professional roles, Melanie is a proud mom to her daughter, Izzy, and their cat, Skol (Go Vikings!). She enjoys spending time with family and friends, attending country concerts, watching football, and traveling the world whenever she can. Though she once tried to retire from coaching, she was quickly drawn back in, proving that her passion for mentoring others is lifelong.
Fun Fact: Melanie has been published 17 times in medical journals—a testament to her diverse skillset and commitment to excellence.
WHY THESE FOUR PILLARS?
Most would agree sales, marketing, operations and HR are the life blood of any solid organization. They are the essential pillars that hold any good business up. The founders of Leverage4 understand these areas, because we’ve been there – with years of experience under our belts. More importantly, we’ve seen what can happen when one or more of these pillars is weak or missing. Together, we are using our collective experience to move businesses forward, by matching them with the right positions and services that not only understand their business, but bring a unique perspective that only veteran professionals can provide.
Frequently asked
questions about us
Your success is our priority. With a focus on customized solutions and a vast network of fractional experts – we're dedicated to being the driving force behind your business success.
Fractional Services Company like Leverage4 specialize in connecting businesses with highly skilled professionals and fractional experts who can seamlessly integrate into your team to drive growth and operational excellence. Whether you need a seasoned sales strategist, a creative marketing guru, a financial expert, or an operations specialist, we have a network of talented professionals ready to step in and deliver results. With our flexible and cost-effective approach, you get the expertise you need, when you need it, without the long-term commitment.
Leverage4 specializes in a wide range of fractional experts ready to fill roles, including but not limited to CFOs, CTOs, CMOs, and more. We tailor our services to meet the unique needs of each client, ensuring they have the right fractional professional for their specific requirements.
Matching is a key strength at Leverage4. We consider factors such as industry expertise, company culture fit, and specific project requirements. By understanding both the client's needs and the professional's strengths, we create successful matches that drive value for both parties.
Leverage4 collaborates with a diverse range of industries and sectors. Our expertise spans across sales, marketing, finance, operations and beyond. This versatility enables us to provide fractional services that cater to the unique demands of different businesses.
Leverage4 stands out from traditional staffing agencies by offering flexible and specialized services. Unlike traditional staffing, which often provides full-time hires, we focus on fractional roles, allowing clients to access the expertise they need without the commitment of a full-time employee.
Our sourcing process involves a thorough evaluation of candidates' skills, experience, and industry knowledge. We utilize a combination of interviews, skill assessments, and reference checks to vet fractional professionals, ensuring they meet our high standards and align with the needs of our clients.
The duration of a fractional engagement varies based on the scope of the project and the client's requirements. Leverage4 offers flexibility, allowing clients to engage fractional professionals for short-term projects or longer-term commitments, depending on their business objectives.
At Leverage4, we prioritize the confidentiality and security of our clients' information. We implement robust data security measures, including secure communication channels and strict access controls. Our professionals are bound by confidentiality agreements, ensuring that sensitive information remains protected throughout the engagement.
Your Business
Deserves The Best.
We’ll Help You Get It.
BRIDGING GAPS WITH OUR EXPERTISE. FRACTION BY FRACTION.
Your Business
Deserves The Best.
We’ll Help You Get It.
BRIDGING GAPS WITH OUR EXPERTISE. FRACTION BY FRACTION.
Our Pricing: Leverage4 has retainer and project based pricing plans depending on the scope of your need. To receive an estimate, please fill out the following application and you’ll hear from us within 24-48 hours of the request.