Our story

Our story all began with an idea. We wanted to launch a business that was transparent. We wanted to crush recruitment myths. We wanted to create a better experience.

And to be completely candid, "we" is actually just "I," but it feels a bit self-centered to make it all about ME, so we went with "we."  

Why 77Giraffes? After 12+ years in design recruitment, I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the very ugly. But I’ve also seen what happens when the right person finds the right team — and how much a great hire can change both a company and someone’s career.

At the end of the day, I’m a people person. I believe recruiting should feel human. Removing the jargon. Removing the ego. Removing the friction. And understanding that the right hire is about more than checking boxes on a job description.

The recruiting industry has lost its way. I believe in keeping things human, honest, and transparent. Recruiting is about people — and no amount of AI can change that.

Meet the “we”

Founder, Principal, Chief Matchmaker

Erica Fortgang

Chief Barketing Officer

Midnight

I’m a design recruiter and career coach with 12+ years of experience specializing in product design, UX/UI, brand and visual design, and design leadership.

I’ve worked with early-stage startups, scaling tech companies, design studios, and enterprise teams. I love getting into the weeds of what a team really needs — beyond the title and job description — and finding the person who makes sense for the work, the company, and the team. My background in art and design shapes the way I recruit and how I understand and evaluate creative work.

On the career coaching side, I work one-on-one with creatives on resumes, LinkedIn profiles, portfolios, salary negotiation, job search strategy, and figuring out what they want to do next. I’m not here to do it for you. I’m here to help you tell your story, advocate for yourself, and navigate the job market.

Outside of work, you’ll usually find me traveling, trying a new restaurant, spending time with friends and family, or taking approximately 900 photos of my dog.