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Search Industry Veteran Bernard Zen-Ruffinen Dies
Bernard Zen-Ruffinen passed away suddenly on January 17, 2024, near his home in Zermatt, Switzerland. “Korn Ferry has lost a dear friend, gifted leader and a widely-regarded colleague who has formed so many lasting connections with colleagues across our firm – truly making a difference in their lives,” said Gary D. Burnison, CEO of Korn
The Imperative of Women in Private Equity
As with many sectors, the urgency of diversity and gender equality is taking center stage in the world of private equity (PE). But why is having diversity in leadership roles, particularly women, so vital in private equity and PE organizations’ portfolio companies? The answer lies not just in numbers – although the metrics do speak
Executive Recruiters Pull Off Another Remarkable Year, Remain Bullish for 2023
Hunt Scanlon Media has released its annual rankings of leading executive recruiters. In the U.S. and globally, billions of dollars poured into the high-end recruiting sector in 2022, a result of continued pentup demand for senior-level leaders and their key reports.
m/Oppenheim Executive Search Recruits Executive Director for Creative Alliance
Non-profit recruitment firm m/Oppenheim Executive Search has placed Jason Steer as the new executive director of Creative Alliance in Baltimore, MD. Lee Kappelman, Oscar Quiros, and Steve Oppenheim led the assignment. “We are thrilled to welcome Jason Steer to Creative Alliance and to Baltimore,” said Amy Seto, Creative Alliance board president. “Jason brings to us his vision and
GDPR – The Perfect Time to Refresh Your Database
As executive search firms grapple with the complexities of GDPR, many are concerned that the new regulation will mean deleting thousands of records built up over many years. Surely there must be an alternative?
True Appoints Regional Lead for Middle East and North Africa
Global talent provider True has named Paul Navratil as regional lead for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). “Paul’s arrival marks a pivotal moment for True in MENA,” said Sam McGrath, True’s general manager, EMEA & APAC. “His wealth of international experience and strategic acumen align perfectly with our vision for growth and client success in the
Executive Recruiting Sector Declines 12 Percent
Hunt Scanlon Media has released its annual productivity report of leading executive recruiters. In the U.S. and globally, billions of dollars poured into the high-end recruiting sector in 2023, but at a slower rate than in previous years. “Market turbulence and a soft economy impacted most executive recruiters who pulled through a challenging year,” said Scott A.
Howard Fischer Associates Assists Agility Robotics with CEO Search
Philadelphia-headquartered executive search firm Howard Fischer Associates has helped to recruit Peggy Johnson as the new CEO of Agility Robotics, creator of the bipedal Mobile Manipulation Robot (MMR) called Digit. “Peggy Johnson’s long track record of engineering and business success at Qualcomm and Microsoft, and her recent achievements driving change as CEO of Magic Leap, make her
Harbour West Consulting Recruits Chief Librarian for the New Westminster Public Library
Executive recruitment firm Harbour West Consulting Inc. has placed Carolyn Caseñas as chief librarian for the New Westminster Public Library. Ms. Caseñas was selected for the role after a comprehensive search process in collaboration with the search committee, Harbour West Consulting, and with the approval of the library’s board of trustees. “New Westminster Public Library is thrilled
Borderless AI Secures $27 Million in Funding
Borderless AI, an AI-powered startup in the Employer of Record (EOR) space, has raised $27 million in seed funding. The seed round was led by Susquehanna and Aglaé Ventures, the venture arm of Bernard Arnault, with participation from additional institutional investors. The company was founded by serial entrepreneur Willson Cross and Lyft’s founding investor Sean Aggarwal. “As the first company in the world to bring
Pedersen & Partners Names Head of Boston Office
Dubai-headquartered executive search firm Pedersen & Partners has appointed John Durkey as a client partner and head of Boston office. “We are excited to welcome John Durkey to our team as client partner and head of the Boston office,” said Gary Williams, CEO of Pedersen & Partners. “John’s extensive experience in the life sciences & healthcare and industrial sectors,
The Critical Role of Interim Executives
In the dynamic landscape of today’s business world, companies often face unexpected challenges that demand swift and effective solutions. One such solution gaining prominence is interim management, according to a recent report from SpenglerFox. The global search firm delves into the pivotal role that interim management plays in times of crisis in transforming businesses, especially
The Moran Company Seeking CEO for YWCA Northeast Kansas
The Moran Company, an an executive recruitment firm that specializes in the non-profit sector, has been retained by YWCA Northeast Kansas to lead in its search for a new CEO. Senior search consultant Brandi Fisher is leading the assignment. YWCA Northeast Kansas is seeking a CEO who can build on the organization’s successes as a
Kittleman & Associates Recruits CEO for National Industries for the Blind
Following an extensive nationwide search, Chicago-based search firm Kittleman & Associates recently assisted in the recruitment of Soraya Correa as president and CEO of National Industries for the Blind (NIB), the nation’s largest employment resource for people who are blind. Kevin Lynch, who has been NIB president and CEO for more than 15 years, announced last summer
Charles Aris Combines Finance, Accounting and Corporate Development Teams
Greensboro, NC-based executive search firm Charles Aris Executive Search has announced that its finance, accounting and corporate development teams have combined as one practice. The groups will now operate as the finance and corporate development practice. “Senior firm leaders agreed on this development after recognizing the value one unified practice will bring to clients seeking specialized expertise at
Karen Harvey Consulting Group Grows Search Staff
Karen Harvey Consulting Group (KHC), an international executive search and brand advisory firm in fashion, luxury, lifestyle and beauty, has appointed Anais Goujon to director, executive and creative search, Kate Sunderland as vice president, creative search, and Charlotte Reeve as associate director, executive search. “Since founding Karen Harvey Consulting, my goal has been to build
Why High-Performing Executives Don’t Always Operate as High-Performing Teams
It might sound counterintuitive, but a group made up of individual high performers does not always translate to a high-performing team. The fact that these professionals excel at their primary jobs doesn’t automatically mean they will work cohesively and effectively as a team, a new report from Odgers Berndtson explains. A poorly functioning team is
ECA Partners Recruits CEO for RedCAT Systems
Santa Monica, CA-based search firm ECA Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Jason Phillips as the new CEO for RedCAT Systems, a Boulder, CO-based compensation platform with people-centered solutions for performance and pay. “With a rich background in global business leadership spanning over a decade, Jason’s appointment signals a new chapter of growth and innovation for
Bob Murray & Associates Leading Search for Top LAPD Position
The public sector is in the midst of major transformation. It faces an array of challenges that range from shifting public expectations to budgetary pressures and a growing demand for operational efficiency. To successfully navigate these issues, government organizations need leaders who are focused, tenacious, and adaptable, report recruiters, with the capacity to deal with
Pekarsky & Co. and Humanis Advisory Merge
Calgary-based Pekarsky & Co. and Edmonton-headquartered Humanis Advisory have formed a strategic partnership. Combining their renowned expertise and deep-rooted legacies, the newly company will be called Humanis Talent Acquisition & Advisory. “This merger is a testament to our shared values and vision,” said Adam Pekarsky, founding partner of Pekarsky & Co. “We are excited to
Ezekia Adds Former Salesforce Exec to Board
Recruitment software providers Ezekia has elected Simon O’Kane to its board of directors. “It is great to have Simon on board,” said Joseph Blass founder and CEO of Ezekia. “Of course, we will benefit from his vast experience in the software sector however, boards are not only about facts and numbers, but about personalities too, and Simon
Achieving Diversity for Non-Profits
Top leaders are absolutely vital to driving diversity and inclusion at non-profits. “On an operational level, leaders establish policies and practices that frame and activate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and embed it into the fibers of the organization,” said Deb Taft, chief executive officer at Lindauer. “On a personal level, a leader’s own behavior sets
Prodigy Search Seeking General Manager for ASM Global / Allegiant Stadium
Prodigy Search, a boutique recruiting firm serving the talent needs of media, sports, and entertainment organizations, was recently selected by ASM Global / Allegiant Stadium to lead in the search for a general manager. This executive will be responsible for the overall management of Allegiant Stadium and is expected to be a revenue generator with strong
Cause Leadership Leading Development Officer Search for Wycliffe College
Virtually every industry needs top-drawer chief development officers. CDOs play a key role in planning, coordinating, and administering capital campaigns, corporate giving, and galvanizing new donors while keeping previous funders content. Implementing funding strategies that “keep the lights on,” according to recruiters specializing in the function, is Job No. 1. Wycliffe College recently called in
Vanderbloemen Heading Executive Director Search for Martin Luther School
Vanderbloemen, which finds leaders for churches and ministries, is currently leading the executive director search for Martin Luther School in Queens, NY. The executive director, functioning as the chief executive officer of New York Corporation The Martin Luther School, is responsible for carrying out the policies of the association through its board of directors. S/he
Catalyst Advisors Names Partner
Catalyst Advisors recently named Todd Hutchings as a new partner, expanding the firm’s presence on the West Coast. “The hire further strengthens Catalyst’s mission of connecting innovative companies with exceptional talent, drawing on Todd’s expertise recruiting across sectors including diagnostics, med tech, pharma/biotech and tools and instruments,” the search firm said. “We are thrilled to
M&A Dealmakers Intensify Focus On Founders’ Background Checks To Help Mitigate Risk
In the VC world, it seems that for every startup that fulfills its unicorn potential, there are countless others that flame out amid high-profile controversy. Often, those flameouts are accompanied by pointed media commentary asking how the signs — so obvious in hindsight — could have been missed. This has led to increased scrutiny by
Arts Consulting Group Assists Shakespeare Theatre Company with Executive Director Search
Boston-based search firm Arts Consulting Group (ACG) has placed Rebecca Ende Lichtenberg as the new executive director of Shakespeare Theatre Company (STC) in Washington, D.C. She succeeds Chris Jennings, who left STC this July after 19 years. Vice president Geoff Chang led the assignment. “Rebecca brings a wealth of experience to her new role at Shakespeare Theatre Company,” said
PierceGray Recruits Chief Operating Officer for Consumer Safety Technology
PierceGray recently assisted in the recruitment of Melissa Robbins as the new chief operating officer of Consumer Safety Technology (CST). “We are looking to the future, with clear goals in mind, including the opportunity to redefine the market with game-changing products and services,” said Kathy Boden Holland, CEO of Consumer Safety Technology. “I’m confident we’ve
Anthem Executive Seeking Chief Information Officer for Texas Woman’s University
Executive recruitment firm Anthem Executive was recently retained by Texas Woman’s University (TWU) in Denton, TX, to lead in its search for a chief information officer. Michael Ballew, Scott Watson, Mike “JR” Wheless, and Florene Stawowy are leading the assignment. The CIO is responsible for advancing the university’s curriculum, providing leadership for the faculty, overseeing research, and developing strategic, innovative programs that
5 Ways Search Firms Support the Talent Management Priorities of PE Companies
In recent years, private equity firms’ desire for top talent has reached an all-time high. This high level of demand is in response to a recognition across the industry that having the right people in key executive roles is a critical factor in how private equity firms are able to maintain growth amid significant market
Greenwood /Asher & Associates Seeks CHRO for Clemson University
Miramar Beach, FL-based executive recruitment firm Greenwood /Asher & Associates has been enlisted to find an associate vice president/ chief human resources officer for Clemson University in South Carolina. Clemson is seeking a dynamic leader on the cutting-edge of human resources strategy development and deployment, said Greenwood /Asher & Associates. The new CHRO will report to
Crist|Kolder Associates Recruits CFO for Foot Locker
Crist|Kolder Associates recently assisted in the placement of Andrew E. Page as the new chief financial officer of New York-based specialty athletic retailer Foot Locker. The previous CFO, Lauren B. Peters, is retiring. “We are pleased to welcome Andrew as Foot Locker’s next CFO,” said Richard Johnson, chairman and CEO. “Andrew has a track record of successfully leading finance functions,
NPAworldwide Adds Seven New Member Firms
Seven new independent recruitment firms have recently joined member-owned recruitment network NPAworldwide in the U.S., Europe, Canada and Africa. These search outfits seek to increase revenue through NPAworldwide’s cooperative placement model. NPA now has 550 member offices across six continents. “Congratulations to each of our new members,” said Dave Nerz, president of NPAworldwide. “By joining the network, these
Skills Gap Points to Why We Need to Invest in People
Despite persistently high unemployment levels, the skills gap is costing employers millions of dollars annually. A new report from Horton International explores how the skills gap has evolved and takes a deep dive into what human capital is, and why we need to invest in people. The report, authored by Guillermo Cepeda, says that the nature of work is
Pandemic Era Spawns New C-Suite Roles
Along with the sudden rise in importance of chief people officers and CHROs, the pandemic era has spawned many new C-suite roles. But only some of those are likely to become permanent corporate fixtures when the current crisis subsides. A new report from Boyden explores how CEOs have used the creation of new executive roles to help
Greenwich Harbor Partners Fills Board Position for Teach for America
Greenwich Harbor Partners partnered with Teach for America in the recent recruitment of TransUnion executive Hilary Chidi to its board of directors. “Hilary is a rising star at TransUnion, a company that is highly committed to social responsibility; he was immediately attracted to Teach for America’s mission to support educational equality and excellence,” said Ted Pryor,
Phillips Oppenheim Seeking CEO for New York Botanical Garden
New York City-based executive search firm Phillips Oppenheim has been retained by the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) to lead its search for a new chief executive officer. Leading the assignment are Sarah James and Becky Klein. NYBG seeks a leader of unusual vision, intellectual breadth, managerial experience and cultural sensibility to enhance the relevance, impact and appeal
CannabizTeam Opens Office in Newark
Marijuana has become more popular than ever in the last few years. The legalization of the plant in many countries has led to a boom in the cannabis industry. Consumer spending on cannabis has topped $10 billion in the U.S. alone, and worldwide sales are expected to top $100 billion before the end of the
Canadian Executive Search Market Recovery Expected by Second Half of 2021
Canada enjoys second best-ranked status among countries around the world, according to the latest Best Countries survey by U.S. News & World Report. The Great White North is second only to Switzerland and jumped ahead of Japan in the latest roster—which is based on global perception metrics that include cultural influence, entrepreneurship, heritage, power, and
RSR Partners Assists Driscoll’s in Finding New Board Members
Although boards of directors are considered the backbones of organizations, director recruiting has grown markedly more challenging, say recruiters who conduct searches in that area. As a result, companies continue to turn to executive search firms to help find new board members. Greenwich, Conn-based RSR Partners recently assisted fresh berry provider Driscoll’s in the recruitment of Giannella Alvarez,
WittKieffer Names Chief Growth and Transformation Officer
Following a wave of recent growth, WittKieffer has appointed Michael Castleman as chief growth and transformation officer. “Michael’s keen ability to assess and navigate complex situations as well as his comprehensive perspective and innovative thinking made him an ideal addition to our leadership team,” said Andrew Chastain, president and CEO of WittKieffer. “He will be a
CohenTaylor Executive Search Seeks Executive Director for Regions Hospital Foundation in Minnesota
Minneapolis-based CohenTaylor Executive Search is conducting a search for an executive director for the Regions Hospital Foundation. The organization provides oversight and stewardship of all charitable contributions to Regions Hospital in St. Paul, MN, which is part of HealthPartners, the largest consumer-governed, non-profit health care organization in the nation. “The executive director is primarily responsible
Harvey Nash Appoints Regional Managing Director for Central Europe
Even in the face of a global pandemic, executive search consultants are seeing an increase in hiring mandates from around the world. To meet demand, they continue to develop new practices, hire new recruiters, and open new locations. Global recruiting firms, meanwhile, are taking advantage of a resurgence in certain geographic areas. Recently, recruitment firm Harvey Nash appointed
The State of Gender Equity on Boards
Around the world, countries are taking steps to encourage or mandate improved gender diversity in the boardroom. Those efforts vary by country, as does their effectiveness and impact. A new report from Russell Reynolds Associates takes a look at what is occurring in six countries, hears from female directors about what they are encountering, and provides recommendations
Caldwell Recruits Chief People Officer for Showpad
With the coronavirus crisis disrupting the world economy, chief people officers are stepping up at businesses across the country, playing a vital role in helping organizations navigate what is looking to be an even greater challenge than the Great Recession. As a recent article in The Economist put it, chief people officers “keep employees healthy;
Reffett Associates Recruits IT Leader for the Seattle Mariners
Following a nationwide search, Seattle, WA-based Reffett Associates has assisted the Seattle Mariners Baseball Club in placing Kari Escobedo as the new senior vice president of information technology. The search was led by Marshall Reffett, managing director, with assistance from Tom Young, director of operations. This is a new position for the organization and is part of
WittKieffer Partners with International Hospital Federation to Expand Young Executive Leaders Program
WittKieffer and the International Hospital Federation (IHF) have announced a partnership to advance the organization’s Young Executive Leaders (YEL) program, helping to build global healthcare leadership competencies among the next generation of leaders in the IHF’s international membership. WittKieffer has supported the healthcare industry for more than 50 years, serving as strategic leadership experts to
Felix Global Appoints Executive Search Practice Leaders
Leadership development, recruiting and outplacement firm Felix Global has named search veterans J. James O’Malley and Marc Detampel to lead its new executive search practice. “The addition of an executive search practice has been a desire of ours for some time as we continually look for ways to diversify our expertise,” said Jim Graham, chief
Jobless Claims Fall Below 700,000 for First Time Since Pandemic Start
The Labor Department reported this morning that 684,000 Americans filed new claims for state unemployment benefits. This marks the first time the number has fallen below 700,000 since the COVID-19 pandemic began just over a year ago. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg expected 735,000 filings. The reading also lands below the previous week’s revised total of
CarrSports Creates Social Justice Recruiting Team
Executive search firm CarrSports Consulting LLC has established a social justice recruiting team led by vice president Kevin Anderson. Working closely with Mr. Anderson in an advisory role will be Leonard N. Moore, former vice president for diversity and community engagement at the University of Texas at Austin. “In light of today’s media and intense public scrutiny, it
Allegis Partners Recruits CEO for the United States Golf Association
New York City-based executive search firm Allegis Partners has placed Mike Whan as the eighth chief executive officer of the United States Golf Association (USGA) in Liberty Corner, NJ. Current USGA CEO Mike Davis will step down later this year. The assignment was led by Keith Meyer, global practice leader of Allegis Partners’ CEO & board practice. “When
LPA Search Partners Assists Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Recruit New Board Member
Although boards of directors are considered the backbones of organizations, director recruiting has grown markedly more challenging, say recruiters who conduct searches in that area. As a result, companies continue to turn to executive search firms to help find new board members. Willa Perlman, co-CEO of LPA Search Partners, recently assisted learning technology company Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) in the
Russam Seeks Chief Executive for Association for Project Management
U.K.-based executive search firm Russam has been enlisted to find a new chief executive for the Association for Project Management (APM). Headquartered in Princes Risborough, in Buckinghamshire, England, APM is an educational charity committed to developing and promoting the value of project management in order to deliver improved project outcomes for the benefit of society.
When and Why to Hire an Executive Search Firm
Employers typically use an executive search firm when a top job opening is important enough, senior enough and when discretion is at a premium. Organizations justifiably take many criteria into account when considering partnering with an executive search firm. However, engaging an executive search firm is an investment of time and resources, which means that it
Herbert Mines Associates Partners with Resilience Capital on CR Brands CEO Search
New York-based retail and consumer focused executive search firm Herbert Mines Associates recently partnered with Cleveland-based private equity group Resilience Capital Partners in the recruitment of Tim Seitter as president and CEO of its portfolio company CR Brands. Managing director Christine Augustine led the assignment. “Tim combines an established track record in growing brands with an intimate
ZRG Recruits CEO for Topgolf Entertainment Group
ZRG recently helped to place Artie Starrs, the global chief executive officer of Pizza Hut, as the new CEO of Topgolf Entertainment Group. Mr. Starrs assumes the role on April 5. Search consultants Brian Meany and Jamie Crittenberger led the assignment. “We are thrilled to have Artie join Topgolf as he leads the company, together with the team, on
Jobplex Names Diversity & Inclusion Practice Group Leader
Jobplex, the Chicago-based partner company of DHR International, has expanded with of Soladé Rowe as managing partner and leader of the diversity and inclusion practice group. Based out of Washington, D.C., Mr. Rowe also will serve as a strategic advisor supporting firm-wide diversity initiatives for DHR. “His wealth of experience recruiting diverse leaders across a broad range of
Stanton Chase Names New Global Practice Leaders
Baltimore, MD-headquartered Stanton Chase has named five new appointments to positions of global practice leaders, a move that will help the organization meet the many new challenges it expects ahead this year. Fiona Lavan, the vice chair of practice groups for Stanton Chase who will be newly leading the government, education, and non-profit practice group, made the
Crisis Put CEO Successions on Hold in 2020; Expect a Rebound in 2021
Boards of directors tend to pause leadership successions during turbulent times, and 2020 was no exception. Globally, CEO transitions fell 42 percent between the first and second halves of the year as the economic strain of the COVID-19 pandemic intensified, according to research from by Spencer Stuart. But there’s good news: CEO transitions are likely
Roles of Board Chairs Continue to Evolve in Pandemic Era
Board priorities are rapidly increasing in today’s challenging environment. According to a recent report from RSR Partners, the granularity of the work for chairs has dramatically increased over the years and is now much more intense. The report, which gathered insights from more than 25 recent interviews with board chairs, says that many of these high-profile
Chasm Launches New Solution to Help VC and PE Investors Evaluate Leadership
Rowayton, Conn-based executive search firm Chasm Partners has introduced ChasmDILIGENCE, a new service designed to provide insights to help private equity and venture capital investors perform human capital diligence at deal stage. The offering builds on Chasm’s expertise in evaluating executive talent for high-growth healthcare organizations. “Since 2015, Chasm has helped our clients in venture capital