Executive Search Review

Past Articles From The Archives

The Future of Healthcare Leadership: Navigating AI, Innovation, and Talent Demands

The healthcare and life sciences industries are undergoing a major transformation, driven by advancements in AI, machine learning, and digital innovation. These technologies are reshaping drug discovery, patient care, and operational efficiency, requiring leaders who can harness innovation while optimizing complex systems. As competition for top talent intensifies, organizations are prioritizing executives with strong business

Growth and M&A Activity to Surge Across Recruitment Sector In 2025

Hunt Scanlon Media has released its annual rankings of leading executive search firms, giving the sector its first official performance review on last year’s activity. In the U.S. and globally, billions of dollars poured into the high-end recruitment sector in 2024, despite an economically challenging year. “The recruiting sector found stability and recovery in 2024

Navigating 2025: Key Trends Shaping the Future of Executive Recruiting

Matt, what trends in executive recruiting do you see impacting 2025 most? As we move through 2025, several key trends are shaping the executive recruiting landscape. Companies are placing a greater emphasis on agility and adaptability in leadership as they navigate economic uncertainty, digital transformation, and evolving workforce expectations. One of the biggest shifts is

Driving Growth Through Specialized Talent Acquisition

Jordan, how has The Bridger Group performed in recent years? Our growth has come largely from our people and our process. We have tripled in size since 2020, both from a revenue and headcount perspective. Our leadership team (the partners in our organization) comprises some of the best recruiters in the industry and greatly accelerated

Uncertainties and Tensions Aside, Canadian Search Market Remains Robust

Executive search firms in Canada reflect the country’s diverse economy, geography, and culture, with a mix of global players like Korn Ferry, national firms, and boutiques. Major cities such as Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, and Montreal serve as key hubs, each with distinct market characteristics—Toronto’s financial prominence, Calgary’s ties to oil and gas, and Quebec’s French-language

Driving Executive Search Success in Canada: Aplin’s Approach to Finding Top Leadership

Jeff, can you give us a sense of the current executive search climate in Canada? The climate is dynamic and increasingly competitive. As organizations navigate digital transformation, economic uncertainties, and the push for sustainable growth, the demand for visionary leaders has never been higher. Companies are seeking leadership that not only delivers operational results but

How Canadian Executive Search Firms Are Shaping Talent Acquisition

Marc, what are the key differences between executive search firms in Canada and other countries? Executive search firms in Canada exhibit unique characteristics that distinguish them from their counterparts in other countries, particularly in terms of industry focus and search strategies. Canadian executive search firms often have a strong emphasis on industries that are pivotal

CFOs as Strategic Architects: Navigating Transformation in Financial Services

Financial services organizations, generally, are facing a new competitive market, regulatory challenges and a constant struggle to manage cost and efficiency. This requires strategic leaders, both men and women, with a multidimensional skill-set and competencies that often go above and beyond any typical job description. CFOs play a pivotal role in navigating this evolving sector,

Forward from Finance: From CFO to CEO

CFOs transitioning to CEOs are uniquely positioned to lead organizations with a strong foundation in financial expertise and strategic decision-making. Their deep understanding of financial health, risk management, and capital allocation allows them to make data-driven decisions that align with long-term organizational goals. CFOs often have significant experience communicating with boards, investors, and stakeholders, giving

Executive Search 2025: Balancing AI Innovation with a Human Touch

The executive search industry is entering one of its most transformative eras, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence, data analytics, and shifting client needs and expectations. In 2024, firms faced many challenges marked by economic uncertainty, evolving workforce dynamics, and increasing demand for specialized leadership roles. While internal talent mobility and cautious hiring strategies were

Diversified Search Group: Pioneering Leadership Solutions for 50 Years

Judee, DSG just celebrated its 50th year in business. To what do you credit your firm’s longevity? Judee: Our longevity comes down to one simple truth: we understand people—our clients, our candidates, and each other— and we deliver what we promise. From day one, we’ve been about building genuine relationships, setting the bar high for

Passion and Curiosity: What Today’s Executive Search Experts are Looking For

Nearly every person in the U.S. has some exposure in one way or another to a non-profit organization—as an employee, a volunteer, a donor, or a beneficiary, through initiatives or community impact or dozens of other touchpoints. That said, the non-profit sector—now the third largest employment sector in the U.S. according to a report from

The Evolving Dynamics of Executive Search in a Leaner Private Equity Environment

The interplay between private equity firms and executive recruiters has transformed dramatically over the last decade. No longer confined to a simple client-vendor relationship, these interactions have grown into strategic alliances that are essential for success in a highly competitive environment, executive recruiters tell Hunt Scanlon Media. As the demand for exceptional talent escalates, the

Demand for Capital-Efficient Growth Fuels Competition for Top PE/VC Talent

Eric, give us an overview of the current climate for recruiting PE/ VC talent? The market is growing tighter for key roles, especially CEOs, COOs and Go-to-Market leaders. Effectively, executives who directly touch growth, revenue or profit via operational efficiency are in demand. This is happening in part because deal flow is starting to recover.

Private Equity’s Evolving Leadership Needs

Thaddeus, what specific qualities do you look for in candidates when recruiting for senior leadership roles for clients in the private equity sector? Private equity firms want to see concrete examples of EBITDA growth, successful exits, and strategic initiatives that moved the needle, so we look for a demonstrated track record of driving measurable results

The Strategic Architects Driving Diversity, Inclusion, and Business Success

The role of HR leaders has expanded significantly, in the last decade, making them vital architects of organizational culture and strategy. The best HR professionals are not only adept at managing talent but also serve as strategic partners who align HR initiatives with broader business objectives, executive recruiters tell Hunt Scanlon Media. These leaders possess

Achieving True Diversity: The Power of Inclusion and Evidence-Based Recruitment Strategies

How is diversity successfully achieved? At Mercuri Urval, we believe that true diversity is achieved through inclusion. When all organizations practice genuine inclusion, diversity naturally follows. To ensure true inclusion, it’s essential to avoid stereotyping and subjectivity in our actions and behaviors. Achieving diversity requires a combination of strategies and efforts at both organizational and

A Shifting Market is Keeping AI and Cybersecurity Recruiters on Standby

The landscape of AI and cybersecurity recruiting is dynamic and constantly evolving. Executive recruiters say that there is a significant demand for skilled professionals in AI, including machine learning engineers, data scientists, and AI researchers. Companies across various industries are actively seeking talent to leverage AI for innovation, efficiency, and competitive advantage. Meanwhile, with the

A Look at the Growing Need for Cybersecurity Executives

Jason, can you give us an overview of the market for cybersecurity recruiting? The cybersecurity recruiting landscape is undergoing an unprecedented surge, fueled by a wave of activity across various sectors in both enterprise and cybersecurity domains. This growth, driven by venture-backed and strong private equity investments, creates a dynamic ecosystem rich with opportunities at

Navigating the Evolving Market for Cybersecurity Executives

Radley, explain to us the market for cybersecurity executives. I’d split this into two categories: cybersecurity companies and functional security searches. The cybersecurity companies continue to be highly active in the recruiting market, specifically hiring CRO, CMO, COO, CEO, and president roles. This is in line with broader recruiting themes no matter the industry. Companies

Non-Profits Seek New Kinds of Leaders with Help from Search Firms

Executive search for the non-profit sector often mirrors broader hiring trends, with a distinct focus on leadership, strategic vision, and organizational impact. Recruiters say that non-profits, generally, are increasingly seeking executives and management teams who can provide strong leadership, articulate a compelling vision, and inspire stakeholders. Like most sectors, there is a growing emphasis on

A Mission-Driven Recruiting Career in the Non-Profit Sector

What led you to a career in executive search for non-profits? I began my professional life at the Shedd Aquarium, one of Chicago’s most beloved cultural institutions, with a dream job. Together with my team, I was responsible for the care, well-being, enrichment, and training of the Shedd’s marine mammals and penguins. As part of

Seeking High Performance Talent Who Make an Impact

Jennifer, what do you see happening in your search for senior executives for non-profits right now? At DRiWaterstone, we have the pleasure of helping some of the best non-profit and social impact organizations in North America find mission and purpose-driven candidates to fill leadership roles within their organization and on their boards. There is an

Recruiting Purpose-Driven Leaders with an Eye on the Bottom Line

Johnny, what are some challenges facing non-profits today? Financial challenges and their cascading consequences within the non-profit sector are nothing new. Apart from those with significant endowments, organizations are exceedingly dependent on charitable giving and private and government grants. Not all organizations benefit equally from thriving financial markets; in fact, many without considerable investments or

Corporate Culture & Talent: Navigating the New Norms

The keys to unlocking a successful corporate culture are predicated upon how leaders in organizations perceive culture as a top priority. Most senior leaders agree that a healthy company culture is a basic component of any successful organization. It lays the groundwork for strong employee engagement, retention, and performance. In today’s rapidly evolving professional landscape,

How to Implement a Positive Corporate Culture

Christine, much has been said about the benefits of good corporate culture, but how does a company know if their culture is not a good one? The first step is to evaluate your company culture. You can do this by conducting an audit of your organization’s current culture as well as monitoring and reporting on

A Look at What is Driving Winning Cultures Today

Can you provide the big picture right now for culture today? Organizations and leaders across the globe are facing ongoing and increasing pressure from external factors that directly impact their businesses. Economic and geopolitical instability, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, and rampant misinformation are creating more risk and uncertainty than ever before. Heidrick & Struggles recently

A New Talent Strategy for Private Equity

The private equity landscape has never been more tumultuous. The narrative that once revolved solely around deal volume and value has fundamentally shifted to one where talent is emerging as the key lever for value creation. Last year, PE firms grappled with a contradictory environment. On one hand, deal volumes remained relatively high, indicating a

Value of Strong Portfolio Leadership During the Holding Period

Tim, one of the topics we frequently hear about at Hunt Scanlon is hiring remote executives to lead portfolio companies. What have you seen on the hiring front on how PE firms approach this new way of leading portcos with remote leadership? Tolan: A really good question and a topic that is constantly being discussed

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

Colleges and Universities Rely on Search Firms to Find Leaders in Polarizing Times

Academic institutions continue to pump big fees into executive search firms nationwide. Many academic recruiting specialists say business, in fact, has never been better despite some sectors of executive search slowing over the past year. Even smaller recruiting outfits have multiple assignments running concurrently, all at the senior levels, and if there’s any slowdown coming

Finding Senior Leaders for Higher Education Institutions

What are some challenges facing university presidents today? It’s clear that over the last decade, university presidents have had to address a slew of growing internal challenges—things like shrinking budgets, declining enrollment, and faculty and graduate student unionization drives—that are connected to the operations and the unique structures of higher education systems. Presidents today need

How to Engage Candidates in an Evolving Higher Education Landscape

Jennifer, what are some of the challenges facing executive search firms today within the higher education sector? There are a number of challenges occurring simultaneously. High turnover equates to more opportunities. Candidates have numerous options and can be discerning in their job search. Most often, they are also in multiple searches. The frequent turnover (retirement/job

Executive Recruiters Look to Diversification and Human Capital Tailwinds for Growth

Executive Recruiters Look to Diversification and Human Capital Tailwinds for Growth Hunt Scanlon Media has released its annual productivity report of leading executive recruiters globally, billions of dollars poured into the high-end recruiting sector in 2023, but at a slower rate than in previous years. Executive recruiters pulled through a challenging year in 2023. Market

Adapting to Today’s Evolving Search Market

Celeste, give us a sense for how 2023 went for the firm and how it is doing today. In 2023, our firm navigated the challenges of the market with resilience, maintaining our revenue levels in comparison to 2022. Our commitment to adapt and innovate has been the cornerstone of our success, ensuring that we remain

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Executive Search Review

The Future of Healthcare Leadership: Navigating AI, Innovation, and Talent Demands

The healthcare and life sciences industries are undergoing a major transformation, driven by advancements in AI, machine learning, and digital innovation. These technologies are reshaping drug discovery, patient care, and operational efficiency, requiring leaders who can harness innovation while optimizing complex systems. As competition for top talent intensifies, organizations are prioritizing executives with strong business

Growth and M&A Activity to Surge Across Recruitment Sector In 2025

Hunt Scanlon Media has released its annual rankings of leading executive search firms, giving the sector its first official performance review on last year’s activity. In the U.S. and globally, billions of dollars poured into the high-end recruitment sector in 2024, despite an economically challenging year. “The recruiting sector found stability and recovery in 2024

Navigating 2025: Key Trends Shaping the Future of Executive Recruiting

Matt, what trends in executive recruiting do you see impacting 2025 most? As we move through 2025, several key trends are shaping the executive recruiting landscape. Companies are placing a greater emphasis on agility and adaptability in leadership as they navigate economic uncertainty, digital transformation, and evolving workforce expectations. One of the biggest shifts is

Driving Growth Through Specialized Talent Acquisition

Jordan, how has The Bridger Group performed in recent years? Our growth has come largely from our people and our process. We have tripled in size since 2020, both from a revenue and headcount perspective. Our leadership team (the partners in our organization) comprises some of the best recruiters in the industry and greatly accelerated

Uncertainties and Tensions Aside, Canadian Search Market Remains Robust

Executive search firms in Canada reflect the country’s diverse economy, geography, and culture, with a mix of global players like Korn Ferry, national firms, and boutiques. Major cities such as Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, and Montreal serve as key hubs, each with distinct market characteristics—Toronto’s financial prominence, Calgary’s ties to oil and gas, and Quebec’s French-language

Driving Executive Search Success in Canada: Aplin’s Approach to Finding Top Leadership

Jeff, can you give us a sense of the current executive search climate in Canada? The climate is dynamic and increasingly competitive. As organizations navigate digital transformation, economic uncertainties, and the push for sustainable growth, the demand for visionary leaders has never been higher. Companies are seeking leadership that not only delivers operational results but

How Canadian Executive Search Firms Are Shaping Talent Acquisition

Marc, what are the key differences between executive search firms in Canada and other countries? Executive search firms in Canada exhibit unique characteristics that distinguish them from their counterparts in other countries, particularly in terms of industry focus and search strategies. Canadian executive search firms often have a strong emphasis on industries that are pivotal

CFOs as Strategic Architects: Navigating Transformation in Financial Services

Financial services organizations, generally, are facing a new competitive market, regulatory challenges and a constant struggle to manage cost and efficiency. This requires strategic leaders, both men and women, with a multidimensional skill-set and competencies that often go above and beyond any typical job description. CFOs play a pivotal role in navigating this evolving sector,

Forward from Finance: From CFO to CEO

CFOs transitioning to CEOs are uniquely positioned to lead organizations with a strong foundation in financial expertise and strategic decision-making. Their deep understanding of financial health, risk management, and capital allocation allows them to make data-driven decisions that align with long-term organizational goals. CFOs often have significant experience communicating with boards, investors, and stakeholders, giving

Executive Search 2025: Balancing AI Innovation with a Human Touch

The executive search industry is entering one of its most transformative eras, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence, data analytics, and shifting client needs and expectations. In 2024, firms faced many challenges marked by economic uncertainty, evolving workforce dynamics, and increasing demand for specialized leadership roles. While internal talent mobility and cautious hiring strategies were

Diversified Search Group: Pioneering Leadership Solutions for 50 Years

Judee, DSG just celebrated its 50th year in business. To what do you credit your firm’s longevity? Judee: Our longevity comes down to one simple truth: we understand people—our clients, our candidates, and each other— and we deliver what we promise. From day one, we’ve been about building genuine relationships, setting the bar high for

Passion and Curiosity: What Today’s Executive Search Experts are Looking For

Nearly every person in the U.S. has some exposure in one way or another to a non-profit organization—as an employee, a volunteer, a donor, or a beneficiary, through initiatives or community impact or dozens of other touchpoints. That said, the non-profit sector—now the third largest employment sector in the U.S. according to a report from

The Evolving Dynamics of Executive Search in a Leaner Private Equity Environment

The interplay between private equity firms and executive recruiters has transformed dramatically over the last decade. No longer confined to a simple client-vendor relationship, these interactions have grown into strategic alliances that are essential for success in a highly competitive environment, executive recruiters tell Hunt Scanlon Media. As the demand for exceptional talent escalates, the

Demand for Capital-Efficient Growth Fuels Competition for Top PE/VC Talent

Eric, give us an overview of the current climate for recruiting PE/ VC talent? The market is growing tighter for key roles, especially CEOs, COOs and Go-to-Market leaders. Effectively, executives who directly touch growth, revenue or profit via operational efficiency are in demand. This is happening in part because deal flow is starting to recover.

Private Equity’s Evolving Leadership Needs

Thaddeus, what specific qualities do you look for in candidates when recruiting for senior leadership roles for clients in the private equity sector? Private equity firms want to see concrete examples of EBITDA growth, successful exits, and strategic initiatives that moved the needle, so we look for a demonstrated track record of driving measurable results

The Strategic Architects Driving Diversity, Inclusion, and Business Success

The role of HR leaders has expanded significantly, in the last decade, making them vital architects of organizational culture and strategy. The best HR professionals are not only adept at managing talent but also serve as strategic partners who align HR initiatives with broader business objectives, executive recruiters tell Hunt Scanlon Media. These leaders possess

Achieving True Diversity: The Power of Inclusion and Evidence-Based Recruitment Strategies

How is diversity successfully achieved? At Mercuri Urval, we believe that true diversity is achieved through inclusion. When all organizations practice genuine inclusion, diversity naturally follows. To ensure true inclusion, it’s essential to avoid stereotyping and subjectivity in our actions and behaviors. Achieving diversity requires a combination of strategies and efforts at both organizational and

A Shifting Market is Keeping AI and Cybersecurity Recruiters on Standby

The landscape of AI and cybersecurity recruiting is dynamic and constantly evolving. Executive recruiters say that there is a significant demand for skilled professionals in AI, including machine learning engineers, data scientists, and AI researchers. Companies across various industries are actively seeking talent to leverage AI for innovation, efficiency, and competitive advantage. Meanwhile, with the

A Look at the Growing Need for Cybersecurity Executives

Jason, can you give us an overview of the market for cybersecurity recruiting? The cybersecurity recruiting landscape is undergoing an unprecedented surge, fueled by a wave of activity across various sectors in both enterprise and cybersecurity domains. This growth, driven by venture-backed and strong private equity investments, creates a dynamic ecosystem rich with opportunities at

Navigating the Evolving Market for Cybersecurity Executives

Radley, explain to us the market for cybersecurity executives. I’d split this into two categories: cybersecurity companies and functional security searches. The cybersecurity companies continue to be highly active in the recruiting market, specifically hiring CRO, CMO, COO, CEO, and president roles. This is in line with broader recruiting themes no matter the industry. Companies

Non-Profits Seek New Kinds of Leaders with Help from Search Firms

Executive search for the non-profit sector often mirrors broader hiring trends, with a distinct focus on leadership, strategic vision, and organizational impact. Recruiters say that non-profits, generally, are increasingly seeking executives and management teams who can provide strong leadership, articulate a compelling vision, and inspire stakeholders. Like most sectors, there is a growing emphasis on

A Mission-Driven Recruiting Career in the Non-Profit Sector

What led you to a career in executive search for non-profits? I began my professional life at the Shedd Aquarium, one of Chicago’s most beloved cultural institutions, with a dream job. Together with my team, I was responsible for the care, well-being, enrichment, and training of the Shedd’s marine mammals and penguins. As part of

Seeking High Performance Talent Who Make an Impact

Jennifer, what do you see happening in your search for senior executives for non-profits right now? At DRiWaterstone, we have the pleasure of helping some of the best non-profit and social impact organizations in North America find mission and purpose-driven candidates to fill leadership roles within their organization and on their boards. There is an

Recruiting Purpose-Driven Leaders with an Eye on the Bottom Line

Johnny, what are some challenges facing non-profits today? Financial challenges and their cascading consequences within the non-profit sector are nothing new. Apart from those with significant endowments, organizations are exceedingly dependent on charitable giving and private and government grants. Not all organizations benefit equally from thriving financial markets; in fact, many without considerable investments or

Corporate Culture & Talent: Navigating the New Norms

The keys to unlocking a successful corporate culture are predicated upon how leaders in organizations perceive culture as a top priority. Most senior leaders agree that a healthy company culture is a basic component of any successful organization. It lays the groundwork for strong employee engagement, retention, and performance. In today’s rapidly evolving professional landscape,

How to Implement a Positive Corporate Culture

Christine, much has been said about the benefits of good corporate culture, but how does a company know if their culture is not a good one? The first step is to evaluate your company culture. You can do this by conducting an audit of your organization’s current culture as well as monitoring and reporting on

A Look at What is Driving Winning Cultures Today

Can you provide the big picture right now for culture today? Organizations and leaders across the globe are facing ongoing and increasing pressure from external factors that directly impact their businesses. Economic and geopolitical instability, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, and rampant misinformation are creating more risk and uncertainty than ever before. Heidrick & Struggles recently

A New Talent Strategy for Private Equity

The private equity landscape has never been more tumultuous. The narrative that once revolved solely around deal volume and value has fundamentally shifted to one where talent is emerging as the key lever for value creation. Last year, PE firms grappled with a contradictory environment. On one hand, deal volumes remained relatively high, indicating a

Value of Strong Portfolio Leadership During the Holding Period

Tim, one of the topics we frequently hear about at Hunt Scanlon is hiring remote executives to lead portfolio companies. What have you seen on the hiring front on how PE firms approach this new way of leading portcos with remote leadership? Tolan: A really good question and a topic that is constantly being discussed

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

Colleges and Universities Rely on Search Firms to Find Leaders in Polarizing Times

Academic institutions continue to pump big fees into executive search firms nationwide. Many academic recruiting specialists say business, in fact, has never been better despite some sectors of executive search slowing over the past year. Even smaller recruiting outfits have multiple assignments running concurrently, all at the senior levels, and if there’s any slowdown coming

Finding Senior Leaders for Higher Education Institutions

What are some challenges facing university presidents today? It’s clear that over the last decade, university presidents have had to address a slew of growing internal challenges—things like shrinking budgets, declining enrollment, and faculty and graduate student unionization drives—that are connected to the operations and the unique structures of higher education systems. Presidents today need

How to Engage Candidates in an Evolving Higher Education Landscape

Jennifer, what are some of the challenges facing executive search firms today within the higher education sector? There are a number of challenges occurring simultaneously. High turnover equates to more opportunities. Candidates have numerous options and can be discerning in their job search. Most often, they are also in multiple searches. The frequent turnover (retirement/job

Executive Recruiters Look to Diversification and Human Capital Tailwinds for Growth

Executive Recruiters Look to Diversification and Human Capital Tailwinds for Growth Hunt Scanlon Media has released its annual productivity report of leading executive recruiters globally, billions of dollars poured into the high-end recruiting sector in 2023, but at a slower rate than in previous years. Executive recruiters pulled through a challenging year in 2023. Market

Adapting to Today’s Evolving Search Market

Celeste, give us a sense for how 2023 went for the firm and how it is doing today. In 2023, our firm navigated the challenges of the market with resilience, maintaining our revenue levels in comparison to 2022. Our commitment to adapt and innovate has been the cornerstone of our success, ensuring that we remain