Cornerstone International Group Names President
June 3, 2024 – Cornerstone International Group, a global executive search and leadership development firm, has appointed Dan Heiman as its new president. His appointment is effective January 1, 2025. “This strategic move is part of our leadership succession plan, initiated in 2021, and marks a significant milestone in our 35-year history,” Cornerstone said. “Mr. Heiman’s extensive experience and proven track record make him the ideal candidate to lead us into the future.” Simon Wan, chairman and CEO of Cornerstone, extends his heartfelt gratitude to Larry Shoemaker for his transformative leadership. “Larry’s unwavering dedication and visionary approach have been instrumental in establishing Cornerstone as a global enterprise,” he said. “In recognition of his invaluable contributions, Larry will assume the role of vice chairman, effective January 1, 2025, supporting our marketing and member development initiatives for the next three years, ensuring a seamless transition and continued growth.”
“As Cornerstone International Group enters its 35th year, we reaffirm our steadfast commitment to our mission of identifying and developing leaders, facilitating career transitions, and enhancing client and candidate experiences,” Mr. Wan said. “Our unwavering focus on attracting exceptional talent, a cornerstone of our strategy for clients worldwide, underscores our commitment to creating long-term value and sustaining our position as a global leader. We are confident that our mission and strategy will continue to guide us towards success.”
Mr. Heiman is an experienced professional and the managing partner of the Kansas City office. He has been in the executive recruiting business since 2006 and became an ICF certified executive coach in 2010. Mr. Heiman has leveraged his foundation with fortune 500 medical device manufacturers well by serving clients in the recruitment and coaching of director to CEO level leaders in most industries and job functions. Assignments have primarily been completed for clients in Kansas City, Omaha, Des Moines and Wichita but also include Seattle, Los Angeles, Memphis, Knoxville, Chicago, Madison, Houston, Philadelphia and several secondary markets. International Retained Search assignments have been completed in Canada, Russia, Dubai, China, and S. Africa.
Cornerstone International Group provides executive search and leadership development services to a global roster of clients. Both before (with psychometric assessment) and after (onboarding) its search process, the firm looks to ensure the highest possible chance of success in filling talent needs, the firm said. Cornerstone has 66 experienced member firms in both developed and emerging markets worldwide.
Leadership Appointments at Search Firms
Top leadership appointments have made headlines in recent months. Here’s a look at several examples taken from the Hunt Scanlon Media archives:
Leadership advisory firm Egon Zehnder has appointed Francesco Buquicchio as its new CEO, effective November 1. He succeeds Edilson Camara, following a strategic leadership transition and succession planning process. Mr. Buquicchio will be the seventh person to serve as CEO in Egon Zehnder’s 60-year history. The process to appoint a new CEO was headed by chair Michael Ensser with the support of the board and an advisory committee. It also included input from the entire partnership. “We thank Ed for his leadership over these past six years—he laid a strong foundation that enabled the firm to accelerate its growth. We are pleased to share that he will continue with the firm, returning to client work,” said Mr. Ensser. “As we begin our seventh decade, Francesco will leverage our expertise in discovering leaders, developing leadership, unlocking transformations, shaping successions and advancing governance to craft more distinct client and candidate experiences, prioritizing innovation, sustainability and long-term value creation.”
Chicago-based Ferguson Partners has appointed Graham R. Beatty as president. “As president, Graham is the ideal candidate given his deep expertise in the real assets industry, unwavering commitment to exceptional client service, and great respect by clients and colleagues alike. We are thrilled to have him on board,” said William J. Ferguson, co-chairman and CEO of the firm. “With a track record of success and unique understanding of today’s complex market, Graham is fully prepared to lead our company into the future by building upon Ferguson’s current strengths and further expanding our proven talent management solutions.”
New York City-based executive search firm Heyman Associates has appointed Jessamyn Katz as its new chief executive officer. Founder and CEO Bill Heyman, who established the firm in 1989, will be retiring at the end of the year. Ms. Katz has served as president since 2019. Mr. Heyman will remain as an advisor to the firm. “My life’s joy for the last 35 years has been building relationships and truly getting to know the incredible talent, leaders, and organizations we have served,” said Mr. Heyman. “Our firm has been responsible for filling top communications and corporate affairs roles for some of the world’s leading brands, corporations, foundations, academic institutions, and professional associations.”
Odgers Berndtson has named Kennon Kincaid as its new CEO for its U.S. business, succeeding Steve Potter, who has held the position for the past 12 years. Mr. Potter, who will remain an active board member, has grown the firm to become No. 12 on the Hunt Scanlon Top 50 Recruiters ranking in the U.S. “He has built a strong team, and a particular achievement has been hiring and developing Kennon as his successor,” Odgers Berndtson said. “They have worked closely together for five years as COO and CEO preparing for this transition.” Mr. Kincaid has spent the past four years as the Odgers Berndtson U.S. chief operating officer, where he oversaw its people, processes, and operations.
Related: Search Firms Bolster Their Own C-Suites to Broaden Push Into Talent Ecosystem
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor; Lily Fauver, Senior Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
