ExactSearch.AI Adds Tech Veteran to Board of Advisors
September 15, 2025 – AI-enhanced executive search firm ExactSearch.AI has appointed Breck Armstrong to its board of advisors. “Breck is one of the most trusted voices in applying technology to executive search, and we’re fortunate to have him at the table,” said Mike Caggiano, co-founder and CEO of ExactSearch.AI. “He knows that AI can accelerate results—but also that search is still a human business. His perspective will help us scale the right way.”
A veteran executive in recruiting technology and digital transformation, Mr. Armstrong brings decades of experience advising search firms on how to evolve their operations with modern tools and human-centered strategy. Currently managing partner at 17 Oranges, he has spent his career helping executive search firms and professional services organizations harness the power of emerging technology. Mr. Armstrong previously served as CIO at Boyden and has advised search firm leaders globally on digital strategy and operational scale.
“What drew me to ExactSearch.AI was simple: the people,” Mr. Armstrong said. “This is a team willing to rethink how search gets done—through technology, yes, but also through care, trust, and purpose. In an industry often resistant to change, ExactSearch.AI is intentionally building something better for clients and candidates alike—and that’s something I’m proud to be part of.”
Mr. Armstrong joins at a time of early momentum for the firm, which launched with a disruptive fee model (17 percent), AI-augmented workflows, and a partner-led delivery approach that strips out inefficiencies.
Recently Launched
ExactSearch.AI was recently launched as a new model for retained executive search finding senior talent with faster results, partner-led service, and fees at half the cost of traditional retained search firms. “Organizations are tired of paying high fees to find great leaders, and waiting months to get them,” said Mr. Caggiano. “We built ExactSearch.AI to cut the red tape, not the quality. Our clients work directly with experienced partners, while our AI-powered workflow makes every step of the process faster, smarter, and more precise.”
Related: The Evolution of Executive Recruiting in the Age of AI
Established by executive search veterans, ExactSearch.AI looks to fix what hasn’t changed in the industry’s 75-year history: 30-35 percent fees, multi-month timelines, and outdated processes. ExactSearch.AI automates administrative tasks such as sourcing, scheduling, and reporting — freeing up partners to focus on evaluating and delivering senior executive talent. The firm’s proprietary AI Leadership Quotient (AI-LQ) helps clients identify candidates equipped to lead in an AI-enabled economy.
The ExactSearch.AI leadership team includes Mr. Caggiano, a 25-year executive search veteran who co-led Robert Half’s executive search practice to a #1 national ranking and most recently served as the leader of another national executive search practice with Highspring (Formerly Focus Search Partners). As CEO of ExactSearch.AI, Mr. Caggiano drives the firm’s growth strategy and leads client partnerships across every stage of the search.
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Sandrine Ennis, co-founder and president, is a seasoned recruiting leader with two decades of experience guiding C-suite searches across high-growth industries. She previously founded the woman-owned firm Talentstream and brings deep expertise in executive talent strategy.
Steve Ankney, co-founder and COO, is a systems architect and recruiting operations expert with a background in optimizing large-scale search infrastructure. He previously led technology and process innovation for executive search at Robert Half.
Related: AI and the Workforce: Navigating the Balance Between Productivity and Uncertainty
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
