ExactSearch.AI Expands Board of Advisors
November 18, 2025 – AI-enhanced executive search firm ExactSearch.AI has added Doug Charles to its board of advisors. A long-tenured leader in executive search and leadership advisory, he will help the firm sharpen its differentiation, scale with quality and ensure the product and process match what clients value most: speed, stronger slates and lasting outcomes, ExactSearch.AI explained.
“Doug is the kind of operator who raises the bar in every room,” said Mike Caggiano, co-founder and CEO of ExactSearch. “He has a rare blend of hands-on search experience and board-level judgment. He’s seen what works at scale, he knows where firms tend to overpromise and he knows how to build growth without losing credibility with the client. His guidance will help us protect the standard we’ve set around quality, transparency and trust in the process.”
“Charles’ approach is rooted in the voice of the customer,” Mr. Caggiano said. “He will advise ExactSearch on how to keep tightening its delivery model around what hiring leaders value: access to talent they haven’t already seen, clear accountability on outcomes and a partner relationship that continues after the placement rather than ending at the offer.”
Mr. Charles is a seasoned transformation leader with over 30 years of experience helping some of the world’s largest organizations rethink their strategy, workforce, and operations. He served as president of the Americas at Korn Ferry, where he led 30 offices and drove the global consumer practice. Prior to joining Korn Ferry, Mr. Charles spent 15 years with Capgemini in a number of executive roles, including leading the North American National Industry Groups and CEO/president of Capgemini’s government solutions business. He also served five years at SAIC, where he led the 3,000 person Commercial Business Services global business unit.
“Search is ready for evolution, not a bolt-on,” said Mr. Charles. “Clients want a product that’s priced for value, that opens up stronger and more relevant talent pools and that comes with a firm that stands behind its work after the hire. ExactSearch starts with a clean sheet of paper. The focus is on outcomes and a client experience that feels like a true partnership. That is the change I’m here to champion.”
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.”
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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.
ExactSearch.AI Adds Tech Veteran to Board of Advisors
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.
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.
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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
