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BarkerGilmore Fills Senior Legal Post for Firefly Aerospace
Boutique search firm BarkerGilmore, which specializes in building corporate legal and compliance teams, has recruited Kristen Price as associate general counsel, commercial at Firefly Aerospace in Cedar Park, TX. “Firefly is at a defining stage as a newly public company, and Kristen joins at a pivotal moment as the company continues to scale its commercial capabilities
Myers McRae Assists the University of Montana Western with Chancellor Search
Kenny Daugherty of Macon, GA-based Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting has assisted in the recruitment of Estee Aiken as the next chancellor of the University of Montana Western (UMW). “Dr. Aiken’s broad and extensive experience as a teacher, administrator, and researcher as well as her demonstrated dedication to education at all levels, including teacher preparation, makes her an ideal
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.
Brettschneider Executive Search Seeking Inaugural SVP of Advancement for Wilmington University
New York City-based Brettschneider Executive Search has been retained by Wilmington University (WilmU) to lead in its search for an inaugural senior vice president of advancement to lead the University’s next phase of philanthropic growth. Reporting to WilmU president LaVerne Harmon, the SVP will partner closely with the president, board and University leaders to advance the University’s strategic
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?
August Leadership Expands in London
August Leadership has expanded with the addition of Honor Pollok as a partner in London. Ms. Pollok brings over 20 years of executive search and leadership experience. She has led numerous high-profile placements in chair, non-executive director, CEO and the full spectrum of C-suite roles. Her search expertise spans key commercial, financial, creative, human resource, functional,
Hunt Scanlon and HSiQ Spotlight New Approach to Recruiter Training
As the executive search industry faces mounting pressure to improve performance and consistency, firms are increasingly reevaluating how recruiters are trained and developed. Hunt Scanlon and its HSiQ talent intelligence advisory unit recently launched a new Recruiter Performance Training Program designed to bring greater structure, commercial rigor, and scalability to recruiter development in an industry long driven by
Building Team Alignment in an Era of Continuous Change
Ask any team to describe its top strategic priorities and you will often get as many answers as there are people in the room. The problem is not that the strategy hasn’t been communicated, according to recent report from AIIR Consulting. “The problem is that it was communicated into an environment that has since shifted
Isaacson, Miller Helps Recruit 28th President for Texas A&M
Boston-based Isaacson, Miller has assisted in the recruitment of Susan Ballabina as the 28th president of Texas A&M. Andy Lee and Julie Filizetti, led search with Raul Bernal and Luciano Zuniga, and Madeline Fitzpatrick. The members of the Board of Regents conducted a national search that produced a strong pool of candidates. Dr. Ballabina emerged through that process based on her experience, her understanding of
BarkerGilmore Recruits General Counsel for American Credit Acceptance
Boutique search firm BarkerGilmore, which specializes in building corporate legal and compliance teams, has placed Debra Noll as general counsel at American Credit Acceptance. The search was led by Stephen Bell and Alison Waters. “Deb is exceptionally well-positioned to support American Credit Acceptance as it continues to grow and adapt in a complex environment,” BarkerGilmore said in a LinkedIn
Kincannon & Reed Appoints VP of Marketing and Business Development
Kincannon & Reed (K&R), which exclusively focuses on food, agribusiness, and the related life sciences, has expanded with the addition of Dan Evans as vice president of marketing and business development. “Dan brings a strong background in building brands, driving growth, and connecting strategy to execution,” said Stephanie Liska, president of Kincannon & Reed. “Throughout his career,
Women Founders Gain Ground in Human Capital M&A
A meaningful shift has been unfolding across the executive search industry. Over the past decade, a growing number of highly specialized boutiques have been founded and led by women, many of whom built successful careers within larger firms before launching businesses of their own. What is becoming increasingly clear is that investors are paying attention.
Private Equity Recruiting – Return on Investment: Creating Value with Talent
Talent has become a defining driver of performance in private equity, shaping how firms manage risk, execute strategy, and deliver sustained returns. As deal cycles tighten and value creation depends increasingly on operational excellence, leadership quality and organizational design are no longer secondary considerations — they are central to how firms source, underwrite, and scale
AGB Search Seeking Chief Information Technology Officer for Slippery Rock University
Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, has been retained by Slippery Rock University to lead in its search for a chief information technology officer (CITO). Kimberly Templeton, Margaret Plympton, and Anne Hoffman are leading the assignment. This leader serves as the University’s senior technology executive, providing strategic vision, leadership, and executive
The Talent Studios Recruits Chief Marketing Officer for Pura Vida Miami
The Talent Studios has recruited Bruno Cardinali as chief marketing officer of Pura Vida Miami, the premium all-day café and lifestyle brand focused on health, wellness and community. The search was led by Katlyn Maloney and Jeremy Cohen. Mr. Cardinali brings more than two decades of marketing leadership across fast casual, foodservice, beverage, and global consumer brands. Most recently, as
JM Search Expands Technology and Financial Services Practices
JM Search, a senior-level talent provider serving private equity investors, portfolio companies, and Fortune 1000s, has expanded with the additions of Wes Chisholm as partner and Laura Bennstrom and Charles Telep as principals within its technology and financial services practices. Mr. Chisholm and Mr. Telep join the firm’s technology practice while Ms. Bennstrom joins both the financial
How The Tolan Group Navigated the Downturn and Remained Focused
For many executive search firms, 2024 and 2025 tested resilience in ways few could have predicted. At The Tolan Group (TTG), they experienced the same pressures felt across the industry. Slower decision cycles, delayed starts, and a noticeable dip in portfolio company hiring activity. Yet through that uncertainty, one thing remained constant: our commitment to
Korn Ferry Reports Seven Percent Q4 and Full-Year Revenue Growth, Led by Double-Digit Gains in Professional Search & Interim
Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) has posted Q4 fiscal-year revenues of $759.8 million, a year-over-year increase of seven percent and five percent at constant currency. This was led by Professional Search & Interim up 14 percent, followed by Executive Search and Consulting, both up seven percent and RPO up five percent. During the fourth quarter, revenues rose by
Lock Search Group Leading CEO Search for Atlas Sign & Awning
Toronto-headquartered executive recruitment firm Lock Search Group is currently seeking a new CEO for Atlas Sign & Awning. For over 30 years, Atlas Sign & Awning has helped businesses across Canada and the United States stand out through custom commercial signage, awnings, and branded architectural elements. Based in Langley, BC, they’ve built a strong reputation for quality
Anthem Executive Assists the University of Montevallo With President Search
Anthem Executive has assisted in the recruitment of Michelle R. Johnston as the first female president of the University of Montevallo (UM). Michael Ballew, Scott Watson, Mike “JR” Wheless, and Florene Stawowy led the assignment. Dr. Johnston has served as the president of Georgia Southwestern State University since 2024. Prior to her current presidency, she served as president of three other higher education
Mercuri Urval Appoints Non-Executive Director
Stockholm, Sweden-based executive search firm Mercuri Urval (MU) has announced that Jan Sasse, partner at AlterInvest, was named as non-executive director to the MU group board. He will join the current board members Cecilia Strand, Mieke Weijenberg, Cecilia Beer, Richard Moore, and chairman Roger Hagafors. “We are pleased to welcome Jan Sasse as non-executive director of the MU
M&A Becomes a Capability-Driven Acquisition Strategy
EY-Parthenon is forecasting an eight percent increase in U.S. deal volume for transactions exceeding $100 million in 2026, underscoring how central M&A remains to corporate strategy. Yet beneath the headline numbers sits a more important story. The role of acquisitions is evolving. Companies are no longer pursuing deals primarily for scale or market share. Increasingly,
The Hidden Challenges Every First-Time CEO Faces
The corner office has never been more accessible—or more demanding. As boards increasingly turn to a new generation of leaders to navigate disruption, growth, and transformation, first-time CEOs are stepping into roles that require a fundamentally different set of skills than those that propelled them to the top. While many arrive with impressive track records,
Myers McRae Assists Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology with Provost Search
Following a nationwide search, Macon, GA-based Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting has assisted in the recruitment of Richie Roberts as provost of Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology. Kenny Daugherty and Brianna Douglas led the assignment. Dr. Roberts’ selection was guided by a search committee of OSUIT administrators, faculty, staff and students, which was assisted by national search firm Myers McRae. “The entire
Lancer Group Recruits Chief Technology Officer for Minitab
La Jolla, CA-headquartered search firm Lancer Group has recruited Kevin Gordon as chief technology officer of Minitab. “We’re excited to welcome Kevin Gordon as chief technology officer at Minitab,” the company said. “This is an exciting step forward in the evolution of our technology strategy and will help accelerate innovation across our organization and solutions platform.” “Kevin brings
Friisberg & Partners International Names Managing Partner of its Copenhagen Office
Fribourg, Switzerland-headquartered Friisberg & Partners International has expanded with the addition of Birgitte Olrik as managing partner of its Copenhagen office, strengthening the firm’s presence in the Nordic region and supporting the continued execution of our international growth strategy. “The future of executive search belongs to firms that combine exceptional local expertise with international reach,” said Zoltán Pethő,
Attracting the Right CHRO Starts with the Right Job Description
Hiring a head of HR is one of the most consequential leadership decisions an organization can make, yet many companies struggle to define the role in a way that reflects their actual needs. The most effective job descriptions go beyond qualifications and responsibilities, offering candidates a clear picture of the challenges, priorities, and business objectives
Coulter Partners Recruits Chief Medical Officer for Neumirna Therapeutics
Life sciences recruiting specialist Coulter Partners has placed Ferenc Tracik as chief medical officer of Neumirna Therapeutics. “Neumirna has reached an inflection point: the question is no longer whether the science works, but how quickly we can translate it into an option for patients with urgent unmet need. Ferenc has the experience to get us there,” said Ellen
McCormack + Kristel Seeking CEO for Central New York ON RAMP
McCormack + Kristel is currently seeking a CEO for Central New York ON RAMP. New York State Empire State Development (ESD) recently engaged CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity (CenterState CEO), an business leadership and economic development organization, to lead, incubate, and launch the Central New York One Network for Regional Advanced Manufacturing Projects (ON RAMP). The
Bespoke Partners Appoints Leader of People and HR Practice
San Diego, CA-headquartered Bespoke Partners recently named Dani Pfeiffer as a partner leading the people and human resources leader recruiting practice serving both software and industrials sector companies. She will lead dedicated recruiting teams on searches for talent executives for private equity portfolio companies for the software and SaaS clients served by Bespoke Partners and industrial clients served by Industra Talent Partners,
How The Tolan Group is Leveraging Leadership for Behavioral Health’s Next Growth Phase
Behavioral health is undergoing rapid expansion as demographic pressures, access challenges, and capital inflows converge. As the sector matures, organizations are rethinking leadership structures to support scale, governance, and long-term impact. Demand for behavioral health services is reshaping investment priorities, care delivery models, and leadership requirements across healthcare, according to Tim Tolan, founder, chairman, and
ECA Partners Recruits CEO for Transifex
Santa Monica, CA-based search ECA Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Chris Menier as the new chief executive officer of Transifex, a translation management system based in Washington, D.C. “ECA ran an organized and thorough process for our CEO search,” said Dennis Dresser, operating partner at JMI Equity, backers of Transifex. “Their highly professional
Work&Partners Seeks Chief Product Officer for Toppan Merrill
New York-based Work&Partners has been selected by Toppan Merrill to lead in its search for a chief product officer. Founder and president Alan Work is leading the assignment. The chief product officer will join the company’s executive leadership team and will report to the president. The executive in this role will be expected to reimagine the
Acacium Group Acquires Sumo Medical Staffing
Acacium Group, a London-based healthcare and clinical/scientific recruiting provider, announced that it has acquired Sumo Medical Staffing, a specialist recruiting firm based in Draper, UT. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. “Sumo Medical Staffing is an outstanding healthcare business that expands our staffing and workforce management offering to our clients in the U.S.,”
3 Lessons in Executive Leadership
Every executive team must assess what is needed to meet the challenges of growth, scale, and investor expectations. This is particularly true when selecting an executive leadership team, according to a new report from ZRG Partners’ Summer Anderson. In her study, Ms. Anderson revisited how over two and a half years, ZRG partnered with Marathon Digital
ON Partners Recruits CFO for Axcelis Technologies
Executive search firm ON Partners recently helped to place James Coogan as the new CFO of NASDAQ-traded Axcelis Technologies Inc., a supplier of enabling ion implantation solutions for the semiconductor industry. Mr. Coogan will join the company in October. Partner Lenny Vairo spearheaded the assignment for the search firm. “After an extensive search, we are delighted to announce
Greenwood Asher & Associates Places President and CEO for University of the District of Columbia
After an extensive, seven month search, Miramar Beach, FL-based executive recruitment firm Greenwood Asher & Associates has placed Maurice D. Edington as the new president and CEO of the University of the District of Columbia (UDC). Marion Frenche, associate vice president of executive search and practice leader for diversity, equity, and inclusion, led the assignment
Frederickson Partners Recruits HR Leader for Kyverna Therapeutics
Global HR search firm Frederickson Partners recently assisted in the recruitment of Portia Serame as vice president of human resources at Kyverna Therapeutics, a clinical-stage cell therapy company with the mission of engineering a new class of therapies for autoimmune diseases. Ms. Serame joins Kyverna Therapeutics from ReCor Medical, where she served as senior director of HR. In
Corsica Partners Acquires Alora Search Partners
Corsica Partners has acquired Alora Search Partners and appointed its founding partner, Mary Langan as managing director and cybersecurity practice lead. “Alora Search Partners has developed a respected reputation serving public, VC and PE backed software, robotics, and cybersecurity firms,” said Dan Veitkus, managing partner and CEO of Corsica Partners. “Under Mary’s leadership, Alora has
Korn Ferry Posts Flat Q1 Revenues
Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) has posted 2024 fiscal first quarter revenues of $699.2 million, essentially flat from the same period a year ago. Fee revenue remained constant primarily due to an increase in the interim portion of Professional Search & Interim, resulting from the acquisitions of Infinity Consulting Solutions which was effective Aug. 1, 2022 and Salo which
The Tolan Group Fills CFO Role for Memorial MRI & Diagnostic Imaging Centers
The Tolan Group (TTG) recently assisted in the placement of Fred Huang as the new chief financial officer of Memorial MRI & Diagnostic Imaging Centers (MMRI). The company is based in Houston, TX and backed by Panos, a private equity sponsor focused on making investments in middle-market healthcare and business services companies. Jennifer Chee, principal,
BoardWalk Consulting Places CEO of Deep South Today
Executive recruitment firm BoardWalk Consulting has placed Warwick Sabin as the inaugural president and chief executive officer of Deep South Today, a networked hub of non-profit newsrooms. Founding director Sam Pettway and directors Cynthia Moreland and Michelle Hall led the assignment. Mr. Sabin, who most recently served as chief strategy officer at Interfaith America, a
Artico Search Recruits Chief Product Officer for LeadsOnline
Today’s chief product officer is responsible for all product-related matters, and the role is growing in demand, according to executive recruiters who place them. The position typically includes product conception and development, production, innovation, and project and product management. In many IT/ telecommunications companies, the position includes release management and production. Chief product officers generally work
August Leadership Expands Senior Search Team
Executive recruitment firm August Leadership has expanded with the addition of Thomas Fuller as a partner based in New York City. “Tom’s exceptional track record and extensive experience across multiple industries at the board and C-suite level bring an invaluable dimension to our firm’s capabilities,” said Asad Haider, founder and CEO of August Leadership. “With Tom on
The Balance Between Using Artificial Intelligence and Authentic Intelligence to Find Talent
We live in a day and age when artificial AI continues to gain steam. Consider how it has already changed our everyday lives. It’s omnipresent and it’s no surprise that technology leaders such as Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI lead the way. All three recently released groundbreaking AI-powered chatbots that can code, converse, debate, plan, write;
Easing Resistance to Going Back to the Office
The debate between employees and employers regarding a return to the office continues. Recently, however, we’ve seen more leaders across various sectors initiate the call to return to the office in what appears to be a shifting of the tides. Whether fully remote, hybrid, or in-office, the end goal of a company is the same:
DHR Global Recruits Head Baseball Coach for Northwestern University
Talent advisory firm DHR Global recently assisted in the recruitment of Ben Greenspan as Northwestern University’s new head baseball coach. DHR’s managing partner and global sports practice leader Glenn Sugiyama led the assignment. “After an extensive nationwide search, Ben’s experience and coaching prowess quickly set him apart within the candidate pool,” said Derrick Gragg, vice president for athletics and recreation
BrainWorks Assists Visterra Landscape Group in the Recruitment of Chief Development Officer
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 One. Recruiters continue to report that CDOs are
Kingsley Gate Acquires Seeliger y Conde in Spain
Private equity-backed Kingsley Gate has acquired Seeliger y Conde, an executive search and leadership advisory firm in Spain. “Despite the unquestionable importance of Spain as a key vertex of North American, European, and Latin American enterprise, this partnership goes beyond mere geographical strengths,” said Eduardo Antunovic, chief client officer and senior partner at Kingsley Gate. “At the
Demand Intensifies From Non-Profits Seeking Senior Talent
Non-profit organizations in 2023 are facing inflation, declining donations, increased demand for services, workforce shortages, and more. A recent non-profit trends report by Forbes says that the changing workforce is presenting challenges for both for-profit and non-profit leaders. Being ready to consider alternative staffing options would put many of them ahead of the shifting landscape,
Unemployment Rate Rises to 3.8 Percent
Employment rose by 187,000 in August as the U.S. unemployment rate rose to 3.8 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. The number of unemployed persons was 6.4 million in August. Employment continued to trend up in healthcare, leisure and hospitality, social assistance, and construction. Employment in transportation and warehousing declined. Among the
Preng & Associates Places Independent Non-Executive Director for CleanTech Lithium
Houston-based Preng & Associates recently assisted in the placement of Tommy McKeith as an independent non-executive director for CleanTech Lithium PLC (CTL), an exploration and development company advancing next-generation sustainable lithium projects in Chile for the EV transition. The assignment was led by consultants Edward Blyth and Jozsef Marton, both located in London. Mr. McKeith, based in Perth,
Spencer Stuart Selected by the St. Louis Fed to Lead CEO Search
Federal Reserve Bank president searches are some of the most coveted assignments to take on among executive recruiters, and a number of leading search firms have gotten in on the action. Spencer Stuart was recently retained by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis to lead its search for a new president and CEO. The selection
IIC Partners Names Global Practice Group Leader for Consumer Markets
IIC Partners Executive Search Worldwide has appointed Jouko Pitkänen as global practice group leader for consumer markets. “Jouko’s extensive experience and unique insights make him a valued addition to our practice group leadership,” said Renee Arrington, president and chief operating officer at Pearson Partners International and IIC Partners board liaison for practice groups. “His appointment underscores our
The Shifting Landscape for Leadership Skill-Sets
Reskilling has been a simmering hot topic for the past several years, especially as it applies to professional and technical skills. But the past year and a half may go down as the great shake-up for leadership skills, according to executive search consultants. Traditional leader skill-sets (including communication), which could once be mastered, now need
Winning Strategies For Scale-up CMOs
“The CMO must be world-class at understanding human motivations, data, and storytelling, “ Jonathan Mildenhall, co-founder and chair of marketing consultancy firm TwentyFirstCenturyBrand, was quoted as saying in a new report from boutique search firm Artico Search. “That’s why I love marketing, it’s a data-inspired storytelling function that engages human beings. It really is a
The SR Group Opens Second Office in the U.S.
Global search company The SR Group has expanded its U.S. presence with the opening of a new office in Orlando, FL. The new office will be led by Brewer Morris executive director Jack Hart but can support clients and candidates from across all The SR Group’s three brands present in the U.S. – Brewer Morris,
Private Equity Growth Stirs Demand for In-House Counsel Roles
As the private equity space continues to grow, consistent demand for lawyers and compliance officers at both the firm and portfolio company level has boosted the outlook of these roles. “This is generating a noticeable impact on compensation and responsibilities for these professionals,” said John Gilmore, founding partner of BarkerGilmore, in a new report from
Coulter Partners Recruits CEO for ArcticZymes Technologies
Life sciences recruiting specialist Coulter Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Michael Akoh as the new chief executive officer of ArcticZymes Technologies, a Norwegian life sciences company. Past CEO Jethro Holter stepped down for personal reasons. “We are very fortunate to have engaged Michael as our next CEO,” said Marie Roskrow, ArcticZymes’ chairman of the board. “Coulter Partners ran
N2Growth Names Partner to Head Expansion in Australia
N2Growth, a Philadelphia-based management consulting and executive search firm, has expanded with the appointment of Marinda Carelsen as a partner to head the firm’s expansion into Australia. She will report directly to Kelli Vukelic, CEO at N2Growth. “Marinda’s commitment to fostering transformative leadership and advancing organizational excellence aligns perfectly with N2Growth’s mission,” said Ms. Vukelic. “Her deep understanding
Boards Make Progress with Diversity, More Work Remains
Today’s boards face an increasingly complex business environment, an intensifying regulatory environment, and growing activism by investors and other stakeholders. In response, they are focusing on their own composition and taking a strategic approach to director appointments, according to a new report from Spencer Stuart. Active and retired executives with CEO experience are in demand,
ON Partners Recruits CEO for Intterra
Daniel Bolger and Jake Espenlaub of ON Partners have helped to place Mike Soldan as the new chief executive officer for Intterra, an interagency common operational platform backed by Emberline. He takes over as CEO from Molly Hausmann, who has served in an interim-role since early 2023, after also holding the COO role. “As the world increases in complexity, we
