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JM Search Strengthens Healthcare and Life Sciences and Technology Practices
JM Search, a senior-level talent provider serving private equity investors, portfolio companies, and Fortune 1000s, has added Ellen Travers, Shane McMahon, and Dave Cochran to the firm, strengthening its healthcare and life sciences and technology practices. “These new additions enhance the firm’s expertise in executive recruitment across both sectors,” JM Search said. Ms. Travers joins as a partner and brings over 25 years of experience in
Building Structured Interviews into Executive Search
As competition for senior talent intensifies, organizations are taking a closer look at how their hiring processes influence both decision quality and candidate experience. Executive interviews, long considered a cornerstone of leadership evaluation, are increasingly being scrutinized for consistency, efficiency, and alignment. In response, companies are exploring more deliberate approaches to ensure interviews generate meaningful
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.
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
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?
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,
Wilson Forms New Alliance with Poetry to Advance AI capabilities
Global talent solutions provider Wilson has formed a new partnership with Poetry to strengthen its AI-enabled recruitment capabilities. The collaboration supports Wilson’s continued focus on embedding technology into its RPO delivery model through Wilson Workspace, its technology ecosystem. “We’re excited to announce our new partnership with Poetry,” said Charles Faigle, chief delivery officer at Wilson. This
What Executive Candidates Want From Employers Today
The executive talent market today has fundamentally shifted and senior leaders are evaluating employers through a far more demanding lens. They no longer weigh opportunities primarily on compensation or title; they assess the total leadership experience: governance, culture, organizational stability, purpose, autonomy, flexibility and long-term growth, according to a report from Kestria. “To attract and retain
WittKieffer Retained by Roosevelt University for President Search
Oak Brook, IL-based WittKieffer has been retained by Roosevelt University in Chicago to lead in its search for its seventh president. Ali Malekzadeh is retiring after being with the school since 2015. Senior partner Christine Pendleton, consultant Sandra Chu, senior associate Maya Holt-Brockenbrough, and senior advisor Ray Crossman. Roosevelt University seeks a student-centered president who is committed
Buffkin / Baker Acquires HR-Focused Benson Executive Search
Partner-led executive search firm Buffkin / Baker has acquired Boston, MA-based Benson Executive Search, a boutique firm focused on the human resources sector. Financial terms of deal were not disclosed. The acquisition strengthens Buffkin / Baker’s HR functional capabilities and gives the firm a stronger presence in the Northeast. “We’re thrilled to welcome Benson Executive Search to
SPMB Recruits Fills Senior Finance Position for Uber
Steven Popper of SPMB Executive Search has placed Wendy Drummond Craig as senior director, technical accounting, reporting, and M&A at Uber. In her new role, she will oversee teams responsible for technical accounting matters, SEC reporting, and accounting for mergers and acquisitions. “Wendy brings an extraordinary combination of technical accounting expertise, SEC reporting experience, and strategic advisory leadership
True Launches AI Capability Index for Executive Assessment
Global executive talent platform True has launched the True AI Capability Index, a proprietary framework that predicts executive performance in the AI-transformation age. “We are entering a phase where relationship depth and judgment matter more than ever,” said Brad Stadler, co-founder and CEO of True Platform. “The cost of finding names is decreasing. True’s advantage lies in our ability
AI-Native Talent Won’t Fix AI-Foreign Organizations
As artificial intelligence moves from experimentation to enterprise-wide adoption, organizations are grappling with a fundamental question: what does it actually mean to become AI-native? While the term has quickly entered the business lexicon, many leaders are still struggling to define the capabilities, operating models, and cultural shifts required to make that vision a reality. “Some
ZRG Partners Acquires Fortium
ZRG Partners has acquired Fortium, a Dallas-based search firm that provides fractional, interim, and project-based CIO, CTO, and CISO leadership. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “Companies are making more nuanced decisions about leadership than they did even a few years ago, particularly in technology,” said Mark Viner, leader of interim solutions & project
Lochlin Partners Recruits SVP of HR for the National Association of Corporate Directors
Lochlin Partners has placed Marian Stevens as senior vice president, human resources of the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) in Washington, D.C. “Marian’s deep experience in talent development, organizational effectiveness, and culture will help NACD to continue building the internal capabilities needed to support our growth and deliver on our mission,” said Peter Gleason, president and CEO of
JDG Associates Tapped by Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute to Find New Leader
Rockville, MD-based executive search firm JDG Associates has been retained by the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) to lead its search for a new president and CEO. The Chicago-based institute, the leading technical institute and trade association for the precast, prestressed concrete industry in North America, seeks a visionary and collaborative executive to succeed its long-serving chief executive,
IIC Partners Adds New Member Firm in New Zealand
IIC Partners Executive Search Worldwide has added Auckland, New Zealand-based Infinitas as its newest member firm expanding its capabilities across the Asia-Pacific region. “I am thrilled to welcome Infinitas to IIC Partners,” said Christine Hayward, executive director of IIC Partners. Their people-first philosophy, tech-enabled search processes, and talent advisory capabilities deeply align with our mission to transform
Hiring for the Culture You Don’t Yet Have
For much of the past decade, organizations have invested heavily in strategy, technology and operational efficiency to navigate an increasingly complex business environment. Yet despite these investments, many transformation initiatives continue to fall short of expectations. The differentiator is rarely the strategy itself. More often, success depends on whether leadership teams have the right people
BoardWalk Consulting Leading CEO Search for Downtown Atlanta Inc.
BoardWalk Consulting has been tapped by Downtown Atlanta Inc. (DAI) to lead in its search for a CEO. The search is being led by Sam Pettway, Crystal Stephens, and Patti Kish. The organization is seeking a leader who can help define what the next generation of Downtown Atlanta will become. This is a leadership opportunity of unusual scale and
Peña Search Assists To Be Like Me with the Recruitment of Executive Director
Peña Search recently assisted in the recruitment of Lauren Rowe as the new executive for To Be Like Me (TBLM) in Dallas, TX. Travis Hillier, Carlos González Peña, and Thaise Pereira led the assignment. She replaces To Be Like Me founder Hollis Owens, who has served as executive director since 2018 and initiated the search for her replacement last
BroadView Talent Partners Tapped by Baltimore Community Lending for President/CEO Search
BroadView Talent Partners was recently retained by Baltimore Community Lending, Inc. (BCL) to lead in its search for a new president and CEO. Tracy McMillan, Robyn Quinn, and Donna Young are leading the assignment. The CEO is the strategic, operational, and external leader of Baltimore Community Lending, responsible for driving the organization’s next era of growth and
Korn Ferry Becomes Founding Partner of the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games
Staging the Olympic and Paralympic Games is one of the most complex operational undertakings in the world, requiring a massive workforce to execute everything from security and logistics to transportation, technology, hospitality, and athlete services. It is essential to hire the right people and build a strong leadership structures. Korn Ferry has established a strategic partnership
ON Partners Recruits CFO for Coretelligent
Baillie Parker of ON Partners recently assisted in the recruitment of Thomas Pacheco as the new chief financial officer of Coretelligent in Needham, MA. “Further illustrating its tremendous growth, Coretelligent has expanded its team of dedicated employees by 13.4 percent, attracting and retaining top-tier talent even when other companies, including other managed service providers, face talent scarcity,”
Executive Recruitment in the Metaverse
What is the metaverse and how will it shape the future of recruitment? The metaverse is seen by some as a vision of the future, not a specific technology but a combination of a lot of virtual technologies and equipment, which entails much that is virtual and applied in many spheres of business, from finance
The Tolan Group Places CEO for CenExel
The Tolan Group (TTG) recently assisted in the recruitment of Stuart Goldblatt as the new chief executive officer of Salt Lake City, UT-based CenExel, a network of medical research centers. Managing partner and CEO Kaye Johnson and senior executive recruiter Hailey Brandvold spearheaded the assignment for the search firm. “We are very excited to have
ZRG Partners Finds Chief Technology Officer for The Washington Post
ZRG Partners has helped to place Vineet Khosla was the new chief technology officer of The Washington Post. Leading the assignment were managing directors Kevin S. Anderson and Darren Mooney. For the last five years, Mr. Khosla had been a senior engineering leader at Uber. The search firm announced the placement in a recent LinkedIn
Lindauer Announces Equity Partners
Lindauer has announced that vice presidents Maureen Huminik and Faith Montgomery have become equity partners in the firm. They join CEO Deb Taft, senior executive vice president Jill Lasman, and executive vice president Elizabeth Roberts as equity-holding members on the firm’s senior management team and, along with SVP Devin O’Leary, serve as managing directors of Lindauer. “As respected experts
Do All Companies Need a Chief Diversity Officer?
Promoting diversity and belonging in the workplace is not just a buzzword, it’s a crucial aspect of modern business. Companies that foster diversity and belonging have been proven to have better financial performance, increased innovation, and a more engaged workforce. “However, with the recent Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action in colleges and universities the
Unemployment Rates Dips Slightly to 3.5 Percent
Employment rose by 187,000 in July as the U.S. unemployment rate dropped slightly to 3.5 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. The number of unemployed persons was 5.8 million in July. Employment continued to trend up in healthcare, social assistance, financial activities, and wholesale trade. Among the major worker groups, the
TRANSEARCH International Acquires Asianet Consultants
TRANSEARCH International has expanded its reach in Asia with the acquisition of Asianet Consultants, an executive search firm in Hong Kong with offices in Shanghai and Guangzhou. Hunt Scanlon Ventures served as a strategic advisor to Asianet Consultants. “We are delighted to welcome Mark and the team to TRANSEARCH,” said Celeste Whatley, CEO of TRANSEARCH.
How to Onboard New Senior Executives
Whether you’ve secured locally-based talent or hired from afar and are supporting a relocation, remember that starting a new chapter at any level of one’s career is both exciting and stressful. This is particularly true of those at the executive level, according to a report from Johanna Vargas, vice president and senior associate at BroadView
Renovata & Company Finds Chief Financial Officer for Cleo
Global executive search and private equity advisory firm Renovata & Company has placed Sameer Katiyar as chief financial officer of Cleo, an ecosystem integration software company in Rockford, IL. Partner Jeff Yolen and consultant Judie Norkaitis led the assignment. Mr. Katiyar will oversee the company’s global finance, accounting, legal, and corporate IT functions. “Sameer brings more than
20/20 Foresight Opens Office in Austin
Real estate-focused executive search firm 20/20 Foresight has opened a new office in Austin, TX. The location will be led by Michael Morris who brings more than 20 years of commercial real estate experience. “The opening comes as the firm continues an impressive period of growth, including investments in cutting-edge technology, broadening its service offering to
Leveraging AI for Executive Search Success
In today’s fast-paced business landscape, the role of executive search firms has never been more critical in helping organizations identify and recruit top-tier leadership talent. The demand for exceptional leaders who possess a unique blend of skills, experience, and cultural fit has intensified, prompting recruiters to explore innovative solutions to stay ahead of the competition.
BarkerGilmore Places General Counsel for XPEL
Boutique search firm BarkerGilmore, which specializes in building corporate legal and compliance teams, has assisted in the recruitment of Babatunde Awodiran as the new senior vice president, general counsel, and corporate secretary of XPEL, a global provider of protective films and coatings, in San Antonio, TX. The search was led by Stephen Bell, a managing director
ZRG Partners Appoints Leader of Human Capital Consulting and Advisory Practice
ZRG Partners has named Michelle Stuntz to lead and grow the firm’s human capital consulting and advisory practice. “As ZRG continues to build out our human capital offerings, bringing in a leader with global experience scaling a consulting business was a critical step in our journey,” said Larry Hartmann, CEO. “We are thrilled to add Michelle, who
Shelli Herman and Associates Seeks CEO for the Dallas Zoo
Los Angeles-based Shelli Herman and Associates has been selected to find the next chief executive officer for the Dallas Zoo. “In this moment of great potential, the Dallas Zoo seeks a CEO to lead the organization into its next chapter,” said the search firm. “The CEO will provide the vision and strategy to guide the zoo
Morgan Samuels Appoints Practice Leader, Cybersecurity
Morgan Samuels has expanded with the addition of Jesse Annunziata as a new senior client partner and practice leader, cybersecurity. “We are thrilled to have Jesse Annunziata join our team as a senior client partner,” said Bert Hensley, CEO of the Los Angeles-based executive search firm. With his deep expertise in information and cybersecurity, he will play
Heidrick & Struggles Posts Q2 Revenue Increase of 13 Percent
Executive search, leadership consulting, and culture shaping services provider Heidrick & Struggles / (NASDAQ:HSII) has posted second quarter revenues of $298.7 million, a 13 percent increase compared to the same period a year ago. The Chicago-headquartered recruiter — the fifth largest global firm as ranked by Hunt Scanlon Media — reported net income of $9.0 million and diluted earnings per share was $0.44, with an effective
Griffith Group Seeks CEO for Universities Canada
Toronto-based executive recruitment firm Griffith Group has been called in to find the next president and chief executive officer for Universities Canada, a national advocacy organization that represents Canadian universities. Jane Griffith, managing partner and founder, and Sam Walton, partner, are spearheading the assignment. Paul Davidson announced earlier this year that he would be leaving
Jensen Partners Opens New Office in Austin
Jensen Partners, a women-owned executive search and corporate advisory firm that enables data-driven talent solutions for the asset management industry, has opened a new office in Austin, TX, and named Stacy Schiffman as managing director of distribution and leader of the new location. “Stacy’s role in Austin is the latest step towards enhancing our firm’s commitment to maintaining a strategic presence
How Artificial Intelligence is Affecting Private Equity
By now, everyone’s heard both ample hype and ample skepticism around the topic of AI, as well as predictions for how it will either jump-start or ruin our economy (or both), with plenty of sector-specific considerations, many of which are all equally speculative. What is clear is that AI is a hot topic and one
Options Group Acquires Dubai-Based Octavian Partners
Options Group has acquired Octavian Partners, an executive search firm based in Dubai and focused on financial services in frontier, emerging and developed markets across the U.K., Middle East and Asia. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “We always believed that a global perspective with a local footprint was the right approach for us
Lochlin Partners Recruits General Counsel for National Audubon Society
Legal recruiting continues to be a hot area for search firms. Lawyers employed by government agencies in particular have been on the move in recent months. Demand for legal work is expected to be robust as individuals, businesses, and all levels of government require legal services in the U.S. and internationally. Executive search firm Lochlin Partners recently assisted in
SPMB Executive Search Places CEO for Dremio
SPMB Executive Search, which helps find transformative executives throughout Silicon Valley, has assisted in the placement of Sendur Sellakumar as chief executive officer of data platform Dremio in Santa Clara, CA. Leading the assignment were managing partner Kevin Barry and partner Dean Nacey. “From all of us at SPMB, it was a pleasure to partner
6 Steps for Creating an Inclusive Workplace Culture
The culture around us influences everything we do. On a global scale, it influences the food we eat, the languages we speak, and the social norms that are expected. On a smaller scale, the culture of a company can speak volumes to its mission, values, and ideals. Even though culture is all around us, even
Isaacson, Miller Seeks President for Michigan State University
Boston-based Isaacson, Miller, which serves mission-driven organizations has been enlisted to find the next president for Michigan State University (MSU) in East Lansing. Leading the assignment are John Isaacson, the search firm’s chair; Joanna Cook, managing associate; and Debbie Scheibler, senior associate. MSU has seen three presidents depart over the last five years, the most
Acertitude Places New Leader for SLV Lighting Group in Germany
Executive search firm Acertitude has recruited Mark Körner as chair of the management board (chief executive officer) of Düsseldorf, Germany-based SLV Lighting Group (SLV), a European leader in the lighting industry backed by private investment house Ardian. Michael Klingler, a partner and leader within Acertitude’s global healthcare and life sciences practice, led the assignment. Mr. Körner
The Evolution of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Executive Search
Over the past few years, every aspect of the business world has been touched by the growth of the diversity, equity, and inclusion field. As organizations attempt to move towards more expansive definitions of belonging and culture, finding the right leaders is critical for shaping the future, according to Ruben Moreno, HR practice lead for Blue
Spencer Stuart Recruits CEO for Tivity Health
Spencer Stuart has placed Hill Ferguson as the new president and chief executive officer of Tivity Health, a Franklin, TN-based provider of healthy lifestyle solutions, including SilverSneakers, Prime Fitness, Burnalong, and WholeHealth Living. Richard Ashworth recently stepped down to pursue another opportunity. Stone Point Capital, which acquired Tivity Health in 2022, was seeking a leader to sustain Tivity
Anthem Executive Recruits Provost for Western Oregon University
Executive recruitment firm Anthem Executive has assisted in the recruitment of Jose Coll as the new provost and vice president of academic affairs of Western Oregon University. Michael Ballew, Scott Watson, and Florene Stawowy led the assignment. “Dr. Coll’s experiences in higher education leadership have prepared him perfectly to take the helm as provost at Western,” said Jesse Peters, president of
In Changing Times, Higher Education Sector Seeks New Types of Leaders
Recruiting senior leaders in the higher education sector has become a dynamic and evolving process. As universities face numerous challenges, including financial constraints, enrollment declines, and the need to prioritize diversity and inclusion, the demand for visionary and transformational leaders has never been higher. In recent years, the higher education sector has witnessed a significant
How to Maintain Remote Employee Engagement
Studies show that the last three years have brought the biggest workplace shift since the industrial revolution, as pandemic lockdowns put hybrid and remote work options in place for many. With some corporate leaders wanting staff back in the office while others are convinced of the benefits of working from home (WFH, also referred to
