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Daily Newswire
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.
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.
Academic Search Seeking Provost for James Madison University
Education-focused executive recruitment firm Academic Search has been selected by James Madison University to lead in its search for a new provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. Senior consultant Ann Die Hasselmo, consultant Christopher Butler, and associate consultant Kate Cusimano are leading the assignment. The school seeks an innovative and responsive leader to serve as its next provost and senior
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?
ForceBrands Appoints Head of Executive Search
ForceBrands, a hiring and talent solutions partner for the consumer industry, has strengthened its executive search practice with the addition of Brian Waivada. He will lead the team and oversee the practice’s continued expansion. “This appointment builds on the strength and momentum of our executive search practice,” said Rob Ganjon, CEO of ForceBrands. “We’ve spent
Potential vs. Performance: Rethinking the Leadership Pipeline
Being a successful business leader has always been associated with a fast-paced management style, but today more than ever, leaders must constantly adapt and be prepared to navigate rapid change. Leadership roles across organizations of all types have become increasingly complex, requiring the ability to balance competing priorities at the same time. In this environment,
DHR Global Grows Sports Practice with Jobplex’s Acquisition of Ascension Sports Partners
Jobplex, the Chicago-based partner company of DHR Global, has acquired Ascension Sports Partners, an executive search and talent advisory firm specializing in sports, entertainment, and collegiate athletics. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Ascension founder and president Dan Rossetti joins Jobplex as a partner, working alongside DHR’s sports practice. “This acquisition marks an important expansion of
Russell Reynolds Associates Tapped by the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization to Lead CEO Search
Global leadership advisory firm Russell Reynolds Associates has been retained by the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) to lead in its search for a new president and chief executive officer. Andrew Kriegler, its inaugural president and CEO, has informed the board of directors that he will not be seeking a further term. The board has commenced the
The Moran Company Recruits CEO for The Arc of New Mexico
The Moran Company, an executive recruitment firm that specializes in the non-profit sector, has placed Tracie Fletcher as the new executive director of The Arc of New Mexico. Senior search consultant Bruce Scott led the assignment. “Tracie brings a 25-year track record of leadership in non-profit, government, and community organizations,” The Arc of New Mexico said in a
Solomon Page Launches AI Retained Executive Search Practice
New York City headquartered executive search firm Solomon Page has launched a retained executive search practice dedicated to artificial intelligence leadership. The practice is led by managing director Ryan Kellner. The practice partners with organizations in financial services, healthcare, life sciences, and venture-backed technology to place chief AI officers, heads of AI, heads of data science, and
Ema Raises $77 Million in Funding
Enterprise adoption of artificial intelligence is moving beyond experimentation as companies look for tools that can deliver measurable outcomes across core business functions. As organizations seek to automate more complex workflows in areas such as HR, IT, and finance, investors are increasingly backing platforms designed to operate at enterprise scale rather than remain stuck in
The Counteroffer Dilemma: What Candidates Need to Know Before Resigning
Landing the job offer of your dreams should be the culmination of a successful search process. But for many professionals, one of the most difficult parts comes after the offer is accepted: telling a current employer they are leaving. A recent report from The Bridger Group examines how companies respond when valued employees resign and
True Launches Boutique Search Practice for Venture-Backed Companies
Global executive talent platform True has launched True Venture Studios, a boutique executive search practice serving founders and venture-backed companies across AI infrastructure, HardTech, SpaceTech, DefenseTech, Fintech, healthcare, and life sciences, among others. “True Venture Studios is our way of reasserting our roots, giving founders a dedicated team that moves at their speed and fights for the
Vetted Solutions Recruits CEO for GO2 for Lung Cancer
Washington, D.C.-based Vetted Solutions has placed David Benson as the new CEO of GO2 for Lung Cancer. “David is an exceptional leader with a deep commitment to improving the lives of people affected by cancer,” said GO2 board president Rick Sherlock. “His collaborative leadership style, strategic vision, and ability to build meaningful partnerships make him the right
TalentRise Assists Grassroots Gardens of WNY with Executive Director Search
TalentRise has assisted in the recruitment of Megan Kelly as the new executive director of Grassroots Gardens of WNY. “We’re thrilled to announce Meg Kelly as the new executive director of Grassroots Gardens WNY,” the organization said. “Meg brings experience to our garden network from her work with the region’s business and entrepreneurship community, and enters
Private Equity Firms Rethink Executive Hiring for Future Growth
PE investors routinely underwrite businesses based on their future state. For example, an investment thesis may assume a restaurant company will double its unit count, accelerate franchising, expand geographically, complete acquisitions, improve margins, or become significantly more institutionalized during the hold period. Executive hiring, however, often remains anchored to the present, according to a new
ON Partners Recruits CFO for Fortera
Partners Josh Nathanson and Chris Clements along with principal Alexis Rohe of ON Partners have placed Albert Luu as the new CFO of cement manufacturer Fortera in San Jose, CA. “Fortera is at a stage where the work we’ve done to prove the technology now has to be matched by our ability to finance and execute at scale,”
BoardWalk Consulting Assists Downtown Atlanta with CEO Search
BoardWalk Consulting has recruited Kyle Waide as the new CEO of Downtown Atlanta Inc. (DAI) to lead in its search for a CEO. The search was led by Sam Pettway, Crystal Stephens, and Patti Kish. The search committee began its work in April of 2026 under the leadership of Egbert Perry, CEO, Integral Group; longtime member of CAP and
SearchWide Global Recruits President and CEO for Visit California
SearchWide Global has helped to recruit Julie Coker as the new president and CEO of Visit California. She succeeds longtime leader Caroline Beteta, who announced her retirement earlier this year. The assignment was led by Mike Gamble, chairman, CEO, and co-founder of SearchWide. The appointment is the culmination of a comprehensive global search conducted in partnership
JM Search Expands Search Team
JM Search, a senior-level talent provider serving private equity investors, portfolio companies, and Fortune 1000s, has expanded with the additions of Amber Shockey as partner within its legal practice and Curtis Walker as principal within its media & telecommunications team. “Continued private equity investment across legal services, legal-adjacent businesses, and professional sports is elevating the importance of
Interim or Executive Search? Choosing the Right Leadership Solution
Interim leadership has moved well beyond being a stopgap solution for unexpected vacancies. As organizations face greater complexity, faster strategic shifts, and mounting pressure to deliver results, boards and CEOs are increasingly turning to experienced interim leaders as a flexible way to maintain momentum and address critical business needs. For executive search firms, that shift
Funk Associates Assists the University of North Florida with the Recruitment of Eighth President
Funk Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Michael P. Shannon as the eighth president of the University of North Florida (UNF). Past president Moez Limayem stepped down from his position in early 2026. “Mike Shannon is the leader who can build on UNF’s strong momentum and continue to elevate the University’s incredible impact across our
DHR Global Recruits President of Business Operations for the Pittsburgh Penguins
Talent advisory firm DHR Global has placed Marcel Braithwaite as president of business operations for the Pittsburgh Penguins. This search was led by Mike Gagliardi and Glenn Sugiyama of DHR’s sports practice. “Marcel is going to be a transformational hire for one of the NHL’s premier teams,” said Mr. Sugiyama, managing partner of DHR’s sports practice. “I had the
Mercuri Urval Expands International Public and ESG Expert Practice
Stockholm, Sweden-based executive search firm Mercuri Urval (MU) has expanded with the addition of former Danish government minister Astrid Krag to its international public and ESG expert practice. “With Astrid’s extensive experience in international public affairs, strong commitment to ESG and sustainability, and deep understanding of life sciences, she brings a valuable combination of expertise and
ZRG Partners Acquires N2Growth’s Spain Business
ZRG Partners has entered the Spanish market through the acquisition of the business formerly known as Blacksmith that had been doing business since 2023 under the umbrella of N2Growth. Through this integration, ZRG enters the Spanish market with an established local team and the goal of offering Spanish and international clients agile, high-touch advisory backed by
Family Offices Move Into Human Capital M&A
Altss’ latest ranking, The 50 Largest Family Offices in the World (2026), illustrates the scale family capital has reached. The 50 largest offices collectively manage an estimated $2.4 trillion, with the top 10 controlling more than $1.5 trillion. Twenty-eight of the top 50 are headquartered in North America, while private equity represents their largest average portfolio allocation
The Leadership Pipeline Crisis: AI’s Hidden Cost
Companies everywhere are celebrating leaner teams, faster execution, and higher productivity thanks to AI, according to HIRECLOUT. From a business perspective, the logic is easy to understand, according to Avetis Antaplyan, founder and CEO of HIRECLOUT. “Investors reward efficiency,” Mr. Antaplyan said. “Leaders are under pressure to do more with less. Automation is eliminating repetitive
Klein Hersh Recruits CFO for Sparrow Pharmaceuticals
Klein Hersh, a search firm focused on the life sciences and healthcare industries, has recruited George Eldridge as the new CFO of Sparrow Pharmaceuticals, a targeted cardiometabolic therapeutics company. “We are thrilled to welcome George to Sparrow at such an important time for our company,” said Robert Jacks, president and CEO of Sparrow Pharmaceuticals. “George
McCormack + Kristel Seeking Executive Director for NEXT Harm Reduction
McCormack + Kristel has been retained by NEXT Harm Reduction (NEXT Distro) to lead in its search for an executive director. This is a rare opportunity for a visionary leader and skilled fundraiser to take a nationally recognized organization with an urgent mandate and grow it to the scale the moment demands. Reporting to the board
Human Capital Enters a New Operating Era
Deloitte’s latest 2026 Global Human Capital Trends report makes one point clear: organizations are moving beyond traditional workforce models toward more fluid, capability-driven systems. Work is increasingly decomposed into tasks, projects, and outcomes rather than fixed roles, forcing companies to rethink how talent is structured and deployed. At the same time, leaders are balancing two competing forces.
7 Qualities and Experiences Needed to be a CHRO
The most common questions that come from executives who aspire to move into their first chief human resources officer (CHRO) role involve what it takes to be a strong and viable candidate. IIC Partners’ people and culture practice group, with consultants collaborating across 40 offices worldwide and, has had the opportunity to interact with many HR executives.
Artico Search Recruits CISO for Xactly
Increasingly, organizations of all sizes are awakening to the perils posed by cyberattacks. For years, many groups tried to ignore the problem, dismissing cybersecurity as a concern only for the biggest, most high-profile entities, be they government or corporate. These days, more groups are coming to understand how ruinous such intrusions could be. This has
Renovata & Company Recruits President for Hodess Cleanroom Construction
Global executive search and private equity advisory firm Renovata & Company has recruited Mike DiNapoli as president for Hodess Cleanroom Construction, LLC, a Stellex Capital portfolio company and provider of cleanroom design and build for blue-chip corporations in automotive, aerospace, medtech and semiconductor. “Mike is a seasoned E&C leader with a proven track record of business success and
Candidate.fyi Closes $1.3 Million in Pre-Seed Funding
Candidate.fyi recently secured a $1.3 million pre-seed funding round. The company’s platform offers a candidate portal for candidates to receive information in their journey, pulse surveys to collect feedback from job candidates, the ability for job candidates to book meetings online and create profiles and an upcoming scheduling feature. Founded by brothers, Kyle and Chris
Mercuri Urval Launches Board and CEO Practice
Stockholm, Sweden-based executive search firm Mercuri Urval (MU) has launched a new board and CEO practice. “MU board and CEO practice is our response to the increasing demand for our services in the realm of board and CEO recruitment and advice,” said Christian Schaffenberger and Mieke Weijenberg, global board and CEO practice leads and partners at MU. “MU provides a reliable alternative
How Research First Data-Driven Recruiting and Talent Mapping Make for Smarter Hiring Decisions
Finding the ideal candidate for the job is a delicate dance. Good recruitment firms are experts in understanding what potential employers are looking for in their ideal candidate and scouring the available talent pool to match them with that perfect fit. According to a report from SGA Talent’s Sheila Greco. “What sets these firms apart
ZRG Partners Recruits CFO for Traditional Medicinals, Inc.
ZRG Partners, a leading search firm backed by private equity firm RFE Investment Partners, recently assisted in the recruitment of Scott Bowman as the new CFO of Traditional Medicinals, Inc. Dave Pearce and Richard Dowd led the assignment. Experienced strategic and financial manager with expertise in analyzing businesses, developing strategic and financial goals, communicating with senior management, directors, and staff,
TalentoHCM Assists Lancer Skincare with CEO Search
Jill De Forest, managing director of TalentoHCM, Los Angeles, has assisted Marc Kravets as the new CEO of Lancer Skincare in Beverly Hills. “I was pleased that Jill De Forest at Talento, introduced this CEO role at Lancer Skincare to me,” said Mr. Kravets. “Jill and I have worked together over the past 10 years,
Krauthamer & Associates Recruits SunLine Transit Agency
Executive recruiting firm Krauthamer & Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Mona Babauta as the new CEO of SunLine Transit Agency in Thousand Palms, CA. “We are so pleased to be welcoming Mona to the helm of SunLine Transit Agency today,” said Lisa Middleton, board chair of SunLine Transit Agency. “Our board is impressed by the
IMD International Search Group Adds Member Firm in Spain
Global executive search consortium IMD International Search Group recently expanded in Madrid, Spain, with the addition of Padula & Partners as its newest member firm. Padula & Partners has a track record in executive search on the Spanish market as it was founded in 2005. They have since then provided bespoke service to clients in a vast
5 Ways Search Firms Support the Talent Management Priorities of PE Companies
In recent years, private equity firms’ desire for top talent has reached an all-time high. This high level of demand is in response to a recognition across the industry that having the right people in key executive roles is a critical factor in how private equity firms are able to maintain growth amid significant market
Bespoke Partners Recruits CEO for Stax Payments
San Diego, CA-headquartered executive search firm Bespoke Partners recently recruited Paulette Rowe as the new CEO of Stax Payments in Orlando, FL. The search was led by Brian Waivada and Alexandra Bossetta. “Following an extensive global search, we’re pleased to welcome Paulette to Stax,” said Ross Croley, founder and CEO of GSV and chairman of the board of Stax. “An accomplished
Frederickson Partners Recruits CFO for Bluberi Gaming
Chief financial officers continue to be in high demand. Finding them is keeping many of the nation’s top recruitment operations busier than ever. In recent months, search firms of all varieties have placed chief financial officers at various companies, especially private equity-backed outfits. Global HR search firm Frederickson Partners has recruited Billy Register as the new CFO
Acertitude Recruits Chief Technology Officer for Sunrise Senior Living
Executive search firm Acertitude has recruited Marco Trecroce as chief technology officer of Sunrise Senior Living, a provider of senior living lifestyles. “Marco — who is an accomplished technology executive with exemplary hospitality experience – is a pivotal addition as Sunrise continues to integrate digital solutions to deliver best-in-class resident-centered services that support holistic health and wellness,”
BarkerGilmore Appoints Senior Advisor
Boutique search firm BarkerGilmore, which specializes in building corporate legal and compliance teams, has named Kristin Campbell as senior advisor. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome Kristin to our team as a senior advisor,” said Bob Barker, managing partner of BarkerGilmore. “With her remarkable expertise in the consumer and hospitality sectors, Kristin brings a
CEOs Positioning their Companies for the Long Haul
How do you prepare for a recession that never quite arrives? More than halfway through 2023, economists and market watchers in the United States are starting to take seriously the possibility of a domestic “soft landing” buoyed by labor market resilience, moderating inflation and gently slowing final demand growth, according to EY. But corporate leaders
Six Recruiting Trends Effecting Non-Profits
As the last quarter of 2023 approached, a new report from DHR Global’s Sara Garlick Lundberg and James Abruzzo reflects on the trends affecting recruiting in the non-profit industry. Non-profits are navigating a number of challenges – from new work habits to political currents – as they plan for greater impact in 2024, the study
WittKieffer Leading President Search for the University of Hartford
A number of colleges and universities across the country are opening searches that, if all goes to plan, will provide high-profile leaders to take them into a new era of fundraising, digitalization, sports and, increasingly the case, globalization. Oak Brook-IL-based WittKieffer has been selected by the University of Hartford to lead in its search for its seventh
Greenwich Harbor Partners Fills Senior Post for Fetch Pet Insurance
Greenwich Harbor Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Kristen Easterday as the new controller of Fetch Pet Insurance. Ms. Easterday is a versatile leader with a diverse background and thought process. She uses an extensive data analysis as well as a collaborative team approach. Ms. Easterday was most recently the controller at Roof Maxx, a consumer-facing roofing
Cooper Coleman Expands Search Staff
Chicago-based Cooper Coleman LLC has expanded with the addition of John Toolan as vice president, executive search. “Welcoming John into our firm was not a difficult choice,” said Johnny Cooper, founder and CEO. “We place exceptional value on authentically representing our clients as if we are members of their teams; centering a rich, dignified candidate experience
Achieving Boardroom Diversity Without Marginalizing Anyone
While women have come a long way, there is still a long way to go before we reach gender parity at the top levels of corporate America. As CEO of a women-owned search firm with the serious intention and track record of placing women and members of underrepresented groups in boardrooms and the C-suite (85
JDG Associates Recruits CFO for the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board
Rockville, MD-based executive search firm JDG Associates has recruited Trevor Williams as the new chief financial officer for the Washington, D.C.-based Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (FRTIB), which manages the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), a retirement plan available to federal employees and members of the armed services. Mr. Williams is a financial executive with more than 26 years of
Hobson Leavy Recruits Chief Revenue Officer for Serko Limited
Auckland, New Zealand-based executive search firm Hobson Leavy has assisted in the recruitment of Liz Fraser as the new chief revenue officer of Serko Limited. “Liz has extensive experience driving revenue growth across both the travel and media sectors in senior leadership roles at TVNZ, Air New Zealand and most recently as commercial director at MediaWorks,” said
TRANSEARCH Adds Involved Partners in Sweden
TRANSEARCH International has added Involved Partners in Helsingborg, Sweden as its newest member firm. Peter Ohman joins TRANSEARCH as senior consultant and manager. Mr. Ohman focuses on serving the industrial, utility/power, and FMCG market sectors. With a wealth of experience in both management and consultancy roles, Mr. Ohman brings a track record of catalyzing organizational, business, and
Compensation for Cybersecurity Leaders is on the Rise
The CISO role was partially shielded from the macroeconomic challenges of 2023. The average increase in total compensation among CISOs was 11 percent in the latest comp cycle—a drop from 14 percent in 2022, but a relatively small dip in light of the economic climate. One in five CISOs didn’t receive an increase in compensation.
Academic Search Seeking New Leader for the American Association of State Colleges and Universities
Jay Lemons, Jennifer Kooken, and Maria Thompson of education-focused executive recruiter Academic Search was recently selected by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) to lead in its search for a new president and CEO. After five years of service, the current president, Mildred García, has stepped down. The president leads an accomplished and diverse staff of
ON Partners Recruits Chief Product Officer for MacStadium
Co-president Matt Mooney and partner Jake Espenlaub of ON Partners have recruited Jason Davis as chief product officer of MacStadium, an Atlanta-based Mac cloud provider. “We’re thrilled to welcome Jason to the team,” said Michael Landreth, MacStadium’s co-founder and CEO. “His proven track record of success in product strategy and development will be a significant advantage for us.
Randstad Announces Senior Leadership Changes
Randstad N.V. has made changes to its executive leadership team. “Our people are our foundation and we focus on ensuring our strong culture, values, and spirit of entrepreneurship are present at all levels of the organization,” said Sander van ‘t Noordende, CEO of Randstad. “We are fortunate to have exceptional home grown talent, who live our
Inside the Evolving CEO Hiring Landscape in Private Equity
The Economist wasn’t wrong in recently declaring, “Private equity is entering a new era.” Between ongoing inflation, rising credit costs, and lingering macroeconomic uncertainty, the near-term future for PE firms looks different, with fewer deals, more challenging exits, and longer holding periods. Having led more than 100 CEO searches for PE clients, Tony Hazen of
Diversified Search Group | Koya Partners Recruits Executive Director for TransitCenter
Koya Partners, a part of Diversified Search Group, recently assisted in the recruitment of Stephanie Lotshaw as the new executive director of TransitCenter in New York City. Managing director Anne McCarthy, senior search associate Claire Hunt, and senior search coordinator Kaley Blaszinski led the assignment. “After months of careful searching, interviews, and dialogue we are proud to announce that
RH Perry & Associates Seeking President for New Mexico Highlands University
RH Perry & Associates has been retained by New Mexico Highlands University to lead in its search for its 19th president. Sam Minner recently retired after nine years with the school. Leading the assignment are senior consultants Sue DeWine and Pam Shockley-Zalabak. The president serves as chief executive officer of the university and reports to the board







