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Daily Newswire
Shelli Herman and Associates Recruits Chief Experience Officer for the Saint Louis Zoo
Los Angeles-based Shelli Herman and Associates has placed Kirby Meyer as chief experience officer (CXO) at the Saint Louis Zoo. This is a brand-new executive leadership on the Zoo’s executive team focused on shaping a unified, strategic approach to all external engagement functions. In this role, Ms. Meyer will oversee the Zoo’s creative services, events, guest experience, marketing,
Bryant Group Fills Senior Post for Belmont University
Dallas-based executive search and talent development firm Bryant Group has assisted in the recruitment of Michele Miller as associate vice president for advancement services at Belmont University. Executive search director Colleen Rogers Aivazian conducted a nationwide search. “I am thrilled to welcome Michele Miller to Belmont University as our new associate vice president for advancement services,” said
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.
Coulter Partners Recruits Chief Scientific Officer for Laigo Bio
Life sciences recruiting specialist Coulter Partners has recruited Richard C.A. Sainson as the new chief scientific officer of Laigo Bio. “It was a privilege to partner with Matthew and the Laigo board,” said Kay Wardle, managing partner at Coulter Partners. “Targeted protein degradation is one of the most exciting frontier areas of drug discovery, and finding a chief
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?
Blue Rock Human Capital Recruits Chief People Officer for Michelli Weighing & Measurement
Talent acquisition strategies at many large companies have become as complex as their balance sheets. And while chief human resource officers play a vital role in overseeing an organization’s broad-based workforce, the chief people officer typically goes beyond overseeing its people policies. The focus instead is on building talent as a key competitive advantage, with more
Raising the Bar for Interim and Fractional Leadership
As companies face mounting pressure to move faster and adapt to constant change, interim and fractional executives are increasingly being brought in not simply to maintain stability, but to drive transformation from day one. Organizations today are seeking experienced leaders who can step into critical roles, solve immediate business challenges, and create momentum while long-term
BoardWalk Consulting Selected by Atlanta Ballet for Executive Director Search
BoardWalk Consulting has was recently tapped by Atlanta Ballet to lead in its search for an executive director. The search is being led by Sam Pettway, Demeika Wheaton, and Patti Kish. The executive director will lead Atlanta Ballet’s administrative and business functions in alignment with the organization’s mission and values, while partnering closely with the artistic
When Search Fatigue Leads to Costly Hiring Mistakes
In executive search, the biggest hiring mistakes are not always caused by weak candidate pools or poor sourcing strategies. More often, breakdowns occur near the finish line, when prolonged interview cycles, competing stakeholder opinions, and mounting business pressures begin to wear down decision-making discipline. What starts as a rigorous evaluation process can gradually shift toward
Preng & Associates Recruits SVP of Government Services for American Bureau of Shipping
Houston-based Preng & Associates has placed Rear Admiral Ronald J. Rábago as senior vice president of government services at American Bureau of Shipping (ABS). “Admiral Rábago brings exceptional government and industry experience that will further enhance the support we provide to our government clients in the U.S. and around the world,” said John McDonald, ABS chairman and CEO. “His
McDermott + Bull Expands in Amsterdam
Irvine, CA-based McDermott + Bull has expanded in Amsterdam with the addition of Gerben van den Hout as managing director. “This strategic hire comes as McDermott + Bull continues to expand its executive search presence across Europe, further strengthening the firm’s ability to support organizations in identifying and placing high-impact leadership talent,” the firm said. “Gerben’s appointment represents an
The CHRO’s Leadership Imperative in the AI Era
As organizations accelerate their adoption of artificial intelligence, business leaders are increasingly recognizing that successful transformation depends as much on people and leadership as it does on technology itself. HR executives, in particular, are finding themselves at the center of conversations around workforce readiness, employee trust, skills development, and organizational change management. Industry observers note
Cluen Invites Executive Search Firms to Participate in Upcoming 2026 Technology Trends Survey
For more than three decades, Cluen has partnered with leading executive search firms around the world to understand how top-performing recruiters use technology to gain a competitive advantage. Each year, the company’s Top Trends in Executive Search Technology survey uncovers the strategies, priorities, and innovations shaping the future of the profession. How are executive search firms balancing the rapid adoption of AI
Lindauer Retained by C-SPAN for Chief Development Officer Search
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 No. 1. Lindauer has been retained by C-SPAN to
NPAG Seeking Executive Director for the California Youth Defender Center
Executive search firm NPAG has been selected by the California Youth Defender Center (CYDC) to lead in its search for a new executive director. This search is being led by Ellen LaPointe and Phuong Quach. This is a unique opportunity to lead a respected and influential organization at a pivotal moment, shaping the future of youth justice
Lochlin Partners Helps Fill Senior Position for Business Roundtable
Lochlin Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Stefani Jones as senior director of policy at Business Roundtable (BRT). Ms. Jones is an accomplished technology policy leader with deep expertise at the intersection of cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and national security. Her experience spans the White House, the private sector, and senior federal policy roles. She
Why Executives Should Think Carefully Before Accepting Counteroffers
Few moments in an executive’s career carry as much complexity as the decision to resign from a leadership role and pursue a new opportunity. What often begins as a strategic career move can quickly become emotionally charged once a current employer responds with incentives aimed at reversing that decision. Recruiters and leadership advisors note that
Funk Associates Tapped by the University of North Florida to Lead Search for Eighth President
Funk Associates was recently retained by the University of North Florida (UNF) to lead a national search for its eighth president. Past president Moez Limayem stepped down from his position in early 2026. The presidential search committee, chaired by UNF board of trustees member Jack Boyle, plays a critical role in this process, focusing on
Acertitude Recruits CEO for PE-Backed Zep Inc.
Acertitude has placed Tim Feast as the new CEO of Zep Inc., a Truelink Capital portfolio company. The search was led by partner, Geoff Votta and principal, Rod Vaughan with support from Matthew Marasco and Maryanne Santospirito. Mr. Feast steps into the role with a mandate to accelerate growth, sharpen execution, and lead Zep into its
SearchWide Global Seeking CEO for Visit California
SearchWide Global is currently seeking a new CEO for Visit California. The assignment is being led by Mike Gamble, chairman, CEO, and co-founder of SearchWide. Visit California is seeking a collaborative, visionary, and politically astute leader to serve as the next CEO. As the organization’s chief strategist, brand steward, and operational head, the CEO works
Intersearch Worldwide Elects Chairwoman and New Board Members
InterSearch Worldwide, a global alliance of executive search companies, has announce the newly elected board following and the appointment of Vanessa Delacourt as chairwoman, marking an exciting new chapter and reinforcing the organization’s commitment to innovation and sustainable growth. The board has welcomed: Leslie Cooper A. (Chile); Vanessa Delacourt (Benelux); Frank Schelstraete (Belgium); Henri Vidalinc
The Platform Shift Reshaping Human Capital M&A
Hunt Scanlon Ventures’ 2026 Human Capital Markets Update: Q1 M&A Report points to a market undergoing rapid institutionalization. Human capital M&A is no longer centered around standalone recruiting firms or opportunistic acquisitions. Instead, buyers are consolidating around integrated platforms that combine executive search, leadership advisory, workforce analytics, succession planning, and AI-enabled infrastructure. The shift reflects a broader
WittKieffer Recruits 22nd President for the University of Tulsa
Oak Brook, IL-based WittKieffer has placed Stacy Leeds as the 22nd president of the University of Tulsa (UTulsa). Zachary Smith, Robin Mamlet, and Julia Bradley led the assignment. Ms. Leeds was selected following a competitive and comprehensive national search. Members of the search committee and full board were drawn to her unique portfolio of executive management, philanthropic success and unimpeachable academic credibility. “Stacy
SPMB Recruits CFO for AbsenceSoft
SPMB Executive Search has recruited Megan Wood as CFO of AbsenceSoft, a Denver, CO-based employee leave management and accommodations platform. Jon Landau and Laura Ayre led the assignment. “The market opportunity in front of AbsenceSoft is significant, and Megan brings the right financial and operational depth to meet it,” said Chris Murphy, CEO of AbsenceSoft. “Her proven track record at fast-growth, innovative companies on
AGB Search Helps Recruit 20th President for the University of Montana
Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, has assisted in the recruitment of Jeremiah Shinn as the 20th president of the University of Montana. His selection follows a national search that drew more than 70 accomplished applicants from across the country. Roderick McDavis, James H. McCormick and Janice S. Fitzgerald led the assignment. “Dr. Shinn’s on-campus visit
TurnkeyZRG Appoints Vice President
TurnkeyZRG has expanded with the addition of Sean Magee as vice president. “College and professional football are being reshaped in real time — by revenue sharing, NIL, the transfer portal, and unprecedented financial and operational complexity,” said Chad Chatlos, managing partner, ZRG Turnkey. “Sean lived inside that disruption as a senior operator. He understands what it
Rethinking the Factors Behind Employee Loyalty and Retention
Two widely repeated assumptions continue to shape discussions around today’s workforce, despite oversimplifying a far more nuanced reality. Claims that employee loyalty has disappeared, or that departures are driven almost entirely by poor management, often overlook the broader mix of organizational, economic, leadership, and career factors influencing retention. While such narratives persist because they are
Anthem Executive Assists the University of West Alabama with Provost Search
Anthem Executive has assisted in the recruitment of Amy H. Jones as provost of the University of West Alabama, the role that oversees all aspects of academics at the institution. “Dr. Jones has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a deep commitment to the mission of UWA,” said Todd G. Fritch, president of the University of West Alabama.
ON Partners Recruits Chief Supply Chain Officer for Atmus Filtration Technologies
ON Partners has helped to recruited Kevin Carpenter as senior vice president and chief supply chain officer of NYSE-traded Atmus Filtration Technologies Inc. in Nashville, TN. Partner Heidi Hoffman led the assignment. “Kevin is a proven operations leader with a strong track record of building resilient, customer focused supply chains at scale,” said Steph Disher, president and
ZRG Partners Acquires Sterling Martin Associates
ZRG Partners has acquired Sterling Martin Associates, a Washington, D.C.–based executive search firm specializing in professional associations, trade organizations, and mission‑driven non-profit organizations. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Larry Hartmann, CEO of ZRG, said the acquisition reflects ZRG’s disciplined approach to growth. “This is not about scale for scale’s sake,” he explained.
Five Questions with MJ Scott, Incoming CEO of Kirk Palmer Associates
Kirk Palmer Associates (KPA) an independent executive search firm dedicated exclusively to retail and consumer brands, this past July appointed search industry veteran MaryJeanne (MJ) Scott as its new CEO. A seasoned leader with more than 25 years in retail and executive search, Ms. Scott brings expanded capabilities to KPA’s global operations with a focus
Anthem Executive Seeks CFO for UNLV
Executive recruitment firm Anthem Executive has been enlisted to find the next vice president, business affairs, and chief financial officer for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Leading the assignment are Scott Watson, Michael Ballew, Mike “JR” Wheless, and Florene Stawowy. The CFO will be expected to provide vision, leadership, and strategic direction and responsibility for
Greenwich Harbor Partners Fills Board Positions for Thrive Scholars Chicago
Greenwich Harbor Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Jared Banner, Teedra Bernard, Sedhu Krishnamurthy, and Talvis Love as new members of the board of directors at Thrive Scholars Chicago. “We are excited to welcome our new board members – each with diverse expertise and experiences from various sectors–to join our effort to strengthen opportunities toward economic mobility for
DHR Global Appoints Leader of Los Angeles Office
Talent advisory firm DHR Global has named John Staines as managing partner of the global human resources practice and leader of its Los Angeles office. “I am pleased to welcome John as our new managing partner of the global human resources practice group,” said Geoff Hoffmann, CEO of DHR Global. “John brings a wealth of knowledge and proven results
How the CFO Position Continues to Evolve
The last few years have challenged the chief financial officer role as navigating often unpredictable economic and geopolitical scenarios while striving to meet the expectations of the CEO, the board, and shareholders amplified its complexity, making this position increasingly multifunctional and strategic. A new report from Egon Zehnder’s Ângela Pêgas and Bruno Carrasco says that
Unemployment Rate Stands at 3.7 Percent
Employment rose by 339,000 in May as the U.S. unemployment rate stands at 3.7 percent, according to today’s U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. The number of unemployed persons is 6.1 million in May. Job gains occurred in professional and business services, government, healthcare, construction, transportation and warehousing, and social assistance. Among the major worker groups,
TurnkeyZRG Seeks Athletic Director for University of the Pacific
TurnkeyZRG has been retained by University of the Pacific to lead its search for a new athletic director. The firm is seeking a high-energy, entrepreneurial, and innovative leader. Reporting directly to the president, the AD will lead the school’s 17 Division I athletic programs and serve on the president’s cabinet as one of the university’s 10
Renovata & Company Recruits Chief Learning Experience Officer for Babbel
Global executive search and private equity advisory firm Renovata & Company has placed Kathleen Radford as chief learning experience officer of Babbel, a global online language learning platform with more than 10 million subscribers. Partner Thomas Jepsen and consultant Tilanie Salvador led the assignment. “Kathleen has a proven track record leading large product innovation teams, including organizational
TrueBridge Launches in the U.K.
Top experts in talent management and C-suite recruitment agree that interim leaders will likely play a significant and growing role in top grading senior-level positions in a post-pandemic era, where costs and efficiency underpin executive hiring. TrueBridge, True’s interim, fractional, and advisory executive search division, has launched in the U.K. with a network of experienced
A Look at the Importance of Executive Evaluations
We like to pick over the successes and failures of our political leaders, past and present, looking for answers, lessons, a bit of inspiration perhaps—or someone to blame. Politics is especially and immediately unforgiving of real or perceived incompetence; but, by comparison, corporate leadership teams face relatively little day to day external scrutiny. “And when
Coulter Partners Recruits Chief Development Officer for TargED Biopharmaceuticals
Life sciences recruiting specialist Coulter Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Gerben van ‘t Klooster as chief development officer for TargED Biopharmaceuticals in London. “We are thrilled to welcome Gerben to our team at TargED Biopharmaceuticals,” said Kristof Vercruysse, CEO of TargED Biopharmaceuticals. “He brings a wealth of experience and expertise that will be invaluable to our
Shelli Herman and Associates Seeking CEO for YWCA Greater Los Angeles
Los Angeles-based Shelli Herman and Associates has been selected by the YWCA Greater Los Angeles (YWCA GLA) to lead its search for a new CEO. The incoming CEO will join the organization at a formative time in its history, succeeding long-time CEO Faye Washington. Like all human services organizations, the YWCA GLA faced an unparalleled human crisis
FPC of Farmington Hills, MI Opens for Business
F-O-R-T-U-N-E Personnel Consultants (FPC National), a nationwide network of over 60 franchised executive recruitment offices, has launched FPC of Farmington Hills, MI. This new office will be owned and operated by Jim Larsen, a seasoned executive in the automotive industry with a strong background in sales and engineering. FPC of Farmington Hills will specialize in
The Balance Between Artificial Intelligence and Authentic Intelligence
These days, artificial intelligence continues to gain steam on a number of fronts. 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… you
7 Career Mistakes To Avoid
“The only one managing your career is you!” You’ve probably heard those words many times from multiple sources. These well-meaning advisors, however, may have neglected to tell you that managing your career is hard! You spent the formative years of your life and education following a prescribed plan with a mapped-out path to success. But
Peña Search Recruits Chief Development Officer for Healthy Futures of Texas
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
MalinHughes Recruits EVP of People and Culture for Kootenai Health
Chicago-based executive search firm MalinHughes recently assisted in the recruitment of Cyndy Donato as executive vice president of people and culture at Kootenai Health. “We were grateful to work with the leadership team at Kootenai Health on an executive search to place their EVP of people and culture, Dr. Cyndy Donato,” said MalinHughes. “David Jones recently led
Artico Search Fills Position for RTP Global
Mercedes Chatfield-Taylor of Artico Search recently assisted in the recruitment of Andrea Funsten as a partner with RTP Global. She will be located in San Francisco. Ms. Funsten becomes a partner on the U.S. investment team where her focus is on early stage investments in B2B SaaS and infrastructure. She favors categories like fintech, manufacturing, supply chain,
How Accessibility Drives Diversity & Inclusion
Despite ongoing efforts, bills, laws, and regulations, organizations still have a long way to go when it comes to diversity. Diversity became an integral part of business strategies worldwide in fits and starts. But despite the best of intentions, the results lagged. Enter “inclusion.” Where diversity is about the composition of one’s workforce, inclusion is about
The Impact of Technology and the Recruitment Process
The recruitment cycle has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, with technology playing a central role in the process. While it has undoubtedly made recruitment more efficient and streamlined, there are concerns that the increasing reliance on technology may be affecting the human interface and potentially leading to a decline in good leadership in
ON Partners Recruits Chief Product Officer for SecurityScorecard
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
Greenwood Asher & Associates Seeks New Leader for Stillman College
Miramar Beach, FL-based executive recruitment firm Greenwood Asher & Associates is seeking a new president for Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, AL. Cynthia Warrick, the first woman to hold the position at the college, will retire from the presidency at the end of her contract term on June 30. The search is being led by Marion Frenche
BoardWalk Consulting Tapped by St. Louis Community Foundation to Find New President
Executive recruitment firm BoardWalk Consulting has been retained by St. Louis Community Foundation (STLCF) to lead its search for a new president and CEO. Senior director Crystal Stephens and director Michelle Hall are leading the assignment. “BoardWalk is excited to partner with St. Louis Community Foundation in its search for a new president,” the firm said. “STLCF is
Search Firms Continue to Provide New Services for Clients
As the competition intensifies in the ongoing war for top executive talent, search firms are increasingly experiencing heightened pressure to provide an array of comprehensive services that go beyond pure retained search. The evolving landscape demands a strategic response, leading numerous firms to diversify, expanding their repertoire to encompass an assortment of supplementary offerings such
Reffett Associates Wins SEC, Architect of the Capitol Assignments
Seattle, WA-based Reffett Associates continues to land key assignments for high-profile U.S. government entities. Earlier this year, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) renewed its blanket purchase agreement (BPA) for executive search services with the firm after the conclusion of its search for the director of the Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation
Elite Search Partners Fills Position for Chaberton Partners
London-based Elite Search Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Paul Cashman as global head of healthcare and life science at Chaberton Partners. “Paul brings to Chaberton Partners his broad and deep knowledge of leadership advisory consulting and board and C-Suite executive search,” Elite Search Partners said. Before joining Chaberton, Mr. Cashman served at managing
SearchWide Global Seeks President and CEO for the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce
Executive recruitment firm SearchWide Global has been retained by the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce to lead its search for a new president and CEO. Nicole Newman, the search firm’s vice president, is leading the assignment. The president and CEO is hired by and responsible to the Chamber of Commerce board of directors. This position has
Mercuri Urval Expands in the U.S.
Stockholm, Sweden-based executive search firm Mercuri Urval (MU) has expanded with the addition of Belinda Burson as vice president of the professional services practice for the Americas. She will be based in Houston, TX. “We are pleased and excited to welcome Belinda into our MU team,” said Darcie Murray, SVP and head of the Americas for
‘Market Shift’ For Executive Recruiters Will Not Shrink Valuations For Founder Led Exits
Pitchbook’s latest Q1 M&A report reveals that dealmakers managed to overcome a harsh macroeconomic backdrop as 2023 kicked off to post another quarter just shy of $1 trillion in deal value. The new research showcases how heavily discounted prices helped support this activity, especially in the sub-$100 million size range. This segment comprises the cheapest
Moving Forward With Succession Planning
Planning is critical in succession strategy, but it’s neither foolproof nor a guarantee that a transfer of power will go smoothly. Succession planning is a process that ensures your next generation of leaders are capable and the transition of power is seamless. It’s a journey that both family-owned and privately-owned companies must take. Succession planning can
The Lancer Group Fills Top Sales Post for NINJIO
La Jolla, CA-headquartered search firm The Lancer Group has placed Durant Harvin as vice president of sales at NINJIO, a cybersecurity awareness training company backed by Gauge Capital. “We are excited to have Durant leading our sales organization,” said Shaun McAlmont, president and CEO of NINJIO. “His extensive experience in enterprise sales and proven track record of driving
The Lapham Group Completes Search for Ascot
The Lapham Group has recruited Mark Totolos to the newly created role of senior vice president, captive solutions, Ascot U.S. He will be a part of the portfolio solutions group, reporting into Tony Lyons, head of portfolio solutions, and be responsible for setting and communicating the vision, value proposition, and long-term business strategy for the organization’s







