DAILY NEWSWIRE - TOP STORIES
Daily Newswire
August Leadership Expands in Paris
August Leadership has expanded with the addition of Marc Bartel as a partner in Paris. “We’re pleased to welcome Marc Bartel to August Leadership as partner, Paris,” the firm said in a LinkedIn post. “Marc brings more than 20 years of experience advising boards, CEOs, and senior leadership teams across Europe, with a track record of
The Hidden Talent Pool: Turning AI Investment into Enterprise Value
Across industries, organizations are discovering that the most effective AI leaders don’t always emerge from traditional technical backgrounds. A new report from Modern Executive Solutions finds that as companies race to implement AI strategies, many are overlooking a hidden talent pool: executives with deep domain expertise, proven change management skills, and the business acumen to
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.
Caldwell Expands in London and Madrid
Toronto-based Caldwell has expanded with the addition of Alex Langridge as a partner in the firm’s financial services practice. Based in London, Mr. Langridge advises clients across financial services and fintech on senior executive and board appointments, succession planning, organizational design, and transformational leadership hiring. “Alex’s appointment reflects our continued investment in expanding Caldwell’s financial
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?
Fama Technologies Granted U.S. Patent on Foundational AI-Powered Social Media Screening Technology
Fama Technologies, providers of AI-powered online screening, has announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has allowed all claims in its patent application covering the foundational technology behind social media background screening. The patent, titled “System for Searching and Correlating Online Activity with Individual Classification Factors,” has a priority date of November
Updating How You Work So AI Can Actually Deliver
AI adoption is no longer a technology challenge, it is an operational one. Companies that generate lasting value from AI will be the ones willing to redesign workflows, redefine leadership responsibilities, and embed AI directly into how work gets done every day. Most companies will not fail at AI because they chose the wrong model,
Vetted Solutions Assists CoreNet Global with CEO Search
Following an extensive search process, Washington, D.C.-based Vetted Solutions has assisted in the recruitment of Vicki Worden as the new CEO of CoreNet Global. “Vicki Worden demonstrates exemplary leadership through her collaborative approach,” said Jamie Leary-Erickson, CoreNet Global board chair. “Vicki’s extensive experience in the architecture, engineering, and commercial real estate sectors, combined with her global perspective
BarkerGilmore Places Head of Legal at Vantage Elevator Solutions
Boutique search firm BarkerGilmore, which specializes in building corporate legal and compliance teams, has placed Keinan Meginniss as VP, head of legal at Vantage Elevator Solutions. The search was led by Stephen Bell and Alison Waters. “Keinan joins the organization at an exciting time as the company continues to expand its operations and strengthen its leadership team
NGS Global Adds TalentXera
Wilmington, DE-headquartered executive search firm NGS Global has added Saúl Almendárez and his team at TalentXera. This expands the firm’s capabilities across Mexico and the broader Latin America region. Mr. Almendárez is based in Mexico City, where he has spent more than 20 years building an exceptional team and a highly regarded brand in the executive search industry. Along
IMD International Search Group Elects New Board Members
Global executive search consortium IMD International Search Group recently had delegates from member firms meet in Helsinki, Finland, and announced the election of several board members. Ben Tucker (Minerva, IMD U.K.) transitions from director to VP finance and legal. Eva Nielsen (Lisberg, IMD Sweden) is reelected for a second mandate as director while Terhi Heikkinen (IMS Talent,
Hunt Scanlon and HSiQ Launch Recruiter Performance Training Program
The executive search industry has a training challenge. For years, recruiting firms have depended on apprenticeship-style development, learning through observation, informal mentoring, and varying management approaches. That model works for some, but it does not scale effectively. In a market increasingly shaped by AI, speed, precision, and commercial demands, inconsistent recruiter performance is no longer
Executive Search Firms Confront the AI Transformation
As AI rapidly reshapes the executive search landscape, recruiting firms are facing growing pressure to modernize how they identify, assess, and engage leadership talent. Industry experts say AI-driven sourcing, predictive analytics, and automation tools are helping firms accelerate search timelines and expand candidate reach, while also forcing recruiters to rethink where their true value lies.
Cooper Coleman Recruits CFO the Center for Child Protection
Cooper Coleman LLC has placed William Wade as chief financial officer of the Center for Child Protection (CCP) in Austin, TX. The national search was led by Johnny Cooper, founder and CEO of Cooper Coleman. “Dion brings the kind of strategic thinking and mission alignment CCP needs in its CFO,” said Mr. Cooper. “They are doing remarkable work,
Boyden Assists Kerry’s Place Autism Services with CEO Search
Boyden has recruited Normandie Wragg as the new president and CEO of Kerry’s Place Autism Services in Ontario. The appointment follows the previously announced retirement of CEO Susan VanDeVelde-Coke at the end of June. The search was led by partners Jim Stonehouse and Pamela Colquhoun, and Kathy Luu, senior associate. “Normandie is a highly accomplished, values-driven
Modern Executive Solutions Expands Technology Practice
Atlanta-based talent consultancy Modern Executive Solutions has expanded with the addition of Moises Velilla as managing director in its technology practice. He brings deep experience advising organizations on senior leadership hiring and talent strategy across technology and transformation. Mr. Velilla specializes in advising clients on executive talent strategy and recruiting transformative technology and professional services leaders. He
AI’s Next Test: Can It Actually Drive Growth?
A massive opportunity, and a critical trust gap, is emerging among corporate leaders. According to EY-Parthenon’s Growth Survey of 271 U.S. executives, 78 percent believe AI will accelerate growth, even as nearly 80 percent say the growth environment has become more challenging over the past year. Yet only about a third trust AI inputs for high-stakes decisions such
Retained vs. Contingent Search: Choosing the Right Executive Search Model
As companies navigate increasingly complex leadership challenges, the pressure to make the right executive hiring decision has never been greater. Boards and leadership teams are looking beyond resumes and credentials, placing greater emphasis on cultural alignment, long-term business impact, and a candidate’s ability to guide organizations through growth, transformation, and uncertainty. At the same time,
Brettschneider Executive Search Completes Search for Western Colorado University
New York City-based Brettschneider Executive Search recently assisted in the recruitment of Sharoni Little as dean of Western Colorado University’s School of Business. “Dr. Little’s forward-thinking approach will help shape the future of business education at Western, creating opportunities for students to thrive in today’s competitive economy,” said Brad Baca, president. With a career spanning academia, corporate leadership,
Ren Systems Appoints Head of Product
Ren Systems, an AI-powered relationship intelligence platform used by sales, business development, and professional services leaders, recently expanded with the addition of Nick Wynja as head of product. “As we’ve scaled Ren to 70+ enterprise customers and accelerated our feature release cycle, it became clear that we needed focused product leadership,” the company said in
How to Kick Off an Executive Search the Right Way
As leadership demands grow more complex, organizations are increasingly recognizing that a successful executive search begins long before candidate outreach or interviews take place. Search consultants say the strongest outcomes are driven by early alignment around business strategy, organizational culture, leadership expectations, and the capabilities needed to support future growth. Rather than simply filling an
Why Structured Interviews Lead to Better Hiring
As organizations compete for leadership talent, many are reexamining how executive interviews are conducted and whether traditional hiring instincts are leading to the best decisions. Increasingly, research is showing that structured interviews built around standardized questions and evaluation criteria deliver more reliable hiring outcomes than conversational, free-flowing assessments. Talent experts say the approach not only
Rethinking Career Loyalty in the Age of Gen Z and Millennials
As leadership priorities continue to evolve, executive search firms are seeing a growing shift in how candidates evaluate long-term career opportunities. Today’s professionals are placing greater emphasis on purpose, culture, mentorship, flexibility, and personal growth alongside compensation and title. Recruiters say organizations that can clearly communicate vision, invest in employee development, and foster strong leadership
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
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
Top 10 Executive Search M&A Deals for 2025
M&A activity in the human capital sector is holding up well despite a choppy macro backdrop, with deal interest staying steady even as founders weigh risk more carefully. In Hunt Scanlon Media’s latest polling, a majority of executive search firm owners signaled they would consider a transaction, underscoring how succession planning, scale pressures, and shifting
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
Instawork Raises $60 Million in Funding
San Francisco based Instawork, a platform for connecting businesses with skilled hourly workers, has raised $60 million in a series D funding round led by TCV. The round also included participation from new investors 9Yards Capital and Larry Fitzgerald Jr., as well as existing investors Benchmark, Spark Capital, Craft Ventures, and Greylock. With this new
Will the Labor Shortage Ever End?
Labor shortages can occur due to various reasons, such as demographic shifts, changes in labor market conditions, skill mismatches, or economic factors. Ever since the pandemic, U.S. companies big and small have been scrambling to find enough workers to stay fully staffed, according to a new report from Bob Gershberg, managing partner and CEO of
Leadership Traits That Matter in Times of Crisis
What a difference context makes in our perceptions of leadership. After 9/11, Jose J. Ruiz, chief executive officer of executive search firm Alder Koten, asked a group of friends from New York what they thought of Rudolph Giuliani. They unanimously replied that he was a great leader – decisive, assertive, and determined, with the ability
DRiWaterstone Human Capital Leads CFO Search for the Academy of Management
Arlington, VA-based DRiWaterstone Human Capital has been selected by the Academy of Management to lead its search for a new chief financial officer. The position is responsible for strategic leadership and broad financial stewardship of all aspects of the Academy of Management’s finance and accounting functions to ensure the association’s financial health and the fulfillment of
Hightech Partners Boosts European Presence
Digital-focused executive search firm Hightech Partners (HTP) recently expanded with the addition of international human resources executive Roberta De Ponti as a partner. “International reach, passion for technology, and top-quality HR services are the DNA of Hightech Partners,” said Raffaele Jacovelli and Bert Vermeiren, managing directors of HTP. “Roberta has all of those and is therefore a wonderful
Private Equity Sector Demand for Talent Reaching Record Pace
Historically, priorities for hiring senior leadership were strongly focused on an individual’s technical (hard) skills, as well as focusing on candidates with direct industry and functional experience. This formula proved to be successful for many executive hires, but certainly not all, according to Russell Boyle, a partner and co-head of the U.S. financial officers practice
How PE and VC Firms Can Develop a Go-to-Market Recruitment Strategy
Private equity and venture capital firms are closing more and more deals particularly. As a result, competition for talent among start-ups, emerging technologies and portfolio companies has never been more competitive, according to a report from Chapel Hill Solutions’ Julian Rives. “Typically, most PE and VC firms approach recruiting and talent acquisition reactively – or hiring when a
NorthWind Partners Recruits CEO for DMI
Reston, VA-headquartered executive search firm NorthWind Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Rocky Thurston as the new CEO of DMI, a global digital transformation solutions company. Partner Hunter Murray led the assignment. He succeeds Sunny Bajaj, the company’s founder, who served as CEO since 2002 and will remain on DMI’s board of directors. “It has been
ON Partners Recruits Chief Medical Officer for Sangamo Therapeutics
Chief medical officers are typically cited as the senior government official designated head of medical services, sometimes at the national level. The post is held by a physician who serves to advise and lead a team of medical experts on matters of public health importance. According to recruiters, the role of the chief medical officer has evolved in recent
JM Search Names Co-Practice Leader for Media, Entertainment, Martech & Communications Practice
JM Search has expanded with the addition of Laurie Rosenfield as partner and co-practice leader for the firm’s media, entertainment, martech & communications team. She will work alongside partner and co-practice leader, John Warrack to further expand the firm’s team dedicated to identifying and recruiting transformative leadership for companies sitting at the intersection of content, audience reach
Why Agility is the Key to Success Today
We’d just about got used to being in a VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous) world when a new acronym popped up – BANI (brittle, anxious, nonlinear and incomprehensible) to describe the current macro environment. A global pandemic, new ways of working, war, and recessionary pressures have combined to challenge how businesses not just survive, but
The Search for Private Equity Senior Executives
Recruiting new executive talent for private equity portfolio companies is a growing business for many executive search firms. Whether as part of the due diligence leading up to an acquisition or once the deal is closed, PE firms must identify and hire the right talent to drive their investment forward, according to a recent report
