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ZRG Expands Presence in Middle East
ZRG, a global talent advisory firm and portfolio company of RFE Investment Partners, has expanded in the Middle East with the addition of Hanan Alsaif as managing director – strategic account relations. She is based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. “Hanan’s expertise as a practitioner and search professional in strategy, transformation, and HR is a great asset to

A Look at Executive Search in 2025
For decades, relationships were the cornerstone of executive search. “A strong network of C-suite executives and hiring managers could singlehandedly propel a consultant to success,” said James Abruzzo, managing partner of JGA Partners. “Deals were often secured through trust and familiarity, forged during coffee meetings, networking events, or rounds of golf. This approach was effective

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.

TM² Executive Search Recruits Provost for Claflin University
After the completion of a national search led by TM² Executive Search (TM²), a subsidiary of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, has assisted in the recruitment of Michelle L. Mayo as provost and vice president for academic affairs of Claflin University in Orangeburg, SC. The search was by TM² Executive Search’s managing principal, Dakota Doman, principal, Amanda

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?

AIMS International Adds New Partner in Austria
Executive search consortium AIMS International has launched AIMS Austria with the addition of Murauer Technology, led by Gerald Murauer. “The new partnership significantly enhances AIMS International’s presence in the strategically important Austrian market,” the consortium said. “AIMS Austria has already established relationships with prominent organizations in the Austrian market, including industrial, technology, and research institutions. The team’s

Secure Your Company’s Future with a CEO Succession Plan
In today’s dynamic business world, CEO succession planning is crucial. To navigate challenges and seize opportunities, companies must ensure smooth leadership transitions. A strong plan fosters stability, drives growth, and aligns CEO development with long-term goals. A recent report from DHR Global’s Justin Menkes explores how to approach CEO succession planning, including best practices, and

TurnkeyZRG Retained by Southern Methodist University to Find Next Director of Athletics
TurnkeyZRG has been selected by Southern Methodist University (SMU) to lead in its search for a new director of athletics. Chad Chatlos, managing director, college & coaching practice, is leading the search. Rick Hart announced in a statement that he will be stepping down from his position after more than a decade leading the Mustangs. The search committee will

Allen Austin Recruits Chief Technology Officer for Heath Consultants Incorporated
Chief technology officers are crucial because they drive the technological vision and strategy of an organization, ensuring that technology investments align with business goals, according to executive recruiters. They oversee the development and implementation of innovative solutions, manage the technology team, and stay ahead of industry trends to keep the company competitive. Houston, TX-based search

Swoon Acquires KSA Technology Partners
Chicago-based recruiting firm Swoon has acquired KSA Technology Partners, a staffing firm specializing in telecommunications and digital infrastructure such as wireless telecom, fiber broadband and data centers. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “Both Swoon and KSA Technology Partners share a commitment to innovation, excellence, and delivering exceptional value to our clients,” said Lori

Slayton Search Partners Announces Promotions
Slayton Search Partners has announced made strategic promotions within its leadership. “These promotions reflect Slayton Search Partners’ commitment to recognizing exceptional talent and fostering leadership development within the organization,” the firm said. “The newly expanded leadership team will continue to drive the firm’s mission of delivering outstanding executive search solutions while pursuing strategic growth initiatives.”

Job Seeker Confidence Rises as Market Shows Signs of Growth
Despite ongoing challenges and frustrations in the job market, job seekers and employees remain resilient, prioritizing growth opportunities by pursuing roles or turning to nontraditional arrangements like contract and freelance work to meet their needs and career goals. The Vaco Talent Pulse Report measures employee and job seeker confidence levels in three core areas—job security,

NU Advisory Partners Recruits CEO for 2U
NU Advisory Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Kees Bol as the new CEO of 2U in Arlington, VA. He succeeds Matt Norden, who has served as interim CEO since October 2024. “Congratulations Kees Bol on joining 2U as chief executive officer,” said Meredith Rosenberg, co-founder of NU Advisory. “With your deep industry and leadership

Borrer Executive Search Assists Mustad Hoofcare Group Find Chief People Officer
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

ConverzAI Secures $16 Million in Funding
ConverzAI, which provides an AI-powered virtual recruiter for recruiting firms, has secured a $16 million Series A funding round to accelerate product innovation and expand go-to-market strategy. The round was led by Menlo Ventures, and joined by Left Lane Capital. Seed investors Foundation Capital and Afore Capital participated in the round as well. “ConverzAI’s solution

Erevena Appoints CEO
London-based executive search firm Erevena has announced that after 21 years as CEO, Dan Hyde will transition into the newly created, full-time role of executive chair, focusing on client-facing activities and market strategy. Following a comprehensive search process, internally and externally, Jonas Helgesson will be promoted to CEO (effective immediately). With this new structure, Mr. Hyde will move away from the

Navigating the Complexities of Hiring for an Inaugural Position
Recruitment is a challenging process that demands a thorough understanding of your organization’s mission and objectives, a strategic vision for growth, and the flexibility to adapt to an evolving job market. However, the process can be especially delicate when you are hiring for an inaugural position, according to a new report from Lindauer’s Faith Montgomery.

CarterBaldwin Assists The Federalist Society Recruit Second President and CEO
CarterBaldwin Executive Search has assisted in the recruitment of Sheldon Gilbert as the second president and CEO of The Federalist Society, the influential U.S. conservative legal organization. The assignment was led by partner Andrea McDaniel Smith and associate partner Gerri Williams. He will succeed Eugene B. Meyer, who has served as executive director, CEO, and/or president of the organization for

PierceGray Leading CFO Search for C-P Flexible Packaging
PierceGray has been retained by C-P Flexible Packaging in York, PA, to lead in its search for a new chief financial officer. To support the continued professionalization, centralization, and growth of the company, C-P Flexible Packaging is looking to hire a new CFO to build and develop a strong corporate financial function, establish FP&A, and

Riviera Partners Expands AI, ML & Data Practice
San Francisco-based Riviera Partners, a recruitment provider specializing in C-level engineering, product, and design leader placements, has expanded with the addition of Joe Ghory as a partner within its AI, ML & data practice. “We are thrilled to welcome Joe as we expand our practice,” said Kyle Langworthy, head of the AI, ML & data practice at Riviera

AltoPartners Adds New Member Firm in Sweden
AltoPartners, an international alliance of boutique executive search and leadership consulting firms, has added Stockholm, Sweden-based executive search and leadership solutions firm Headlight International AB as its newest member firm. Led by Peter Gullström and supported by experienced Swedish search partners, Headlight International AB boasts a robust multi-national client base across various industry sectors in Sweden.

Redefining Executive Potential: The New Paradigm for Identifying and Developing Future-Ready Leaders
Selecting and developing successful leaders has never been easy. But today, the cost of identifying the wrong leader is rapidly increasing, as complex economic, talent, technology, and geopolitical changes seed uncertainty across the global business environment, according to a recent report from Russell Reynolds Associates. Research published in Harvard Business Review shows that excessive leadership turnover

University of West Georgia Retains Buffkin / Baker to Find New President
Partner-led executive search firm Buffkin / Baker has been selected by the University of West Georgia to lead in its search for a new president. Partner Ann Yates and associate Dinah DeWitt are leading the assignment. The presidency is an excellent opportunity for an engaging, visionary leader who is inspired to advance the university’s mission to enable students, faculty, and staff

Bryant Group Retained by Cure HHT to Fill Senior Role
Dallas-based executive search and talent development firm Bryant Group has been selected to recruit the vice president of operations for Cure HHT. Sarah Hempen, vice president of search, is leading the assignment. “We’re seeking an exceptional leader who is passionate about making a profound impact and driving meaningful change for those affected by HHT,” said Marianne Clancy,

Orchard Executive Search Opens Doors
Search industry veteran B.J. Berrettini has launched executive talent solutions firm, Orchard Executive Search, serving the banking, credit unions and financial/technical services industries. Based in Pittston, PA, the firm offers a human-centered, personal and detailed approach to hiring solutions, executive talent acquisition and retention, leadership consulting, cultural fit assessments, diversity and inclusion, career development and advancement,

CAA Sports Expands in London
CAA Sports, a division of entertainment and sports agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA), has expanded with the addition of senior sports sponsorship executive Lucy Englander and veteran media and entertainment executive Jonathan Davies in its property sales and executive search divisions, respectively. “CAA Sports has experienced remarkable growth over the past few years, culminating in record-breaking

ZRG Acquires Aspen Leadership Group
Global talent advisory firm ZRG has acquired Aspen Leadership Group, a search firm focused on placing and supporting top fundraising leaders and executive talent in educational institutions and the broader non-profit sector. Hunt Scanlon Ventures, the Greenwich, Connecticut-based human capital M&A advisory firm, served as an advisor on the deal. “The addition of Aspen Leadership Group is

Unemployment Rate Dips to 4.0 Percent
Employment rose by 143,000 in January as the U.S. unemployment rate dipped slightly to 4.0 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. The number of unemployed persons was 6.8 million in January. Job gains occurred in healthcare, retail trade, and social assistance. Employment declined in the mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction

RH Perry & Associates Seeking President for Skyline College
RH Perry & Associates has been retained by Skyline College in San Bruno, CA, to lead in its search for a new president. Senior consultants Jessie Thompson and Charlene Newkirk are leading the assignment. Reporting directly to the chancellor, the president is the chief executive officer of Skyline College and a district team member on the chancellor’s

Cowen Partners Retained by Signal Financial Federal Credit Union to Lead CEO Search
Credit unions face mounting challenges from stricter regulations, economic pressures, and industry shifts. Increased oversight from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and National Credit Union Administration on fees, lending, and cybersecurity is straining smaller institutions, while rising interest rates and inflation are impacting loan demand and deposits. At the same time, competition from fintech and

Advice to New CEOs Building Their Team: Lead with Purpose, Embody Culture & Be Decisive
In Spencer Stuart’s role supporting hundreds of CEO transitions annually, one of the most common aspirations they hear from incoming leaders is the desire to develop an executive leadership team of direct reports that is enterprise-focused, highly collaborative, accountable to each other and widely respected. This ambition is well-founded: Aligned leadership teams grow revenue more

Spencer Stuart Finds New Leader for the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
Federal Reserve Bank president searches are some of the most coveted assignments to take on among executive recruiters, and a number of leading search firms have gotten in on the action. Spencer Stuart recently assisted in the placement of Susan M. Collins as the new president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. Eric

Herbert Mines Associates Assists Laird Superfood with CEO Search
New York-based retail and consumer focused executive search firm Herbert Mines Associates recently assisted in the recruitment of Jason Vieth as the new chief executive officer of NYSE-traded Laird Superfood in Sisters, OR. The appointment was announced by Paul Hodge Jr. who will step down as founding CEO in a planned transition, which was posted last August

ZRG Partners Acquires Assets of Precita Placements
ZRG Partners, a leading search firm backed by private equity firm RFE Investment Partners, recently agreed to purchase certain assets of Precita Placements, and as part of the transaction has added Lauren Argenti Rawlings as managing director in its technology practice. “We were drawn to Lauren and the Precita team because of their success in placing

WittKieffer and NAHSE Partner to Foster Black Healthcare Leadership
Executive search firm WittKieffer has entered into a strategic partnership with the National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE) to further advance and develop black healthcare leadership. The organizations have a longstanding relationship, with Oak Brook, IL-based WittKieffer sponsoring and supporting NAHSE events and activities throughout the years. The current agreement is an opportunity to

Felix Global Names Vice President
Leadership development, recruiting and outplacement firm Felix Global has expanded with the addition of Natalie Forward as vice president in the firm’s Milwaukee, WI, office. “We’re thrilled to have Natalie join our business development team,” said Jim Graham, chief executive officer of Felix Global. “She brings a tremendous breadth of knowledge and experience that will enhance our

How to Remove Unconscious Bias from the Recruiting Process
Diverse and inclusive workforces benefit all organizations at every level. By leveraging fresh and different perspectives, an organization can create a more intentional and inclusive environment for its employees and a better experience for its customers, according to a new report from Julian Rives, managing partner of Chapel Hill Solutions, a healthcare-focused executive search firm. Diversity

Artico Search Recruits Chief Marketing Officer for commercetools
Mercedes Chatfield-Taylor, a co-founder of Artico Search, has placed Jen Jones as chief marketing officer of commercetools, a platform for next-generation B2C and B2B commerce. In her new position, Ms. Jones oversees commercetools’ global brand, marketing, and corporate communications efforts, including brand strategy and design, customer marketing, demand generation, product marketing, marketing analytics and operations. Prior to joining

Daversa Partners Recruits CFO for Mint House
Daversa Partners, which helps build leadership teams for growth and venture-backed companies, has assisted in the recruitment of Samantha Greenberg as the new CFO for Mint House, a tech-enabled residential hospitality company. Partner Peter Baiocco led the assignment. “Samantha is a highly regarded finance leader and investor, having established a longstanding track record at firms including Goldman

NGS Global Opens New Office in Toronto
Executive search firm NGS Global has expanded with the addition of a new office in Toronto. The firm appointed José Carlos Hassan Suarez as partner to be based in Toronto as well as to support key initiatives in the Latin America region. He brings an extensive, global understanding and track record, having worked with clients throughout

Jobless Claims Fall for the Third Straight Week as Recovery Continues
The Labor Department reported that 223,000 Americans have filed new claims for state unemployment benefits, a decrease of 16,000 from the previous week’s revised level. The previous week’s level was revised up by 1,000 from 238,000 to 239,000. The four-week moving average was 253,250, a decrease of 2,000 from the previous week’s revised average. The

Inside the High Demand for General Counsel Leaders
The legal and compliance market is booming. The number of in-house lawyers and law firm partners with aspirations of becoming a general counsel is at an all-time high. Unfortunately, landing the position is a challenge. Every search has specific criteria established by the executive leadership team and board which must be met. Some of the criteria

The Judge Group Acquires Slayton Search Partners
Professional services firm The Judge Group has acquired Chicago-based Slayton Search Partners. The Judge Group is a provider of consulting, learning and talent services with over 50 years of experience. The acquisition of Slayton Search Partners brings a retained executive search capabilities to Judge’s broad portfolio, the company said. “The acquisition of Slayton combines two

University of Louisville Taps DHR Global to Find Men’s Head Basketball Coach
Universities continue to turn to executive search firms to fill top coaching positions. The University of Louisville has retained Chicago-based DHR Global to assist in its search process for a new head men’s basketball coach. DHR’s managing partner and global sports practice leader Glenn Sugiyama is partnering with the school on the search. “Identifying the right coach to

Hanold Associates Places Chief Inclusion & Diversity Officer for Kroll
Chicago-based Hanold Associates HR & Diversity Executive has placed William Rolack as chief inclusion and diversity officer for Kroll, a leading provider of services and digital products related to valuation, governance, risk and transparency. He is based in New York. Val Lopez, Sandra Peña and Ivy Arlia led the assignment for the search firm. Mr.

JM Search Appoints Partners
JM Search, a senior-level talent provider serving private equity investors, portfolio companies and Fortune 1000s, has promoted nine new partners. The announcement follows a record year in the 42-year history of the firm, which recently posted 73 percent year-over-year growth. “The 2022 class of partners will be instrumental in supporting JM Search’s commitment to partner-led

Storbeck Search / Diversified Search Group Leading Hunt for UNLV’s Chief Diversity Officer
Higher education-focused search firm Storbeck Search, part of the Diversified Search Group, has been enlisted to find a vice president for diversity initiatives and chief diversity officer, an inaugural role, for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Leading the assignment are managing director R. Thomas Fitch and senior associate Alyssa Perez Leal. The vice president for diversity initiatives

5 Ways Leaders Can Drive Successful Employee Development Programs
The modern workplace has become dynamic, and it is now transitioning from an employer-driven ecosystem to an employee-driven one, according to a new report by The Taplow Group. “This means, that, employers cannot take employee loyalty for granted,” the study said. “CEOs and business leaders need to identify ways through which they can drive successful employee

ON Partners Recruits Chief Marketing Officer for Conversica
ON Partners recently placed David Greenberg as the new chief marketing officer for Conversica, a provider of conversational AI solutions for enterprise revenue teams. Consultant Aaron Clark led the assignment. “We’re addressing a real need with applied AI,” said Jim Kaskade, CEO of Conversica. “I am thrilled for David to join our executive team roundtable. His experience in marketing

Russell Reynolds Associates Names Chief People Officer
Russell Reynolds Associates (RRA) has appointed Renée Bell as chief people officer. She is based in Chicago and will serve on the firm’s senior leadership team. “She will lead the global people team to further align the firm’s people strategy to its business strategy and will help cultivate talent to further strengthen and deepen the organization’s

Nicolas Associates Group Merges with Main-Board
M&A activity, with the support of private equity firms, continues to heat up in the executive search industry. Just recently, U.K.-based Nicholas Associates Group merged with specialist executive search firm Main-Board. Main-Board is an independent specialist executive search consultancy which provides nationwide expertise to SMEs, privately owned firms, private equity backed companies and PLCs. It specializes in

Executive Compensation Benchmarks & Search Outlook for 2022
To lure new workers, companies across the country are extending salary guidelines and considering what many once deemed unthinkable: counteroffers! It is a trend that will likely wreak havoc with executive compensation benchmarks that have been thoughtfully put in place for years. Thrive and Hunt Scanlon Media have teamed up for a highly anticipated webinar on

Reffett Associates Seeks Provost for U.S. Naval War College
Seattle, WA-based Reffett Associates has been enlisted to help find the next provost for the U.S. Naval War College (NWC) in Newport, RI. Leading the assignment are Eric Reffett and Marshall Reffett, managing director of the firm’s Seattle office. The college plans to fill the provost role by Aug. 1. “We are thrilled to have been

Frederickson Partners Selected by GRAIL to Lead Chief People Officer Search
Talent acquisition strategies at many large companies have become as complex as their balance sheets. And while CHROs play a vital role in overseeing an organization’s broad-based workforce, it is the chief people officer who typically goes beyond overseeing its people policies. The focus instead is on building talent as a key competitive advantage, with

ManpowerGroup Posts 15 Percent Revenue Increase
ManpowerGroup / (NYSE:MAN) posted 2021 full-year revenues of $20.7 billion, up 15.1 percent from $18 billion a year ago. The company posted fourth-quarter revenues of $5.4 billion, a decrease of six percent from the year earlier period. All brands recorded revenue growth during the quarter with Experis recording strong 33 percent revenue growth (14 percent), Talent Solutions 10

Harvey Nash Group Names Global Chief Information Security Officer to Establish Virtual CISO Practice
Increasingly, organizations of all sizes are awakening to the perils posed by cyber attacks. 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

Economy Adds Jobs Despite the Rise of Omicron Cases
Employment rose by 467,000 in January as the U.S. unemployment rate edged up to four percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. Employment growth continued in leisure and hospitality, in professional and business services, in retail trade, and in transportation and warehousing. Over the year, the unemployment rate is down by 2.4 percentage

Flatiron Search Partners Recruits People and Culture Leader for cocokind
As the ramifications of COVID-19 continue, broad and lasting changes to the workplace have advanced a more integrated approach to talent management built around culture, according to executive recruiters. Organizations that used to synchronize their talent to corporate vision, core values and strategic objectives are now aligning people around purpose. And for good reason: Building

Artico Search Lands Managing Director for Insight Partners
Mercedes Chatfield-Taylor, a co-founder of Artico Search, has placed Whitney Bouck as managing partners Insight Partners, a global venture capital and private equity firm investing in high-growth technology and software scaleup companies that are driving transformative change in their industries. “The search was for an operating MD to join Insight Partners’ team,” said Ms. Chatfield-Taylor. “Insight is

ON Partners Places Two Key Executives for Niche
ON Partners recently assisted in the recruitment of Kelly Lavin and Paul Moore, the latest executive team appointments for fast-growing Niche, a company that developed a platform of rankings on schools, colleges, and places to live. Ms. Lavin becomes the Pittsburgh, PA-based company’s first people officer. Mr. Moore is the new vice president of engineering. Leading

ZRG Partners Adds Leader to Help Expand into Greater China and Asia-Pacific
ZRG Partners, a leading search firm backed by private equity firm RFE Investment Partners, recently expanded with the addition of Train Luo as managing director to help lead the firm’s expansion into Greater China and the Asia-Pacific region. A cross-border executive recruiter (based in San Jose and Shanghai), Mr. Luo will join ZRG’s technology practice. “Having entered

CEOs Leaning on Chief Talent Officers More Often as Talent Issues Dominate the Agenda
Last January, chief executive officers described 2021 as the year of hope. One year later and looking back on their lived experience, many CEOs described 2021 as “challenging.” In the recently released Winter 2022 Fortune/Deloitte CEO Survey, nearly 60 percent of CEOs delivered one-word sentiments that put 2021 in a distinctly negative light: In addition