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Mercuri Urval Appoints Non-Executive Director
Stockholm, Sweden-based executive search firm Mercuri Urval (MU) has announced that Jan Sasse, partner at AlterInvest, was named as non-executive director to the MU group board. He will join the current board members Cecilia Strand, Mieke Weijenberg, Cecilia Beer, Richard Moore, and chairman Roger Hagafors. “We are pleased to welcome Jan Sasse as non-executive director of the MU
M&A Becomes a Capability-Driven Acquisition Strategy
EY-Parthenon is forecasting an eight percent increase in U.S. deal volume for transactions exceeding $100 million in 2026, underscoring how central M&A remains to corporate strategy. Yet beneath the headline numbers sits a more important story. The role of acquisitions is evolving. Companies are no longer pursuing deals primarily for scale or market share. Increasingly,
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
Bain Data Signals a More Selective Hiring Market
Bain & Company’s Global Job Market Trends report shows a synchronized global slowdown in hiring activity. Job postings declined across all major markets, with the U.S. down 32 percent, Germany down 34 percent, and India down 29 percent. Even sectors historically insulated from labor volatility, such as healthcare, saw meaningful contraction. The breadth of the decline
The SR Group Opens Second Office in the U.S.
Global search company The SR Group has expanded its U.S. presence with the opening of a new office in Orlando, FL. The new office will be led by Brewer Morris executive director Jack Hart but can support clients and candidates from across all The SR Group’s three brands present in the U.S. – Brewer Morris,
Private Equity Growth Stirs Demand for In-House Counsel Roles
As the private equity space continues to grow, consistent demand for lawyers and compliance officers at both the firm and portfolio company level has boosted the outlook of these roles. “This is generating a noticeable impact on compensation and responsibilities for these professionals,” said John Gilmore, founding partner of BarkerGilmore, in a new report from
Coulter Partners Recruits CEO for ArcticZymes Technologies
Life sciences recruiting specialist Coulter Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Michael Akoh as the new chief executive officer of ArcticZymes Technologies, a Norwegian life sciences company. Past CEO Jethro Holter stepped down for personal reasons. “We are very fortunate to have engaged Michael as our next CEO,” said Marie Roskrow, ArcticZymes’ chairman of the board. “Coulter Partners ran
N2Growth Names Partner to Head Expansion in Australia
N2Growth, a Philadelphia-based management consulting and executive search firm, has expanded with the appointment of Marinda Carelsen as a partner to head the firm’s expansion into Australia. She will report directly to Kelli Vukelic, CEO at N2Growth. “Marinda’s commitment to fostering transformative leadership and advancing organizational excellence aligns perfectly with N2Growth’s mission,” said Ms. Vukelic. “Her deep understanding
Boards Make Progress with Diversity, More Work Remains
Today’s boards face an increasingly complex business environment, an intensifying regulatory environment, and growing activism by investors and other stakeholders. In response, they are focusing on their own composition and taking a strategic approach to director appointments, according to a new report from Spencer Stuart. Active and retired executives with CEO experience are in demand,
ON Partners Recruits CEO for Intterra
Daniel Bolger and Jake Espenlaub of ON Partners have helped to place Mike Soldan as the new chief executive officer for Intterra, an interagency common operational platform backed by Emberline. He takes over as CEO from Molly Hausmann, who has served in an interim-role since early 2023, after also holding the COO role. “As the world increases in complexity, we
BrainWorks Names Leader of Real Estate, Infrastructure, and Private Investment Practice
Warren, NJ-based executive search firm BrainWorks expanded with the addition of Charles Wilson as leader of the real estate, infrastructure, and private investment practice. His division focuses on execution, origination, and portfolio management talent for private investment platforms across various asset classes, industries, and strategies. “Charles brings 13 years of experience in finance recruitment, successfully partnering with firms ranging from
Russell Reynolds Associates Acquires Kilberry
Russell Reynolds Associates (RRA) has acquired Kilberry, a leadership advisory firm based in Toronto that serves investors, CEOs, and C-suite leaders across North America. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “Bringing Kilberry into the fold will further bolster RRA’s top-shelf leadership advisory capabilities with some of the most talented consultants in the sector,” said
RH Perry & Associates Places CFO for Manhattan College
RH Perry & Associates has placed James J. Perrino as the new vice president for finance/ chief financial officer of Manhattan College in New York City. He was formerly executive vice president of finance and operations at Adelphi University. Senior consultants Sue DeWine and Pam Shockley-Zalabak led the search. “We are thrilled to welcome James Perrino
Blue Rock Search Names Leader of Private Equity Practice
Blue Rock Search has appointed Joshua Jones as practice leader for the firm’s growing private equity practice. “Joshua’s invaluable contributions, deep understanding of executive search and private equity sectors, persistent pursuit of excellence, leadership skills, and robust client and candidate relationships, uniquely position him for success as our PE practice leader,” said Ruben Moreno, founder and
Search Firms Bolster Their Own C-Suites to Broaden Push Into Talent Ecosystem
Executive search firm Odgers Berndtson has appointed Frances Brooks Taplett as chief operating officer of its U.S. business. “As we continue to expand our business in the U.S. as a modern and progressive executive search firm, we are committed to building our processes, operations, and teams around forward-thinking strategies when it comes to organizational design and development, people
Pearl Street Collective Seeks Two CDOs for University of Massachusetts Amherst Foundation
Boston-based executive search firm Pearl Street Collective has been enlisted to help fill two key roles for the University of Massachusetts Amherst Foundation (UMAF). The non-profit is seeking chief development officers for the university’s Elaine Marieb College of Nursing and its Commonwealth Honors College. Leading the assignments are Adele Mezher, co-founder and managing partner, and
Signium Adds New Member Firms in the U.K.
As part of an ongoing growth plan, executive search consortium Signium recently added Elbrus Partners and Digital 360 to its U.K. team with expertise across a wide array of sectors and practice groups. Under financial services, Signium welcomed Mark Jukes and Richard Hoskin, founders of Elbrus Partners, and within technology and professional services the firm added Michael de Kare-Silver,
Four Ways to Attract Neurodivergent Talent
With record low unemployment numbers in many countries but open roles that still need to be filled, executive search consultants say that organizations are expanding their talent pools and seeking innovative ways to hire. Some are focusing on skills-based hiring and building strong talent pipelines for their future requisitions; others are developing their internal mobility programs to
SearchWide Global Recruits Chief Diversity Officer for the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority
Executive recruitment firm SearchWide Global has assisted in the recruitment of Herschel Herndon as chief diversity officer for the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA) in Boston. Executive recruiter Donna Thornton led the assignment. “We are thrilled to welcome Herschel and have him join the leadership team at the MCCA,” said David Gibbons, executive director of the MCCA.
The Moran Company Tapped to Find Chief Program Officer for Jewish Vocational Service of Kansas City
The Moran Company, an executive recruitment firm that specializes in the non-profit sector, has been enlisted to find a chief program officer for the Jewish Vocational Service of Kansas City (JVS) in Missouri. Leading the assignment is senior search consultant Jane Lampo. A member of the leadership team reporting to the executive director, the chief
ZRG Acquires Interim Education-Focused Search Provider The Registry
ZRG, a global talent advisory firm and portfolio company of RFE Investment Partners, has acquired The Registry, a Peabody, MA-based interim executive solutions firm specializing in higher education. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “The Registry is the nation’s top firm providing the best-matched interim solutions to institutions of higher learning, especially colleges and
Savage Partners Recruits CEO for EnterpriseDB
Todd Savage of Savage Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Kevin Dallas as the new CEO for EnterpriseDB (EDB), the leader in accelerating Postgres in the enterprise. He succeeds president, CEO, and chairman of the board Ed Boyajian, who will remain on the company’s board of directors. Following last year’s majority growth investment from Bain
McDermott + Bull Places Inaugural Chief Program Officer for Care for the Homeless
Search firm McDermott + Bull has placed Jonathan Santos-Ramos as chief program officer for Care For the Homeless (CFH), which provides patient centered medical, mental, and behavioral healthcare to the homeless, in New York City. This is a new role created to strengthen the non-profit as it continues its strategic growth and expansion. The search was conducted
Filling New Roles With New Kinds of Leaders
Financial services, like most industries, has been in a period of significant innovation post-COVID-19 affecting business operations. Many firms are now seeing growth opportunities in markets that have been reshaped in large part by the increased pace of the shift to digital as well as changing consumer preferences, according to a report from Heidrick &
Vetted Solutions Places CEO of National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
After a national search, Washington, D.C.- based Vetted Solutions helped to place Victor Stagnaro as chief executive officer of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF). Mr. Stagnaro has been with NFFF for 13 years, serving as managing director and, previously, director of fire programs. He replaces Ron Siarnicki, who is currently serving out his role
ON Partners Recruits CFO for Coretelligent
Baillie Parker of ON Partners recently assisted in the recruitment of Thomas Pacheco as the new chief financial officer of Coretelligent in Needham, MA. “Further illustrating its tremendous growth, Coretelligent has expanded its team of dedicated employees by 13.4 percent, attracting and retaining top-tier talent even when other companies, including other managed service providers, face talent scarcity,”
Executive Recruitment in the Metaverse
What is the metaverse and how will it shape the future of recruitment? The metaverse is seen by some as a vision of the future, not a specific technology but a combination of a lot of virtual technologies and equipment, which entails much that is virtual and applied in many spheres of business, from finance
The Tolan Group Places CEO for CenExel
The Tolan Group (TTG) recently assisted in the recruitment of Stuart Goldblatt as the new chief executive officer of Salt Lake City, UT-based CenExel, a network of medical research centers. Managing partner and CEO Kaye Johnson and senior executive recruiter Hailey Brandvold spearheaded the assignment for the search firm. “We are very excited to have
ZRG Partners Finds Chief Technology Officer for The Washington Post
ZRG Partners has helped to place Vineet Khosla was the new chief technology officer of The Washington Post. Leading the assignment were managing directors Kevin S. Anderson and Darren Mooney. For the last five years, Mr. Khosla had been a senior engineering leader at Uber. The search firm announced the placement in a recent LinkedIn
Lindauer Announces Equity Partners
Lindauer has announced that vice presidents Maureen Huminik and Faith Montgomery have become equity partners in the firm. They join CEO Deb Taft, senior executive vice president Jill Lasman, and executive vice president Elizabeth Roberts as equity-holding members on the firm’s senior management team and, along with SVP Devin O’Leary, serve as managing directors of Lindauer. “As respected experts
Do All Companies Need a Chief Diversity Officer?
Promoting diversity and belonging in the workplace is not just a buzzword, it’s a crucial aspect of modern business. Companies that foster diversity and belonging have been proven to have better financial performance, increased innovation, and a more engaged workforce. “However, with the recent Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action in colleges and universities the
Unemployment Rates Dips Slightly to 3.5 Percent
Employment rose by 187,000 in July as the U.S. unemployment rate dropped slightly to 3.5 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. The number of unemployed persons was 5.8 million in July. Employment continued to trend up in healthcare, social assistance, financial activities, and wholesale trade. Among the major worker groups, the
TRANSEARCH International Acquires Asianet Consultants
TRANSEARCH International has expanded its reach in Asia with the acquisition of Asianet Consultants, an executive search firm in Hong Kong with offices in Shanghai and Guangzhou. Hunt Scanlon Ventures served as a strategic advisor to Asianet Consultants. “We are delighted to welcome Mark and the team to TRANSEARCH,” said Celeste Whatley, CEO of TRANSEARCH.
How to Onboard New Senior Executives
Whether you’ve secured locally-based talent or hired from afar and are supporting a relocation, remember that starting a new chapter at any level of one’s career is both exciting and stressful. This is particularly true of those at the executive level, according to a report from Johanna Vargas, vice president and senior associate at BroadView
Renovata & Company Finds Chief Financial Officer for Cleo
Global executive search and private equity advisory firm Renovata & Company has placed Sameer Katiyar as chief financial officer of Cleo, an ecosystem integration software company in Rockford, IL. Partner Jeff Yolen and consultant Judie Norkaitis led the assignment. Mr. Katiyar will oversee the company’s global finance, accounting, legal, and corporate IT functions. “Sameer brings more than
