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Hunt Scanlon Reports Executive Recruiting Sector Grew 11 Percent
Executive recruiters entered 2026 from a position of strength, according to Hunt Scanlon, as the media, intelligence, and M&A advisory firm released its annual rankings of executive search firms. “Growth is once again the predominant narrative for the recruiting sector,” said CEO Scott A. Scanlon. “But the real story is the ‘Big Shift’ – the
Building an Effective, Diverse Board Across Growth Stages
Board composition is no longer a static exercise but a dynamic process that must keep pace with the company’s trajectory. As organizations progress through different stages of growth, the expectations placed on directors expand, requiring a deliberate and forward-looking approach to how boards are structured and refreshed. In the realm of corporate governance, having an
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
EY Signals A Tech-Led M&A Surge
The most recent EY-Parthenon 2025 M&A analysis shows a market operating at full acceleration. U.S. deal value for transactions of $100 million or more hit $2.09 trillion through October – up 45 percent year-over-year – with deal volume rising just over 10 percent to 1,409 transactions. EY notes that “from January to October, a major deal was
Using Employer Branding to Attract Senior Talent
Despite fears of a looming recession, the job market remains tight. And while we find that compensation and flexible work policies are the biggest factor in attracting talented candidates, a successful approach to “employer branding” can help set you apart in the mind of potential prospects, according to a new report by ACCUR Recruiting Services. And
Vetted Solutions Called in to Find New CEO for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) has retained Washington, D.C.- based Vetted Solutions to lead in its search for a new CEO. The position will be located in the organization’s Emmitsburg and Crofton, MD offices. The CEO will lead the activities of the NFFF and its affiliate program, the First Responders Center for Excellence for Reducing
Peña Search Seeks Key Leaders for Two Texas Non-Profits
Peña Search has been enlisted to conduct key searches for two Texas non-profits. The executive search firm is seeking a chief development officer for San Antonio-based Healthy Futures of Texas and a chief advancement officer for Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center (DCAC). Search directors Maria Dickson Parigi and Travis Hillier are leading the assignments respectively. The
N2Growth Unveils Board Effectiveness Solution
N2Growth, a Philadelphia-based management consulting and executive search firm, has launched its new Board Effectiveness Solution, which will be led by head of leadership development and assessment Jim Hotaling. “The solution provides fresh insights that drive tangible outcomes year over year for board chairs and their boards,” the search firm said. “We see board chairs using these
A Recruiter’s Guide to an Effective Board
According to executive recruiters, heightened expectations now placed on boards have elevated both the professional standards and personal commitment required of all directors. At the same time, many boards find that the supply of independent-minded “board experienced” directors – especially those who can add vital forms of specialized skills and expertise – is limited. Such candidates are
How the Private Equity CIO Drives Value and Transformation
The demand for superior chief information officers in private equity backed organizations has increased in recent years due to the need for strong technical leadership to help drive value creation and transformation. Management teams and fund partners view CIOs as an integral part of their C-suites today and are recruiting these strategic executives at a
Lindauer Seeks CEO for The Double H Ranch
Lindauer has been retained by The Double H Ranch to lead its search for a new CEO. The search is being launched in response to CEO Max Yurenda’s decision to retire from his position in March, after 30 years leading the non-profit. Vice president Maureen Huminik is spearheading the assignment. The CEO will be responsible
TurnkeyZRG Recruits Commissioner for the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference
Following an extensive national search, TurnkeyZRG has assisted in the recruitment of Travis Tellitocci as the fourth commissioner of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC). He replaces Rich Ensor, the longest-tenured NCAA Division I multisport conference commissioner. “Throughout the search process, Travis demonstrated that he is an emerging leader in college athletics, and is well-suited to
Amrop Appoints Co-Head of Government in Australia
Amrop, a global leadership advisory and executive search partnership, has expanded with the addition of Kym Fletcher as a partner and co-head of government at Amrop Carmichael Fisher in Sydney. Ms. Fletcher has more than two decades of experience in executive search and leadership advisory, having built her career with a number of major executive search firms
Recruiting Firms Leverage Technology to Fuel Growth
In the midst of a rapidly evolving economy, industry analysis from Staffing Industry Analysts, a global advisor on staffing and workforce solutions, says the recruiting industry grew more than 11 percent in 2022, and many firms made the most of the opportunities in front of them. What did the top performers do differently to beat
Hanold Associates Places Chief People and Culture Officer for Save the Children U.S.
Hanold Associates HR & Diversity Executive has placed Tina Garrett-Ragland as the new chief people and culture officer for Save the Children U.S. The firm’s Neela Seenandan, Sarah Kennedy, Sandra Peña, and Adam Watson led the assignment, with Ms. Seenandan also serving as interim chief people officer for the non-profit. Most recently, Ms. Garrett-Ragland served as enterprise leader of diversity, equity,
ON Partners Recruits Chief Commercial Officer for JMA Wireless
Matt Mooney of ON Partners has recruited Neville Meijers as chief commercial officer of JMA Wireless, a global provider of wireless communications in Syracuse, NY. “There are few executives who understand the possibilities of private wireless like Neville,” said John Mezzalingua, CEO of JMA. “He is a proven leader in this space, with a rare combination of technical
Alioth Introduces SearchDx to its Hiring Success Platform
Executive hiring is an essential component of organizational success, yet it remains one of the most challenging tasks for any business. Despite best efforts, the current approach to executive search results in a high degree of unsuccessful placements. According to industry reports, up to 70 percent of executives fail within the first 18 months of
Alexander Hughes Adds Three Former HR Executives
Paris-headquartered search firm Alexander Hughes has added three former HR executives with the appointments Roland Karsenty, Jorge Garabentos, and Guy Bernfeld as client partners. “It is with great pleasure that we expand our team of experts with these experienced specialists,” said Gérard Guilbert, managing director of Alexander Hughes Paris. “I am confident that their extensive and
How Talent is Driving Private Equity Success
Eric Walczykowski, chief executive officer of executive search firm Bespoke Partners, is bullish on talent. Recently, he recalled a professor he had in business school, a veteran of two PE deals as an operator, who would stand before the class and in a booming voice demand, “Do you bet on the horse, or do you
Heidrick & Struggles Posts Seven Percent Revenue Gain
Executive search, leadership consulting, and culture shaping services provider Heidrick & Struggles / (NASDAQ:HSII) has posted global revenues of $1.07 billion, an increase of seven percent, compared to $1 billion in 2021. The Chicago-headquartered recruiter — the fifth largest global firm as ranked by Hunt Scanlon Media — reported net income was $79.5 million and diluted earnings per share was $3.86. This compares to a
Academic Search Places New Provost for New Mexico State University
Education-focused executive recruiter Academic Search has placed the new provost and chief academic officer for New Mexico State University (NMSU) in Las Cruces. Alan R. Shoho, dean and professor emeritus of the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, was selected for the position. The assignment was led by senior consultants Maria Thompson and
CarterBaldwin Recruits Fourth President for Goodpasture Christian School
CarterBaldwin Executive Search has assisted in the recruitment of Jeff Bixenman as the new president of Goodpasture Christian School (GCS). Partner Chris Hornsby and search consultant Joe Bradley led the assignment. “We earnestly sought God’s guidance to bring us the best person who would lead GCS forward,” said Frank Batson, chairman GCS board of directors. A
NPAworldwide Adds Five New Member Firms in Asia Pacific
Member-owned recruitment network NPAworldwide has added five new member locations in Asia-Pacific. “Congratulations to each of our new member firms,” said Dave Nerz, president of NPAworldwide. “By joining our recruiting network, these firms are invested as owners. Our continued membership growth allows independent recruitment firms to more effectively serve their clients and candidates by adding or
The Pros and Cons of Hiring Interim Executives
Many organizations never consider hiring an interim executive for fear of a bad investment. If done correctly, however, this can be an extremely fruitful venture, according to a new report from Kinsley|Sarn. “And, with today’s unconventional work practices, this is becoming a much more popular opportunity to revamp operations and generate innovative practices to keep your organization relevant,”
Search Committee Best Practices: Setting Up for Success
By their very nature, search committees are both varied and imperfect. They span companies, industries, and continents, bringing together individuals from across an organization to share the recruitment and hiring process. Even if they understand the main goal — conducting a search for the organization’s next best leader — it’s easy for these committees to
Artico Search Recruits General Partner of USVP
Mercedes Chatfield-Taylor of Artico Search recently assisted in the recruitment of Matt Garratt as general partner of U.S. Venture Partners (USVP), a Silicon Valley venture capital firm with a focus on cybersecurity, enterprise software, consumer, and healthcare. “We are thrilled to welcome Matt Garratt to the USVP team,” said Dafina Toncheva, general partner, USVP. “Matt brings a
Greenwich Harbor Partners Fills Five Board Positions for Teach for America-New York
Greenwich Harbor Partners assisted in the recruitment of Laurent Desmangles, Julian Gonzalez, Mike Henry, Toretha McGuire, and Anthony Ross as new members of the board of director for Teach for America-New York. Mr. Desmangles is a senior C-suite advisor with a global perspective and deep experience helping large organizations chart growth strategy, execute large scale transformation,
Herbert Mines Appoints Vice President
New York-based retail and consumer focused executive search firm Herbert Mines Associates has expanded with the addition of Lindsay Alexander as vice president. In her new position, she will focus senior-level searches within the beauty and consumer brands. Ms. Alexander brings over 16 years of experience in finance, operations, and strategy leadership roles at consumer-facing brands including beauty,
The Current State of Leadership Hiring
Throughout 2022, recruiters witnessed a rapid decline in leadership hiring–dropping 43 percent in the fourth quarter compared to the first quarter. In total, leadership hiring was down 14 percent vs. 2021, despite starting the year at an all-time high, according to a just released report from Thrive. “Tough public and private market conditions directly impacted
ON Partners Acquires Olympus Search Partners
ON Partners has acquired Olympus Search Partners and added its founder, Ashley Estes, as senior partner to further expand its market growth in both PE-backed health and wellness, and TMT. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “Ashley brings in over 14 years of executive search experience to our team in the areas of
DHR Global Places SVP for DePaul University’s Division of Advancement and External Relations.
Talent advisory firm DHR Global has helped to place Katie Fraumann as senior vice president for the Division of Advancement and External Relations at DePaul University in Chicago. A well-rounded fundraiser, Ms. Fraumann has more than 20 years of experience building large-scale international capital campaigns for academic and athletic programs in complex higher education institutions. DHR’s
The Moran Company Seeks New Leader for No Barriers
The Moran Company, an executive recruitment firm that specializes in the non-profit sector, has been enlisted to help find the next executive director for No Barriers in Fort Collins, CO. Senior search consultant Mike English is leading the assignment The non-profit is poised for a post-COVID “re-boot” and is looking for a new executive director to
Koya Partners/Diversified Search Group Names Leader of Chicago Office
Diversified Search Group | Koya Partners has appointed Marissa Delgado as leader and managing director of its Chicago office. “Continuing to grow our impact nationally and globally requires exemplary leadership,” said Aileen K. Alexander, CEO of Diversified Search Group. “We are thrilled that Marissa will lead our Chicago office, which has more than tripled in size over the
An Inside Look at the World of Sports Recruiting
Given the search industry’s knack for finding a need and filling it, it was only natural that recruitment firms would soon step to the fore in the sports sector, which has become a growth area for executive search businesses. Many C-suite-focused recruiting firms are now active in the sector and some specialize only in the
Harris Search Associates Recruits CISO for the University at Buffalo
Following an extensive national search, Dublin, OH-based executive recruitment firm Harris Search Associates has recruited Joseph Grupp as assistant vice president and chief information security officer at the University at Buffalo (UB). Mr. Grupp began his career with UBIT in 2011 as a programmer for HUB, later becoming technical coordinator. He joined UB’s dental school in 2017
