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Daily Newswire
AI-Forward Leadership: Driving Strategy, Innovation, and Performance in the Digital Age
AI-forward leadership describes an approach that emphasizes the adoption and integration of artificial intelligence into organizational strategy. It reflects a forward-looking mindset among leaders who understand AI’s transformative potential and use it to drive business outcomes. Such leaders are characterized by their willingness to embrace technology, their adaptability in evolving environments, and their commitment to
Chartwell Partners Assists Farm Credit Bank of Texas with CEO Search
Dallas, TX-based executive search firm Chartwell Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Brandon Blaut as the new CEO of Farm Credit Bank of Texas. He succeeds Amie Pala, who is retiring following a distinguished and impactful tenure with the organization. J. Scott Petty, managing partner of Chartwell Partners’ financial services practice, led the search. “We were honored
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.
Bespoke Partners Appoints Leader of People and HR Practice
San Diego, CA-headquartered Bespoke Partners recently named Dani Pfeiffer as a partner leading the people and human resources leader recruiting practice serving both software and industrials sector companies. She will lead dedicated recruiting teams on searches for talent executives for private equity portfolio companies for the software and SaaS clients served by Bespoke Partners and industrial clients served by Industra Talent Partners,
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?
Wilson Forms New Alliance with Poetry to Advance AI capabilities
Global talent solutions provider Wilson has formed a new partnership with Poetry to strengthen its AI-enabled recruitment capabilities. The collaboration supports Wilson’s continued focus on embedding technology into its RPO delivery model through Wilson Workspace, its technology ecosystem. “We’re excited to announce our new partnership with Poetry,” said Charles Faigle, chief delivery officer at Wilson. This
What Executive Candidates Want From Employers Today
The executive talent market today has fundamentally shifted and senior leaders are evaluating employers through a far more demanding lens. They no longer weigh opportunities primarily on compensation or title; they assess the total leadership experience: governance, culture, organizational stability, purpose, autonomy, flexibility and long-term growth, according to a report from Kestria. “To attract and retain
WittKieffer Retained by Roosevelt University for President Search
Oak Brook, IL-based WittKieffer has been retained by Roosevelt University in Chicago to lead in its search for its seventh president. Ali Malekzadeh is retiring after being with the school since 2015. Senior partner Christine Pendleton, consultant Sandra Chu, senior associate Maya Holt-Brockenbrough, and senior advisor Ray Crossman. Roosevelt University seeks a student-centered president who is committed
Buffkin / Baker Acquires HR-Focused Benson Executive Search
Partner-led executive search firm Buffkin / Baker has acquired Boston, MA-based Benson Executive Search, a boutique firm focused on the human resources sector. Financial terms of deal were not disclosed. The acquisition strengthens Buffkin / Baker’s HR functional capabilities and gives the firm a stronger presence in the Northeast. “We’re thrilled to welcome Benson Executive Search to
SPMB Recruits Fills Senior Finance Position for Uber
Steven Popper of SPMB Executive Search has placed Wendy Drummond Craig as senior director, technical accounting, reporting, and M&A at Uber. In her new role, she will oversee teams responsible for technical accounting matters, SEC reporting, and accounting for mergers and acquisitions. “Wendy brings an extraordinary combination of technical accounting expertise, SEC reporting experience, and strategic advisory leadership
True Launches AI Capability Index for Executive Assessment
Global executive talent platform True has launched the True AI Capability Index, a proprietary framework that predicts executive performance in the AI-transformation age. “We are entering a phase where relationship depth and judgment matter more than ever,” said Brad Stadler, co-founder and CEO of True Platform. “The cost of finding names is decreasing. True’s advantage lies in our ability
AI-Native Talent Won’t Fix AI-Foreign Organizations
As artificial intelligence moves from experimentation to enterprise-wide adoption, organizations are grappling with a fundamental question: what does it actually mean to become AI-native? While the term has quickly entered the business lexicon, many leaders are still struggling to define the capabilities, operating models, and cultural shifts required to make that vision a reality. “Some
ZRG Partners Acquires Fortium
ZRG Partners has acquired Fortium, a Dallas-based search firm that provides fractional, interim, and project-based CIO, CTO, and CISO leadership. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “Companies are making more nuanced decisions about leadership than they did even a few years ago, particularly in technology,” said Mark Viner, leader of interim solutions & project
Lochlin Partners Recruits SVP of HR for the National Association of Corporate Directors
Lochlin Partners has placed Marian Stevens as senior vice president, human resources of the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) in Washington, D.C. “Marian’s deep experience in talent development, organizational effectiveness, and culture will help NACD to continue building the internal capabilities needed to support our growth and deliver on our mission,” said Peter Gleason, president and CEO of
JDG Associates Tapped by Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute to Find New Leader
Rockville, MD-based executive search firm JDG Associates has been retained by the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) to lead its search for a new president and CEO. The Chicago-based institute, the leading technical institute and trade association for the precast, prestressed concrete industry in North America, seeks a visionary and collaborative executive to succeed its long-serving chief executive,
IIC Partners Adds New Member Firm in New Zealand
IIC Partners Executive Search Worldwide has added Auckland, New Zealand-based Infinitas as its newest member firm expanding its capabilities across the Asia-Pacific region. “I am thrilled to welcome Infinitas to IIC Partners,” said Christine Hayward, executive director of IIC Partners. Their people-first philosophy, tech-enabled search processes, and talent advisory capabilities deeply align with our mission to transform
Hiring for the Culture You Don’t Yet Have
For much of the past decade, organizations have invested heavily in strategy, technology and operational efficiency to navigate an increasingly complex business environment. Yet despite these investments, many transformation initiatives continue to fall short of expectations. The differentiator is rarely the strategy itself. More often, success depends on whether leadership teams have the right people
BoardWalk Consulting Leading CEO Search for Downtown Atlanta Inc.
BoardWalk Consulting has been tapped by Downtown Atlanta Inc. (DAI) to lead in its search for a CEO. The search is being led by Sam Pettway, Crystal Stephens, and Patti Kish. The organization is seeking a leader who can help define what the next generation of Downtown Atlanta will become. This is a leadership opportunity of unusual scale and
Peña Search Assists To Be Like Me with the Recruitment of Executive Director
Peña Search recently assisted in the recruitment of Lauren Rowe as the new executive for To Be Like Me (TBLM) in Dallas, TX. Travis Hillier, Carlos González Peña, and Thaise Pereira led the assignment. She replaces To Be Like Me founder Hollis Owens, who has served as executive director since 2018 and initiated the search for her replacement last
BroadView Talent Partners Tapped by Baltimore Community Lending for President/CEO Search
BroadView Talent Partners was recently retained by Baltimore Community Lending, Inc. (BCL) to lead in its search for a new president and CEO. Tracy McMillan, Robyn Quinn, and Donna Young are leading the assignment. The CEO is the strategic, operational, and external leader of Baltimore Community Lending, responsible for driving the organization’s next era of growth and
Allen Austin Launches Evidence-Based Leadership Assessment VantagePoint
Houston, TX-based search firm Allen Austin launch of VantagePoint, an evidence-based leadership assessment that helps organizations identify and develop high-potential leaders with greater clarity and confidence. VantagePoint is grounded in three decades of leadership advisory work and original research by Allen Austin chairman and CEO Rob Andrews. Over two years, Mr. Andrews interviewed more than 100 CEOs,
The CHRO’s New Mandate
Across industries, the organizational design structure has shifted from a traditional pyramid to an hourglass model. This is not a recent development, explained Slayton Search Partners’ John Doyle in a recent report. “Organizational efficiencies, increased technology and the first wave of Baby Boomer retirements began this transition nearly two decades ago,” he said. “Experienced leaders have been retiring. Internal pipelines have
AGB Search Recruits 11th President for Lewis University
Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, has helped to recruit Christopher Sindt as the 11th president of Lewis University. The Lewis University board of trustees recently announced that president David Livingston, will retire at the conclusion of the 2025–26 academic year. Melissa K. Trotta, Matthew J. Kilcoyne, and John Cech led the assignment. “After
Kincannon & Reed Assists CCI Prime with CFO Search
Kincannon & Reed (K&R), which exclusively focuses on food, agribusiness, and the related life sciences, has assisted in the recruitment of Jamie Broad as CFO of CCI Prime, bringing on a seasoned finance leader to support the company’s next phase of growth. “Jamie’s ability to connect financial insights to operational realities makes her an exceptional
EQU Advisors Seeking Senior Leader for Sarah Lawrence College
Executive search firm EQU Advisors was recently retained by Sarah Lawrence College to lead in its search for an associate vice president of enrollment. This executive will serve as a key member of the senior enrollment leadership team and a collaborative partner across the institution. This role is designed to strengthen coordination, elevate shared strategy, and support
Egon Zehnder Forms Alliance with IMD
Global leadership advisory firm Egon Zehnder and IMD, a leading business school in global executive education, have formed a strategic partnership to facilitate board directors’ personal growth and elevate board performance. The partnership combines IMD’s academic rigor and deep connections to global boards with Egon Zehnder’s expertise in leadership and board effectiveness. Together, they will co-create tailored
Why Boards Are Betting on New CEOs and How to Set Them Up to Win
A growing number of companies are entrusting the corner office to leaders stepping into the CEO role for the first time. As succession strategies evolve and executive talent markets tighten, boards are increasingly prioritizing leadership potential, adaptability, and strategic vision over prior CEO experience. Boards now face a new question: which qualities make a first-time CEO succeed,
The Leadership Reset: What AI is Exposing About Today’s Executives
For decades, leadership success was largely measured by experience, team size, and the ability to manage complex organizations. Today, artificial intelligence is changing that equation, and it is reshaping how boards, investors, and hiring executives evaluate leadership talent. As AI transforms how work gets done, organizations are discovering that competitive advantage is no longer determined
Greenwood Asher & Associates Recruits Provost for the University of Cincinnati
Miramar Beach, FL-based executive recruitment firm Greenwood Asher & Associates has assisted the University of Cincinnati (UC) in the recruitment of Rudolph Buchheit as executive vice president for academic affairs and provost. Andriel Dees and Julie Schrodt led the assignment for the search firm. His selection follows a national search led by a dedicated search committee that was informed by
HARTZ Search Assists Geisinger with Recruitment of CIO
Charlotte, NC-based HARTZ Search has helped to recruit Bill Bellando as executive vice president and chief information officer of Geisinger. He joins Geisinger after serving as senior vice president and chief information officer at Georgia-based Wellstar Health System from 2022 to 2026. In this role, Mr. Bellando oversaw information technology and digital initiatives across the health system.
What are Boards Doing Differently for Better Executive Appointments in 2026?
Boards are increasingly reshaping how they approach executive appointments—building the governance discipline, assessment rigor, and future-facing criteria needed to make confident leadership decisions in a more volatile and accelerated world. Leadership decisions are moving faster, carrying higher stakes and less room for error, according to a recent report from Signium. “Today, boards are asking whether
Amrop Rosin Expands Search Team
Toronto-based executive search and advisory firm Amrop Rosin has expanded its senior search team with the additions of Marcie Gurr and Lena Kozovski. Ms. Gurr joins as an engagement manager, executive search, while Ms. Kozovski will take on the role of partner and leader of the mining and natural resources practice. “We are thrilled to have Marcie and Lena
How Slone Partners Built a Strong Healthy Culture as an All-Remote Company
When Adam Slone founded Slone Partners in 2000, he did so with a simple vision – to create a company that stood out from the crowd by delivering high-quality professional customer service in the thriving and often demanding industry of executive search. Through his many network connections, Mr. Slone was attuned to the ways in
3 Key Benefits to Hiring a Data & Analytics Leader
A recent survey by EY found that 53 percent of senior executives have identified data and analytics as their top investment priority in the next two years. This trend is not surprising given the vast amounts of data that companies generate daily. From customer behavior and preferences to market trends and competitive insights, data is
Shelli Herman and Associates Seeks Chief Development Officer for Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County
Los Angeles-based Shelli Herman and Associates has been selected by Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County (SHFB) to lead its search for a chief development officer. At the start of 2022, Shelli Herman & Associates helped recruit Claudia Bonilla Keller as CEO. The new CDO will actively partner with Ms. Bonilla Keller, who aspires to
College Sports Solutions Retained by New Mexico State to Find New Men’s Head Basketball Coach
College Sports Solutions (CSS) has been selected by New Mexico State University (NMSU) to lead in its search for a new men’s head basketball coach. Former coach Greg Heiar was fired after the second scandal involving the program during his tenure as head coach. In November, forward Mike Peake was involved in a deadly shooting
NPAworldwide Adds 22 New Member Firms in the U.S.
Member-owned recruitment network NPAworldwide has added 22 new member locations in the U.S. “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
How to Become a Successful CHRO
The prevailing characteristic of many successful HR leaders is care. To be precise, care for people. “However, I have the scars on my back to show that a caring nature has to be balanced with rigor if you are to be effective as a new CHRO,” says a new report from Hein Knaapen, managing partner
Myers McRae Seeks President for Gulf Coast State College
Macon, GA-based Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting has been enlisted to find the next president for Gulf Coast State College in Panama City, FL. Emily Parker Myers, the search firm’s CEO, is conducting this search with assistance from Jessica Thompson, associate vice president and executive search coordinator. “The college seeks a strategic thinker and lifetime
Kincannon & Reed Recruits CEO for NewLeaf Symbiotics
Executive recruitment firm Kincannon & Reed, which exclusively focuses on food, agribusiness, and the related life sciences, recently placed Brent Smith as the new president and CEO of NewLeaf Symbiotics. Jon Leafstedt, Cassie Edgar, and Crystal Strauss led Kincannon & Reed’s identification, recruitment, and evaluation of a strong slate of well- qualified candidates. “Passionate and
Glider AI Raises $10 Million in Funding
Glider AI, a Cupertino, CA-based skill intelligence platform provider, raised $10 million in series A funding. The round was led by Primera Capital. The company intends to use the funds to continue its expansion in contingent programs and permanent hiring, furthering the development of proprietary technology, and growing its global team. Founded in 2020 by Satish
How Today’s General Counsel Helps Drive Strategies
Today’s general counsel serves as a trusted advisor to the entire company, leading all corporate, strategic, and tactical legal initiatives, while providing management and operating teams with impeccable legal and business judgment. “Great general counsels are great operators and serve cross-functionally across company strategies, with a granular understanding of every piece of the business, maybe
Healthcare Trends That Will Shape 2023
J.P. Morgan recently held its annual healthcare conference in San Francisco, its first in-person since 2020. The energy was palpable, says Spencer Stuart in its recent report on the gathering. In more than 300 conversations with industry board members, CEOs, and C-suite leaders, the search firm explored many key trends playing out in healthcare this
Diversified Search Group | Koya Partners Recruits Chief People Officer for Brooklyn Academy of Music
Executive search firms have been stepping up their efforts to assist companies across the nation to find new chief people officers. Diversified Search Group | Koya Partners recently assisted in the recruitment of Missy Flower as the new chief people officer for the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Chartise Clark and Naree W.S. Viner led the assignment for the recruitment firm.
ON Partners Recruits CEO for New Wave Design and Verification
Baillie Parker of ON Partners recently assisted in the recruitment of Marti Nyman as the new president and CEO of New Wave Design and Verification LLC (New Wave DV), a provider of high-performance digital electronic interface solutions for defense, aerospace, and medical applications. Founder and acting CEO Josh Dirlam will step into the executive chairman role,
SPMB Places CFO for Deepwatch
SPMB Executive Search, which helps find transformative executives throughout Silicon Valley, has assisted in placing Mel Wesley as chief financial officer of Tampa, FL-based Deepwatch, which provides advanced managed detection and response security. The search was led by Sarah Auten, client partner at SPMB. Mr. Wesley is a seasoned finance executive with over 25 years
The Hot M&A Market for Executive Search Expected to Continue
Significantly more U.S. chief executives plan to pursue deals compared with their global chief counterparts, according to the newly-released U.S. CEO Outlook survey from EY. A full 63 percent reported they will pursue an M&A deal in the next 12 months, much higher than the 46 percent of CEOs globally who plan to pursue M&A. This
Hiring Talent Quickly Boosts Performance
It is no secret that the current labor market is challenging for employers. The pandemic, followed by the Great Resignation, led to talent scarcity that remains today. In 2022, resignations by employees in professional services like finance and accounting roles averaged 750,000 per month. This trend has organizations intent on strategies to both attract and
Unemployment Rate Stands at 3.6 Percent as Uncertainty Looms
Employment rose by 311,000 in February as the U.S. unemployment rate stands at 3.6 percent, according to today’s U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. The number of unemployed persons also decreased to 5.9 million in February. Notable job gains occurred in leisure and hospitality, retail trade, government, and health care. Employment declined in information and in
NorthWind Partners Recruits CEO for Oasis Technology & Engineering
Reston, VA-headquartered executive search firm NorthWind Partners has recruited David Zolet as the new CEO for Oasis Technology & Engineering in Burlington, MA. Tom Colatosti is retiring after 12 years as years in the company’s top spot. Partner Hunter Murray led the assignment. “On behalf of the board of directors, management team, and thousands of Oasis
WorkLLama Secures $50 Million in Funding
WorkLLama, technology provider of an AI-driven, talent marketing, relationship management, and direct sourcing suite, has secured $50 million in investments. With the new funds in place, the company says it expects to continue growing its team, accelerate product enhancements, focus strategic acquisitions over the next 12 months, invest in continued automation, and continue to expand
Bespoke Partners Launches Strategic Resourcing Group to Serve PE Outfits
San Diego, CA-headquartered executive search firm Bespoke Partners has launched a service giving curated access to a comprehensive network of executives for private equity. The Strategic Resourcing Group (SRG) proactively provides vetted slates of actionable executives to private equity firms to accelerate recruiting of leadership talent for their portfolio companies. “You will solve your next executive leadership
Korn Ferry Posts Flat Fiscal Q3 Revenues
Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) has posted 2023 third quarter revenue of $680.8 million, essentially flat from the third quarter of last year. Revenue decreased in executive search and professional search mainly due to a decline in demand for the firm’s products and services driven by the global economic factors. This decline in fee revenue was fully offset by
ZRG Partners Recruits Chief Data Scientist for DLA Piper
ZRG Partners, a leading search firm backed by private equity firm RFE Investment Partners, recently assisted in placing Bennett B. Borden as chief data scientist with DLA Piper. Lisa Hooker, ZRG’s managing director and technology practice leader, led the assignment along with Rahul Kapur, managing director and global head of fintech, and Jack Dart, managing
Kevin Chase Executive Search Helps Los Angeles Center for Law & Justice Recruit New Leader
Los Angeles-based Kevin Chase Executive Search Group has assisted in the recruitment of Carmen McDonald as the next executive director for the Los Angeles Center for Law & Justice (LACLJ). Following a national search, the organization decided on an internal candidate. Leading the assignment were Kevin Chase, managing partner, and Catie DiFelice, senior consultant. “Congratulations to Los Angeles Center for Law
Pedersen & Partners Appoints Country Manager for The Netherlands
Dubai-headquartered executive search firm Pedersen & Partners has expanded with the addition of Hans Lodewijks as a client partner and country manager The Netherlands. “We are excited to welcome Hans Lodewijks to our Dutch team, as we continue to consolidate our presence in Europe,” said Guido Bormann, partner at Pedersen & Partners. “His impressive track record of over 30
Building the Best PE and VC Leadership Teams in 2023
In 2022, we saw significant growth and increase in the number of deals by private equity and venture capital firms within the life sciences and healthcare sectors. Additionally, a recent article discussed a newly emerging area of investment for PE in clinical trials and research. Part of the biggest challenge PE and VC firms are
Reasons New Hires Don’t Always Work
While companies are looking for very specific profiles when hiring in the financial services and fintech industry, studies have shown that hard skills are not the main reason that new hires were unsuccessful, according to a report from Right Executive Search (RES)’s Elisa Sheftic. In fact, according to Leadership IQ, 89 percent of people working
ON Partners Recruits Chief Services Officer for StarCompliance
ON Partners have helped to place Michael DiComes as the new chief services officer of StarCompliance. Partner Seth Harris led the assignment. “As we build on our reputation of best-in-class client service, matched with award-winning compliance solutions, it was imperative that we found the right client service executive to take the organization to the next level,” said Jennifer Sun,
Krauthamer & Associates Places CEO for Capital Metro in Austin, TX
Executive recruiting firm Krauthamer & Associates has helped to place Dottie Watkins as president and chief executive officer of Austin, TX-based transportation provider Capital Metro (CapMetro). Ms. Watkins had been serving as interim CEO since last June. The transit agency’s board of directors appointed her after previous leader Randy Clarke stepped down to head the
Blue Rock Search Partners with White Drive North America
Blue Rock Search has been selected to handle recruitment process outsourcing for White Drive North America. “Blue Rock is proud to partner with White Drive as their RPO services provider,” said Ruben Moreno, founder and HR practice leader at Blue Rock Search. “Our approach is designed to make the whole recruiting process, from position opening
The CHRO Trends for 2023
After several years of challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain difficulties, and economic uncertainty, organizations are wondering what to expect in 2023. Unfortunately, there are still adverse remnants of the previous three years. Among others, the war in Ukraine continues, with no end yet in sight. Nor is there any shortage of changes underway in
