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Daily Newswire
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
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.
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
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?
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
Riviera Partners Expands Public 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 Archer McFall as a partner within its public practice serving large, publicly-traded companies and late-stage, pre-IPO companies. “Getting the right CTO, CIO, or chief AI officer in place, building the team structure around AI, making sure the
HelloSky Brings Its Graph of People, Investors, and Companies Into Claude and ChatGPT
Executive search firms are increasingly looking for ways to move beyond traditional databases and static candidate profiles as clients demand deeper market intelligence and faster, more precise insight into leadership talent. Advances in artificial intelligence are giving recruiters new tools to connect people, companies, investors, relationships, and career outcomes in ways that can strengthen candidate
Harris Search Associates Leading Senior Assignment for Carnegie Mellon University
Harris Search Associates has been retained by Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) to lead in its search for newly created role of associate vice president for research computing and data (AVP RCD). Jeffrey Harris and Ed Christ are leading the assignment. This role offers a unique opportunity to elevate and transform CMU’s research computing ecosystem positioning it to better support
Preng & Associates Assists SOGC, LLC with President Search
Following a comprehensive executive search, Houston-based Preng & Associates assisted in the recruitment of David French as the new president of SOGC, LLC. “Preng & Associates is proud to have supported this important leadership appointment and continues to partner with energy companies worldwide in identifying and securing transformative executive talent,” the firm said. Mr. French brings
NPAG Appoints Senior Advisor
Executive search firm NPAG has appointed André Blackman as senior advisor. In this new role, he will build and lead a practice focused on mission-driven innovation — connecting dynamic leadership talent and the development resources to keep that talent in seat, to founders and organizations solving problems that matter. “André brings a rare combination of strategic insight, storytelling
Sheffield Haworth Adds Private Equity & Growth Venture Portfolio Assets Veteran
Global leadership advisory and executive search firm Sheffield Haworth has expanded with the addition of Michael McDonnell as managing director, private equity and growth venture portfolio assets. He is based in the New York office and works within the technology sector practice. “We are thrilled to welcome Michael to the team,” said Paul Gillespie, managing director of the
Leadership Needs Shift in a Changing Federal Market
Executive search across the federal contracting, government services, defense, and technology sectors is entering a new phase as companies look for more sophisticated ways to evaluate leadership beyond résumés, references, and past performance. In markets where specialized experience, relationships, and an understanding of complex government customers can be critical, the challenge is not simply identifying
Private Equity Rollup Wave Reshapes Executive Search
What may once have looked like a series of isolated transactions is increasingly taking on the shape of a broader industry shift. As capital moves into the sector and firms rethink where they have true competitive strength, the pattern is becoming harder to ignore. “A year ago, I would have called this a prediction, today,
HARTZ Search Seeking Chief Revenue Officer for Geisinger
Charlotte, NC-based HARTZ Search was recently retained by Geisinger to lead in its search for a chief revenue officer. This executive will direct, manage, and implement programs to ensure efficient revenue management operations and sufficient cash flow to support Geisinger operations and strategic initiatives. The role is responsible for identifying, analyzing, reducing, and resolving revenue management issues
Kincannon & Reed Places Executive Director for the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association
Kincannon & Reed (K&R), which exclusively focuses on food, agribusiness, and the related life sciences, has assisted in the recruitment of Patrick Carney as the new executive director of the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association. Dave Smith stepped down from his executive role after leading the association for more than 30 years. “Patrick pairs dairy industry knowledge with
Global Talent Drain: A Growing Challenge for Senior Leadership
Leadership markets around the world are entering a period of heightened imbalance as demand for experienced executives continues to outpace supply. Organizations are facing increasing difficulty securing the expertise needed to drive strategy, manage transformation, and sustain growth in a rapidly evolving business environment. This growing gap is forcing companies to rethink how they approach
HARTZ Search Recruits Chief Wellness Officer for Louisiana Children’s Medical Center Health
In these unprecedented times, comprehensive well-being (mental, emotional, physical, financial, and professional) in the workplace is important. How we support ourselves, and how we support others within our businesses – such as business partners, clients, and contacts – is crucial, according to a recent report by Forbes. The good news is that companies are progressively
SearchWide Global Appoints Vice President
Executive recruitment firm SearchWide Global has grown its staff with the appointment of Andrea Christopherson as vice president. She will assist with SearchWide Global’s director and C-level searches and business development initiatives in the experiential event marketing segment along with the tradeshow and convention industries. “Andrea is an excellent addition to our team. With her experience
ThinkingAhead Executive Search Seeks New Leader for Creative Discovery Museum
Creative Discovery Museum (CDM) in Chattanooga, TN, has selected ThinkingAhead Executive Search to lead its search for a new president and chief executive officer. Henry Schulson will retire this fall after leading the museum for 26 years. The search firm’s Kay Linder is serving the partner in charge of the assignment. “I am so thrilled and
Buffkin / Baker Adds to Higher Education Practice
Partner-led executive search firm Buffkin / Baker has expanded with the addition of Ann Yates as a partner in its higher education practice area. “We are delighted to welcome Ann to the Buffkin / Baker team. Her demonstrated success in recruiting diverse and talented candidates will bring substantial value to our clients across the country,” said
Advice for Today’s Senior Executives Looking for New Positions
One of the duties of an executive recruiter is having the opportunity to help talented executives plot the next step in their career. As a retained search firm, Spencer Stuart works on behalf of its clients to find the right candidates. However, the firm’s results depend on them having access to the best talent and
ON Partners Recruits CEO for Welocalize
Baillie Parker of ON Partners recently assisted in the recruitment of Paul Carr as the new CEO of Welocalize Inc. in New York City. He succeeds founder Smith Yewell, who has served as the company’s CEO since 1997. Todd Solow, partner at Norwest Equity Partners (NEP), a middle market investment firm that acquired Welocalize in 2015, said: “Like
Herbert Mines Associates Places Chief Marketing Officer for Kravet Inc.
New York-based retail and consumer focused executive search firm Herbert Mines Associates has helped to place Suzanne Cohen as the new chief marketing officer for home furnishings company Kravet Inc. As the newest member of the executive team, Ms. Cohen will report to Cary Kravet, president and CEO. With two decades of experience, she will lead
DHR Global Names Managing Partner of North American Non-Profit Practice
Talent advisory firm DHR Global has named Sara Lundberg as managing partner, North America non-profit practice. The firm notes that her leadership has been key to the non-profit practice group’s success, which has become of the fastest-growing areas for DHR. “We are grateful that Sara will be leading the team as managing partner, North America,” said James Abruzzo, managing partner, global
Leathwaite Names Leader of Strategy, Consulting, and Transformation Practice in Asia
London-based executive search firm Leathwaite has named Gavin Ng as leader of its strategy, consulting, and transformation practice in Asia. He will also help steer and accelerate the firm’s growth with private equity, venture capital, and high growth start-up clients. “I am absolutely thrilled that Gavin has chosen to join Leathwaite,” said James Lawrence-Brown, partner
Integrating AI Into Your Business and the Leadership Talent You Need to Make it Happen
As companies across all sectors become aware that the use of AI can drive meaningful efficiencies and create a significant business impact, SPMB Executive Search’s Mike Doonan and Natalie Ryan have helped guide their clients integrating AI into their digital transformation efforts and overall business by placing leaders to drive this adoption and integration. The
Coulter Partners Recruits Chief Scientific Officer for Sonata Therapeutics
Life sciences recruiting specialist Coulter Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Francesco Marincola as chief scientific officer of Sonata Therapeutics Inc., a biotechnology company in Boston. “Throughout his successful career across academia and industry over the last few decades, Franco has stood at the forefront of discovery and drug development,” said Volker Herrmann, president and CEO of
BroadView Talent Partners Recruits CEO for Pillsbury United Communities
BroadView Talent Partners has assisted in the placement of Cinnamon Pelly as the new president and CEO for Pillsbury United Communities (PUC) in Minnesota. “I’m so pleased to have Cinnamon join Pillsbury United,” said Brenna Brelie, interim CEO. “Her breadth of experience, coupled with her commitment to strengthening communities and racial equity are a beautiful combination of
Bespoke Partners Adds Leaders for New Private Equity Client Services Program
San Diego, CA-headquartered executive search firm Bespoke Partners has brought aboard Jessica Larson and Matt Sommi to lead the firm’s new private equity client services program. These new leaders will be expected to partner with clients to tailor Bespoke’s service offerings in talent advisory, executive search, curated network access, and leadership advisory to achieve the clients’
Artico Search Names Leader of Global Product and Engineering Practice
Artico Search has expanded with the addition of Alex Klein, a partner and leader of the firm’s global product and engineering practice. “We are thrilled to announce that Alex has joined the team as partner, leading our global product and engineering practice,” said Mercedes Chatfield-Taylor, co-founder and CEO. “We are confident that Alex’s expertise and unwavering
Growing Canadian Search Market Continues to Help Reshape Business
The executive search industry in Canada is a highly competitive and rapidly evolving sector that has experienced significant changes in recent years. With the Canadian job market becoming increasingly competitive, companies are relying more heavily on executive search firms to find top talent for their most senior positions. As a result, executive search firms have
True Search Places CFO for ZwitterCo
Global talent provider True has assisted in the recruitment of Christopher Ling as chief financial officer of advanced membrane technology company ZwitterCo. Mr. Ling most recently served as CFO for Veo Robotics Inc., where he led finance, operations, IT, and other support functions across the company. Partners Dan Cremins and Chris Clements and senior associate Shelby Chan
Steven John & Associates Recruits New Leader for the Center for Independence of Individuals with Disabilities
Executive search firm Steven John & Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Patrick Carbullido as the new executive director of the Center for Independence of Individuals with Disabilities (CID) in San Matteo, CA. “The first time I spoke to Pat and saw his resume and credentials, I thought he was the perfect fit for CID,”
Salveson Stetson Group Recruits CEO for PPR Capital Management
Radnor, PA-based executive search firm Salveson Stetson Group has assisted in the recruitment of Stephen Meyer as the new CEO for PPR Capital Management in Berwyn, PA. He will succeed co-founder Dave Van Horn and assume all CEO related responsibilities immediately. Mr. Van Horn will be continuing on with the firm as executive chairman of the board, as
Amrop UK Names Equity Partner
Amrop, a global leadership advisory and executive search partnership, has announced that Lucie Shaw has been named managing partner at Amrop UK, joining the three founding managing partners in equity ownership of the company as the U.K. business continues its growth trajectory. “Lucie has earned a strong reputation throughout her career for delivering top-tier executive
How CHROs and CPOs Can Become CEOs
Today, organizations are arguably more people-centric than they have ever been. Recruiters are saying that company culture and employee well-being are now fundamental gauges of company health. Inflation, economic uncertainty, and the pandemic presented a medley of challenges to organizations, not least the ones that involved the employee base: health and safety standards, hybrid work,
Is it Finally Adieu for the Noncompete Clause?
Earlier this year, Shelli Herman of Shelli Herman and Associates jumped for joy when she read about the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) proposed rule to ban noncompetes. “Over the course of my 26-year career in executive search, these mostly unenforceable and highly precarious documents have caused me more than a few sleepless nights,” she said. “These
Academic Career & Executive Search Spearheads Efforts to Find an Inclusion and Belonging Leader for Boise State University
Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) has been selected by Boise State University to lead its search for a vice provost for inclusion and belonging. This executive serves as a senior official charged with leading and coordinating the efforts in academic affairs to support a richly diverse, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all students, staff, and
COORS Leadership Capital Seeks CFO for Northeast Montana Health Services
Given the speed at which market conditions, business strategies, and operational structures have changed in recent years, businesses are more aware than ever of the crucial role the chief financial officer plays in shaping and driving a company’s strategic direction. Charlotte, NC-based COORS Leadership Capital was recently selected by Northeast Montana Health Services to lead
Solomon Page Partners with Shatterproof
New York City headquartered executive search firm Solomon Page recently partnered with the Shatterproof, a national organization committed to ending addiction through advocacy and educational resources, conducting a fundraiser in January and February. The search firm also interviewed Lauren Lawson-Zilai, senior director, media and public relations for Norwalk, CT-based Shatterproof, to learn more about the non-profit’s
A Look at What is Driving Female Leaders
Women leaders are leaving their roles at the highest rate ever. Given that women are already drastically underrepresented at the leadership level, this mass departure is cause for significant concern, according to a recent report from Russell Reynolds Associates’ Margot McShane, Leah Christianson, and Joy Tan. For decades, much has been written about the gender
What Recruiters Should Look for in Chief Sustainability Officers
Sustainability has been a growing business concern for years. Recently, it has become even more of a strategic priority. “Investors are demanding information about sustainability activities… and customers and affected communities are becoming more aware [of] the power that they have to affect corporate behavior on this issue,” International Finance Corporation (IFC) said in their Focus
The Tolan Group Recruits CEO for Riverside Oral Surgery
The Tolan Group (TTG) recently assisted in the placement of Butch Marino as the new CEO of Riverside Oral Surgery in River Edge, NJ. Rachel Gauthier, managing partner, and Mallory Schmidt, senior search consultant, led the assignment. Mr. Marino is an entrepreneurial and relational executive with over three decades of healthcare experience, including corporate development and senior
Korn Ferry Places CEO of Institute of Management Accountants
Korn Ferry has helped to place Mike DePrisco, the former chief operating officer of PMI (Project Management Institute), as president and chief executive officer of IMA (Institute of Management Accountants), the association of accountants and financial professionals in business. Mr. DePrisco succeeds Jeff Thomson, who served in the role for nearly 15 years. Mr. DePrisco brings
Crenshaw Associates Adds Former PE Veteran as Executive Advisor
New York City-headquartered executive leadership advisory firm Crenshaw Associates has expanded with the addition of Erica Meyers Rivera as managing partner and executive advisor. In her new position, she will help lead and guide the firm’s focus on strategic growth initiatives that expand its service offerings in private equity and global Fortune businesses. “Erica joins us
Avoiding Bad Hires for Private Equity Portfolio Companies
Making the wrong C-suite hire is the biggest risk facing any portfolio company. Besides wasting compensation, a mis-hire in the C-suite can result in strategy mistakes, broken processes, and poor employee morale. But even worse for a private equity portfolio company, a bad C-suite hire consumes precious execution runway, the time that the company should be
Blue Rock Search Seeks Provost for Linfield University
Blue Rock Search has been selected by Linfield University to lead its search for a new provost. The provost serves as the chief academic officer for the university, including its three colleges, and provides academic leadership, guidance, resources, and bridges between the academic and student affairs units on campus to create an integrated student experience.
