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Daily Newswire
AI Moves from Hype to Workflow in Executive Search as Innova Launches Hands-On Summit
Artificial intelligence is rapidly moving from experimentation to execution within executive search, reshaping how firms approach everything from business development to candidate delivery. As expectations rise around speed, insight, and precision, search firms are under increasing pressure to rethink traditional workflows and identify where technology can meaningfully enhance performance rather than simply add complexity. Unlike
Recalibrating Talent: How Generational Dynamics and Mid-Level Hiring Are Reshaping Leadership Strategy in 2026
The hiring landscape is entering a new phase—one defined less by disruption and more by recalibration. After years of volatility, organizations are taking a more deliberate look at how talent aligns with long-term strategy and evolving business needs. That shift is bringing new attention to how companies build teams, assess potential, and define leadership across
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.
The Moran Company Names CEO
The Moran Company, an executive recruitment firm that specializes in the non-profit sector, has announced that Mike English joins Bill Moran as a partner of the firm and has been named the company’s CEO. Mr. Moran will continue his role as president of the company he established more than 30 years ago. Since then, The
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?
DSG Global Appoints Managing Director
DSG Global has expanded with the addition of Arpan Narayan as managing director. “We are pleased to welcome Arpan to DSG Global at a time when leveraging technology and AI depends on leadership that can execute the agenda,” said Aileen Alexander, CEO of DSG Global. “People sit at the center of the most consequential decisions, and
Why Organizational Performance Is Becoming the New Competitive Edge
McKinsey & Company’s The State of Organizations 2026 report highlights a business environment undergoing structural transformation. Drawing on responses from more than 10,000 leaders across 15 countries and 17 industries, the research identifies three interconnected forces reshaping organizations: technological disruption, geopolitical uncertainty, and workforce shifts. The pressure on organizations is intensifying from multiple directions at once. Companies
Preng & Associates Recruits CHRO for Caturus Energy
Houston-based Preng & Associates has recruited Mary Kenner as chief human resources officer at Caturus Energy LLC. The completion of the executive search comes at a pivotal moment for Caturus, as the company advances its ambition to build the nation’s leading independent integrated natural gas and LNG business through its differentiated wellhead-to-water strategy. Preng & Associates partnered with Caturus to
DRiWaterstone Human Capital Leading Executive Director Search for Seismic Foundation
DRiWaterstone Human Capital is currently leading in the search for an executive director for Seismic Foundation. This executive will fully own Seismic’s North American strategy and execution. The mission for this executive is to build out the Seismic Foundation operations as part of the AI governance ecosystem by delivering high-impact campaigns that shift the needle
Flatiron Search Partners Places CTO at Massage Envy
Flatiron Search Partners (FSP) has assisted in the recruitment of Abe Hong as chief technology officer of Massage Envy in Scottsdale, AZ. “Abe is a proven technology leader with deep experience supporting complex, multi-site businesses,” said Todd Schrader, CEO of Massage Envy Franchising. “His ability to align technology strategy with business goals, combined with his collaborative
Boyden to Acquire GreenSight Executive Search
Boyden has announced it will acquire GreenSight Executive Search, a retained search and consulting firm based in Atlanta. The acquisition strengthens Boyden’s presence, network and service in the Southeastern United States. The acquisition will see Boyden absorb GreenSight’s client portfolio and leadership team. Founding partners Trisha Hutchison and Daniel Kepler will join the Boyden Atlanta office as managing partners, bringing
AI Redefining Search — Without Replacing Human Judgment
Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping executive recruiting, speeding up how firms identify, evaluate, and engage leadership talent. As AI tools automate research and administrative work, search teams can move faster and surface stronger insights— changing what “best candidate” discovery looks like in practice. At the same time, demand is shifting toward leaders who can translate
How Leading Search Firms Are Turning AI Into Competitive Advantage
Artificial intelligence is rapidly moving from a promising experiment to a core operating capability across the executive search profession. As firms face mounting pressure to improve efficiency, accelerate search timelines, and deliver deeper market intelligence, many are reevaluating how technology can enhance both recruiter productivity and business performance. While adoption continues to accelerate, industry leaders
U.S. Adds 172,000 Jobs in May as Unemployment Holds Steady at 4.3 Percent
Employment increased by 172,000 in May as the U.S. unemployment rate remained at 4.3 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. The number of unemployed people, at 7.3 million, changed little in May. Job gains occurred in leisure and hospitality, local government, and healthcare. Employment in financial activities declined. “This is a labor
CarterBaldwin Recruits President and CEO for Kansas Fiber Network
CarterBaldwin Executive Search has assisted in the recruitment of Danny Pate as the new president and CEO of Kansas Fiber Network (KFN). Partner Chris Guiney and search consultant Ted Wieber led the assignment. “We are pleased to bring Danny on board,” said Mark Gailey, chairman of KFN’s board of directors. “The board ran a diligent search to
The Broward County Aviation Department Retains ADK Consulting & Executive Search to Recruit Aviation CFO
The Broward County Aviation Department recently retained ADK Consulting & Executive Search to lead in its search for an aviation CFO for the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and North Perry Airport (NPA). The assignment is being led by Theresia Schatz and Kim Kenville. The new aviation CFO will oversee the financial and business aspects of FLL and HWO.
How Private Equity Firms Are Modernizing Talent Strategy Through Technology
As private equity firms place greater emphasis on leadership as a driver of investment performance, talent functions are becoming increasingly embedded in the dealmaking process. What was once viewed primarily as a recruiting and portfolio support function is evolving into a strategic capability that informs executive assessment, succession planning, and value creation across the investment
Crist|Kolder Associates Recruits CFO for Booz Allen
Crist|Kolder Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Troy Lahr as executive vice president and CFO of Booz Allen Hamilton in McLean, VA. “Troy’s deep and differentiated experience helps position Booz Allen for accelerated growth and bold transformation,” said Horacio Rozanski, chairman and CEO. “His success driving performance across large portfolios and leading through change will be a
The Moran Company Leading CEO Search for the Oklahoma State Medical Association
The Moran Company, an executive recruitment firm that specializes in the non-profit sector, was recently retained by the Oklahoma State Medical Association (OSMA) to recruit the organization’s next CEO. Jon Rosell is leading the assignment. The OSMA board of trustees seeks an energetic, experienced, and highly skilled CEO to work collaboratively with the board, staff
Jackson Lucas Acquires Affinity HR Advisory Group
New York City-based Jackson Lucas has acquired Affinity HR Advisory Group, led by veteran HR executive Gayle Feinstein. “When we look at the growing firms we partner with, we constantly see founders and COOs getting pulled into the weeds of sensitive employee issues when they should be focusing on scaling their business,” said Anthony Fanzo, founding partner, Jackson Lucas. “Bringing
Heidrick & Struggles Launches AI-Enhanced Leadership Assessment Platform
Heidrick & Struggles recently launched Heidrick Immersive, a next generation, AI-enhanced leadership assessment platform. “Today’s leaders must navigate constant disruption, shifting stakeholder expectations, and accelerating technological change,” said David Peck, partner and global leader of the High-Impact Leadership Center of Excellence at Heidrick & Struggles. “By integrating AI-driven simulation and personalized feedback into our advisory offering, we’re
The Tolan Group Fills Senior Sales Position for FairCode
The Tolan Group (TTG) has recruited Ryan Canavan as vice president of sales at FairCode. This appointment reflects FairCode’s continued investment in scalable growth and innovation as the organization expands its revenue integrity and compliance solutions across the healthcare market. In his position, Mr. Canavan will lead FairCode’s national sales strategy, focusing on enterprise growth, strategic
Rosenzweig & Company Recruits President for PetSmart Canada
Executive search firm Rosenzweig & Company recently placed Pamela O’Rourke as president of PetSmart Canada and chair of the board of PetSmart Charities of Canada. Rose Perri, partner at Rosenzweig & Company, led the search. “Pamela’s experience leading large-scale operations and driving customer-focused strategies stood out,” said Katherine Sanford, senior director of talent acquisition at PetSmart. “Rosenzweig & Company brought tremendous thoughtfulness,
Funk Associates Assists Clemson University with the Recruitment of 16th President
Following a national search, Funk Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Kevin Guskiewicz as the 16th president of Clemson University. “The search committee was overwhelmed with the robust and highly qualified candidates who expressed interest in leading our great University,” said search committee chair Cheri Phyfer. “Dr. Guskiewicz rose to the top of a remarkable
A Midyear Opportunity to Reinforce Leadership and Talent
With June now underway, the midpoint of the year offers a natural opportunity for leaders to evaluate progress and prepare for the months ahead. As priorities shift and organizations look toward second-half objectives, now is an ideal time to focus on the people, structure, and leadership capabilities that will drive future performance. A deliberate investment
Buffkin / Baker Expands Consumer Practice
Partner-led executive search firm Buffkin / Baker has expanded with the addition of Kevin Duffy as a partner in its consumer practice area. “We are delighted that Kevin has joined Buffkin / Baker and our consumer practice,” said David Alexander, partner, and consumer practice leader. “He brings a wealth of executive recruiting experience to our firm and
Speed vs. Certainty: How Leading Search Firms Deliver Fast Shortlists Without Increasing Risk
Executive search firms are under increasing pressure to deliver qualified leadership candidates faster without compromising diligence or decision quality. As hiring timelines compress and stakeholder scrutiny intensifies, many firms are turning to AI-driven intelligence tools to identify potential risks, validate candidate fit, and strengthen shortlists earlier in the search process. Balancing speed with certainty requires
Spencer Stuart Recruits Ninth Leader for Brunswick School
Spencer Stuart has assisted in the recruitment of Andrew T. Chappell as Brunswick’s ninth head of school, effective July 1, 2027. Mary Gorman, a partner in the firm’s education and social impact practice, and consultant Michele Haertel, led the assignment. Tom Philip has informed the Board of Trustees of his plans to retire in June 2027, at the
How PE-Backed Businesses are Redefining the Interim CFO Role
Interim CFOs are increasingly central to the performance and stability of private equity-backed businesses. As deal cycles extend and operating conditions tighten, they are deployed not only for financial stewardship but also as value creation partners across the investment lifecycle. “Today’s interim CFOs are increasingly deployed as execution-focused operators responsible for stabilizing performance, improving financial
The Talent Studios Places CEO at GIBBON North America
The Talent Studios has placed Luke Droulez as the new CEO of GIBBON North America. The search was led by Katlyn Maloney and Jeremy Cohen. Mr. Droulez is an executive leader with a proven track record of scaling consumer brands from early stage to nine figures. He was an early executive leader and chief marketing officer of native digital
The Real Threat Isn’t AI Replacing Work, It’s Companies Not Keeping Up
AI has quietly moved from experimental novelty to competitive baseline, and that shift is happening faster than most orgs are prepared to manage. What separates companies that capture real value from those that accumulate pilots is no longer access to technology, but the ability to make smart choices about where to apply it, how to
Workday Invests $250 Million in Ventures Business
Workday, a provider of finance and human resources solutions, has announced a $250 million expansion of its Workday Ventures fund. The additional investment capital from Workday into Workday Ventures, the strategic capital arm of Workday Inc., builds on the company’s solid performance. “This additional investment capital into Workday Ventures is reflective of our continued commitment to serving our customers, helping
Five Trends in Executive Search in Europe for 2023-25
The way work is delivered continues to change; so does the negotiating relationship between organizations and candidates, particularly executives, according to a new report from Global Executive Search’s Portugal partner Pedro Branco. Organizations are being asked to find the best solutions to secure the best talent to achieve their objectives, the study said. Europe –
Top Insights and Trends in Executive Search for 2023
With market uncertainty on the minds of senior executives as we move deeper into the new year, the executive search industry is poised for change. Executive search firm ON Partners recently reviewed the most popular insights and topics that it has delved into on its website in the last year, all with an eye to what
TurnkeyZRG Seeks Chief Marketing & Growth Officer for USA Triathlon
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
Bryant Group Seeks AVP of Outreach and Innovation for Western Michigan University
Dallas-based executive search and talent development firm Bryant Group has been selected to recruit the first associate vice president of outreach and innovation for Western Michigan University (WMU). Sarah Hempen, vice president, search is spearheading the assignment. “We are seeking a passionate, collaborative, and future-driven professional to help me lead WMU’s dynamic university advancement team
Z3Talent Expands Search Staff
Denver-based executive search firm Z3Talent has expanded with the addition of talent acquisition veteran Ashley Parsons as a client partner. “Ashley has a record of success bringing best-in-class talent solutions and leaders to businesses in a diverse group of industries,” said Steve Ziegler, founder of Z3Talent. Ms. Parsons brings eight years of experience in executive search with a focus
Heightened Demand for Cybersecurity Leaders Keeps Executive Recruiters Busy
Increasingly, organizations of all sizes are awakening to the perils posed by cyberattacks. For years, many groups tried to ignore the problem, dismissing cybersecurity as a concern only for the biggest, most high-profile entities, be they government or corporate. These days, more groups are coming to understand how ruinous such intrusions could be and cyberattacks
Caldwell Recruits CEO for Knowledge First Financial
Jeff Freeborough and Kelly Blair of Toronto-based Caldwell recently assisted in the recruitment of Andrew Lo as president and CEO of Knowledge First Financial Inc. “Under Andrew’s guidance, the future is very bright for our organization and the students we serve,” said Andrea Bolger, chair of the board of directors, Knowledge First Financial. “With Andrew’s experience and innovation
Leaders International Seeks Executive Director for Youth Media Alliance
Leaders International, an executive search firm with eight offices across Canada, has been enlisted to find the next executive director for Youth Media Alliance (YMA), a Montreal-based non-profit that works to improve the quality of screen-based media content for youngsters. The assignment is being led by managing partner Cynthia Labonté and consultants Samantha Peloso and
Bauer Harris Assists PREMIER Bankcard in the Recruitment of New President
Boston, MA-based executive search firm Bauer Harris has helped to place Benvenuto Marcello as president of PREMIER Bankcard, the 9th largest issuer of Mastercard credit cards in the U.S. The assignment was led by Bauer Harris founding partner, Brad Bauer. Mr. Marcello was selected from a strong group of qualified finalist candidates. Mr. Marcello is
Greenwood Asher & Associates Adds Four Professionals to Senior Leadership Team
Miramar Beach, FL-based executive recruitment firm Greenwood Asher & Associates (GA&A) has expanded with the additions of Robert Caret, Jeremy Duff, Jim Johnsen, and Tracey Weldon as new vice presidents. These experienced higher education and executive search professionals become senior members of its leadership team, alongside vice president and managing director Susanne Griffin who leads
Revisiting Cultural Norms May be Key to Adopting New Technologies
As technology develops, business must develop with it. Companies that want to keep up with society must find ways to effectively integrate new technologies that will benefit them and allow them to continue to grow. AI technology is relatively new to both business and the technology field. Successful adoption of artificial intelligence and machine learning
Russell Reynolds Associates Recruits New Leader for the National Hockey League Players’ Association
The sports industry continues to be a growth area for executive search businesses. Russell Reynolds Associates recently assisted in the recruitment of U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh as the new executive director of the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA). He succeeds Donald Fehr, who has led the organization since 2010. The formal announcement of
Herbert Mines Assists RugsUSA with CEO Search
New York-based retail and consumer focused executive search firm Herbert Mines Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Alyssa Steele as the new CEO of RugsUSA, an E-commerce retailer and supplier of area rugs and home décor products. RugsUSA’s interim CEO Dinesh Lathi will continue with the company and return to his prior role as chairman of the
DHR Global Combines Consumer & Retail Practice Groups; Names Global Leaders
Talent advisory firm DHR Global has announced that it has formally merged its consumer and retail practice groups into one global practice, now called consumer and retail. Kristi LeBlanc and Marcey Rubin Stamas, formerly global leaders of the consumer practice group, and Tricia Logan, formerly global leader of the retail practice group, will assume leadership positions
Sheffield Haworth Adds Former UBS Head of Business Development & Special Projects
Global leadership advisory and executive search firm Sheffield Haworth has expanded with the addition of former UBS executive Philippe Reynier as a managing director within the technology arm of the global functions practice. “We are thrilled Philippe has decided to join the team at Sheffield Haworth,” said Mark Dixon, managing director – global functions. “His background
Jobless Claims Remain at Historically Low Level
First-time applications for unemployment benefits rose last week to 196,000, a slightly higher total than the 190,000 that economists were expecting — but still a historically low number. Despite widely publicized layoffs from tech giants, media companies and the financial sector in recent weeks, the U.S. labor market remains robust after eight rate hikes in 11
ON Partners Recruits Chief Product Officer for Bigleaf Networks
Today’s chief product officer is responsible for all product-related matters, and the role is growing in demand, according to executive recruiters who place them. The position typically includes product conception and development, production, innovation, and project and product management. In many IT/ telecommunications companies, the position includes release management and production. Chief product officers generally work on
Coulter Partners Places Board Members for Our Future Health Trading
Life sciences recruiting specialist Coulter Partners has placed three board directors—Cristina Ortega Duran, Andy Richards, and Simon Sturge—for Our Future Health Trading Ltd., the trading subsidy of Our Future Health, a U.K.-based collaborative health research program. “It has been our privilege to work with Coulter Partners over the last six months with our recruitment of three non-executive
Kingsley Gate Partners Names Leader of Financial Services Practice for the Middle East and Asia-Pacific
Private equity-backed Kingsley Gate Partners has expanded with the addition of Firoze Patel as head of the financial services practice for the Middle East and Asia-Pacific regions. He will be based in Dubai. “We are thrilled to have Firoze join the Kingsley Gate team,” said Umesh Ramakrishnan, CEO. “With his wealth of search experience and credibility in
Angott Search Group and Park Avenue Group Form Alliance
Angott Search Group (ASG) has entered into an operating alliance with Park Avenue Group (PAG). The partnership is intended to provide clients with increased executive recruiting capabilities, broader geographic reach, and added in-depth knowledge in the banking and credit union industries. The relationship combines ASG’s over 40-year tenure providing talent advisory services with PAG’s 25-year
CEOs Anticipate a Possible Recession
As 2023 starts to take shape, corporate leaders are already braced for a recession. The only mystery is what final form the downturn will take: mild or deep — and will the U.S. weather the storm better than the rest of the world? Other economic and geostrategic subplots add uncertainty to the story: Will supply
Fostering Relationships in Recruitment
Recruiting is a relationship business. Having conversations and building relationships with clients, candidates, and trading partners will lead to long-lasting relationships, loyalty, and repeat business, as opposed to one-off hires. But due to the current nature of the recruiting business and a candidate shortage, recruiters must act quickly to fill roles, and because of this,
Greenwood / Asher & Associates Recruits CHRO for the University of Wisconsin–Madison
Miramar Beach, FL-based executive recruitment firm Greenwood /Asher & Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Patrick Sheehan as associate vice chancellor and chief human resources officer for the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Vice chancellor for finance and administration Rob Cramer says Sheehan brings a variety of leadership experiences, extensive knowledge about the university, solid existing relationships with
Frederickson Partners Recruits Chief People Officer for Second Harvest of Silicon Valley
Global HR search firm Frederickson Partners recently assisted in the recruitment of Marcus Bryant as chief people and inclusion officer for Second Harvest of Silicon Valley in San Jose, CA. “Welcoming an experienced DEI leader into this new role reinforces Second Harvest’s commitment to foster authentic and meaningful growth in equity and inclusion both internally and externally,”
Accordant Group Acquires Hobson Leavy
Recruitment company Accordant Group Limited has acquired Auckland, New Zealand-based executive search firm Hobson Leavy. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “We are thrilled to announce the acquisition of another well-respected and market leading brand into the Accordant Group,” said Jason Cherrington, CEO of Accordant Group. “Hobson Leavy’s commitment to quality work and excellent
Transforming Portfolio Companies and Driving Value Creation via Human Capital
At the beginning of last year, Gartner predicted a 20 percent rise in turnover rate across industries. Heightened inflation, rising interest rates, post-pandemic priority shifts, and hybrid work preferences have created a fierce scrimmage for companies worldwide trying to hire the people necessary to drive long-term profits. These challenges are compounded for private equity firms with
Is the Non-Compete Soon to be History?
The federal government has announced a proposed rule which would ban non-compete agreements between employers and employees, independent contractors, externs, interns, volunteers, apprentices, and even sole proprietors who provide a service to a client or customer. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) stated the widespread use of non-competes agreements is an “often exploitative practice that suppresses
Renovata & Company Recruits CFO for Siteimprove
Global executive search and private equity advisory firm Renovata & Company has placed Elliott DeLoach as chief financial officer of Siteimprove, a marketing performance platform in San Francisco. “Elliott is an experienced CFO who brings more than 25 years of experience serving private equity-backed and public companies,” said Joanna Chang, partner at Renovata & Company. “His
Egon Zehnder Leading CEO Search for Vodafone Group
Leadership advisory firm Egon Zehnder has been selected by Vodafone Group to lead in its search for a new CEO. At the end of the year, Rick Read agreed with the board that he will step down as CEO. “It has been a privilege to spend over 20 years of my career at Vodafone and I am proud
Korn Ferry Closes Acquisition of Salo
Korn Ferry has completed its previously disclosed acquisition of Salo LLC, a provider of finance, accounting, and HR interim talent. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The acquisition is expected to be immediately accretive to Korn Ferry’s adjusted earnings. “Salo will be a great fit, with highly relevant interim professional offerings and expertise that speak
