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Daily Newswire
Why Your Most Difficult Hire Isn’t the One You Think
Headline employment data and hiring activity paint an incomplete picture of today’s workforce landscape. Beneath the surface, shifting candidate expectations and constrained talent pipelines are creating challenges that aren’t immediately visible. If you lead talent strategy in the insurance sector, you are navigating one of the most deceptive hiring markets in recent memory, according to
Vetted Solutions Retained by GO2 for Lung Cancer for CEO Search
Washington, D.C.-based Vetted Solutions was recently retained by GO2 for Lung Cancer to lead in its search for a new CEO. GO2 for Lung Cancer seeks a dynamic, collaborative, and mission-driven CEO who will lead with vision, impact, and growth in mind. GO2 is facing an inflection point, expanding national networks and integrating research, early detection, and
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.
BarkerGilmore Recruits General Counsel for American Credit Acceptance
Boutique search firm BarkerGilmore, which specializes in building corporate legal and compliance teams, has placed Debra Noll as general counsel at American Credit Acceptance. The search was led by Stephen Bell and Alison Waters. “Deb is exceptionally well-positioned to support American Credit Acceptance as it continues to grow and adapt in a complex environment,” BarkerGilmore said in a LinkedIn
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?
Kincannon & Reed Appoints VP of Marketing and Business Development
Kincannon & Reed (K&R), which exclusively focuses on food, agribusiness, and the related life sciences, has expanded with the addition of Dan Evans as vice president of marketing and business development. “Dan brings a strong background in building brands, driving growth, and connecting strategy to execution,” said Stephanie Liska, president of Kincannon & Reed. “Throughout his career,
Women Founders Gain Ground in Human Capital M&A
A meaningful shift has been unfolding across the executive search industry. Over the past decade, a growing number of highly specialized boutiques have been founded and led by women, many of whom built successful careers within larger firms before launching businesses of their own. What is becoming increasingly clear is that investors are paying attention.
Private Equity Recruiting – Return on Investment: Creating Value with Talent
Talent has become a defining driver of performance in private equity, shaping how firms manage risk, execute strategy, and deliver sustained returns. As deal cycles tighten and value creation depends increasingly on operational excellence, leadership quality and organizational design are no longer secondary considerations — they are central to how firms source, underwrite, and scale
AGB Search Seeking Chief Information Technology Officer for Slippery Rock University
Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, has been retained by Slippery Rock University to lead in its search for a chief information technology officer (CITO). Kimberly Templeton, Margaret Plympton, and Anne Hoffman are leading the assignment. This leader serves as the University’s senior technology executive, providing strategic vision, leadership, and executive
The Talent Studios Recruits Chief Marketing Officer for Pura Vida Miami
The Talent Studios has recruited Bruno Cardinali as chief marketing officer of Pura Vida Miami, the premium all-day café and lifestyle brand focused on health, wellness and community. The search was led by Katlyn Maloney and Jeremy Cohen. Mr. Cardinali brings more than two decades of marketing leadership across fast casual, foodservice, beverage, and global consumer brands. Most recently, as
JM Search Expands Technology and Financial Services Practices
JM Search, a senior-level talent provider serving private equity investors, portfolio companies, and Fortune 1000s, has expanded with the additions of Wes Chisholm as partner and Laura Bennstrom and Charles Telep as principals within its technology and financial services practices. Mr. Chisholm and Mr. Telep join the firm’s technology practice while Ms. Bennstrom joins both the financial
How The Tolan Group Navigated the Downturn and Remained Focused
For many executive search firms, 2024 and 2025 tested resilience in ways few could have predicted. At The Tolan Group (TTG), they experienced the same pressures felt across the industry. Slower decision cycles, delayed starts, and a noticeable dip in portfolio company hiring activity. Yet through that uncertainty, one thing remained constant: our commitment to
Korn Ferry Reports Seven Percent Q4 and Full-Year Revenue Growth, Led by Double-Digit Gains in Professional Search & Interim
Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) has posted Q4 fiscal-year revenues of $759.8 million, a year-over-year increase of seven percent and five percent at constant currency. This was led by Professional Search & Interim up 14 percent, followed by Executive Search and Consulting, both up seven percent and RPO up five percent. During the fourth quarter, revenues rose by
Lock Search Group Leading CEO Search for Atlas Sign & Awning
Toronto-headquartered executive recruitment firm Lock Search Group is currently seeking a new CEO for Atlas Sign & Awning. For over 30 years, Atlas Sign & Awning has helped businesses across Canada and the United States stand out through custom commercial signage, awnings, and branded architectural elements. Based in Langley, BC, they’ve built a strong reputation for quality
Anthem Executive Assists the University of Montevallo With President Search
Anthem Executive has assisted in the recruitment of Michelle R. Johnston as the first female president of the University of Montevallo (UM). Michael Ballew, Scott Watson, Mike “JR” Wheless, and Florene Stawowy led the assignment. Dr. Johnston has served as the president of Georgia Southwestern State University since 2024. Prior to her current presidency, she served as president of three other higher education
Mercuri Urval Appoints Non-Executive Director
Stockholm, Sweden-based executive search firm Mercuri Urval (MU) has announced that Jan Sasse, partner at AlterInvest, was named as non-executive director to the MU group board. He will join the current board members Cecilia Strand, Mieke Weijenberg, Cecilia Beer, Richard Moore, and chairman Roger Hagafors. “We are pleased to welcome Jan Sasse as non-executive director of the MU
M&A Becomes a Capability-Driven Acquisition Strategy
EY-Parthenon is forecasting an eight percent increase in U.S. deal volume for transactions exceeding $100 million in 2026, underscoring how central M&A remains to corporate strategy. Yet beneath the headline numbers sits a more important story. The role of acquisitions is evolving. Companies are no longer pursuing deals primarily for scale or market share. Increasingly,
The Hidden Challenges Every First-Time CEO Faces
The corner office has never been more accessible—or more demanding. As boards increasingly turn to a new generation of leaders to navigate disruption, growth, and transformation, first-time CEOs are stepping into roles that require a fundamentally different set of skills than those that propelled them to the top. While many arrive with impressive track records,
Myers McRae Assists Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology with Provost Search
Following a nationwide search, Macon, GA-based Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting has assisted in the recruitment of Richie Roberts as provost of Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology. Kenny Daugherty and Brianna Douglas led the assignment. Dr. Roberts’ selection was guided by a search committee of OSUIT administrators, faculty, staff and students, which was assisted by national search firm Myers McRae. “The entire
Lancer Group Recruits Chief Technology Officer for Minitab
La Jolla, CA-headquartered search firm Lancer Group has recruited Kevin Gordon as chief technology officer of Minitab. “We’re excited to welcome Kevin Gordon as chief technology officer at Minitab,” the company said. “This is an exciting step forward in the evolution of our technology strategy and will help accelerate innovation across our organization and solutions platform.” “Kevin brings
Friisberg & Partners International Names Managing Partner of its Copenhagen Office
Fribourg, Switzerland-headquartered Friisberg & Partners International has expanded with the addition of Birgitte Olrik as managing partner of its Copenhagen office, strengthening the firm’s presence in the Nordic region and supporting the continued execution of our international growth strategy. “The future of executive search belongs to firms that combine exceptional local expertise with international reach,” said Zoltán Pethő,
Attracting the Right CHRO Starts with the Right Job Description
Hiring a head of HR is one of the most consequential leadership decisions an organization can make, yet many companies struggle to define the role in a way that reflects their actual needs. The most effective job descriptions go beyond qualifications and responsibilities, offering candidates a clear picture of the challenges, priorities, and business objectives
Coulter Partners Recruits Chief Medical Officer for Neumirna Therapeutics
Life sciences recruiting specialist Coulter Partners has placed Ferenc Tracik as chief medical officer of Neumirna Therapeutics. “Neumirna has reached an inflection point: the question is no longer whether the science works, but how quickly we can translate it into an option for patients with urgent unmet need. Ferenc has the experience to get us there,” said Ellen
McCormack + Kristel Seeking CEO for Central New York ON RAMP
McCormack + Kristel is currently seeking a CEO for Central New York ON RAMP. New York State Empire State Development (ESD) recently engaged CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity (CenterState CEO), an business leadership and economic development organization, to lead, incubate, and launch the Central New York One Network for Regional Advanced Manufacturing Projects (ON RAMP). The
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,
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
How Functional C-Suite Roles Are Changing
Functional C-suite roles are being reshaped by rising complexity, pushing companies to build leadership teams that are not only individually strong but strategically integrated across the enterprise. Spencer Stuart has long tracked the evolution of key functional C-suite roles as part of its client work. Specifically, the firm found that senior functional roles have become
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
Altair Executive Search Launches
Veteran executive search consultant Shawn Woessner has launched Altair Executive Search in Minneapolis, MN. Altair was founded to cater to small- and mid-market organizations as they look to find top-quality talent to drive significant enterprise value. “The global firms have largely ignored serving our targeted clients,” said Mr. Woessner. “Our white-glove, customized search approach combined
True’s Climate Tech Practice Grows Leadership Team
Global talent provider True has named Paul Gilkerson to co-head of its climate tech practice and added Wrendon Hunt to lead climate tech’s industrial and manufacturing sector. “Paul and Wrendon exemplify the innovative leaders that make True the world’s best talent partner to clients taking advantage of the investment opportunities of today,” said Andy Towne, co-head of the climate tech practice. “Paul’s experience
