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New IANS and Artico Search Report Finds Only 34 Percent of Cybersecurity Professionals Plan to Stay in Their Current Roles
Only 34 percent of cybersecurity professionals plan to stay with their current employer, highlighting declining job satisfaction across the field and challenging CISOs to be aggressive and innovative in how they retain talent in a challenging labor market, according to IANS and Artico Search’s just released 2026 Cybersecurity Talent Report. As organizations rely on their
How AI Workflows Are Transforming Executive Search
In the rapidly evolving landscape of work, artificial intelligence is no longer a distant concept; it is a present force reshaping industries, redefining roles, and reimagining possibilities. At The Energists, a Houston-based boutique search firm, they have embraced this transformation not with trepidation, but with strategic intent. “Each day, we witness firsthand how AI-enabled workflows are enhancing
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.
Brettschneider Executive Search Seeking Inaugural SVP of Advancement for Wilmington University
New York City-based Brettschneider Executive Search has been retained by Wilmington University (WilmU) to lead in its search for an inaugural senior vice president of advancement to lead the University’s next phase of philanthropic growth. Reporting to WilmU president LaVerne Harmon, the SVP will partner closely with the president, board and University leaders to advance the University’s strategic
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?
August Leadership Expands in London
August Leadership has expanded with the addition of Honor Pollok as a partner in London. Ms. Pollok brings over 20 years of executive search and leadership experience. She has led numerous high-profile placements in chair, non-executive director, CEO and the full spectrum of C-suite roles. Her search expertise spans key commercial, financial, creative, human resource, functional,
Hunt Scanlon and HSiQ Spotlight New Approach to Recruiter Training
As the executive search industry faces mounting pressure to improve performance and consistency, firms are increasingly reevaluating how recruiters are trained and developed. Hunt Scanlon and its HSiQ talent intelligence advisory unit recently launched a new Recruiter Performance Training Program designed to bring greater structure, commercial rigor, and scalability to recruiter development in an industry long driven by
Building Team Alignment in an Era of Continuous Change
Ask any team to describe its top strategic priorities and you will often get as many answers as there are people in the room. The problem is not that the strategy hasn’t been communicated, according to recent report from AIIR Consulting. “The problem is that it was communicated into an environment that has since shifted
Isaacson, Miller Helps Recruit 28th President for Texas A&M
Boston-based Isaacson, Miller has assisted in the recruitment of Susan Ballabina as the 28th president of Texas A&M. Andy Lee and Julie Filizetti, led search with Raul Bernal and Luciano Zuniga, and Madeline Fitzpatrick. The members of the Board of Regents conducted a national search that produced a strong pool of candidates. Dr. Ballabina emerged through that process based on her experience, her understanding of
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
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,
Top 10 Executive Search M&A Deals for 2025
M&A activity in the human capital sector is holding up well despite a choppy macro backdrop, with deal interest staying steady even as founders weigh risk more carefully. In Hunt Scanlon Media’s latest polling, a majority of executive search firm owners signaled they would consider a transaction, underscoring how succession planning, scale pressures, and shifting
Hanold Associates Seeks Head of HR and Diversity for the New York Giants
Hanold Associates HR & Diversity Executive Search has been selected by professional football’s New York Giants to lead the search for a head of human resources and diversity. The assignment is being led by Jason Hanold, Lisa Yae, Ivy Arlia, and Meg McElroy. As the Giants organization has grown and evolved, the need for more rigor around the
Axiom Acquires Plexus’ Legal Talent Division Plexus Engage
Axiom, a global provider of on-demand legal talent, has acquired Plexus Engage, a subsidiary of Australian headquartered legal technology company Plexus. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Plexus Engage offers experienced, flexible lawyers for in-house legal teams to support projects or augment capacity. This acquisition further advances Axiom’s long-term M&A and geographic expansion
Answering the Growing Call for Interim Executive Talent
The trend toward executive-level interim services has only been growing in recent years. But now, as private equity firms grow savvier about their use of talent and prospects for the economy have dimmed, more companies are embracing short-term, temporary leadership. For recruiters like The Christopher Group (TCG), a leading HR executive search firm, this shift
Will Hot M&A Recruiting Market Cool and Reset Valuations?
Acquisitions made big news in the recruiting industry this year, and for good reason. Outside investors finally caught on to the sector’s expansion potential and long growth runway ahead. Top search leaders also found ways to maximize profit (cutting back on office space helped every search firm achieve a better bottom line in 2022). That
Diversified Search Group Places Board Member for Atkore
Diversified Search Group (DSG), a leading search firm backed by private equity firm ShoreView Industries, has placed Joanne Edwards onto the board of directors of Atkore, a $3 billion electrical products manufacturer. Diversified managing director Lauren Smith led the assignment. “Joanne brings great value to the board,” said Ms. Smith. “She ran a $1 billion
Meeting the Challenge of Deglobalization
Beyond the health crisis it created, COVID-19 in many ways changed the world. In business and our work lives, the pandemic sparked and accelerated shifts that had already been stirring, driving them to the forefront, from the rise of technology and remote work to a greater emphasis on work-life balance. Concern about supply chains, meanwhile,
Targeting the Right Talent Pools
Whether you call it the Great Resignation, the Great Reshuffle, or any of the many names given to the COVID-era hiring woes, the fact remains that hiring in the CX world is tough these days. Competition for talent is intense, employees are changing their priorities, and the result is a frustratingly large number of job
JDG Associates Tapped by the Andrews Federal Credit Union to Fill VP of IT Security Role
Rockville, MD-based executive search firm JDG Associates has been retained by the Andrews Federal Credit Union to lead its search for a vice president of IT security. Andrews Federal is seeking an inspiring, transformational leader who will be responsible for evolving and driving its security strategy across corporate systems, networks, branches, and third-party SaaS applications to safely serve
Herbert Mines Associates Recruits CEO for Walden Local Meat Co.
New York-based retail and consumer focused executive search firm Herbert Mines Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Nancy Pak as the new chief executive officer of Walden Local Meat Co., a direct-to-consumer share program that hand-delivers meat to members’ doorsteps from farms across the Northeast. “As a founder, searching for a new CEO can be a
Hunt Club and Parentaly Partner to Help Companies Adopt Equitable Parental Leave Programs
Chicago-headquartered referral recruiting service Hunt Club has formed a strategic partnership with Parentaly, a start-up helping companies large and small turn parental leave into a competitive advantage. Hunt Club and Parentaly are joining forces to help companies attract and retain talent through actionable initiatives, such as more thoughtful parental leave programs. The companies pointed out
TurnkeyZRG Places Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker as Next Head of NCAA
TurnkeyZRG has assisted in the recruitment Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker as the next president of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the major governing body for intercollegiate athletics, effective in March of next year. Gov. Baker’s term as governor ends on Jan. 5. He succeeds Mark Emmert, who will continue to serve the NCAA as
Bespoke Partners Offers Two-Year Executive Placement Guarantee
San Diego, CA-headquartered executive search firm Bespoke Partners has announced a two-year guarantee on executive placements with the company’s leadership assessment service. “Doubling the industry standard of one-year guarantees on executive placements, the two-year guarantee from Bespoke Partners ensures placed executives will remain with client companies for at least 24 months,” the firm said. “The new guarantee is
ON Partners Places Chief Sales Officer and Chief Marketing Officer at Guru
Daniel Bolger and Jake Espenlaub of ON Partners have helped to place Dan Thompson as chief sales officer and Jeff Perkins as chief marketing officer at Greenlight Guru, a provider of cloud-based software solutions for MedTech companies. “Dan and Jeff are joining Greenlight Guru as we enter a new chapter of expansion, innovation, and scale,”
SPMB Recruits General Counsel for Aven
SPMB, an executive search firm that helps find transformative executives throughout Silicon Valley, has assisted in placing Ronald Chillemi as general counsel of Aven. The search was led by Sarah Auten, client partner at SPMB. Mr. Chillemi is a general counsel with 10+ years experience leading cross-functional teams on major growth projects including optimizing partnerships
HIEC Expands Search Staff
Global search firm H.I. Executive Consulting (HIEC) has named Robert Dunn as a partner in the software & technology practice, based in Denver, CO. “We are excited to have Robert join us in our software & technology practice, our firm is growing at a rapid pace and Robert’s knowledge of the sector, along with his
How CEOs are Managing Today’s Challenges
The demands placed on corporate leadership seem to have skyrocketed. Being the boss has never been easy, but in the wake of the pandemic, a CEO’s path to success has only become more fraught with challenge and complexity, according to a recent report from Slayton Search Partners’ Richard Slayton. “Add to that the rising tides
Academic Search Seeks Provost for University of New Haven
Education-focused executive recruiter Academic Search has been tapped to find the next provost and senior vice president for academic affairs (SVPAA) for the University of New Haven in West Haven, CT. The assignment is being led by senior consultants Maria Thompson and Cynthia M. Patterson, along with associate consultant Lisa C. Rosenberg. As the chief
5 Tips for Hiring Faster at Your Company
If you’ve put out job listings and had no applicants to show for them, a new report from The Christopher Group (TCG) notes to take a step back and evaluate your hiring process. “Alternatively, you could have too many applicants and struggle to get through them all,” said Nat Schiffer, author of the report. “Keep reading
Egon Zehnder Recruits CEO for Blue Diamond Growers
Leadership advisory firm Egon Zehnder has assisted agricultural cooperative and global consumer packaged goods (CPG) leader Blue Diamond Growers in the recruitment of Kai Bockmann as its new president and chief executive officer. The board selected Mr. Bockmann after working with Egon Zehnder to recruit and consider candidates from across the country. He will succeed
Kestria Adds New Member Firm in Africa
Kestria, formerly known as IRC Global Executive Search Partners, has added Invictus Hill in Zambia, Africa as its newest member firm. “Africa is an exciting part of the world in terms of growth, development, and new opportunities,” said Rohan Carr, Kestria’s president. “We look forward to a long and happy association with our new member
ZRG Closes Secondary Equity Investment
ZRG, a global talent advisory firm and portfolio company of a global talent advisory firm and portfolio company of RFE Investment Partners, today announced that it has secured a new secondary equity investment from a consortium of new and existing institutional investors led by Timber Bay Partners. “We see tremendous opportunity to acquire great businesses
Supporting PE Growth & Valuation During Market Volatility
At the start of 2022, boards advised CEOs to take an aggressive approach to growth in all forms: top line revenue, margin expansion, and market share. As the year has unfolded, variables ranging from the war in eastern Europe, divisive mid-term elections in the U.S., inflation, and rising interest rates have created a drag on
Kincannon & Reed Recruits CEO for Burcon NutraScience Corporation
Agribusinesses worldwide face a host of challenges as they navigate their complicated mission of feeding the growing world population. This has led to high demand for new leaders among food businesses and agricultural organizations. Executive recruitment firm Kincannon & Reed, which exclusively focuses on food, agribusiness, and the related life sciences, recently placed alternative and specialty protein space
BridgeStreet Partners Fills Senior Positions for Communities Foundation of Texas
BridgeStreet Partners recently filled three senior roles for Communities Foundation of Texas. The search firm recruited Jim Berry as chief financial officer, Truman Greene as chief human resources officer, and Roger Santone as chief information officer for the non-profit organization. “As Communities Foundation of Texas has continued to grow, a top propriety has been ensuring its
Renovata & Company Recruits CEO for Boost.ai
Global executive search and private equity advisory firm Renovata & Company has placed Jerry Haywood as chief executive officer for Boost.ai, a global leader in conversational artificial intelligence for Fortune 1000 companies. He will succeed founder and current CEO Lars Ropeid Selsås, who will give greater focus to product development and innovation. “Jerry has more than
Today’s General Counsel is Helping Drive Strategy, and More
Given the environment that businesses operate in today, the general counsel role has become a critical, and invaluable, member of leadership teams everywhere, with no end in sight for the demand for these leaders. With that said, lawyerly advice is hardly this senior executive’s most important contribution. With their insights into virtually every aspect of
Talent’s Role in Shifting to the Cloud
Everyone is talking about the journey to the cloud. Before the pandemic, 88 percent of all organizations had begun the transition, although most are only a short way into that journey. Most enterprises are only at 20 percent of full cloud integration, says one study, by IBM and McKinsey. The reason most companies are still
Caldwell Recruits Chief Customer Experience Officer for Western Financial Group Insurance Solutions
Customers matter. It sounds simple. But these days, companies are coming to better accept and understand that concept and weave it into their strategic vision. So it is that businesses of all kinds are increasingly bringing aboard chief customer officers (CCO), the most effective of whom wield influence across an organization and into the C-suite.
ON Partners Recruits Chief Commercial Officer for Vivodyne
Andy Hickman and Alex Pelak of ON Partners recently assisted in the recruitment of Susan Billings as chief commercial officer of Philadelphia-based biotechnology company Vivodyne. “Dr. Billings brings an exceptionally rare combination of world-class experience in commercial strategy, strong character, and deep scientific expertise to Vivodyne,” said Andrei Georgescu, CEO. “I cannot overstate how thrilled we
The Barton Partnership Appoints Executive Chair
The Barton Partnership, a U.K.-based executive search firm, has appointed Tara Ricks as its executive chair. “Securing Tara as executive chair is a coup for the company,” said Nicholas Barton, founder. “Her track record, extensive experience, and industry credentials speak for themselves, and I have no doubt she will add tremendous value to our growth
Talent Management in a Hot Market and What CEOs are Thinking
Talent management – the strategy behind recruiting, developing, and maintaining employees, especially top-performers – has been important to companies for decades. But since COVID upended workforce norms, talent management has become priority No. 1. With personnel in the driver’s seat, it’s a hot market, say executive recruiters. As the pandemic edged toward an endemic, people
