DAILY NEWSWIRE - TOP STORIES
Daily Newswire
Kirk Palmer Associates Recruits Chief Commercial Officer for The Aspen Group
Retail-focused executive search firm Kirk Palmer Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Rafeh Masood as chief commercial officer of The Aspen Group, one of the largest retail healthcare support organizations in the U.S. The search team consisted of Lindsay Stevens, Courtney Schluender, Brian Busse, and Sarah Basto. In his new role, Mr. Masood is responsible for brand strategy, go-to-market, patient
U.S. Adds 115,000 Jobs in April as Unemployment Holds at 4.3 Percent
Employment increased by 115,000 in April 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 7.2 million, changed little in April. Job gains occurred in healthcare, transportation and warehousing, and retail trade. Federal government employment continued to decline. Among the major worker
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.
Why Succession Planning Is Critical to Reducing Leadership Risk
Most organizations have something they refer to as a succession plan — a spreadsheet, a nine-box grid updated once a year and then put away, or an annual HR review. But very few can answer the question that truly matters: if a critical leader left tomorrow, would the organization be able to keep executing? That’s
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?
Rokos Group Seeking Chief Medical Officer for Center for Elders’ Independence
Newport Beach, CA-based executive search firm Rokos Group has been selected by Center for Elders’ Independence (CEI) to lead in its search for a chief medical officer. Reporting to the president and CEO, the chief medical officer will serve as CEI’s senior physician executive and a full member of the executive leadership team. This is a strategic
ADK Consulting & Executive Search Assists the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority with CEO Search
ADK Consulting & Executive Search recently assisted in the recruitment of Cris Jensen as the new president and CEO of the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority (RTAA). Rod Dinger led the assignment. “It is my honor to announce the board has chosen Cris Jensen to serve as the next president and CEO, and his contract negotiations are currently underway,” said Shaun Carey, chair of
How CEOs Can Overcome Setbacks and Emerge Stronger
Executive search firms are increasingly being called upon to assess more than a candidate’s track record of growth, transformation, and financial performance. As boards search for CEOs capable of leading through persistent uncertainty, resilience has become a critical component of the leadership profile. Search consultants are placing greater emphasis on how executives have responded to
Occam Global Recruits CFO for eGenesis
New York City-based executive search firm Occam Global has placed Glenn Vraniak as CFO of eGenesis, a biotechnology company developing human-compatible engineered organs for transplantation. “eGenesis is entering a pivotal stage in our evolution as we prepare to advance our programs through clinical development and lay the foundation for future commercialization,” said Mike Curtis, CEO of eGenesis.
Maven Partnership Names Partner and Consultants
Global talent advisory firm Maven Partnership has recently promoted Tom Chambers to partner, Seb Coughlin as consultant, and George Roberts to consultant. “We are delighted to announce the well-deserved promotions of several exceptional individuals here at Maven Partnership, Will Hannaford, chief executive officer. “We’re committed to the growth and development of our people, and it’s fantastic to
The Execution Era: How Transformation Is Reshaping Private Equity
Most PE value creation plans don’t fail on strategy. They fail between the plan and the doing. With longer holds and less forgiving exit windows, delivery discipline is carrying more of the return, according to a new report from Wilton & Bain’s Jack Syred and James Royall. The report reflects patterns Wilton & Bain has
JDG Associates Retained by the Institute for Defense Analyses to Lead VP of Corporate Operations Search
Rockville, MD-based executive search firm JDG Associates has been tapped by the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) to lead its search for their vice president of corporate operations, based in Alexandria, VA. IDA seeks a seasoned operational and business transformation leader to modernize systems, processes, and service delivery across the organization. Serving as a corporate officer and
Modern Executive Solutions adds Partner to Lead Growth of M1 Talent Community
Atlanta-based talent consultancy Modern Executive Solutions has appointed Bria Bass as as partner, where she will lead the continued growth and expansion of the M1 Talent Community across North America and Europe. “Bria brings a rare combination of executive advisory, deep community-building experience, and an exceptional ability to connect leaders in meaningful ways,” said Mark Oppenheimer, CEO
AI Is Rewriting the Executive Hiring Playbook
Insight Partners’ latest research suggests the AI era is creating a new executive hiring playbook. Based on more than 400 executive searches and interviews with over 1,400 leadership candidates, the firm’s talent team argues that many of the characteristics defining today’s strongest product and engineering leaders would have been viewed as weaknesses only a few years
FMG Leading Acquires Market Intelligence And Strategic Advisory Firm BroadBranch Advisors
Human capital advisory firm FMG Leading has acquired market intelligence and strategic advisory firm BroadBranch Advisors. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “In today’s high-pressure landscape, translating forward-looking intelligence into action faster and more effectively is critical for our clients, especially in the investor-backed healthcare space,” said Matt Brubaker, chairman and CEO of FMG Leading. “By
PARC Street Group Places Chief Operating Officer for Mission Valley Bank
PARC Street Group has assisted in the recruitment Amanda Connell as chief operating officer at Mission Valley Bank. This search was completed by PARC Street Group senior executive search consultant Michelle Davis, executive recruiter Tabassum Nagpurwala, and executive search associate Priscilla Chacon. Ms. Connell brings more than 15 years of progressive leadership experience across community
Hunt Scanlon and HSiQ Build a New Performance Model for Executive Recruiters
As the executive search industry faces growing pressure to deliver stronger and more consistent results, firms are reassessing how recruiters are trained, developed, and prepared to meet changing client demands. A few months ago, Hunt Scanlon and its HSiQ Talent Intelligence advisory unit introduced the Recruiter Performance Training Program, a practical, execution-focused system designed to
U.S. Payrolls Fall by 23,000 in July as Unemployment Rate Dips to 4.1 Percent
Employment fell by 23,000 in July as the U.S. unemployment rate stood at 4.1 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. The number of unemployed people, at 6.9 million, changed little in July. Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rates for teenagers (12.1 percent) and people who are Hispanic (4.6 percent) declined
Parker Remick Expands with New Partner
Seattle, WA-based Parker Remick has appointed Adam Szepkouski as partner of consulting excellence. The firm explained that this hire reflects a broader push to refine execution and scale delivery as demand for senior technology leaders accelerates. The appointment comes at a time of structural change in technology leadership. AI is reshaping how technology organizations are built and
The Data Migration Paralysis Problem: Why Firms Stay on Old Platforms Too Long
Technology has become a defining competitive advantage for executive search firms, yet many organizations continue to rely on aging platforms that no longer innovate. While artificial intelligence, automation, and data-driven workflows are reshaping the industry, the hesitation to replace legacy systems often leaves firms struggling with inefficiencies that quietly accumulate over time. The greatest obstacle
Recruiterflow Offers Four-Step Playbook for Building an AI-Native Search Firm
Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how executive search firms identify talent, manage information, engage candidates, and serve clients. But adopting an AI-powered platform alone does not make a recruiting organization AI-native. The larger challenge is integrating technology across the search lifecycle in ways that improve decision-making, strengthen execution, and allow consultants to devote more attention
Kirk Palmer Associates Recruits Chief Merchandising Officer for Belk
Retail-focused executive search firm Kirk Palmer Associates has helped to recruit Molly Taylor as chief merchandising officer at retailer Belk, where she will lead merchandising strategy and vision across all product categories. Melissa Sussberg and Alexa Liebman led the assignment. Ms. Taylor is a merchandising executive with over 30 years of experience connecting topline vision to bottom-line performance
The Forces Reshaping Executive Search
As organizations face accelerating business transformation, leadership succession, and rapid advances in artificial intelligence, the demands placed on executive search firms continue to evolve. Clients are looking for more than candidate identification—they increasingly expect strategic guidance, deeper market intelligence, and advisors capable of helping them navigate an increasingly complex leadership landscape. Those themes emerged consistently
Bryant Group Fills Senior Position for the University of Washington
Dallas-based executive search and talent development firm Bryant Group has assisted in the recruitment of Justin Michalka as vice president for university development at the University of Washington (UW). The search was led by firm president Chris Bingley. “I’m delighted to welcome Justin to the University of Washington,” said Mary Gresch, senior vice president for university advancement. “He is a
SPMB Expands Financial Officer and Private Equity Practices
SPMB Executive Search has appointed Christy Mihos as a partner in the firm’s financial officer and private equity practices. “Christy is one of the most accomplished CFO search practitioners in the market, and we are thrilled to welcome him to SPMB,” said Dave Mullarkey, managing partner at SPMB. “His track record of advising PE firms and technology companies on
Executive Talent Market Faces New Pressures as AI and Private Equity Reshape Leadership Demand
The executive talent market continues to tighten as private investment accelerates, experienced leaders retire, and organizations compete for executives capable of driving growth and transformation. At the same time, artificial intelligence is changing the capabilities companies expect from senior leaders, while consulting and private equity firms rethink how they build leadership teams and evaluate potential.
Carpenter Legal Search Recruits General Counsel for Park Corporation
Legal recruiting remains an active area for executive search firms as corporations, law firms, government agencies, and other organizations compete for experienced legal talent. Employment of lawyers is projected to grow four percent from 2024 to 2034, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, with approximately 31,500 openings expected each year as employers add
Signium Opens New Office in Hamburg, Germany
Executive search consortium Signium has opened a new office in Hamburg, Germany. The new office is led by Moritz Drerup, managing partner, who joined Signium with more than a decade of executive search experience and a highly focused practice in technology and AI leadership. The Hamburg office represents a natural evolution for Mr. Drerup’s established executive search practice, combining his specialist expertise with the reach,
Executive Search Strategies for Leadership Success
As organizations navigate rapid change, leadership decisions have become increasingly consequential, placing greater pressure on executive search firms to identify candidates who can deliver both immediate impact and long-term value. Success at the highest levels depends on far more than filling a vacancy—it requires a disciplined search strategy that combines market intelligence, rigorous assessment, and
Leverage AI in Your Job Search: When to Use It and When Not To
Artificial intelligence has been changing the way people search for jobs. From optimizing resumes to preparing for interviews, AI has become a valuable resource for candidates looking to streamline the process. The key is knowing how to use it effectively, according to a recent report from New York City headquartered executive search firm Solomon Page. “AI
The CFO Rewired: From Leading Finance to Driving Strategic Value
Today’s CFO plays an active role in shaping corporate strategy, managing risk, and driving long-term enterprise value. They navigate complexity, challenge the status quo, and act as the CEO’s co-pilot in an ever-changing environment. CFO influence now spans capital allocation, M&A, operational efficiency, and digital transformation, according to a recent report from True. “Today’s CFO
AGB Search Seeks President for Ohio University
Washington, D.C.-based AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, has been chosen to help find the next president of Ohio University. Hugh Sherman, who previously served as dean of the university’s College of Business, will be completing his two-year term in the role next year. Sally Mason, Larry Ladd, and Garry W. Owens are leading
Agilium Worldwide Adds Merrion Executive Search in Toronto
Global executive search consortium Agilium Worldwide has added Toronto-based boutique search and advisory firm Merrion Executive Search as its newest member firm. Merrion Executive Search works across many industries, partnering with global financial services organizations and international banks, fintechs and technology firms, recognized brands and start-ups. “Merrion is recognized for its personal touch and commitment to high
Senior Leaders Walking the Talk During Challenging Times
To put it simply, the pandemic served as wake-up call for organizations and employees as the way we worked changed. The need to “walk the talk” became imperative, meaning organizations needed to put their words into action, say DHR Global partners Maryanne Wanca-Thibault and Tim Wiseman, in a recent report. “Today’s workplace is undergoing a revolution in reorganization and
Best Ways to Build Relationships with Search Consultants
In the age of social media, it is remarkably easy to turn up statements of distrust and even vitriol toward job recruiters with a simple internet search, according to recent report from ECA Partners’ Tony Topoleski. “Quora questions and subreddits like r/recruitinghell are filled with horror stories of abuse, endless lies of omission, and ghost
The Millard Group Places Chief Revenue Officer of Juniper Networks
The Millard Group, which focuses on building executive teams for venture capital and private equity backed growth stage technology companies, has assisted in the recruitment of Chris Kaddaras as executive vice president and chief revenue officer of Juniper Networks, a provider of secure, AI-driven networks. Mr. Kaddaras, who will report to chief executive officer Rami
Scott Miller Executive Search Recruits CFO for Fairplex
San Francisco-based Scott Miller Executive Search has assisted in the recruitment of Steve Birdwell as the new vice president of administration and CFO of Fairplex. “We are excited to welcome Steve into the Fairplex family, especially as we embark on a new vision for the next century,” said Walter Marquez, president and CEO. “With the work we are
StevenDouglas Opens New Offices in Cleveland and Dallas
Executive search firm StevenDouglas has expanded with the addition of new offices in Cleveland and Dallas. The office in Cleveland will be focused on technology search and staffing while the office in Dallas will concentrate on finance and accounting. The firm has hired Bryan Krieger as managing director to lead the Cleveland location and Rob Parker as
Odgers Berndtson Seeks Chief Cybersecurity Officer for U.S. House of Representatives
Cyber attacks show no signs of abating. A report last year from Accenture, in fact, said the threat is only growing, with an average of 270 attacks per company, up 31 percent from 2020. A new report from McKinsey & Company, meanwhile, projects that damage from cyberattacks will amount to about $10.5 trillion annually by
Letting Employees Go During the Great Resignation
Over the past six months, Summit Leadership Partners’ Heather Gordon has had numerous intelligent and successful CEOs approach her for coaching to help determine if they should let someone on their team go. It’s a tough decision, particularly amidst the Great Resignation and the difficulties of hiring the right talent. “But even before our current economic
Artico Search Recruits Chief Revenue Officer for Showpad
Top-drawer chief revenue officers are commonly found at start-ups and smaller businesses and tend to the bottom line while the rest of the C-level team expands key partnerships, seeks growth opportunities, or sources funding. That is changing. Larger businesses now view the CRO post as an essential, long-term role. In one recent search, executive search firm.
Venor Seeking CFO for Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia
Halifax, Nova Scotia-based executive search firm Venor has been selected by Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS) to lead in its search for a new CFO. Shardeigh McGillivray is leading the assignment. The CFO is responsible for providing strategic leadership for the organization by working with the senior executive and operational executive teams to establish long-range strategies,
PageGroup Appoints CEO
Top leadership appointments, of men and women, have been gaining traction at executive search firms over the past year. Just recently, executive recruitment consultancy PageGroup appointed Nick Kirk as its new CEO. This follows the firm’s announcement in April that it had begun a process to identify Steve Ingham’s successor. The appointment of Mr. Kirk
How Executive Recruiters Shape the Professional Outcomes of Black Applicants
Today, most corporate organizations divulge their desire for greater black representation. However, after years of extensive promises and modest change, data suggest that organizations’ willingness and desire to embrace black applicants is predicated on more than their ethos of inclusion, according to a new report from ZRG Partners’ Kelly Lewis. “It’s equally grounded in their
Starfish Partners Acquires Direct Recruiters Inc.
Acquisitions and consolidations continue to make news in the recruiting industry, with a number of notable purchases in recent months. Starfish Partners, an investment and ownership platform for niched professional and mid-to-upper management search specialists, has acquired Direct Recruiters Inc. (DRI). Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Current Starfish Partners organizations include search firms
Academic Search Seeks Provost for New Mexico State University
Education-focused executive recruiter Academic Search has been enlisted to find the next provost and chief academic officer for New Mexico State University in La Cruces. In November, 2021, provost Carol Parker was placed on paid administrative leave after the NMSU Faculty Senate and the Associated Students of New Mexico State University passed resolutions of no-confidence in both
ON Partners Recruits CFO for ClearStar
Joe Olson and Aaron Clark of ON Partners assisted in the recruitment of Dave Morgan as the new CFO of ClearStar Inc., a provider of human capital integrity technology-based services in background and medical screening. “Dave has a proven track record of leading change at scale in technology and service organizations innovating in their fields,” said Chad Parodi, ClearStar’s CEO. “As
N2Growth Expands to Greece
N2Growth, a Philadelphia-based management consulting and executive search firm, has expanded to Greece with the appointment of Rebecca Pitsika as managing partner. Headquartered in Athens, Ms. Pitsika will be responsible for the firm’s operations in Greece and neighboring countries and will report directly to Kelli Vukelic, CEO of N2Growth. “I’m delighted to add Rebecca and her team
Correlations Between Executive Search and Sustainability
Sustainability acts as an umbrella term for companies and organizations focused on advancing social and environmental impact initiatives. Organizations are looking to implement transformational change and forward their sustainability/ESG agenda. These changemakers have provided insights on the ever-evolving nature of the sustainability executive search market, and its importance within the U.S. market in a new
Five Tips to Help Design the Chief Diversity Officer Role
A diverse workforce is essential to the success of an organization. And when it comes to building strong teams, successful organizations focus on developing a more inclusive culture that welcomes and supports diverse leaders and talent. Many companies have created diversity, equity, and inclusion roles to align with their strategic goals and create a sense
Harris Search Associates Recruits CHRO for Cuyahoga Community College
A number of universities have recently turned to search firms to find new chief human resources officers. Following an extensive national search that included a highly competitive candidate pool from across the country, Dublin, OH-based executive recruitment firm Harris Search Associates has recruited Dua’a (Dee) Weber as vice president and chief human resources officer of Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C)
Chartwell Partners Recruits CFO for Choice Health at Home
Executive search firm Chartwell Partners has placed Jeff Kreger as CFO of Choice Health at Home (Choice), one of the Southwest’s largest and fastest growing providers of home health, hospice, rehabilitation, and private duty services. Partner William Ward led the assignment. Mr. Kreger will partner with Choice’s CEO David Jackson, Choice’s leadership team, and the company’s financial
WittKieffer Appoints Chief Operating Officer
Oak Brook, IL-based search firm WittKieffer has named Christina Boiler as its chief operating officer. “Christina is well known for inspiring organizations to achieve excellence and meaningful change,” said Andrew Chastain, president and CEO of WittKieffer. “She brings a unique, diverse skill-set developed through previous senior leadership roles while possessing an eager willingness to explore new opportunities
How Recruiting Has Become the Hottest Seat in HR
The velocity of the post-COVID hiring bounce-back, spanning virtually all industries and geographies, caught many companies cold and took many by surprise. As organizations scramble to meet what is an extreme skill shortage in some areas, it should perhaps come as no surprise that the individuals tasked with identifying, attracting, and on-boarding the capabilities necessary
Unemployment Rate Stands at 3.7 Percent
Employment rose by 261,000 in October as the U.S. unemployment rate edged down to 3.7 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. Notable job gains occurred in healthcare, professional and technical services, and manufacturing. The number of unemployed persons edged down to 6.1 million in October. Among the major worker groups,
ZRG Partners Assists Center for Community Solutions with CEO Search
ZRG Partners recently completed a pro bono search for Center for Community Solutions (CCS), a San Diego-based non-profit dedicated to ending relationship and sexual violence, assisting in the recruitment of Cori Austin as the organization’s new chief executive officer. Robin Toft, Lisa McCann, and Sarah Cueto led the search. Ms. Austin, who has served as chief operating
Rosenzweig & Company Places Board Member for Blue Ant Media
Executive search firm Rosenzweig & Company has placed Lisa Hsia, former executive vice president of NBC Universal, as a new board member of Blue Ant Media, an international content producer, distributor, and channel operator. “Blue Ant was seeking a rare combination of digital transformation expertise and outstanding leadership and personal attributes in the media and entertainment space,
Ellig Group Forms Advisory Board
New York City-based Ellig Group has formed an advisory board consisting of 10 highly respected CEOs and board directors from various industries and non-profit organizations. “I am honored to have this amazing board, chaired by Truett Tate, to promote our vision of enhancing corporate cultures and good corporate governance with more diverse executives in senior level roles and
Executive Hiring Predictions Moving into 2023
Macro-environment factors have always had an impact, to some degree, for better and worse, on the jobs market, and in turn, the executive search industry. For the most part, the executive search industry has more than just weathered these tempests in the last two years. In fact, today, executive search firms are reporting they are busier than ever.
Navigating a Non-Profit Succession Plan
The executive director/CEO position in a non-profit organization is a central element in the organization’s success. Therefore, ensuring that the functions of the executive director/CEO are well understood and shared among senior staff and the board of directors is important for safeguarding the organization against unplanned or unexpected change. This kind of risk management is
Artico Search Recruits Chief Marketing Officer for parcelLab
As business becomes more complex and power shifts from producers of goods and services to consumers, the chief marketing officer’s job of planning and coordinating marketing activities has become more challenging — and much more influential. Mercedes Chatfield-Taylor, co-founder of Artico Search, recently recruited Sidra Berman as chief marketing officer of parcelLab, an operations experience management platform.
Greenwich Harbor Partners Recruits Board Members for Teach for America Miami-Dade
Although boards of directors are considered the backbones of organizations, director recruiting has grown markedly more challenging, say recruiters who conduct searches in that area. As a result, companies continue to turn to executive search firms to help find new board members. Recently, Greenwich Harbor Partners assisted in the recruitment of Romina Rosado and Deena LaMarque Piquion as
