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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
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.
Academic Search Seeking Provost for James Madison University
Education-focused executive recruitment firm Academic Search has been selected by James Madison University to lead in its search for a new provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. Senior consultant Ann Die Hasselmo, consultant Christopher Butler, and associate consultant Kate Cusimano are leading the assignment. The school seeks an innovative and responsive leader to serve as its next provost and senior
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?
ForceBrands Appoints Head of Executive Search
ForceBrands, a hiring and talent solutions partner for the consumer industry, has strengthened its executive search practice with the addition of Brian Waivada. He will lead the team and oversee the practice’s continued expansion. “This appointment builds on the strength and momentum of our executive search practice,” said Rob Ganjon, CEO of ForceBrands. “We’ve spent
Potential vs. Performance: Rethinking the Leadership Pipeline
Being a successful business leader has always been associated with a fast-paced management style, but today more than ever, leaders must constantly adapt and be prepared to navigate rapid change. Leadership roles across organizations of all types have become increasingly complex, requiring the ability to balance competing priorities at the same time. In this environment,
DHR Global Grows Sports Practice with Jobplex’s Acquisition of Ascension Sports Partners
Jobplex, the Chicago-based partner company of DHR Global, has acquired Ascension Sports Partners, an executive search and talent advisory firm specializing in sports, entertainment, and collegiate athletics. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Ascension founder and president Dan Rossetti joins Jobplex as a partner, working alongside DHR’s sports practice. “This acquisition marks an important expansion of
Russell Reynolds Associates Tapped by the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization to Lead CEO Search
Global leadership advisory firm Russell Reynolds Associates has been retained by the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) to lead in its search for a new president and chief executive officer. Andrew Kriegler, its inaugural president and CEO, has informed the board of directors that he will not be seeking a further term. The board has commenced the
The Moran Company Recruits CEO for The Arc of New Mexico
The Moran Company, an executive recruitment firm that specializes in the non-profit sector, has placed Tracie Fletcher as the new executive director of The Arc of New Mexico. Senior search consultant Bruce Scott led the assignment. “Tracie brings a 25-year track record of leadership in non-profit, government, and community organizations,” The Arc of New Mexico said in a
Solomon Page Launches AI Retained Executive Search Practice
New York City headquartered executive search firm Solomon Page has launched a retained executive search practice dedicated to artificial intelligence leadership. The practice is led by managing director Ryan Kellner. The practice partners with organizations in financial services, healthcare, life sciences, and venture-backed technology to place chief AI officers, heads of AI, heads of data science, and
Ema Raises $77 Million in Funding
Enterprise adoption of artificial intelligence is moving beyond experimentation as companies look for tools that can deliver measurable outcomes across core business functions. As organizations seek to automate more complex workflows in areas such as HR, IT, and finance, investors are increasingly backing platforms designed to operate at enterprise scale rather than remain stuck in
The Counteroffer Dilemma: What Candidates Need to Know Before Resigning
Landing the job offer of your dreams should be the culmination of a successful search process. But for many professionals, one of the most difficult parts comes after the offer is accepted: telling a current employer they are leaving. A recent report from The Bridger Group examines how companies respond when valued employees resign and
True Launches Boutique Search Practice for Venture-Backed Companies
Global executive talent platform True has launched True Venture Studios, a boutique executive search practice serving founders and venture-backed companies across AI infrastructure, HardTech, SpaceTech, DefenseTech, Fintech, healthcare, and life sciences, among others. “True Venture Studios is our way of reasserting our roots, giving founders a dedicated team that moves at their speed and fights for the
Vetted Solutions Recruits CEO for GO2 for Lung Cancer
Washington, D.C.-based Vetted Solutions has placed David Benson as the new CEO of GO2 for Lung Cancer. “David is an exceptional leader with a deep commitment to improving the lives of people affected by cancer,” said GO2 board president Rick Sherlock. “His collaborative leadership style, strategic vision, and ability to build meaningful partnerships make him the right
TalentRise Assists Grassroots Gardens of WNY with Executive Director Search
TalentRise has assisted in the recruitment of Megan Kelly as the new executive director of Grassroots Gardens of WNY. “We’re thrilled to announce Meg Kelly as the new executive director of Grassroots Gardens WNY,” the organization said. “Meg brings experience to our garden network from her work with the region’s business and entrepreneurship community, and enters
Private Equity Firms Rethink Executive Hiring for Future Growth
PE investors routinely underwrite businesses based on their future state. For example, an investment thesis may assume a restaurant company will double its unit count, accelerate franchising, expand geographically, complete acquisitions, improve margins, or become significantly more institutionalized during the hold period. Executive hiring, however, often remains anchored to the present, according to a new
ON Partners Recruits CFO for Fortera
Partners Josh Nathanson and Chris Clements along with principal Alexis Rohe of ON Partners have placed Albert Luu as the new CFO of cement manufacturer Fortera in San Jose, CA. “Fortera is at a stage where the work we’ve done to prove the technology now has to be matched by our ability to finance and execute at scale,”
BoardWalk Consulting Assists Downtown Atlanta with CEO Search
BoardWalk Consulting has recruited Kyle Waide as the new CEO of Downtown Atlanta Inc. (DAI) to lead in its search for a CEO. The search was led by Sam Pettway, Crystal Stephens, and Patti Kish. The search committee began its work in April of 2026 under the leadership of Egbert Perry, CEO, Integral Group; longtime member of CAP and
SearchWide Global Recruits President and CEO for Visit California
SearchWide Global has helped to recruit Julie Coker as the new president and CEO of Visit California. She succeeds longtime leader Caroline Beteta, who announced her retirement earlier this year. The assignment was led by Mike Gamble, chairman, CEO, and co-founder of SearchWide. The appointment is the culmination of a comprehensive global search conducted in partnership
JM Search Expands Search Team
JM Search, a senior-level talent provider serving private equity investors, portfolio companies, and Fortune 1000s, has expanded with the additions of Amber Shockey as partner within its legal practice and Curtis Walker as principal within its media & telecommunications team. “Continued private equity investment across legal services, legal-adjacent businesses, and professional sports is elevating the importance of
Interim or Executive Search? Choosing the Right Leadership Solution
Interim leadership has moved well beyond being a stopgap solution for unexpected vacancies. As organizations face greater complexity, faster strategic shifts, and mounting pressure to deliver results, boards and CEOs are increasingly turning to experienced interim leaders as a flexible way to maintain momentum and address critical business needs. For executive search firms, that shift
Funk Associates Assists the University of North Florida with the Recruitment of Eighth President
Funk Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Michael P. Shannon as the eighth president of the University of North Florida (UNF). Past president Moez Limayem stepped down from his position in early 2026. “Mike Shannon is the leader who can build on UNF’s strong momentum and continue to elevate the University’s incredible impact across our
DHR Global Recruits President of Business Operations for the Pittsburgh Penguins
Talent advisory firm DHR Global has placed Marcel Braithwaite as president of business operations for the Pittsburgh Penguins. This search was led by Mike Gagliardi and Glenn Sugiyama of DHR’s sports practice. “Marcel is going to be a transformational hire for one of the NHL’s premier teams,” said Mr. Sugiyama, managing partner of DHR’s sports practice. “I had the
Mercuri Urval Expands International Public and ESG Expert Practice
Stockholm, Sweden-based executive search firm Mercuri Urval (MU) has expanded with the addition of former Danish government minister Astrid Krag to its international public and ESG expert practice. “With Astrid’s extensive experience in international public affairs, strong commitment to ESG and sustainability, and deep understanding of life sciences, she brings a valuable combination of expertise and
ZRG Partners Acquires N2Growth’s Spain Business
ZRG Partners has entered the Spanish market through the acquisition of the business formerly known as Blacksmith that had been doing business since 2023 under the umbrella of N2Growth. Through this integration, ZRG enters the Spanish market with an established local team and the goal of offering Spanish and international clients agile, high-touch advisory backed by
Family Offices Move Into Human Capital M&A
Altss’ latest ranking, The 50 Largest Family Offices in the World (2026), illustrates the scale family capital has reached. The 50 largest offices collectively manage an estimated $2.4 trillion, with the top 10 controlling more than $1.5 trillion. Twenty-eight of the top 50 are headquartered in North America, while private equity represents their largest average portfolio allocation
The Leadership Pipeline Crisis: AI’s Hidden Cost
Companies everywhere are celebrating leaner teams, faster execution, and higher productivity thanks to AI, according to HIRECLOUT. From a business perspective, the logic is easy to understand, according to Avetis Antaplyan, founder and CEO of HIRECLOUT. “Investors reward efficiency,” Mr. Antaplyan said. “Leaders are under pressure to do more with less. Automation is eliminating repetitive
Klein Hersh Recruits CFO for Sparrow Pharmaceuticals
Klein Hersh, a search firm focused on the life sciences and healthcare industries, has recruited George Eldridge as the new CFO of Sparrow Pharmaceuticals, a targeted cardiometabolic therapeutics company. “We are thrilled to welcome George to Sparrow at such an important time for our company,” said Robert Jacks, president and CEO of Sparrow Pharmaceuticals. “George
McCormack + Kristel Seeking Executive Director for NEXT Harm Reduction
McCormack + Kristel has been retained by NEXT Harm Reduction (NEXT Distro) to lead in its search for an executive director. This is a rare opportunity for a visionary leader and skilled fundraiser to take a nationally recognized organization with an urgent mandate and grow it to the scale the moment demands. Reporting to the board
Zemantics Ventures Expands Healthcare Workforce Platform with Dual Acquisition
Hunt Scanlon Ventures has served as buy-side M&A advisor to Zemantics Ventures in its acquisition of Consilium360 and MedWell360, strengthening Zemantics’ healthcare services portfolio and expanding its enterprise workforce and operational solutions capabilities nationwide. The deals bring together complementary capabilities across healthcare HR strategy, workforce process optimization, scheduling, and access center operations — forming a more integrated, technology-enabled
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
Mogul Forms Alliance with Brimstone
Recruitment platform and executive search firm Mogul has signed a deal with Oakland, CA-based Brimstone, a venture-backed climate technology company that created the world’s first carbon-negative Portland cement. “As we scale our operations and grow, we are dedicated to continuing to build the strong, diverse team we need to decarbonize cement production, one of the world’s most carbon-intensive industries,”
The Benefits of Having a Diverse Skill-Set
Regardless of industry, size, or goals, every organization will face its own set of ongoing challenges, from new competitors and market fluctuations, to media scrutiny, to evolving technologies. A leadership team and board that embraces a diverse combination of skill-sets and perspectives is better equipped to navigate challenges as they arise. A recent analysis by
Herbert Mines Associates Recruits CEO for Vera Bradley
New York-based retail and consumer focused executive search firm Herbert Mines Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Jacqueline Ardrey as president and chief executive officer of NASDAQ-traded Vera Bradley Inc. She replaces retiring president and CEO Robert Wallstrom, who will work closely with Ms. Ardrey through December to ensure a smooth transition. “Jackie Ardrey is a highly accomplished
The Lancer Group Recruits CFO for Elm Street Technology
La Jolla, CA-headquartered search firm The Lancer Group has placed Brad Wolfe as chief financial officer for Aquiline Capital Partners-backed Elm Street Technology LLC. Mr. Wolfe specializes in assessing situations and risks, then developing and executing effective strategies. With 14 successful exits ranging from 2X to 10X over 20 years, he has built departments from scratch
ChampionScott Partners Names President
ChampionScott Partners, which specializes in senior-level appointments for technology and technology-enabled companies, has appointed Doug Kaplan as managing director and president. “We’re thrilled Doug is joining ChampionScott Partners,” said Geoff Champion, CEO. “Having had the pleasure of supporting his success as a candidate and client, we’re confident that he’ll add great value to our team. Doug joins
HIEC Names Three New Partners
Global search firm H.I. Executive Consulting (HIEC) has named two new partners, Michael Otte and David Ferguson, to its industrial practice in addition to a new partner, Carmen Koch, to its consumer and retail practice. Mr. Otte, who will be based in Atlanta, joins the firm from global HR consultancy Kienbaum, where as vice president he was
How Emotional Intelligence Can be the Leadership Differentiator
Intelligence is measured in many ways. Intelligence quotient (IQ) is often the first measurement that comes to mind. IQ and all of its measurements we encounter over the course of our lives can be primary markers of our success (or failure), according to a new report from Nubrick Partners’ Joe Mazzenga. The concept of emotional
Lindauer Assists Pacifica Graduate Institute in Recruitment of a New CEO
Boston-based Lindauer has assisted in the recruitment of Leonie Mattison as president and CEO of Pacifica Graduate Institute, a graduate school in Santa Barbara, CA, specializing in depth psychology. She becomes the first black director of the school. Deb Taft and Tensie Taylor led the assignment. “After extensive consultation with a wide range of stakeholders and a unanimous board vote, we
Quick Leonard Kieffer Places Leader for Chesapeake Regional Information System for our Patients and CRISP Shared Services
Chicago-based Quick Leonard Kieffer has placed Craig Behm as president and chief executive officer of The Chesapeake Regional Information System for our Patients (CRISP) and CRISP Shared Services (CSS) in Columbia, MD. CRISP is a non-profit organization that facilitates the electronic transfer of clinical information between disparate health information systems. CSS is a non-profit support organization
Sterling Martin Associates Recruits New Leader for the Mount Washington Observatory
Sterling Martin Associates, an executive search firm which specializes in recruiting talent for associations and other non-profit organizations, has placed Drew Fulton Bush as the new executive director of the Mount Washington Observatory in North Conway, NH. Board of trustees chair Robert Kirsch called Dr. Bush a passionate and visionary leader who will bring a distinctive
Kingsley Gate Partners Names Talent Acquisition Leader
Private equity-backed Kingsley Gate Partners has named Ali Brainard as senior vice president, senior talent acquisition, North America. She will be responsible for identifying and recruiting partner-level talent for the firm’s North America region. Ms. Brainard will join the firm’s New York City office. Ms. Brainard previously built and led the talent acquisition team for a $12 billion publicly
How to Choose Your Executive Search Partner
The hard truth about talent, especially leadership talent, is that if you’ve got the wrong talent in place, it can quickly become your company’s Achilles heel. Alternatively, great leadership can serve as a business multiplier, and retaining top talent ranks as the top priority for CEOs and other C-suite executives globally. Quite simply, securing the
5 Communication Skills Found in Top Leaders
Smart recruiters don’t expect candidates for leadership roles to have it all. But those leaders must have a preponderance of it all and they must be able to lead it all. Any gaps or blind spots that he/she/they have must be ably or mightily filled by one of their current or prospective direct reports to
SPMB Recruits Chief Revenue Officer for Xage Security
Top-drawer chief revenue officers are commonly found at start-ups and smaller businesses. The 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, SPMB, an
Berglass + Associates Recruits Chief Equity Officer for Pizza Hut
Around the globe, diversity, equity, and inclusion has grown to become a critically important boardroom topic given the increasing focus by legislatures, regulatory bodies, stock exchanges, investors, and the general public. Many of these stakeholders have enhanced their expectations around DEI because of the growing body of research that shows improving DEI results in improved
Willard Powell Unveils Newly Established Executive Search Group
Ridgefield, CT-based talent acquisition firm Willard Powell has launched its Executive Search Group and has added Mike Lynch, who will manage the company’s division as managing director. The new search division will focus on the recruitment needs of Fortune 100 multinational companies, mid-sized firms and high growth startups seeking executive-level talent. “In today’s competitive market,
Financial Services is Booming, CFO Role Continues to Evolve
The global financial crisis has brought increasing scrutiny from regulators and investors across the world. Combined with digital disruption, new technologies, and a high profile conduct agenda, financial institutions face a number of challenges to continued growth, according to Odgers Berndtson. The firm notes that today’s boards and executives need to foster a culture of
Guiding the Search Process with a Timeline
An executive search process timeline keeps your recruiting efforts on track and on schedule. It outlines the major milestones you need to hit when searching for someone to fill a senior leadership position. Crucially, it also outlines approximately how long each step should take. “Following a timeline matters because the speed of the executive search
Bridge Partners Recruits General Counsel for the Federal Reserve Bank of New York
New York City-based Bridge Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Richard Ostrander as the new general counsel of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The search firm’s founders and partners Tory Clarke and Larry Griffin along with partner Ryan Whitacre led the assignment. “Rick has deep expertise in the legal and compliance issues facing financial institutions and markets today, which will
Acertitude Recruits CEO for Industrial Defender
Executive search firm Acertitude has recruited Jay Williams as the new CEO of Industrial Defender, a provider of OT cybersecurity technology in New York City. The search was led by Acertitude’s technology team and co-led by Rick DeRose, co-founder, managing partner, and leader of the technology practice, and Tim Cook, partner and leader of the firm’s cyber
NPAworldwide Adds 15 New Member Firms
Member-owned recruitment network NPAworldwide has added 15 new member locations. “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 increasing split placements.”
Reasons Candidates Don’t Get Calls or Great Offers
If you’ve had the chance to talk with one of the longest tenured executive search professionals in the country, you’d best be ready to feel exposed, laugh a lot, and learn what it takes to secure the job you want—not the leftovers. Entering his 38th year in executive search, industry behavioral scientist and capitalist Russ
Artico Search Recruits Chief Marketing Officer for Arkose Labs
Mercedes Chatfield-Taylor, co-founder of Artico Search, recently recruited Prashant Nirmal as chief marketing officer of Arkose Labs, a global provider of fraud deterrence and account security. “Nirmal is a proven leader with deep experience in the cybersecurity space and knows how to connect with our key buyers in a way that enables their success,” said Kevin Gosschalk,
