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Reffett Associates Leading Provost Search for the Naval Postgraduate School
Seattle, WA-based Reffett Associates has been selected by the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) to lead the search for a new provost and academic dean. The search will be conducted by Marshall Reffett, managing director in Seattle and Washington, D.C., and Eric Reffett, managing director in Washington D.C. Mr. Marshall has spent the last 15 years recruiting talent for
Eastward Partners Fills Senior Sales Role for LRN
New York-based Eastward Partners recently assisted in the recruitment of Dan O’Leary to VP of sales at LRN, a Leeds Equity Partners backed company. Brian Ippolito, Callie Swift, and Reagan Wren led the assignment. “We are pleased to celebrate the appointment of Dan O’Leary to VP of sales at LRN,” Eastward Partners said in a LinkedIn post. “Congratulations
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.
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
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?
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
True Launches AI Capability Index for Executive Assessment
Global executive talent platform True has launched the True AI Capability Index, a proprietary framework that predicts executive performance in the AI-transformation age. “We are entering a phase where relationship depth and judgment matter more than ever,” said Brad Stadler, co-founder and CEO of True Platform. “The cost of finding names is decreasing. True’s advantage lies in our ability
AI-Native Talent Won’t Fix AI-Foreign Organizations
As artificial intelligence moves from experimentation to enterprise-wide adoption, organizations are grappling with a fundamental question: what does it actually mean to become AI-native? While the term has quickly entered the business lexicon, many leaders are still struggling to define the capabilities, operating models, and cultural shifts required to make that vision a reality. “Some
ZRG Partners Acquires Fortium
ZRG Partners has acquired Fortium, a Dallas-based search firm that provides fractional, interim, and project-based CIO, CTO, and CISO leadership. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “Companies are making more nuanced decisions about leadership than they did even a few years ago, particularly in technology,” said Mark Viner, leader of interim solutions & project
Lochlin Partners Recruits SVP of HR for the National Association of Corporate Directors
Lochlin Partners has placed Marian Stevens as senior vice president, human resources of the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) in Washington, D.C. “Marian’s deep experience in talent development, organizational effectiveness, and culture will help NACD to continue building the internal capabilities needed to support our growth and deliver on our mission,” said Peter Gleason, president and CEO of
JDG Associates Tapped by Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute to Find New Leader
Rockville, MD-based executive search firm JDG Associates has been retained by the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) to lead its search for a new president and CEO. The Chicago-based institute, the leading technical institute and trade association for the precast, prestressed concrete industry in North America, seeks a visionary and collaborative executive to succeed its long-serving chief executive,
IIC Partners Adds New Member Firm in New Zealand
IIC Partners Executive Search Worldwide has added Auckland, New Zealand-based Infinitas as its newest member firm expanding its capabilities across the Asia-Pacific region. “I am thrilled to welcome Infinitas to IIC Partners,” said Christine Hayward, executive director of IIC Partners. Their people-first philosophy, tech-enabled search processes, and talent advisory capabilities deeply align with our mission to transform
Hiring for the Culture You Don’t Yet Have
For much of the past decade, organizations have invested heavily in strategy, technology and operational efficiency to navigate an increasingly complex business environment. Yet despite these investments, many transformation initiatives continue to fall short of expectations. The differentiator is rarely the strategy itself. More often, success depends on whether leadership teams have the right people
BoardWalk Consulting Leading CEO Search for Downtown Atlanta Inc.
BoardWalk Consulting has been tapped by Downtown Atlanta Inc. (DAI) to lead in its search for a CEO. The search is being led by Sam Pettway, Crystal Stephens, and Patti Kish. The organization is seeking a leader who can help define what the next generation of Downtown Atlanta will become. This is a leadership opportunity of unusual scale and
Peña Search Assists To Be Like Me with the Recruitment of Executive Director
Peña Search recently assisted in the recruitment of Lauren Rowe as the new executive for To Be Like Me (TBLM) in Dallas, TX. Travis Hillier, Carlos González Peña, and Thaise Pereira led the assignment. She replaces To Be Like Me founder Hollis Owens, who has served as executive director since 2018 and initiated the search for her replacement last
BroadView Talent Partners Tapped by Baltimore Community Lending for President/CEO Search
BroadView Talent Partners was recently retained by Baltimore Community Lending, Inc. (BCL) to lead in its search for a new president and CEO. Tracy McMillan, Robyn Quinn, and Donna Young are leading the assignment. The CEO is the strategic, operational, and external leader of Baltimore Community Lending, responsible for driving the organization’s next era of growth and
Allen Austin Launches Evidence-Based Leadership Assessment VantagePoint
Houston, TX-based search firm Allen Austin launch of VantagePoint, an evidence-based leadership assessment that helps organizations identify and develop high-potential leaders with greater clarity and confidence. VantagePoint is grounded in three decades of leadership advisory work and original research by Allen Austin chairman and CEO Rob Andrews. Over two years, Mr. Andrews interviewed more than 100 CEOs,
Workforce Trends 2026: Leaders Confront Burnout, Disengagement, and AI-Driven Change
As we look ahead to 2026, global business leaders are navigating a shared set of challenges: employee engagement is declining, burnout is rising, and the pace of change—driven by economic uncertainty, AI advancements, and evolving work models—continues to accelerate. DHR Global’s second annual Workforce Trends Report recently surveyed global leaders to understand how these forces
Chartwell Partners Recruits CEO for Four Plus Corporation
Executive search firm Chartwell Partners has placed Matt Volpano as the new CEO of Four Plus Corporation. Sean O’Neal, real estate principal, and his team culminated a thorough national search working alongside the CEO selection committee of the Four Plus board to select Mr. Volpano. “Matt brings exceptional depth of real estate industry experience that aligned with the
CHRO Role in PE-Funded Organizations
In the current and increasingly competitive business climate, with dynamic and shifting markets and associated customer requirements, the chief human resources officer is one of the essential links to the successful growth and profitability of PE sponsored companies. The top HR officer is at the vortex, with the CEO, in defining and cultivating the culture
Women CFOs at Top Companies See Gains in First Half of 2022
Although the percentage of chief financial officers hired by Fortune 500 and other notable companies continue to skew male, over a third of new CFOs hired by Fortune 500 companies and companies of note in 2022 have been female (36 percent), suggesting a steady incline in female representation among CFOs in the Fortune 500, according
CIO Partners Seeks Chief Information Officer for Veritas Veterinary Partners
The chief information officer is considered one of the most strategic roles in any organization. Still, recruiting within the function remains challenging, as skilled C-suite IT professionals are among the toughest to find, and move. CIO Partners was recently selected by Veritas Veterinary Partners as its exclusive partner to lead the search for a CIO.
Essential Leadership Skills For A “Work Anywhere Anytime” World
COVID has changed the workplace forever. While working remotely began as a virus-driven imperative, its success has made it an option in most corporate structures. The hybrid/remote model is here to stay, and new leadership skills are needed to succeed in this “work anywhere anytime” world, says a recent report from IMSA Search. Today’s leaders
The Moran Company Seeks Leader for The Arc of Colorado
The Moran Company, an executive recruitment firm that specializes in the non-profit sector, has been enlisted to help the Arc of Colorado find its next executive director. The Denver, CO-based non-profit promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community
Kingsley Gate Partners Adds Several Members of GattiHR
In a new partnership, private equity-backed Kingsley Gate Partners has added several key members of GattiHR, who will support the firm’s continued expansion across the human resources, industrial and supply chain sectors. These members include: J.L. Baker, senior partner; Michelle DesChenes, partner; Jeffrey Kartheiser, partner; and Bob Cwenar, vice president. “We’re excited to welcome the newest members of
ZRG Partners Assists the Government of the District of Columbia with CFO Search
ZRG Partners, a leading search firm backed by private equity firm RFE Investment Partners, recently partnered with the Government of the District of Columbia on the search for the District’s new CFO. Managing directors Diane Charness, global non-profit practice leader, and Tim Ward, of ZRG’s professional and technology services practice, led the search that resulted in Glen Lee’s
Accenture Acquires YSC Consulting
Acquisitions and consolidations continue to make news in the recruiting industry, with a number of notable purchases in recent months. The latest: Accenture has acquired YSC Consulting, a CEO advisory and leadership consultancy that helps organizations align leadership strategies with their business goals. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The acquisition strengthens Accenture’s capabilities to
Caldwell Recruits CEO for Bright Cellars
John Strackhouse and Bethany George of Caldwell have assisted in the recruitment of Joe Megibow as the new chief executive officer of Bright Cellars, a data-driven wine discovery, curation, and production platform. He formerly served as CEO and board member of Purple Innovation Inc., a digitally-native vertical brand with a mission to help people feel and live better
Signium Adds Former HR Executive in Dublin, Ireland
The executive search field continues to be a welcoming landing pad for HR executives looking for a career change. Executive search consortium Signium recently appointed former HR executive Jim O’Brien as consulting partner in Dublin, Ireland. Mr. O’Brien is an accomplished HR veteran with 25 years of experience. He joins Signium from Aramark, where he was
Women Still Lag on Boards and in the Executive Suite
While economic uncertainty remains a key theme in 2022, advancing gender equity remains a prominent corporate topic. Many studies have shown that companies with more diverse boards and leadership teams benefit from a wider range of experience, skills, and perspectives, and perform better. It only makes sense that stakeholders are increasing the pressure on leading
WittKieffer Recruits Senior Advisor to Chancellor and Chief Inclusion Officer at Texas Christian University
Oak Brook, IL-based search firm WittKieffer has placed Jonathan Benjamin-Alvarado as senior advisor to the chancellor and chief inclusion officer at Texas Christian University (TCU) in Fort Worth. Consultant Shelley Arakawa, principal Charlene Aguilar, and consultant Alejandra Gillette-Teran led the assignment. “I am delighted that Dr. Benjamin-Alvarado has accepted this position and am eager to
ON Partners Recruits Chief Product Officer for Intellect
Today’s chief product officer is responsible for all product-related matters, and the role is growing in demand, according to executive recruiters who place them. The position typically includes product conception and development, production, innovation, and project and product management. In many IT/ telecommunications companies, the position includes release management and production. Chief product officers generally work on
The Skills That Help CEOs Make the Right Choices
Has decision making just become harder? With the business world spinning faster than ever before—and with no pre-established playbooks to fall back on—making high-stakes judgments in exhausting situations is now a daily task for every CEO, according to a new report from Russell Reynolds Associates’ Anita Wingrove, Alistair Macrae, Aimee Williamson, Ruben Hillar, and Eric
Myers McRae Seeks President for Pierpont Community & Technical College
Macon, GA-based Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting has been enlisted to find the next president for Pierpont Community & Technical College in Fairmont, WV. Leading the search are Emily Parker Myers, CEO, and Kenny Daugherty, president, along with Jennifer Barfield, senior vice president. “This presidential search is an opportunity to lead one of West Virginia’s largest community
Furst Group Recruits CEO for Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers
Executive recruitment firm Furst Group, which serves the healthcare and insurance industries, has assisted in the recruitment of Thomas J. Dohm as president and chief executive officer of Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers in Morris, IL. He succeeds Mark Steadham, who is retiring after serving 12 years in the organization’s top leadership position. According to Brian Angwin, board
Unemployment Rate Hits Pre-Pandemic Low
Employment rose by 528,000 in May as the U.S. unemployment rate edged down to 3.5 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. Job growth was widespread, led by gains in leisure and hospitality, professional and business services, and healthcare. Both total nonfarm employment and the unemployment rate returned to their February 2020 pre-pandemic
PE-Backed Tandym Group Acquires Longford & Company
Tandym Group, a recruitment, contract staffing, consulting, and workforce solutions company, has acquired Longford & Company, a Boston-based technology consulting and executive search company. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Tandym is backed by Mill Rock Capital, a growth and operations-oriented private investment firm that invests in well-positioned industrial businesses in North America. “Longford
Wilton & Bain Adds Two New Practice Leaders
Wilton & Bain has added two new practice leaders, John Wittorf and Chris Rogerson, to its ranks. Mr. Wittorf, who will lead the North American consulting and tech services practice, joins the firm as a managing partner. Mr. Rogerson, a principal, will lead the global ESG and sustainability practice. They will be based in Austin, TX
Looking into the HR Crystal Ball
2022 is halfway over, so it’s the perfect time to take a look back at some of the predictions Blue Rock Search made when the year first started. How are the year’s biggest workplace trends playing out so far? Ruben Moreno, HR practice lead for Blue Rock Search, joins Hunt Scanlon Media to lay it all out.
Artico Search Recruits Chief Technology Officer for connectRN
Demand for top technology executives continues to gain momentum. Chief technology officer hiring, in fact, is expected to grow 18 percent by the end 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics. Mercedes Chatfield-Taylor, co-founder of Artico Search, recently recruited Jonathan Bourgoine as the new chief technology officer of connectRN in Waltham, MA. Mr. Bourgoine is
ON Partners Places Chief People Officer for Rent
ON Partners has placed Sheila Dehdashti as chief people officer for Atlanta-based Rent, a provider of marketing software and rental management solutions. Partners Jake Espenlaub and Tindall (Sewell) Hein, and consultant Whitney Craigo spearheaded the assignment. “Great news from our colleagues at Rent,” said ON partners in an online posting. “Sheila brings over two decades of experience in strategic global HR
The Great Resignation: Developing A Robust Retention Strategy
Significant changes to recent employment rates have forced employers to re-evaluate their approach to staff retention and the factors that influence longevity and strength in a workforce. The Great Resignation, in which millions of people are leaving their jobs in search of better lifestyles, has caused upheaval in almost every industry, creating large gaps in
TurnkeyZRG Seeks CEO for United States Soccer Federation
TurnkeyZRG has been chosen by the United States Soccer Federation, the national governing body for the sport of soccer, to lead its search for a new chief executive officer. Current CEO Will Wilson announced last month that he will be stepping down at the end of October to pursue new professional ventures and opportunities. “The U.S.
Isaacson, Miller Assists University of Michigan in the Recruitment of New President
Isaacson, Miller’s John Isaacson, and John Muckle, along with Elizabeth Dorr Weithman have assisted in the placement of Santa J. Ono as the next president of the University of Michigan (UM). Dr. Ono, who is currently president and vice chancellor of the University of British Columbia (UBC), will begin his five-year term on Oct. 13. He will
The Changing Climate for CFOs in Private Equity
Though much has changed for CFOs in private equity in the past two years, it remains true that when a private equity firm acquires a company, one of the first three roles that the new owners usually look to reshape is that of the CFO, the others being chair and CEO. Typically, a PE firm
The Tolan Group Spins Out Healthcare Contract Business
The Tolan Group (TTG) has spun out a new business from its healthcare contract staffing division. The company will be known as ClinTech Health LLC with a primary focus on providing contract employees for short and long-term assignments as well as temp-to-perm assignments for clinical and healthcare IT professionals. ClinTech Health is led by industry veteran
Korn Ferry Acquires Interim Search Firm Infinity Consulting Services
Top experts in talent management and C-suite recruitment agree that interim leaders will likely play a significant and growing role in top grading senior-level positions in a post-pandemic era, where costs and efficiency underpin executive hiring. Korn Ferry has acquired Infinity Consulting Solutions (ICS). Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The acquisition is expected to be
The High Demand for Higher Education Leaders Continues
With a new school year approaching, a number of top colleges and universities have announced they are seeking new, high profile leaders to take them into new eras of fundraising, digitalization, sports and, in some cases, globalization. Several universities haven’t changed leaders in years or even decades, and their boards of trustees and search committees
CarterBaldwin Executive Search Places Chief Marketing Officer for Pepperdine University
CarterBaldwin Executive Search has helped to place Sean Burnett, formerly with the Gulf Coast division of HCA Healthcare, as senior vice president for integrated marketing communications and chief marketing officer at Pepperdine University. Mr. Burnett will lead Pepperdine’s award-winning marketing and communications team to share the university’s brand story through signature events, publications, and emerging
