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Daily Newswire
AI Moves from Hype to Workflow in Executive Search as Innova Launches Hands-On Summit
Artificial intelligence is rapidly moving from experimentation to execution within executive search, reshaping how firms approach everything from business development to candidate delivery. As expectations rise around speed, insight, and precision, search firms are under increasing pressure to rethink traditional workflows and identify where technology can meaningfully enhance performance rather than simply add complexity. Unlike
Recalibrating Talent: How Generational Dynamics and Mid-Level Hiring Are Reshaping Leadership Strategy in 2026
The hiring landscape is entering a new phase—one defined less by disruption and more by recalibration. After years of volatility, organizations are taking a more deliberate look at how talent aligns with long-term strategy and evolving business needs. That shift is bringing new attention to how companies build teams, assess potential, and define leadership across
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.
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
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?
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,
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,
The CHRO’s New Mandate
Across industries, the organizational design structure has shifted from a traditional pyramid to an hourglass model. This is not a recent development, explained Slayton Search Partners’ John Doyle in a recent report. “Organizational efficiencies, increased technology and the first wave of Baby Boomer retirements began this transition nearly two decades ago,” he said. “Experienced leaders have been retiring. Internal pipelines have
AGB Search Recruits 11th President for Lewis University
Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, has helped to recruit Christopher Sindt as the 11th president of Lewis University. The Lewis University board of trustees recently announced that president David Livingston, will retire at the conclusion of the 2025–26 academic year. Melissa K. Trotta, Matthew J. Kilcoyne, and John Cech led the assignment. “After
Kincannon & Reed Assists CCI Prime with CFO Search
Kincannon & Reed (K&R), which exclusively focuses on food, agribusiness, and the related life sciences, has assisted in the recruitment of Jamie Broad as CFO of CCI Prime, bringing on a seasoned finance leader to support the company’s next phase of growth. “Jamie’s ability to connect financial insights to operational realities makes her an exceptional
EQU Advisors Seeking Senior Leader for Sarah Lawrence College
Executive search firm EQU Advisors was recently retained by Sarah Lawrence College to lead in its search for an associate vice president of enrollment. This executive will serve as a key member of the senior enrollment leadership team and a collaborative partner across the institution. This role is designed to strengthen coordination, elevate shared strategy, and support
Egon Zehnder Forms Alliance with IMD
Global leadership advisory firm Egon Zehnder and IMD, a leading business school in global executive education, have formed a strategic partnership to facilitate board directors’ personal growth and elevate board performance. The partnership combines IMD’s academic rigor and deep connections to global boards with Egon Zehnder’s expertise in leadership and board effectiveness. Together, they will co-create tailored
Non-Profit CEO Demand Rises: Vetted Solutions Leading Search for NSPE’s Next Chief Executive
Executive search for the non-profit sector often mirrors broader hiring trends, with a distinct focus on leadership, strategic vision, and organizational impact. Recruiters say that non-profits, generally, are increasingly seeking executives and management teams who can provide strong leadership, articulate a compelling vision, and inspire stakeholders. As a result, search firms are staying busy, as
WittKieffer Launches Leadership Advisory Practice
Oak Brook-IL-based WittKieffer has added Susan M. Snyder to launch the firm’s leadership advisory practice. “For more than 50 years, WittKieffer has built a reputation as a trusted partner in executive talent acquisition, serving organizations operating exclusively at the intersection of healthcare delivery, science, and education—the ‘quality of life’ ecosystem,” said Andrew Chastain, president and CEO of WittKieffer.
JobGet Receives $52 Million in Funding
JobGet, a mobile app for hourly workers, has secured $52 million in Series B funding including $12 million in venture debt financing. JAZZ Venture Partners and Sanabil Investments co-led the round, with participation from Pillar VC and numerous other investors. “Our app is just the beginning,” said Tony Liu, co-founder and CEO. “We are building
Delving Deeper into the Great Resignation
By now, the term “Great Resignation” has reached cliché status, providing us with a caricatured vision of a great exodus of workers, boxed possessions in hand as they leave the building once and for all. But the sore truth is that millions of employees continue to re-evaluate their careers and seek new opportunities, leaving employers
Designing a Winning Corporate Culture
Culture is hardly a new concept. Well before the rise of various models and frameworks to evaluate organizational culture, companies recognized the risk of hiring a cultural mismatch — such as the lone wolf in a company that values collaboration. New employees, especially leaders, who clash with the culture are often ineffective, and are likely
RH Perry & Associates Recruits President for Onondaga Community College
Asheville, NC-based RH Perry & Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Warren M. Hilton as the next president of Onondaga Community College in Onondaga Hill, NY. He will become the school’s ninth president and its first black president, succeeding Casey Crabill who is retiring after nine years at the college. Senior consultants Jessie Thompson and Gena
Work&Partners Recruits Chief Technology Officer for Toppan Merrill
New York-based Work&Partners has recruited Beau Mersereau as the new chief technology officer for Toppan Merrill. Founder and president Alan Work led the assignment. Mr. Mersereau was formerly at Fish & Richardson P.C. During his 21-plus years with the company, he served as chief technology officer, leading the legal technology solutions group. Prior to that, he was
The Planet Group Acquires Launch Consulting Group
The Planet Group, a portfolio company of Odyssey Investment Partners and provider of outsourced human capital and consulting solutions, has entered into an agreement to acquire Launch Consulting Group, a digital transformation firm headquartered in the Greater Seattle area that helps large and scaling companies. The acquisition will further expand Planet’s current technology portfolio through specialized advisory
Where are the Executive Jobs in Private Equity?
Private equity deal activity, both in terms of value and volume, is expected to continue to grow from records in 2021, according to a recent PitchBook analyst note. With more than $1 trillion of capital to deploy—and to support existing portfolio investments—activity will remain strong despite growing financing costs for dealmaking. While it may be too
6 Qualities That Make a Great Leader
Executive recruiters have all seen good leaders, some of whom even rise to the “great” level. What distinguishes an individual as a leader often is subjective; if you ask 10 people, you’ll get 10 different responses that reflect some combination of vision, character, and trust. One thing that’s certain, though: It’s not the title that makes
The NFL Players Association Selects Russell Reynolds Associates to Lead Search for New Leader
The sports industry continues to be a growth area for executive search businesses. Russell Reynolds Associates was recently retained by the NFL Players Association to lead its search for a new executive director. DeMaurice Smith is entering his last term as the organization’s leader. “DeMaurice Smith was transparent with us about his interest in moving on
Brooke Chase Associates Fills Senior Position for Hydro Systems
Joseph McElmeel, chairman and CEO, and Richard Mohrman of Sarasota, FL-based executive recruiter Brooke Chase Associates have placed Brett Mueller as vice president of operations with Hydro Systems. Mr. Mueller has extensive background in operational leadership and general management, including work with Masco Bath, Clarke Products, and Jacuzzi Luxury Bath, and most recently held the position of
Hedley May Adds Former CHRO as Partner in New York
The executive search field continues to be a welcoming landing pad for HR executives looking for a career change. For CHROs, chief talent officers, and other C-suite HR executives, the cross-over skills required in the search business are nearly identical. London-headquartered executive search firm Hedley May has added former Houlihan Lokey CHRO Janine Cristiano as a partner
NCAA Selects TurnkeyZRG to Lead President Search
The NCAA board of governors has selected TurnkeyZRG to lead its search for a new president. Mark Emmert will be stepping down as president and will continue to serve in the role until a new president is chosen and in place or until June 30, 2023. “We’re honored to assist the NCAA board with this important search,”
The Most Vital Component of Any Search Process
In the world of executive search, most searches conclude with a finalist candidate accepting a search firm-mediated client offer that establishes the agreed upon financial terms, start date, and on-boarding initiative — important items to any new leader. However, a new report from BroadView Talent Partners explains that many are surprised to hear that a search firm’s
Kevin Chase Executive Search Group Seeks Leader for Stepping Stone of San Diego
Los Angeles-based Kevin Chase Executive Search Group has been enlisted to find the next executive director for Stepping Stone of San Diego, a non-profit drug and alcohol recovery center that provides inpatient, outpatient, and transitional living programs for the LGBTQ+ and HIV communities. Cheryl Houk, who served two stints as executive director, the latest lasting seven
RevelOne Recruits VP of Brand for Mejuri
Greenwood Village, CO-based executive search firm RevelOne has assisted in the recruitment of Elaina Almazan as vice president of brand for Mejuri. The search was led by Sarah Beth Modlin. “A big congrats to Elaina Almazan on joining Mejuri as their VP of brand,” the search firm said. “The match between Elaina and Mejuri couldn’t be better with Elaina’s previous extensive brand experience at
Egon Zehnder Elects New Chair
Michael Ensser has been elected chair of Egon Zehnder and assumes the role later this fall. He succeeds Jill Ader, who has chaired the firm since 2018 and will soon transition to an advisory role. “As our next chair, Michael embodies values-driven leadership, putting humanity and empathy at the core of all he does, which is
Has the Great Resignation Stalled?
Not long ago—as recently as last month—job hunters seemed to have all the leverage. Nationwide, there were nearly two open jobs for every unemployed person. In some markets the ratio was closer to 3:1. The economy beat expectations and added 390,000 jobs last month. The country’s unemployment rate also remained at 3.6 percent, an ultralow level that is
ON Partners Places CIO for Skillsoft Corp.
ON Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Orla Daly as chief information officer of Skillsoft Corp., a Nashua, NH-based provider of corporate digital learning services. Partners Andy Hickman and Bryan Buck led the assignment. Ms. Daly brings 25 years of experience delivering effective IT and building business partnerships with leading organizations such as National Grid, Dell,
BoardWalk Consulting Assists the Betty and Davis Fitzgerald Foundation in the Recruitment of New Leader
Executive recruitment firm BoardWalk Consulting has assisted in the recruitment of Brittany Collins as the new executive director of the Betty and Davis Fitzgerald Foundation in Atlanta. She succeeds Jackie Stradley, who has led the organization since its inception. Ms. Collins’ appointment culminates a wide-ranging national search that reached about 200 potential candidates and referral sources. “Brittany is
Joe McCormack Set to Retire from McCormack+Kristel
Veteran search consultant Joe McCormack, founder of McCormack+Kristel, will be retiring this summer after 29 years. Managing partner Michelle Kristel will continue to run the firm’s national practice. “Founding and running our firm has been the most important work of my career,” said Mr. McCormack. “During the past 29 years, I have been fortunate to
ZRG Partners Appoints Co-Leader of Global CFO Practice
ZRG Partners has named Blayne O’Hara as managing director and co-leader of the firm’s global financial officers practice. “Blayne has worked with some of the world’s largest organizations, shaping financial transformation through the build-out of new finance functions and leading change through talent,” said Larry Hartmann, CEO of ZRG. “His appointment as co-lead of the global financial officers practice
Amid Global Labor Shortage, Businesses Rethink Talent Strategies
Amid ongoing labor shortages around the world, The Conference Board has released a new report to help business leaders rethink strategies for finding the right talent. The report, Navigating the Global Talent Tsunami, encourages leaders to fundamentally rethink long-held assumptions about who can do the work; where, when, and how the work gets done; and the talent acquisition
The Grant Partners Recruits President and CEO for Greater Nashville Technology Council
Alpharetta, GA-based The Grant Partners has placed Elise Cambournac as president and CEO of the Greater Nashville Technology Council (GNTC), an organization focused on positioning the community as a leader in technology driven solutions. Ms. Cambournac succeeds Brian Moyer, who recently announced that he would be stepping away from the organization. Ms. Cambournac was selected in a nationwide
Jobless Claims Remain at Historically Low Levels
The Labor Department reported that 229,000 Americans have filed new claims for state unemployment benefits, a decrease of 2,000 from the previous week’s revised level. The previous week’s level was revised up by 2,000 from 229,000 to 231,000. The four-week moving average was 223,500, an increase of 4,500 from the previous week’s revised average. The
Penrhyn International Adds New Member Firm in Spain
Executive search consultants are seeing an increase in hiring mandates from around the world. To meet demand, they continue to develop new practices, hire new recruiters and open new locations. Global recruiting consortiums, meanwhile, are taking advantage of a resurgence in certain geographic areas. Global executive search consortium Penrhyn International recently expanded in Spain with the addition of Recarte
Why Middle Management Matters in Today’s PE Backed Portfolio Companies
Middle managers in any organization act as the glue that enables everything to happen. They connect, enable, and provide whatever their teams and first-line managers need to get their work done. But their role, according to executive recruiters and private equity talent leaders, is often overlooked and undervalued. A fundamental characteristic that PE firms are seeking
Korn Ferry Posts 45 Percent Revenue Gain
Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) has posted 2022 fiscal year-end revenues of $2.6 billion, up 45 percent from a year ago. The Los Angeles-headquartered executive recruiter and leadership consultant – the largest globally and in the Americas as ranked by Hunt Scanlon Media – also reported fourth quarter revenue of $721.1 million, an increase of 30 percent. The rise in revenue was primarily due to
Diversified Search Group Appoints Leader of Legal, Risk, Compliance & Government Affairs Practice
Diversified Search Group (DSG), a leading search firm backed by private equity firm ShoreView Industries, has named Sonya Olds Som as a global managing partner and leader of the newly created legal, risk, compliance & government affairs practice. “With a proliferation of new and intensified risks, challenges and opportunities today, companies are seeking deeper levels of legal and
Caliber Associates Recruits Chief Medical Officer for GentiBio
San Diego, CA- based Caliber Associates recently placed Dr. Neely Mozaffarian as the chief medical officer of GentiBio Inc. in Cambridge, MA. “Neely brings tremendous clinical leadership with great expertise in immunology and autoimmunity to the GentiBio team,” said Steve Hochberg, CEO of Caliber Associates. “Neely’s wealth of knowledge of inflammatory diseases and autoimmune disorders, combined with her
Envision Consulting Recruits President and CEO for Library Foundation of Los Angeles
Pasadena, CA-based search firm Envision Consulting recently placed Stacy Lieberman as the new president and CEO of the Library Foundation of Los Angeles (LFLA). She becomes the foundation’s fourth president in 30 years and will succeed former president Ken Brecher, who retired last September after an 11-year tenure. “We are thrilled to have Stacy as our next leader
