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Taurean Names VP in Value Creation Practice
Taurean recently appointed Abby Spare as vice president in the firm’s value creation practice. “This marks an important milestone for Taurean, fueling our mission to build distinct, enduring investment firms,” the firm said in a LinkedIn post. “Abby’s reputation for delivering an exceptional experience to clients and candidates is well-known, and her deep network across the
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
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.
Anthem Executive Assists the University of Montevallo With President Search
Anthem Executive has assisted in the recruitment of Michelle R. Johnston as the first female president of the University of Montevallo (UM). Michael Ballew, Scott Watson, Mike “JR” Wheless, and Florene Stawowy led the assignment. Dr. Johnston has served as the president of Georgia Southwestern State University since 2024. Prior to her current presidency, she served as president of three other higher education
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?
Mercuri Urval Appoints Non-Executive Director
Stockholm, Sweden-based executive search firm Mercuri Urval (MU) has announced that Jan Sasse, partner at AlterInvest, was named as non-executive director to the MU group board. He will join the current board members Cecilia Strand, Mieke Weijenberg, Cecilia Beer, Richard Moore, and chairman Roger Hagafors. “We are pleased to welcome Jan Sasse as non-executive director of the MU
M&A Becomes a Capability-Driven Acquisition Strategy
EY-Parthenon is forecasting an eight percent increase in U.S. deal volume for transactions exceeding $100 million in 2026, underscoring how central M&A remains to corporate strategy. Yet beneath the headline numbers sits a more important story. The role of acquisitions is evolving. Companies are no longer pursuing deals primarily for scale or market share. Increasingly,
The Hidden Challenges Every First-Time CEO Faces
The corner office has never been more accessible—or more demanding. As boards increasingly turn to a new generation of leaders to navigate disruption, growth, and transformation, first-time CEOs are stepping into roles that require a fundamentally different set of skills than those that propelled them to the top. While many arrive with impressive track records,
Myers McRae Assists Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology with Provost Search
Following a nationwide search, Macon, GA-based Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting has assisted in the recruitment of Richie Roberts as provost of Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology. Kenny Daugherty and Brianna Douglas led the assignment. Dr. Roberts’ selection was guided by a search committee of OSUIT administrators, faculty, staff and students, which was assisted by national search firm Myers McRae. “The entire
Lancer Group Recruits Chief Technology Officer for Minitab
La Jolla, CA-headquartered search firm Lancer Group has recruited Kevin Gordon as chief technology officer of Minitab. “We’re excited to welcome Kevin Gordon as chief technology officer at Minitab,” the company said. “This is an exciting step forward in the evolution of our technology strategy and will help accelerate innovation across our organization and solutions platform.” “Kevin brings
Friisberg & Partners International Names Managing Partner of its Copenhagen Office
Fribourg, Switzerland-headquartered Friisberg & Partners International has expanded with the addition of Birgitte Olrik as managing partner of its Copenhagen office, strengthening the firm’s presence in the Nordic region and supporting the continued execution of our international growth strategy. “The future of executive search belongs to firms that combine exceptional local expertise with international reach,” said Zoltán Pethő,
Attracting the Right CHRO Starts with the Right Job Description
Hiring a head of HR is one of the most consequential leadership decisions an organization can make, yet many companies struggle to define the role in a way that reflects their actual needs. The most effective job descriptions go beyond qualifications and responsibilities, offering candidates a clear picture of the challenges, priorities, and business objectives
Coulter Partners Recruits Chief Medical Officer for Neumirna Therapeutics
Life sciences recruiting specialist Coulter Partners has placed Ferenc Tracik as chief medical officer of Neumirna Therapeutics. “Neumirna has reached an inflection point: the question is no longer whether the science works, but how quickly we can translate it into an option for patients with urgent unmet need. Ferenc has the experience to get us there,” said Ellen
McCormack + Kristel Seeking CEO for Central New York ON RAMP
McCormack + Kristel is currently seeking a CEO for Central New York ON RAMP. New York State Empire State Development (ESD) recently engaged CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity (CenterState CEO), an business leadership and economic development organization, to lead, incubate, and launch the Central New York One Network for Regional Advanced Manufacturing Projects (ON RAMP). The
Bespoke Partners Appoints Leader of People and HR Practice
San Diego, CA-headquartered Bespoke Partners recently named Dani Pfeiffer as a partner leading the people and human resources leader recruiting practice serving both software and industrials sector companies. She will lead dedicated recruiting teams on searches for talent executives for private equity portfolio companies for the software and SaaS clients served by Bespoke Partners and industrial clients served by Industra Talent Partners,
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
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
ON Partners Recruits Chief Marketing Officer for Pagaya
Bryan Buck, a partner at ON Partners, recently placed Peter Scherr as the new chief marketing officer for Pagaya, a financial technology company that enables financial institutions to expand access to more customers through its partnerships and artificial intelligence network. Mr. Scherr joins Pagaya from Vroom, a leading E-commerce platform for buying and selling used vehicles, where
Parker Executive Search Seeks DE&I VP for Kansas State University
Atlanta-based Parker Executive Search has been enlisted to find the new vice president of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging for Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS. The position was created earlier this spring, elevating the former chief diversity and inclusion officer role. Leading the national search are principal Erin Raines and vice president Porsha Williams. “The vice
Kaplan Partners Places President and CEO at Farmers & Merchants Bank
Kaplan Partners, which specializes in conducting searches for C-level executives primarily in the financial services, corporate financial, private investor, and technology sectors, recently assisted in the placement of Gary Harris as the new president and CEO of Farmers and Merchants Bancshares in Hampstead, MD. He will replace James R. Bosley, who announced in January that
Chasm Partners Launches Outsourced Recruiting Solutions Division
To address the increasing recruiting challenges facing high growth healthcare companies, Rowayton, Conn-based executive search firm Chasm Partners has launched ChasmTeam, a new division that provides outsourced recruiting solutions for positions across all levels and functions. “The majority of CEOs leading high growth companies in the digital health and healthcare services space lack the needed in-house recruiting capacity,
4 Actions Organizations Can Take When a Leader Exits
Increasingly, search firms are receiving urgent calls from CEOs with an immediate need to replace a high-performing member of their senior leadership team tempted to another role. DHR Global is no exception. The firm’s phones are ringing off the hook with such requests. “Most are understandably concerned that it will be difficult to replace a
5 Key Differences Between Managers and Leaders
When it comes to business, growing and succeeding requires more than just maintaining the status quo. To do that, you need people who are leaders – not just managers. But aren’t leaders the same thing as managers? In a word, no, says executive search and leadership consulting firm Alder Koten in a new report. “Sure, both
McDermott + Bull Recruits CEO for the Chicano Federation
Search firm McDermott + Bull has placed Elizabeth Ramirez as the new chief executive officer of the Chicano Federation in San Diego, CA. The search was completed by McDermott + Bull partner Sue Waterbury. “Elizabeth’s passion and voice for the underserved will serve as a guiding light as the organization seeks to expand its impact and increase the
JDG Associates Recruits Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer for the American Veterinary Medical Association
Rockville, MD-based executive search firm JDG Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Latonia Craig as the first chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer for the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). “As one of the largest and most influential veterinary associations in the world, the AVMA has a unique opportunity to increase DEI across our profession, and
Teneo Acquires WestExec
As executive search firms continue to seek ways to scale their brands, and serve clients more holistically, integration is likely to become the new buzzword in the industry. Global CEO advisory and executive search firm Teneo recently acquired a majority stake in WestExec Advisors, an advisory firm based in Washington, D.C. “Now, more than ever, business leaders around the
Executive Recruiters Enjoying Best Run in Over 20 Years
Performance-related pay is helping drive total compensation upwards in the executive search industry, according to an early preview of Tempting Talent’s USA Executive Search & Recruitment Compensation Report for 2022. That and a growing degree of collaboration with executive search firms in the Silicon Valley venture capital community and across private equity are contributing to
Coulter Partners Recruits Chief Medical Officer for CARsgen Therapeutics
Life sciences recruiting specialist Coulter Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Raffaele Baffa as chief medical officer of CARsgen Therapeutics Holdings Limited, a company focused on innovative CAR T cell therapies for the treatment of hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. “Dr. Baffa is a medical professional and industry veteran with extensive experience in clinical development and translational
TurnkeyZRG Retained by Pac-12 Conference to Lead Chief People and Inclusion Officer Search
TurnkeyZRG has been called in by the Pac-12 Conference to lead its search for chief people and inclusion officer. The recruiting firm is seeking a leader to provide comprehensive human resources leadership for the Pac-12 organization and influence over its 12 universities’ athletic departments and student-athletes. The executive will be expected to provide a strategic vision
Spencer Stuart Appoints Advisory Services Co-Leader
Spencer Stuart has named Miranda Pode as co-leader of its global advisory services platform. “We are delighted that Miranda has joined Spencer Stuart to co-lead our advisory services globally,” said Ben Williams, CEO of Spencer Stuart. “Her global perspective and considerable advisory and leadership talents make her an ideal fit for this role. Aligning our Spencer Stuart, Kincentric, and Cambria advisory services under
Jobless Claims With Largest Increase in Nearly a Year
The Labor Department reported that 229,000 Americans have filed new claims for state unemployment benefits, an increase of 27,000 from the previous week’s revised level. The previous week’s level was revised up by 2,000 from 200,000 to 202,000. The four-week moving average was 215,000, an increase of 8,000 from the previous week’s revised average. The
Key Challenges for Human Capital Development in the New Normal
Human capital development had to go through major revamping and upgrades to adjust to the new normal, post-pandemic world. New tools and training models have been formulated to cater to human capital development, according to a new report by The Taplow Group. “New tools and training models were formulated to cater to human capital development as we entered this uncharted
Daversa Partners Recruits CMO for Salesloft
Daversa Partners, which helps build leadership teams for growth and venture-backed companies, has assisted in the recruitment of Lauren Vaccarello as the new chief marketing officer for sales engagement platform Salesloft. The assignment was led by partner Maryanne Martire and senior associate Laura Davis. Ms. Vaccarello will leverage her deep leadership experience in the enterprise technology space
ON Partners Recruits Chief Legal and People Officer for RailPros
ON Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Daniel Carter as chief legal and people officer of RailPros. ON Partners partner Andy Hickman led the assignment. “We are delighted to have Daniel joining the RailPros team,” said Ken Koff, president and CEO. “Our chief legal and people officer is a key role for RailPros’ continued growth. Daniel’s expertise will
Elite Consulting Partners Opens Executive Search Division
Over the past year, a number of other organizations have expanded their retained executive search services or added them to their offerings as the top-end talent sector heats up globally. Recently, Elite Consulting Partners, a provider of financial services transition consulting and business services, has launched an executive search division in conjunction with their newly opened Atlanta
Chartwell Partners Fills Senior Post for CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
What makes a not-for-profit organization great? Its mission, of course, as well as dedicated staff, volunteers, board members, and its stakeholders. But what may be most important is exceptional leadership – especially in such a politically-supercharged climate supported by a challenging economic environment. To that end, executive search firm Chartwell Partners has placed Luis Moctezuma as vice president, internal
Nuances in Recruiting for Private Equity
In 2021, the global PE market boomed across fundraising, acquisitions, and exits — buoyed by cheap financing and vast monetary stimulus — and resulted in increases in share and private capital market prices. In total, $1.17 trillion of deals were recorded between January and September 2021 — more than in any year since 2015, according
HIEC Appoints CEO
Global search firm H.I. Executive Consulting (HIEC) has named Stacey Mainiero as its CEO, based in New York. “It gives me great pleasure to welcome Stacey to HIEC during an exciting period for the firm,” said chairman Michael Bornhaeusser. We are a fast-growing organization focused on delivering transformational leaders for our digital focused clients and Stacey’s skills
Artico Search Recruits Chief Revenue Officer for nfinite
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, Mercedes Chatfield-Taylor,
Bridge Partners Seeks General Counsel for Federal Reserve Bank of New York
The Federal Reserve Bank of New York has called in New York City-based Bridge Partners to lead its search for a new general counsel. The search firm’s founders and partners Tory Clarke and Larry Griffin along with partner Ryan Whitacre are leading the assignment. Four years ago, Bridge Partners and Spencer Stuart placed John Williams
Direct Recruiters Inc. Acquires Sales Search International
Solon, OH-based Direct Recruiters Inc. (DRI) has acquired Sales Search International, a recruiting firm focused largely in placing software sales talent into leading technology firms. “DRI is honored to carry on Sales Search International’s 35-year legacy, set forth by founder Doug Miller, who unexpectedly passed away in January,” the firm said. “DRI is pleased to welcome former SSI team
How Emotional Intelligence Has Become a Key Leadership Trait
Effective leadership is critical to drive and grow our rapidly changing organizations. Emotional intelligence has been identified by many as a crucial element needed for effective leadership. By definition, emotional intelligence is the capacity to be aware of, control, and express one’s emotions, and to handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically. Popularized by psychologist Daniel
WittKieffer Seeks VP of People and Workplace Culture for Colorado College
Oak Brook-IL-based WittKieffer has been enlisted to find the inaugural vice president of people and workplace culture for Colorado College in Colorado Springs. Consultants Sarah Miller and Melissa Fincher led the assignment. “This is a phenomenal opportunity for a forward-thinking leader who brings passion for organizational culture, advancing the role of the workforce in the success of
Bespoke Partners Recruits Chief Revenue Officer of PhotoShelter
San Diego, CA-headquartered executive search firm Bespoke Partners recently placed Jeanna Nelson as chief revenue officer of PhotoShelter, a provider of digital asset management (DAM) software. The search was led by Brian Waivada and Maria Scharper. “With our expanding set of DAM capabilities, global reach, rapidly growing team, and customer base, I am incredibly excited to add Deanna to our
Carrington & Carrington Seeks Leader for Provident Hospital of Cook County
Carrington & Carrington Diversity Executive Search has been enlisted to find the next chief hospital executive (CHE) for Provident Hospital of Cook County, a community acute care hospital in Chicago. Provident Hospital is the first African-American owned and operated hospital in America. Search firm co-founder Willie Carrington is leading the assignment. The chief hospital executive
Kestria Adds New Member Firm in Austria
Kestria, formerly known as IRC Global Executive Search Partners, has added aristid Personalberatung in Austria as its newest member firm. aristid Personalberatung will now be called Kestria Austria. The consulting firm has been in operation for nearly 20 years, offering executive search and professional search and selection. The firm’s consultants bring practical experience in various business areas and
Executive Recruiters Scrambling to Find Cybersecurity Leaders
Increasingly, organizations of all sizes are awakening to the perils posed by cyberattacks. For years, many groups tried to ignore the problem, dismissing cybersecurity as a concern only for the biggest, most high-profile entities, be they government or corporate. These days, more groups are coming to understand how ruinous such intrusions can be. A recent
Private Equity Firm Acquires The Baer Group
Private equity firm The Acacia Group has acquired The Baer Group – a full-service provider of contingent staffing in support of technology solutions for industry leading enterprise technology projects – as part of a strategy to address the growing shortage of skilled talent to lead and support digital transformation initiatives. The acquisition is seen as central to Acacia’s strategy of
