DAILY NEWSWIRE - TOP STORIES
Daily Newswire
Creating Predictable Recruitment Firm Revenue in an Unpredictable Industry
In a market where deal flow can shift quickly and client priorities change just as fast, many boutique recruitment firms find themselves operating without a clear line of sight on future income. What separates firms that consistently grow from those that stall isn’t just performance—it’s the ability to build structure around uncertainty and turn activity
Bespoke Partners Recruits CEO for Billtrust
San Diego, CA-headquartered Bespoke Partners has recently placed Grant Halloran as the new CEO of EQT Group-backed Billtrust. “We are excited to congratulate Grant Halloran on his new role as chief executive officer at Billtrust,” Bespoke Partners said in a LinkedIn post. “Thank you to EQT Group for placing their trust in Bespoke Partners on this search.
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
Talent and Technology: A New Generation of Leadership Enters the C-Suite
Riviera Partners recently surveyed more than 1,000 technology executives for its latest report, revealing a major shift in how leadership is structured. According to Riviera, AI, data, and cross-functional collaboration are pushing technology roles to the forefront of enterprise strategy. The report identifies five key positions now demanding space in the C-suite: Chief AI officer (CAIO), chief
Setting A New Direction for HR
Every leader seems to be looking for an answer as to what the “new normal” will look like. But as effects from the pandemic wear on, uncertainty will likely remain a lingering constant for organizations. Possibly more so than for any other role, chief human resources officers have faced mounting pressure from their companies due
Jorgenson Consulting Seeking New CEO for Quad Cities Chamber
The economic strength of the non-profit sector has increased in recent years, and it is now the third largest employer in the U.S. This has certainly kept search firms busy. Greensboro, NC-based Jorgenson Consulting has been selected to assist the Quad Cities Chamber in finding the next president and chief executive officer. The firm will conduct a series of meetings
Harris Search Associates Seeks New Dean for Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
Dublin, OH-based executive recruitment firm Harris Search Associates has been enlisted to lead the search for the next dean of the College of Science and Health (COSH) at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU) in Los Angeles. Reporting to the executive vice president for academic affairs/provost, the dean is responsible for guiding,
Unemployment Falls to 3.6 Percent as Recovery Continues
Employment rose by 431,000 in February as the U.S. unemployment rate edged up to 3.6 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. Notable job gains continued in leisure and hospitality, professional and business services, retail trade, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate declined by 0.2 percentage point to 3.6 percent in March, and the
Venor Acquires Syntek Search Group
Executive search firm Venor has expanded into the Greater Toronto area with the recent acquisition of Syntek Search Group. Syntek was founded by Junior Roberts in 2018 with a focus on recruitment in the technology sector with a talent emphasis on diversity and inclusion. Mr. Roberts is an entrepreneurial leader, advisor and mentor in Central
SucceedSmart Launches Executive Search Platform
Los Altos, CA-based SucceedSmart has launched the general availability of its executive search platform, providing executives with a powerful “candidate-first” approach, said the company. “Founded by serial entrepreneur and RiseSmart founder Sanjay Sathe, SucceedSmart is poised to change the way executives maneuver to the forefront of their respective fields,” said the firm. “Similar to the
Selecting the Right Candidate Begins with Emotional Connection
The recruiting market today is highly competitive and experienced senior leaders are in high demand across every industry. This is particularly the case with the biopharma industry, where companies invest enormous amounts of time and money into the recruitment process. For these businesses, critical executive hires are needed to accelerate pipelines and commercialization of critical
Academic Search Recruits President for Roanoke College
Following a five-month nationwide search, education-focused executive recruiter Academic Search has placed Frank Shushok Jr. as the 12th president of Roanoke College in Salem, VA. Michael C. Maxey, the longest serving president in the college’s history, announced in September that he would be retiring at the end of the academic year. Mr. Maxey has held the role
BoardWalk Consulting Assists the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights in Finding New Leader
Executive recruitment firm BoardWalk Consulting has assisted in the recruitment of civil rights attorney and activist, and NBC News and MSNBC legal analyst Maya Wiley as president and chief executive officer of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and its sister organization, the Leadership Conference Education Fund. She will succeed Wade Henderson, who has served
Jobless Claims Up Amid Tight Labor Market
The Labor Department reported that 202,000 Americans have filed new claims for state unemployment benefits, an increase of 14,000 from the previous week’s revised level. The previous week’s level was revised up by 1,000 from 187,000 to 188,000. The four-week moving average was 208,500, a decrease of 3,500 from the previous week’s revised average. The
Curating an Exceptional Culture
Culture is what draws individuals to an organization, and it is the glue that, more often than not, keeps them there. More simply put, culture is why people join and it’s why they stay. Culture is a mindset, rooted in a philosophy. It’s mission in action. “Every organization has a culture. It exists in the
ON Partners Recruits Chief People Officer for IntelyCare
Talent acquisition strategies at many large companies have become as complex as their balance sheets. And while chief human resource officers play a vital role in overseeing an organization’s broad-based workforce, the chief people officer typically goes beyond overseeing its people policies. The focus instead is on building talent as a key competitive advantage, with
ZRG Partners Recruits Chief Commercial Officer for Agendia
ZRG Partners, a leading search firm backed by private equity firm RFE Investment Partners, has assisted in the recruitment of Elizabeth (Betsey) Hanna as executive vice president and chief commercial officer of Agendia. Heather Burns led the assignment. “We are pleased to welcome Betsy as a critical member of our executive team,” said Mark Straley, CEO of
SPMB Fills Senior Post for Cervin
SPMB, an executive search firm that helps find transformative executives throughout Silicon Valley, has assisted in placing Mila Ferrell, a founding member of Zoom’s product team, as the first female partner at the early-stage venture capital firm Cervin. Suzanne Heske, who heads SPMB’s investment practice, led the assignment. Ms. Ferrell brings deep product expertise, as
HackerRank Raises $60 Million in Funding
HackerRank, a hiring platform for technology talent, has closed $60 million in series D funding led by Susquehanna Growth Equity (SGE). Additional investors in HackerRank include JMI, Khosla Ventures, Randstad Innovation Fund, and Recruit Holdings. To date, HackerRank has raised more than $115 million in total funding. HackerRank will use the funding to fuel continued growth and accelerate its
General Counsel Role Expands to Risk Oversight
A key position in the C-suite, the general counsel role has been elevated in the past decade, from purveyor of legal advice to one of strategic counsel. With the proliferation of risks today, the general counsel is crucial in providing the board with the information they need to fulfill their duty of care. Yet, a
Hanold Associates Recruits Chief People Officer for AHEAD
Neela Seenandan, Val Lopez, and Eleanor Tetreault of Hanold Associates HR & Diversity Executive have placed Preet Michelson as chief people officer of Chicago-based IT firm AHEAD. She succeeds Michael Hoehne, who is retiring from the company. “We are extremely pleased to welcome Preet to our team,” said Dan Adamany, founder and CEO of AHEAD. “Her experience and demonstrated track record in
Daversa Partners Recruits CEO for HODINKEE
Daversa Partners, which helps build leadership teams for growth and venture-backed companies, has assisted in the placement of Jeffery Fowler as the new chief executive officer of watch website HODINKEE in New York City. He succeeds Toby Bateman, who will continue in an advisory role at the company. Bill Beer and Ashleigh Braun led the assignment. “Jeff is
Dynamic Search Consulting Seeks Two Key Roles for Neeyamo
San Jose, CA-based Dynamic Search Consulting (DSC) has been enlisted to help fill two key roles—global head of alliances and head of sales—for Neeyamo, a platform-based global payroll provider. The global head of alliances will be expected to lead in building revenue generating alliances and partnerships. With the support of the chief client partner, this
Skyminyr Launches AI-Driven Platform with Funding from Search Firms
Skyminyr, a human capital intelligence platform, has raised $2.5 million in seed funding to accelerate the continued development of its AI-driven platform. Investors in the seed round for Skyminyr include True Search, IQ Talent Partners, and Caldwell Partners, as well as financier Karmel Capital. Skyminyr has built a human capital intelligence platform, which will pair global top talent, across any industry with
Key Capabilities for the Modern CFO
In today’s talent marketplace, there has been a significant shift in demand toward the “Modern CFO.” The chief financial officer role has evolved towards a forward-looking strategic business partner who oversees a broad functional range of responsibilities and has strong relationships across the organization. Gone are the days of CFOs as gatekeepers in a back-office
Why Talent Management Needs to Evolve
Since the spring of 2020, businesses around the world have significantly changed the way they manage their talent. The workforce has in many ways been transformed, especially in terms of remote work and relationships between employers and employees. Dimitri Davreux, IRC Luxembourg and managing partner at adVeci Advisors, says that for years talent management in
DHR Global Recruits Men’s Basketball Coach for the University of Louisville
Chicago-based DHR Global has assisted in the recruitment of Kenny Payne as the sixth men’s head basketball coach for the University of Louisville. He replaces Chris Mack, who mutually parted ways with the school in January. DHR’s managing partner and global sports practice leader Glenn Sugiyama headed the assignment. “As I stated when we began this process in
Caliber Associates Fills Senior Post for INOVIO Pharmaceuticals
San Diego, CA- based Caliber Associates recently placed David Liebowitz as senior vice president, clinical development at INOVIO Pharmaceuticals. The assignment was led by Steven P. Hochberg, the search firm’s founder and CEO. “David is a highly experienced and strategic leader of clinical development having advanced numerous programs through the regulatory process,” said Mr. Hochberg. Dr. Liebowitz
Agilium Worldwide Adds Neumann Executive in Poland to Network
Global executive search consortium Agilium Worldwide recently added Neumann Executive in Poland as a new member firm. “In Agilium Worldwide we are not looking to grow our footprint at any cost,” said Monika Borgers, executive director of Agilium Worldwide. “We only welcome executive search firms in strategic geographical locations who share our aspiration to excellence. We work so
Working from Home and Adjusting to the New Normal for Businesses
Company culture is not easily encapsulated or often prioritized, even when staff are working in the office, interfacing in real time with the company philosophy. Working from home has revealed not only how few organizations have refined their company culture sufficiently, but also how few have yet to even consider company culture, according to Alyssa
ZRG Partners Recruits CFO for Level Up MD Urgent Care
ZRG Partners, a leading search firm backed by private equity firm RFE Investment Partners, has assisted in the recruitment of Jyotsana Sahota as the new chief financial officer of Level Up MD Urgent Care in Bloomfield, NJ. Managing partner Brian McGowan led the assignment, along with managing director Brian Kelley. Ms. Sahota is a seasoned professional who is
The Lapham Group Recruits CIO for Erie Insurance
The chief information officer is considered one of the most strategic roles in any organization. Still, head hunting within the function remains challenging, as skilled C-suite IT professionals are among the toughest to find. In one recent search, The Lapham Group placed Parthasarathy Srinivasa as the new executive vice president and CIO of Erie Insurance (ERIE). His appointment follows
RH Perry Seeks CFO for California State University Stanislaus
Asheville, NC-based RH Perry & Associates has been enlisted to find the next vice president for business and finance/chief financial officer for California State University Stanislaus in Turlock. Leading the assignment are Sue DeWine, senior consultant, and Paul G. Doeg, president and chief operating officer, of the search firm. Reporting directly to the university president, the
Z3Talent Appoints SVP of Business Development
Denver-based executive search firm Z3Talent has expanded with the addition of Bennie Fowler as senior vice president of business development. Mr. Fowler has played wide receiver for a number of NFL teams, including the Denver Broncos in their 2015-16 championship season. “We’re excited about adding a talent like Bennie to our team,” said Steve Ziegler,
Jobless Claims Fall to Five Decade Low; Hiring Uptick Expected in Q2
The Labor Department reported that 187,000 Americans have filed new claims for state unemployment benefits, a decrease of 28,000 from the previous week’s revised level. This is the lowest level for initial claims since September 6, 1969 when it was 182,000. The previous week’s level was revised up by 1,000 from 214,000 to 215,000. The
