DAILY NEWSWIRE - TOP STORIES
Daily Newswire
Leadership Challenges Intensify as Organizations Confront AI, Talent, and Economic Uncertainty
Organizations are operating in an increasingly complex environment where economic uncertainty, workforce challenges, AI adoption, and digital transformation are converging to reshape leadership priorities. Kestria’s second annual global leadership survey builds on the themes that emerged in last year’s research; highlighting how rapidly the leadership landscape continues to evolve. Based on responses from more than
Riviera Partners Acquires Lateral Labs
San Francisco-based Riviera Partners, a recruitment provider specializing in C-level engineering, product, and design leader placements, has acquired Lateral Labs, a specialized recruiting firm serving top AI startups. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “The acquisition comes as companies remain challenged to meet the demand of organizational AI readiness,” the firm said. “Adding Lateral Labs positions Riviera Partners
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.
DHR Global Expands Middle East and Africa Presence
Talent advisory firm DHR Global has expanded with the addition of Michael Patrick Okumu-Ringa as managing partner, Middle East and Africa. Based in Dubai, he will lead the expansion of DHR’s regional business, building its team and strengthening its executive search and leadership advisory capabilities while connecting regional clients with international talent in partnership with DHR’s London office. “The
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?
Talentfoot Grows HR Practice
Talentfoot Executive Search has expanded with the addition of Gabe Peacock as associate partner, helping drive the continued growth of the firm’s human resources practice. “With Gabe joining the team, Talentfoot is continuing to expand our ability to support clients in finding HR leaders who can solve complex people challenges, strengthen culture, scale people operations,
Artico Search Founders Reflect on Five Years of Growth and Lessons Learned
Five years after its founding, Artico Search has grown from a two-person venture into a boutique executive search firm serving venture capital, private equity-backed, and publicly traded companies. Founded in 2021 by Mercedes Chatfield-Taylor, CEO and co-founder, and Matt Comyns, president and co-founder, the firm has built its business around emerging technology, with particular depth
Caldwell Sells IQTalent Partners to WinMil for $4.7 Million
Toronto-based Caldwell has completed the sale of substantially all of the net operating assets of its wholly owned subsidiary, IQTalent Partners, Inc., to WinMil, Inc. WinMil will continue to operate the business under the IQTalent name and brand. In 2020, Caldwell acquired IQTalent to broaden its service offerings into technology-enabled recruiting solutions at the professional level.
WittKieffer Selected by Park University for President Search
Oak Brook, IL-based WittKieffer has been retained by Park University to lead in its search for a new president. Consultant Alejandra Gillette-Teran, principal Melody Rose and associate Sarah Seavey are spearheading the assignment for the search firm. Reporting to an engaged board of trustees, the president will be expected to grow the University into the future. The president provides leadership in
NPAG Leading Executive Director Search for SEAL
Executive search firm NPAG was recently retained by SEAL (Sobrato Early Academic Language) to lead in its search for a new executive director. Allison Kupfer Poteet, managing partner, is leading the search along with Alejandra Villa, managing associate. The organization seeks a strong enterprise leader with strategic and financial acumen, experience leading through change, and genuine credibility
August Leadership Appoints Senior Advisor in Tokyo
August Leadership has named Paul Dupuis as senior advisor in Tokyo. “We are delighted to have Paul join August Leadership,” the firm said in a LinkedIn post. “His experience will add significant depth as we aim to strengthen our presence and relationships in Japan, alongside our broader APAC capabilities.” With more than 30 years of leadership
C-Suite Volatility Reshapes Talent Market, Creating Expanding Role for Search Firms
Crist|Kolder Associates’ latest 2026 Mid-Year Volatility Report provides a detailed look at leadership trends across 665 Fortune 500 and S&P 500 companies. Tracking executive changes through July 31, the research examines CEO, CFO, and COO turnover, career paths, diversity, and the emergence of new leadership positions as organizations adapt to an increasingly complex business environment.
The McCormick Group Completes Searches for Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
The McCormick Group, an Arlington, VA-based executive recruitment firm, has assisted in the recruitment of Rodney Whitlock, Debbie Curtis, Katie Waldo, and Maddie News to the federal health policy practice of Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, the bipartisan government relations and communications affiliate of international law firm Cozen O’Connor. The search was led by principal David
Krauthamer & Associates Selected by Regional Transportation District for CEO Search
Krauthamer & Associates (K&A) has been retained by the Regional Transportation District (RTD) in Denver, CO, to lead in its search for a new CEO. “RTD seeks a CEO who can continue strengthening the agency’s fiscal foundation, drive long‑range funding solutions, and guide RTD through budget challenges while advancing innovation, equity, transit service delivery and the
BrainWorks Grows Legal Practice
Warren, NJ-based executive search firm BrainWorks has named Rachel Chandler as director of legal recruitment. “With nearly two decades of experience spanning law, legal recruitment, and business development, Rachel brings an exceptional depth of expertise and a unique perspective to our team,” Brainworks said in a LinkedIn post. “From practicing corporate law to leading legal recruiting teams,
Boyden Forms Alliance with South African firm Tuesday Consulting
Boyden has formed a partnership with South African firm Tuesday Consulting, an executive search and advisory firm helping clients drive growth through sustainable human capital resourcing practices. The partnership will be led by seasoned industry executives Wendy Spalding and Tsholofelo Nketane, along with a team of nine professionals from Tuesday Consulting. “Partnering with Tuesday Consulting represents an
Leadership in Uncertain Times: How Executives Adapt
Leadership has always required navigating change, but today’s executives operate in an environment where geopolitical developments, economic uncertainty, and evolving market expectations can quickly reshape business priorities. This places renewed attention on how leaders set direction, strengthen organizational resilience and prepare their businesses for an uncertain future. According to the latest Kestria Global Leadership Barometer, geopolitical
Excel Search & Advisory Leading Search for Next WNBA Commissioner
The WNBA has begun the search for its next commissioner as the league prepares for a leadership transition at the end of the year. The NBA has retained Excel Search & Advisory, formerly Nolan Partners, to identify a successor to Cathy Engelbert, according to The Athletic. The assignment comes as the league continues to experience
Bryant Group Fills Senior Position for Wabash College
Dallas-based executive search and talent development firm Bryant Group has placed Tyler J. Wade as dean for enrollment management at Wabash College. Mr. Wade, a 2012 Wabash graduate, has served as interim dean since June. This follows a nationwide search led by the firm’s president Chris Bingley. “One of the things that made him stand out in the field
Leathwaite Continues Partnership with St Marylebone School
London-based executive search firm Leathwaite is continuing its long-standing partnership with St Marylebone School in London, supporting students as they prepare for the next stages of their academic and professional journeys. The firm said the program is part of its community engagement efforts and reflects its commitment to social mobility and widening access to opportunity. St
Hunt Scanlon Media and Simsola AI Launch Survey on the Last Mile of Executive Search
Executive search firms are under growing pressure to bring greater consistency and transparency to how finalists are evaluated and recommendations are made. As AI and new technology move deeper into the search process, firms are also rethinking how interview feedback is captured, how candidates are compared, and where experienced consultant judgment should carry the most
Investigative Diligence Moves Earlier in Executive Search
Executive hiring decisions increasingly carry reputational, financial, and governance consequences that extend well beyond a candidate’s resume. As a result, boards, investors, and search committees are placing greater emphasis on understanding the broader context behind an executive’s track record before making a final decision. That shift is giving investigative diligence a more prominent role in
Carpenter Legal Search Recruits General Counsel for Spirax Group’s Electric Thermal Solutions Division
Carpenter Legal Search, Inc. has recruited Matthew Simonds as general counsel of the Electric Thermal Solutions (ETS) division of Spirax Group, a global industrial engineering company. “Matt stood out throughout the search process because of his combination of legal sophistication, strong business judgment, and ability to serve as a true strategic partner to leadership,” said Lori Carpenter,
Kincannon & Reed Assists Stokes Seeds with Chief Commercial Officer Search
Kincannon & Reed (K&R), which exclusively focuses on food, agribusiness, and the related life sciences, has helped to recruit Andy Paston as chief commercial officer of Stokes Seeds, a leading North American supplier of vegetable seed serving commercial growers across the United States and Canada. “Andy brings a strong combination of agricultural expertise and commercial leadership,”
Chartwell Partners Recruits President and CEO for Eagle Bancorp
Dallas, TX-based executive search firm Chartwell Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Stephen Curley as president and chief executive officer of Eagle Bancorp, Inc., the Bethesda-based holding company for EagleBank, one of the largest community banks in the Washington, D.C. area. The appointment followed an extensive board evaluation and search of internal and external candidates.
Egon Zehnder Examines the Great AI Divide Reshaping Private Equity Leadership
Private equity firms are moving quickly to determine where AI can create the greatest advantage across portfolio operations and investment strategy. As adoption accelerates, firms are rethinking what kind of AI leadership they need and where those roles should sit. That shift is beginning to reshape talent strategies across the PE market. Over the past
DHR Global Acquires Life Sciences-Focused Discovery Search Partners
Talent advisory firm DHR Global has acquired Discovery Search Partners, a retained executive search firm focused on the life sciences industry. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Bill O’Callaghan of Discovery Search Partners will join DHR as managing partner and Don Evans will join as partner, while Brian Evans will help build out the life sciences vertical
The Lancer Group Recruits CHRO for Liquidity Services
La Jolla, CA-headquartered search firm The Lancer Group recently assisted in the recruitment of Karen Fascenda as chief human resources officer of NASDAQ-traded Liquidity Services. Chairman and CEO Bill Angrick highlighted Ms. Fascenda’s strong track record of aligning talent strategies with business growth. Ms. Fascenda, in turn, described Liquidity Services as a proven market leader with significant
SearchWide Global Recruits Chief Sales Officer for the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp
SearchWide Global has placed Cahal Mowery as chief sales officer of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp (NCVC). Kellie Henderson, global head of destinations, led the assignment. “Cahal brings the experience, leadership and energy we need to continue Nashville’s success as a leading meetings, group and events destination,” said Deana Ivey, president and CEO. “His work in
Riviera Partners Expands in APAC Region
San Francisco-based Riviera Partners, a recruitment provider specializing in C-level engineering, product, and design leader placements, has expanded it the APAC region with the addition of Gaurav Dev Burman as a partner based in Bengaluru. In this role, Gaurav will advise boards, CEOs and investors on technology leadership searches across India and the APAC region. “Gaurav
Laid Off by AI? What’s Really Driving the Latest Job Cuts
Companies are firing workers and saying AI made them do it. But new research from MIT and Oxford reveals the truth: 95 percent of companies investing in AI are getting zero return, yet they’re still using artificial intelligence as a convenient excuse for layoffs. This matters for anyone worried about job security in today’s market,
Ducatus Partners Adds Former HR Executive as Partner
Executive search firm Ducatus Partners has added decades of global human resources experience to its team with the addition of Gary McKinney as partner. “To support our clients at the very highest level, we pride ourselves on providing unparalleled insight,” said Allister Graham, managing partner at Ducatus. “Gary’s experience as an HR leader across multiple large energy
George Washington University Selects Education Executives to Find Next President
Leadership roles in today’s colleges and universities have become increasingly demanding and complex. Senior academic leaders must balance the needs of numerous constituents—needs that require a cross section of skills far beyond the traditional set of scholarly and research accomplishments. Those who lead today’s universities are CEOs of publicly scrutinized institutions with requirements to fundraise,
Wilton & Bain Secures Investment from Beechbrook Capital
Wilton & Bain has secured investment from Beechbrook Capital to fund a second management buyout, bringing 12 new partners into the shareholding structure to support the future growth of the firm. There will also be a pool of unallocated equity for future individuals. “Five years after Wilton & Bain’s initial MBO the firm has tripled
The Tolan Group Completes CEO Search for Lewy Body Dementia Association
The Tolan Group (TTG) has placed Allison Feldman as the new chief executive officer of the Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA). CEO Kaye Johnson led the assignment. “The board of LBDA is excited to welcome Allison as our new CEO and know she will be a great ambassador for our organization and to the individuals and families impacted
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
