DAILY NEWSWIRE - TOP STORIES
Daily Newswire
Goldman Sachs Signals a New M&A Supercycle
Goldman Sachs’ 2026 Global M&A Outlook suggests the market is entering a new phase of strategic transformation driven by technological disruption, scale ambitions, and unprecedented levels of capital deployment. The report highlights a surge in large-scale deals during the second half of 2025, with global M&A volumes rising sharply and mega transactions accelerating across regions.Corporate and private
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
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.
The Talent Studios Recruits Chief Marketing Officer for Pura Vida Miami
The Talent Studios has recruited Bruno Cardinali as chief marketing officer of Pura Vida Miami, the premium all-day café and lifestyle brand focused on health, wellness and community. The search was led by Katlyn Maloney and Jeremy Cohen. Mr. Cardinali brings more than two decades of marketing leadership across fast casual, foodservice, beverage, and global consumer brands. Most recently, as
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?
JM Search Expands Technology and Financial Services Practices
JM Search, a senior-level talent provider serving private equity investors, portfolio companies, and Fortune 1000s, has expanded with the additions of Wes Chisholm as partner and Laura Bennstrom and Charles Telep as principals within its technology and financial services practices. Mr. Chisholm and Mr. Telep join the firm’s technology practice while Ms. Bennstrom joins both the financial
How The Tolan Group Navigated the Downturn and Remained Focused
For many executive search firms, 2024 and 2025 tested resilience in ways few could have predicted. At The Tolan Group (TTG), they experienced the same pressures felt across the industry. Slower decision cycles, delayed starts, and a noticeable dip in portfolio company hiring activity. Yet through that uncertainty, one thing remained constant: our commitment to
Korn Ferry Reports Seven Percent Q4 and Full-Year Revenue Growth, Led by Double-Digit Gains in Professional Search & Interim
Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) has posted Q4 fiscal-year revenues of $759.8 million, a year-over-year increase of seven percent and five percent at constant currency. This was led by Professional Search & Interim up 14 percent, followed by Executive Search and Consulting, both up seven percent and RPO up five percent. During the fourth quarter, revenues rose by
Lock Search Group Leading CEO Search for Atlas Sign & Awning
Toronto-headquartered executive recruitment firm Lock Search Group is currently seeking a new CEO for Atlas Sign & Awning. For over 30 years, Atlas Sign & Awning has helped businesses across Canada and the United States stand out through custom commercial signage, awnings, and branded architectural elements. Based in Langley, BC, they’ve built a strong reputation for quality
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
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,
Unlocking the Value of Diverse Leaders
Diversity in leadership is no longer a discussion about representation — it’s a defining factor in organizational performance. Across industries, companies are realizing that when leadership teams reflect a range of experiences, perspectives, and voices, they make better decisions and drive stronger business outcomes. Beyond simply filling seats, true leadership diversity transforms how teams think,
SPMB Completes Search for NewView Capital
SPMB, an executive search firm that helps find transformative executives throughout Silicon Valley, has assisted in placing Chetan Chaudhary as a partner with Burlingame, CA-based venture capital firm NewView Capital (NVC). Suzanne Heske, who heads SPMB’s investment practice, led the assignment. Mr. Chaudhary is a seasoned executive, with more than 20 years of experience driving
DHR Global Recruits Chief People Officer for Builders FirstSource
Chris Knipp of Chicago-based executive search firm DHR Global has recruited Amy Bass Messersmith as chief people officer of Builders FirstSource in Dallas. She will be overseeing all aspects of human resources, including the implementation of strategies to develop and promote best practices in organizational and leadership development, diversity and inclusion, and talent acquisition, development, and management. “We are
Daversa Partners Recruits VP of Engineering for Dapper Labs
Daversa Partners, which helps build leadership teams for growth and venture-backed companies, has assisted in the recruitment of Dzmitry Markovich as vice president of engineering for Dapper Labs in Vancouver, British Columbia. Managing director Lindsay Angelillo led the assignment. “Dapper Labs is by far one of the most disruptive and transformative Web3 companies of our generation,” said Ms.
The Christopher Group Selected by Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters to Find Chief People Officer
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, it is the chief people officer who typically goes beyond overseeing its people policies. The focus instead is on building talent as a key
The Challenge of Recruiting Cybersecurity Talent
In recent years, cybersecurity recruiting has probably changed more than any other area of technology recruiting. It plays a key role in the success of every company and industry. Moreover, cybersecurity is critical to protecting the information of hundreds of millions of people all over the globe. “Recruiting cybersecurity executives can be extremely challenging,” said
Artico Search Recruits Chief Content Officer for Outside Interactive
Mercedes Chatfield-Taylor, co-founder of Artico Search, has placed Amy DuBois Barnett as the first-ever chief content officer of Outside Interactive Inc., a creator of active and healthy lifestyle content, events, and experiences. “Outside has experienced enormous growth over the past year,” said Robin Thurston, CEO of Outside. “Amy’s results-driven outlook and impressive media expertise are exactly what
Calibre One Expands Search Staff
Executive search firm Calibre One has named Jose Martinez as partner. Based in Chicago, he will combine his knowledge of manufacturing and advanced technology to assist companies that are embracing “the fourth industrial revolution” and building high performing digital teams, according to Calibre One. “We’re very pleased to welcome Jose and his forward-thinking expertise to our firm,”
Vaco Appoints Leader of Denver Office
Brentwood, TN-headquartered recruiting firm Vaco has named Bret Hamilton managing partner of its Denver office, with an eye to fueling its growth and expanding its technology offerings in the Colorado market. “Bret’s professional background includes the ideal balance of results-oriented leadership and motivational energy, both important attributes for a people-focused leader,” said Jim Dimovski, senior vice president and executive partner of
The Changing Requirements of Financial Leaders
Over the past year, Christian Schmidt and his colleagues have had dozens of discussions with CFOs to understand how they have been navigating the pandemic era and are adapting as leaders to this challenging and often unpredictable environment. What became apparent during these conversations is that the pandemic created or accelerated some key trends that
Spencer Stuart Appoints CFO
Spencer Stuart has recruited Christine Laurens, former chief financial officer for global management consulting firm Kearney, as its new CFO. She succeeds Valerie Harper, who becomes the firm’s head of Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) and Asia-Pacific. “We are delighted to welcome Christine Laurens to Spencer Stuart as our chief financial officer and member
TurningPoint Executive Search Recruits COO for Kia America
TurningPoint Executive Search recently recruited Steven Center as executive vice president and chief operating officer of Kia America. Senior partner Raquel Gallant led the assignment. “Steven is a proven innovator with an impressive track record within the automotive industry,” said Ms. Gallant. “I knew he was the whole package when I got to know him and learned
HARTZ Search Seeks Chief Medical Officer for JPS Health Network
Charlotte, NC-based HARTZ Search was recently enlisted by the JPS Health Network to lead its search for a new chief medical officer. The role involves developing strategies to align with the mission, vision, and values of the organization. The individual is charged with both operational and clinical oversight responsibilities and works closely with the academic faculty and
MalinHughes Appoints President of Human Capital Solutions Practice
The executive search field continues to be a welcoming landing pad for human resources 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. Chicago-based executive search firm MalinHughes recently expanded its leadership team with the addition of former HR executive
5 Actions Business Leaders Can Take as War In Ukraine Deepens
Fighting around the world has been a fact of life for centuries. Today, when cultures clash, and armies move in, the geopolitical implications for global businesses can become decidedly complicated. Customers, supply chains, jobs, and employees are all in the firing line. Now, a crisis is unfolding in real time. Over the past 30 years, war has
Does Your No. 2 Leader Have What it Takes for the Top Job?
When clients lack internal bench strength and succession planning does not deliver, they retain executive search firms to recruit the organization’s next leader. Whether it is a chief executive officer, executive director, or president role, organizations tend to be favorably disposed toward sitting CEOs, those who are current No. 1 leaders. “While this may be
ON Partners Recruits CEO for Nooma Bio
Partner Suzanne Zebedee of ON Partners recently placed Kevin Corcoran as the new chief executive officer of Santa Cruz, CA-based Nooma Bio Inc., an innovator in the use of dual-nanopore technology to detect genome-wide structural and epigenetic variation. “After almost two years as Nooma’s CEO, I am delighted to welcome Kevin to the team,” said company co-founder
Arts Consulting Group Seeks New Leader for Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity
Boston-based search firm Arts Consulting Group (ACG) has been enlisted to find the next president and CEO of Alberta, Canada-based Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. The organization wants a visionary leader who focuses on programmatic and educational innovation, pursues new and emerging trends, and embraces unique opportunities in the arts and education field, said the search firm.
Hudson Global Posts 67 Percent Revenue Increase
Old Greenwich, Conn.-based recruiting firm Hudson Global Inc. / (NASDAQ:HSON) has posted 2021 full-year revenues of $169.2 million, a 66.8 percent increase from a year earlier. The firm’s Americas revenue of $22.8 million increased 20 percent, Asia-Pacific revenue of $118.6 million increased 45 percent, and Europe revenue of $21.8 million was up 37 percent. The recruiting firm posted net income of
True Search Recruits CEO for WW International
Executive recruiting firm True Search has assisted in the recruitment of Sima Sistani as the new chief executive officer of WW International (formerly WeightWatchers). Her appointment follows Mindy Grossman’s previously announced decision to step down as CEO at the end of the first quarter. To ensure a seamless transition, Ms. Grossman will now depart WW on March 18. Todd Zangrillo and Kristin Godfrey,
Artico Search Recruits Chief Revenue Officer for Labster
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,
DHR Global Retained by Western Michigan to Find Head Basketball Coach
Universities continue to turn to executive search firms to fill top coaching positions. Western Michigan University has retained Chicago-based DHR Global to assist in its search process for a new men’s head basketball coach. Sitting head coach Clayton Bates has announced he is stepping down. DHR’s managing partner and global sports practice leader, Glenn Sugiyama, is partnering with the school
FaithSearch Partners Names Leader of New Service Line NonProfit+
FaithSearch Partners (FSP) has named Zándra Bishop as senior vice president and leader of its newest service line, NonProfit+. Dr. Bishop brings more than 15 years of executive consulting, leadership, and non-profit management to this new role. Dr. Bishop joined FaithSearch two years ago as a search and management consultant after nine years in various senior leadership
Cybersecurity is the No. 1 Risk Leaders Can’t Ignore
The risk of cybercrime to organizations of all sizes is escalating, with significant costs, and can no longer be ignored by business leaders. The Russian invasion of Ukraine, experts predict, will soon reach far beyond that country’s borders, and affect us far more than at the gas pump. The Department of Homeland Security is warning
Isaacson, Miller Seeks CHRO for Michigan State University
Isaacson, Miller has been enlisted to find the first vice president and chief human resources officer for Michigan State University (MSU) in East Lansing, MI. Leading the assignment is partner Rebecca Kennedy along with associate Stephanie Simon. MSU is seeking an experienced executive leader and strategic partner for this role, said the Boston-based search firm. The
Caliber Associates Fills Top Post for NextCure
San Diego, CA- based Caliber Associates recently placed Amir Hafeez as senior vice president of clinical research and development oncology at NextCure in Beltsville, MD. “Amir brings an impressive record of oncology clinical development experience and a track record of success for advancing clinical candidates,” said Steven Hochberg, the search firm’s founder and CEO. Dr. Hafeez will
33eleven Acquires Lumeidon Partners
33eleven, an executive search firm specializing in finding leaders for venture, growth, and private equity-backed companies, has acquired Lumeidon Partners, a boutique executive search firm recognized for recruiting leadership teams for high-growth technology companies. As a result of the acquisition, Sam Boynton, Lumeidon’s founder, will join 33eleven’s leadership team as a partner. “This acquisition is
Jobless Claims Up Amid Concerns in Eastern Europe
The Labor Department reported that 227,000 Americans have filed new claims for state unemployment benefits, an increase of 11,000 from the previous week’s revised level. The previous week’s level was revised up by 1,000 from 215,000 to 216,000. The four-week moving average was 231,250, an increase of 500 from the previous week’s revised average. The
Korn Ferry Posts 43 Percent Revenue Rise
Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) has posted 2022 fiscal third quarter revenue of $680.7 million, an increase of 43 percent from the third quarter of last year. Revenue increased in all lines of business. The increase in fee revenue was driven by an increase in the number of new search engagements as well as an increase in average fee
LHH Knightsbridge Seeks CEO for Lung Health Foundation
Toronto-based LHH Knightsbridge has been enlisted to find the next chief executive officer for the Lung Health Foundation. George Habib, the non-profit’s current leader, recently announced that he will be retiring at the end of the year. “On behalf of the board of directors, and the Lung Health Foundation’s employees, volunteers, and partners, I would
CarrSports Consulting Recruits Athletic Director for Marshall University
Following a national search, CarrSports Consulting has assisted in the recruitment of Christian Spears as the next athletic director of Marshall University. “Christian Spears is a transformational leader who exhibits a deep respect for tradition, combined with an ability to architect a vision to unleash potential,” said Brad D. Smith, president of Marshall. “I am excited to welcome
Caldwell Forms Alliance with Johnson Partners
Toronto-based Caldwell has forged an international alliance partnership with Johnson Partners, a consulting firm working in board search, executive search, and leadership succession with offices across Australia. In connection with the alliance, Johnson Partners has acquired the business of Caldwell’s non-owned New Zealand licensee, and integrated Caldwell’s Australian team. Johnson Partners will become Caldwell’s external search
