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Harris Search Associates Helps Recruit Provost for Ferris University
Harris Search Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Sean Lancaster as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Ferris University. Ed Christ led the assignment. He succeeds Dr. Bobby Fleischman, who has served in the role since 2020. “Dr. Lancaster is passionate about creating environments where all students, staff, and faculty can thrive, building an equitable academic community
Flatiron Search Partners Places CEO at Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
Flatiron Search Partners (FSP) has placed David Stever as the new CEO of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams in Columbus, OH. He joins the company at a time of strong momentum and will lead its next phase of growth as the brand continues to expand nationally and deepen its connection with customers and communities. “We are thrilled to welcome
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.
Why Succession Planning Is Critical to Reducing Leadership Risk
Most organizations have something they refer to as a succession plan — a spreadsheet, a nine-box grid updated once a year and then put away, or an annual HR review. But very few can answer the question that truly matters: if a critical leader left tomorrow, would the organization be able to keep executing? That’s
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?
Rokos Group Seeking Chief Medical Officer for Center for Elders’ Independence
Newport Beach, CA-based executive search firm Rokos Group has been selected by Center for Elders’ Independence (CEI) to lead in its search for a chief medical officer. Reporting to the president and CEO, the chief medical officer will serve as CEI’s senior physician executive and a full member of the executive leadership team. This is a strategic
ADK Consulting & Executive Search Assists the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority with CEO Search
ADK Consulting & Executive Search recently assisted in the recruitment of Cris Jensen as the new president and CEO of the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority (RTAA). Rod Dinger led the assignment. “It is my honor to announce the board has chosen Cris Jensen to serve as the next president and CEO, and his contract negotiations are currently underway,” said Shaun Carey, chair of
How CEOs Can Overcome Setbacks and Emerge Stronger
Executive search firms are increasingly being called upon to assess more than a candidate’s track record of growth, transformation, and financial performance. As boards search for CEOs capable of leading through persistent uncertainty, resilience has become a critical component of the leadership profile. Search consultants are placing greater emphasis on how executives have responded to
Occam Global Recruits CFO for eGenesis
New York City-based executive search firm Occam Global has placed Glenn Vraniak as CFO of eGenesis, a biotechnology company developing human-compatible engineered organs for transplantation. “eGenesis is entering a pivotal stage in our evolution as we prepare to advance our programs through clinical development and lay the foundation for future commercialization,” said Mike Curtis, CEO of eGenesis.
Maven Partnership Names Partner and Consultants
Global talent advisory firm Maven Partnership has recently promoted Tom Chambers to partner, Seb Coughlin as consultant, and George Roberts to consultant. “We are delighted to announce the well-deserved promotions of several exceptional individuals here at Maven Partnership, Will Hannaford, chief executive officer. “We’re committed to the growth and development of our people, and it’s fantastic to
The Execution Era: How Transformation Is Reshaping Private Equity
Most PE value creation plans don’t fail on strategy. They fail between the plan and the doing. With longer holds and less forgiving exit windows, delivery discipline is carrying more of the return, according to a new report from Wilton & Bain’s Jack Syred and James Royall. The report reflects patterns Wilton & Bain has
JDG Associates Retained by the Institute for Defense Analyses to Lead VP of Corporate Operations Search
Rockville, MD-based executive search firm JDG Associates has been tapped by the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) to lead its search for their vice president of corporate operations, based in Alexandria, VA. IDA seeks a seasoned operational and business transformation leader to modernize systems, processes, and service delivery across the organization. Serving as a corporate officer and
Modern Executive Solutions adds Partner to Lead Growth of M1 Talent Community
Atlanta-based talent consultancy Modern Executive Solutions has appointed Bria Bass as as partner, where she will lead the continued growth and expansion of the M1 Talent Community across North America and Europe. “Bria brings a rare combination of executive advisory, deep community-building experience, and an exceptional ability to connect leaders in meaningful ways,” said Mark Oppenheimer, CEO
AI Is Rewriting the Executive Hiring Playbook
Insight Partners’ latest research suggests the AI era is creating a new executive hiring playbook. Based on more than 400 executive searches and interviews with over 1,400 leadership candidates, the firm’s talent team argues that many of the characteristics defining today’s strongest product and engineering leaders would have been viewed as weaknesses only a few years
FMG Leading Acquires Market Intelligence And Strategic Advisory Firm BroadBranch Advisors
Human capital advisory firm FMG Leading has acquired market intelligence and strategic advisory firm BroadBranch Advisors. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “In today’s high-pressure landscape, translating forward-looking intelligence into action faster and more effectively is critical for our clients, especially in the investor-backed healthcare space,” said Matt Brubaker, chairman and CEO of FMG Leading. “By
PARC Street Group Places Chief Operating Officer for Mission Valley Bank
PARC Street Group has assisted in the recruitment Amanda Connell as chief operating officer at Mission Valley Bank. This search was completed by PARC Street Group senior executive search consultant Michelle Davis, executive recruiter Tabassum Nagpurwala, and executive search associate Priscilla Chacon. Ms. Connell brings more than 15 years of progressive leadership experience across community
Hunt Scanlon and HSiQ Build a New Performance Model for Executive Recruiters
As the executive search industry faces growing pressure to deliver stronger and more consistent results, firms are reassessing how recruiters are trained, developed, and prepared to meet changing client demands. A few months ago, Hunt Scanlon and its HSiQ Talent Intelligence advisory unit introduced the Recruiter Performance Training Program, a practical, execution-focused system designed to
U.S. Payrolls Fall by 23,000 in July as Unemployment Rate Dips to 4.1 Percent
Employment fell by 23,000 in July as the U.S. unemployment rate stood at 4.1 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. The number of unemployed people, at 6.9 million, changed little in July. Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rates for teenagers (12.1 percent) and people who are Hispanic (4.6 percent) declined
Parker Remick Expands with New Partner
Seattle, WA-based Parker Remick has appointed Adam Szepkouski as partner of consulting excellence. The firm explained that this hire reflects a broader push to refine execution and scale delivery as demand for senior technology leaders accelerates. The appointment comes at a time of structural change in technology leadership. AI is reshaping how technology organizations are built and
The Data Migration Paralysis Problem: Why Firms Stay on Old Platforms Too Long
Technology has become a defining competitive advantage for executive search firms, yet many organizations continue to rely on aging platforms that no longer innovate. While artificial intelligence, automation, and data-driven workflows are reshaping the industry, the hesitation to replace legacy systems often leaves firms struggling with inefficiencies that quietly accumulate over time. The greatest obstacle
Recruiterflow Offers Four-Step Playbook for Building an AI-Native Search Firm
Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how executive search firms identify talent, manage information, engage candidates, and serve clients. But adopting an AI-powered platform alone does not make a recruiting organization AI-native. The larger challenge is integrating technology across the search lifecycle in ways that improve decision-making, strengthen execution, and allow consultants to devote more attention
Kirk Palmer Associates Recruits Chief Merchandising Officer for Belk
Retail-focused executive search firm Kirk Palmer Associates has helped to recruit Molly Taylor as chief merchandising officer at retailer Belk, where she will lead merchandising strategy and vision across all product categories. Melissa Sussberg and Alexa Liebman led the assignment. Ms. Taylor is a merchandising executive with over 30 years of experience connecting topline vision to bottom-line performance
The Forces Reshaping Executive Search
As organizations face accelerating business transformation, leadership succession, and rapid advances in artificial intelligence, the demands placed on executive search firms continue to evolve. Clients are looking for more than candidate identification—they increasingly expect strategic guidance, deeper market intelligence, and advisors capable of helping them navigate an increasingly complex leadership landscape. Those themes emerged consistently
Bryant Group Fills Senior Position for the University of Washington
Dallas-based executive search and talent development firm Bryant Group has assisted in the recruitment of Justin Michalka as vice president for university development at the University of Washington (UW). The search was led by firm president Chris Bingley. “I’m delighted to welcome Justin to the University of Washington,” said Mary Gresch, senior vice president for university advancement. “He is a
SPMB Expands Financial Officer and Private Equity Practices
SPMB Executive Search has appointed Christy Mihos as a partner in the firm’s financial officer and private equity practices. “Christy is one of the most accomplished CFO search practitioners in the market, and we are thrilled to welcome him to SPMB,” said Dave Mullarkey, managing partner at SPMB. “His track record of advising PE firms and technology companies on
Executive Talent Market Faces New Pressures as AI and Private Equity Reshape Leadership Demand
The executive talent market continues to tighten as private investment accelerates, experienced leaders retire, and organizations compete for executives capable of driving growth and transformation. At the same time, artificial intelligence is changing the capabilities companies expect from senior leaders, while consulting and private equity firms rethink how they build leadership teams and evaluate potential.
Carpenter Legal Search Recruits General Counsel for Park Corporation
Legal recruiting remains an active area for executive search firms as corporations, law firms, government agencies, and other organizations compete for experienced legal talent. Employment of lawyers is projected to grow four percent from 2024 to 2034, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, with approximately 31,500 openings expected each year as employers add
Signium Opens New Office in Hamburg, Germany
Executive search consortium Signium has opened a new office in Hamburg, Germany. The new office is led by Moritz Drerup, managing partner, who joined Signium with more than a decade of executive search experience and a highly focused practice in technology and AI leadership. The Hamburg office represents a natural evolution for Mr. Drerup’s established executive search practice, combining his specialist expertise with the reach,
Executive Search Strategies for Leadership Success
As organizations navigate rapid change, leadership decisions have become increasingly consequential, placing greater pressure on executive search firms to identify candidates who can deliver both immediate impact and long-term value. Success at the highest levels depends on far more than filling a vacancy—it requires a disciplined search strategy that combines market intelligence, rigorous assessment, and
Leverage AI in Your Job Search: When to Use It and When Not To
Artificial intelligence has been changing the way people search for jobs. From optimizing resumes to preparing for interviews, AI has become a valuable resource for candidates looking to streamline the process. The key is knowing how to use it effectively, according to a recent report from New York City headquartered executive search firm Solomon Page. “AI
Hunt Scanlon’s Top 10 Search Assignments for 2025
Executive search in 2025 remained steady and increasingly strategic, as organizations continue to rely on trusted advisors to navigate high-stakes leadership decisions amid ongoing market complexity. Hunt Scanlon Media now takes its annual look back at the top 10 searches of the year. Across these following assignments, executive search firms showcased how leadership recruiting is increasingly
Daversa Partners Recruits Chief Product Officer for Twin Health
Daversa Partners, which helps build leadership teams for growth and venture-backed companies, has assisted in the recruitment of Chris Szeto as the chief product officer of Twin Health in Mountain View, CA. Sarah McDonald and Julie Wrapp led the assignment. “It has been incredible to partner with this world-class team on their mission to reverse and prevent
Axis Talent Partners Seeks Chief People and Culture Officer for SAGE
Axis Talent Partners, a boutique executive search and talent strategy firm which partners with social justice-focused organizations, is seeking a chief people and culture officer (CPCO) for SAGE, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBTQ+ older people. Reporting to the chief financial and administrative officer, the incoming chief people and culture officer will be joining
BridgeStreet Partners Recruits Chief Information Officer for Austin Industries
The chief information officer is considered one of the most strategic roles in any organization. Still, recruiting within the function remains challenging, as skilled C-suite IT professionals are among the toughest to find, and move. BridgeStreet Partners recently recruited Janya Kieffer as the new chief information officer of Austin Industries. Ms. Kieffer was most recently the vice president of information
Direct Recruiters Inc. Names First Woman as Managing Partner
Solon, OH-based Direct Recruiters Inc. (DRI) has appointed Cherie Shepard as managing partner. She becomes the first woman appointed to this role at the firm. “Cherie has demonstrated leadership, mentorship, dedication, and a standard of excellence in her role and within the search industry,” DRI said. Ms. Shepard began at DRI over 14 years ago and currently directs
Chief Secures $100 Million in Funding
Chief, a private network designed to help more businesswomen rise into positions of power, has raised a $100 million Series B investment led by CapitalG at a valuation of $1.1 billion, joining the ranks of female-founded unicorn start-ups. Previous investors General Catalyst, GGV Capital, Inspired Capital, Primary Venture Partners, Flybridge Capital Partners, and BoxGroup also participated in the
ON Partners Recruits CFO for LRN Corp.
ON Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Dean Gels as chief financial officer of LRN Corp. in New York. Managing partner Tim Conti and Tindall Hein led the assignment. Kevin Michielsen, LRN’s chief executive officer, said Mr. Gels was hired for his robust experience as a financial executive for tech and service-based companies. “Dean is a
McCormack+Kristel Seeking CEO for Bronx Parent Housing Network
Executive search firm McCormack+Kristel has been enlisted to find the next chief executive officer for the Bronx Parent Housing Network (BPHN), one of the largest shelter provider in New York City. Last February, Victor Rivera was fired from the role after accusations of sexual misconduct. The assignment is being led by Michelle Kristel, managing partner, and
SRI Acquires LPA Search Partners
London-based executive recruiting firm SRI has acquired LPA Search Partners, a women-owned firm led by industry veterans Willa Perlman and Anna McCormick Kelch. “Technology is driving major change in every industry, and we are delighted to join forces with Anna and Willa and their talented team,” said Jim Chaplin, CEO of SRI. “LPA has an impressive track
DHR Global Recruits General Counsel for the Big Ten Conference
Chicago-based DHR Global has assisted in the recruitment of Anil Gollahalli as chief legal officer and general counsel of the Big Ten Conference. DHR’s managing partner and global sports practice leader Glenn Sugiyama headed the assignment. “When commissioner Kevin Warren first reached out to me to discuss this search and the importance of this placement to the future of the
Connecting Talent to Value
As the world changes, so too does “value” change. What consumers willingly paid for yesterday becomes passé overnight. What they will willingly pay for tomorrow just as quickly becomes today’s business imperative. To keep up with these value shifts, senior leaders move financial capital at lightning speed from points of lower return to points of
The Christopher Group Seeking Director of Talent and Inclusion for SRAM
The Christopher Group (TCG), a boutique HR executive search and business solutions recruiting firm, has been selected by SRAM, one of the world’s largest suppliers of components to the bike industry, to lead its search for a director of talent and inclusion. The search is being led by managing director Pam Noble and recruiting director Kat Kilkenney. “This is the
Korn Ferry Acquires Patina Solutions Group
Acquisitions continue to make news in the recruiting industry, with a number of notable purchases in recent months. The latest: Korn Ferry has acquired interim executive solutions provider Patina Solutions Group. The acquisition is expected to be immediately accretive to Korn Ferry’s adjusted earnings. “This combination presents real, tangible opportunity for Korn Ferry and our
RSR Partners Recruits Chief Investment Officer for the Colorado Health Foundation
Greenwich, Conn.-based RSR Partners recently placed Aron Grodinsky as chief investment officer of the Colorado Health Foundation in Denver. He succeeds Stan Willie, who is retiring. “Aron comes to our organization with significant and diverse investment management experience, and a belief that health is a basic human right,” said Mark Evans, CFO of the non-profit. “He’s a welcomed
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







