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Daily Newswire
Anthem Executive Leading President Search for the University of Montevallo
Anthem Executive was recently retained by the University of Montevallo (UM) to lead in its search for its next president. Terry Roberson is currently served as interim president. Michael Ballew, Scott Watson, Mike “JR” Wheless, and Florene Stawowy are leading the search. The next president will inherit an institution with a proud mission, deeply committed faculty and staff, and a strong
McDermott + Bull Interim Leaders Continues Expansion
Irvine-based McDermott + Bull Interim Leaders (MBIL) has expanded with the addition of Chris Clarke as managing director, based in Chicago. “Chris joins the firm as McDermott + Bull Interim Leaders continues to expand its presence across the Midwest, further strengthening the firm’s ability to support organizations navigating leadership transitions, transformation, and time-sensitive business initiatives,” the firm said. “Chris
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.
Kincannon & Reed Appoints VP of Marketing and Business Development
Kincannon & Reed (K&R), which exclusively focuses on food, agribusiness, and the related life sciences, has expanded with the addition of Dan Evans as vice president of marketing and business development. “Dan brings a strong background in building brands, driving growth, and connecting strategy to execution,” said Stephanie Liska, president of Kincannon & Reed. “Throughout his career,
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?
Women Founders Gain Ground in Human Capital M&A
A meaningful shift has been unfolding across the executive search industry. Over the past decade, a growing number of highly specialized boutiques have been founded and led by women, many of whom built successful careers within larger firms before launching businesses of their own. What is becoming increasingly clear is that investors are paying attention.
Private Equity Recruiting – Return on Investment: Creating Value with Talent
Talent has become a defining driver of performance in private equity, shaping how firms manage risk, execute strategy, and deliver sustained returns. As deal cycles tighten and value creation depends increasingly on operational excellence, leadership quality and organizational design are no longer secondary considerations — they are central to how firms source, underwrite, and scale
AGB Search Seeking Chief Information Technology Officer for Slippery Rock University
Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, has been retained by Slippery Rock University to lead in its search for a chief information technology officer (CITO). Kimberly Templeton, Margaret Plympton, and Anne Hoffman are leading the assignment. This leader serves as the University’s senior technology executive, providing strategic vision, leadership, and executive
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
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
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,
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
Perrett Laver Names Six Partners
International executive search firm Perrett Laver has appointed six new partners. “All are expert at connecting influential organizations with dynamic leaders in their respective sectors,” the firm said. The appointment of the new partners comes after a year that saw extremely strong business performance, with Perrett Laver generating record revenues and continuing to expand the business
Tapping High-End Talent on Their Terms
A new report from Business Talent Group (BTG) shows that 70 percent of high-end independent talent want to pick their own projects and 63 percent seek freedom to work from anywhere, as massive changes to the workplace and how and where people work continues. BTG’s 2022 Talent Lens—based on a survey of more than 1,900 high-end independent talent—provides insights about the mindset of
SRI Acquires Mission Bay
London-based executive recruiting firm SRI has acquired Mission Bay, a media and entertainment executive search provider serving clients across the U.K., Asia-Pacific and the U.S. covering the international broadcasting, production, publishing, and wider media space. “We are thrilled to welcome Joanna Reesby, John Keeling, and their talented team to SRI,” said Jamie Waldron, SRI managing partner and
Slone Partners Names Chief Talent Officer
Life sciences-focused search firm Slone Partners has expanded with the addition of Alicia Montgomery as chief talent officer. “Alicia Montgomery is a true superstar in the recruiting world,” said Leslie Loveless, CEO of Slone Partners. “She has a passion for providing an exceptional client experience and for developing effective training and onboarding programs to help advance internal talent.
ON Partners Fills Board Position for ArrowStream
Although boards of directors are considered the backbones of organizations, director recruiting has grown markedly more challenging, say recruiters who conduct searches in that area. As a result, companies continue to turn to executive search firms to help find new board members. ON Partners has placed Helen Davis as a new member of the board of directors
Gallagher Assists Subway Supply Chain Cooperative in Finding CEO
Gallagher’s Executive Search and Leadership Advisers (ESLA) has placed Kirsten Michulka as the new president and chief executive officer of Independent Purchasing Cooperative Inc. (IPC), a Subway franchisee-owned supply chain cooperative serving restaurants in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Ms. Michulka replaced Jan Risi who retired after leading the organization for over 25 years.
Daversa Partners Names First President
Daversa Partners, which helps build leadership teams for growth and venture-backed companies, has appointed Laura Kinder as its first president. “Laura’s promotion comes at a time of expansive global growth for the company and the clients we serve,” said Paul Daversa, founder and chief executive officer. “She has acted as a key member on our oversight committee
The Ins and Outs of Building a Diverse Workforce
Many organizations now realize how critical diversity is to high performance – and various data points suggest that companies are more successful when they adopt more inclusive hiring strategies. According to recruiters, DE&I should be made a priority and an integrated part of every company’s strategic, talent, and leadership goals. Part of building strong, diverse hiring
SPMB Recruits Chief Marketing Officer for Ethos
SPMB, an executive search firm that helps find transformative executives throughout Silicon Valley, has assisted in the placement of Sheila Vashee as chief marketing officer for Ethos, the largest term life insurance provider in the U.S. Partner Dean Nacey led the assignment. Ms. Vashee joins Ethos from early stage investing firm Basis Set Ventures. Prior to
BridgeStreet Partners Recruits CFO for Communities Foundation of Texas
BridgeStreet Partners has recruited Jim Berry as the new chief financial officer of the Communities Foundation of Texas (CFT), one of the largest community foundations in the U.S. CFT manages more than 1,000 component funds and has distributed over $2 billion in charitable grants. Mr. Berry is an enterprise CFO with expertise in multiple industries such
CFR Global Executive Search Adds New Partner in Canada
CFR Global Executive Search has added executive search firm PIXCELL in Montreal as its newest partner. This strategic partnership will allow PIXCELL to draw on CFR’s international executive network and enhance its service offering. “As the shortage of skilled labor persists, there is a growing need for executive recruitment in Canada,” said CFR. “It has thus become crucial
Unemployment Rate Falls to 3.8 Percent
Employment rose by 678,000 in February as the U.S. unemployment rate edged up to 3.8 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. Job growth was widespread, led by gains in leisure and hospitality, professional and business services, healthcare, and construction. The number of unemployed persons edged down to 6.3 million. In February
Starfish Partners Launches Investment Platform for Recruiting Firms
Starfish Partners has been launched as an ownership/investment platform for the executive search market. The platform, according to its founder, was formed to allow owners to scale and monetize their business value; it will also allow independent search firm owners to participate and share in the equity of an entire family of companies, not just
Russell Reynolds Associates Recruits CEO for the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
Russell Reynolds Associates recently placed Samantha Roberts as the new chief executive officer of England’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). She assumed the post in February from recently retired Gillian Leng. “I would like to welcome Dr. Samantha Roberts as the new CEO of NICE,” said Lord Kamall, minister for innovation. “Dr. Roberts
JDG Associates Seeking Chief Diversity Officer for the American Veterinary Medical Association
Chief diversity, equity and inclusion officers have emerged as key leaders during this enormous period of transition for workers and the workplace. With a global workforce shifting in complexity, there is a growing need for diversity experts who can shape the vision, culture and very face of organizations. At issue: Too few women and people
Felix Global Launches Talent and Organizational Performance Practice
Leadership development, recruiting, and outplacement firm Felix Global has launched a talent and organizational performance practice. Veteran consultant Marc Detampel, who joined the firm last year, will head the practice. The new practice works with C-suite leaders to provide several services to improve their organizations, including cultural alignment, organizational design, enterprise talent strategy, and human resources strategy.
Diversified Search Group Acquires Alta Associates
Diversified Search Group (DSG), a leading search firm backed by private equity firm ShoreView Industries, has acquired Alta Associates, a Flemington, NJ-based search firm founded by Joyce Brocaglia specializing in cybersecurity, IT risk management, and data privacy. Hunt Scanlon Ventures, based in Greenwich, Conn., facilitated the introduction and transaction between both organizations. “This is a strategic acquisition that will
Carrington & Carrington Seeks COO for Cook County Health
Cook County Health (CCH) is partnering with Chicago-based Carrington & Carrington Diversity Executive Search to find its next chief operating officer for the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH), a nationally accredited, state-certified local health department for 2.5 million residents, 125 municipalities, 30 townships, and more than 700 schools. The incoming executive will design, implement, and
Higher Education Leadership Search Seeks Presidents for Two Oklahoma Universities
Anniston, AL-based Higher Education Leadership Search has been selected to find presidents for the Regional University System of Oklahoma (RUSO) Board of Regents—East Central University (ECU) and Northwestern Oklahoma State University (NWOSU). Both assignments, which call for similar duties and qualifications, are being spearheaded by consultants Bill Meehan and Alan Medders. For the ECU search, Higher
BarkerGilmore Adds Former PepsiCo General Counsel as Senior Advisor
Boutique search firm BarkerGilmore, which specializes in building corporate legal and compliance teams, has added former PepsiCo general counsel David Yawman to its consulting division as a senior advisor. The firm noted that Yawman’s depth of experience adds another dimension for clients seeking to bring out the best in their people and take their organization to
Jobless Claims Fall; Recovery Continues to Face Obstacles
The Labor Department reported that 215,000 Americans have filed new claims for state unemployment benefits, a decrease of 18,000. The previous week’s level was revised up by 1,000 from 232,000 to 233,000. The four-week moving average was 230,500, a decrease of 6,000 from the previous week’s revised average. The previous week’s average was revised up
Retaining Your Employees During the Great Resignation
It’s not unusual for Sara Garlick Lundberg, a partner in the non-profit practice of DHR Global, to be approached by non-profit leadership contemplating change. But the rate at which this is happening has skyrocketed, thanks to the Great Resignation, or the Great Re-evaluation as others call it. For some, continued uncertainty and talk of a hot
Diversified Search Group | Koya Partners Recruits CEO for Easterseals
After a rigorous national search, Diversified Search Group | Koya Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Kendra E. Davenport as president and chief executive officer of Easterseals. Alison Ranney, managing partner and CEO practice co-lead, led the assignment along with Corina Benitz, vice president and senior associate; Tiara D. Muse, VP and senior search associate; and Alison
How to Prepare a Company’s Steering Committee for its Mission
The mission of a company’s steering committee is to project the business into the future, to focus on achieving objectives and to ensure its long-term sustainability and growth. As given, this statement applies to any company in any sector, with any (or most) possible realities, and by extension for any steering committee. But how to move from
ZRG Partners Names EMEA Leader
ZRG Partners, a leading search firm backed by private equity firm RFE Investment Partners, recently expanded with the addition of Natalie Sleiman as managing director in Dubai and will serve as its EMEA lead, further expanding the firm’s data-driven platform and global presence in the region. She joins the firm’s professional and technology services practice. “Through her track
NPAworldwide Expands U.S. Capacity
Member-owned recruitment network NPAworldwide has added seven new member locations across the U.S. “Congratulations to each of our new member firms,” said Dave Nerz, president of NPAworldwide. “By joining our recruiting network, these firms are invested as owners. Our continued membership growth allows independent recruitment firms to more effectively serve their clients and candidates by adding
Heidrick & Struggles Reports 61 Percent Revenue Rise; Names Diversity Leader
Executive search, leadership consulting and culture shaping services provider Heidrick & Struggles / (NASDAQ:HSII) has posted global revenues of $1 billion, compared to $621.6 million in 2020, an increase of 61.4 percent. The Chicago-headquartered recruiter — the fifth largest global firm as ranked by Hunt Scanlon Media — reported net income was $72.6 million and diluted earnings per share was $3.58. This compares to a net
