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DSG Global Expands Corporate Practice
DSG Global has expanded with the addition of Dustin Laws as managing director for its corporate practice. In this role, he will focus on recruiting financial, operational, and legal leadership for organizations across the business, professional, and commercial services sectors, supporting clients as they strengthen executive teams and position their organizations for long-term growth. Mr. Laws
Hunt Scanlon Reports Executive Recruiting Sector Grew 11 Percent
Executive recruiters entered 2026 from a position of strength, according to Hunt Scanlon, as the media, intelligence, and M&A advisory firm released its annual rankings of executive search firms. “Growth is once again the predominant narrative for the recruiting sector,” said CEO Scott A. Scanlon. “But the real story is the ‘Big Shift’ – the
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,
How Companies Can Retain, Engage, and Empower Talent in a Changing World
One of the greatest challenges faced by many organizations today is retaining and engaging talent, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, which sparked the Great Resignation and heightened competition for top talent. Now, companies have an opportunity to create environments where employees feel valued and motivated to stay long-term, according to a recent report from global
CEO Succession in Healthcare
The stakes of a chief executive officer transition are always high, but the risks of succession are increasing as healthcare systems grow in size and complexity and operate in increasingly dynamic conditions. Based on current trends, a new Spencer Stuart report says that it is expected that more than 80 percent of hospital CEOs will
3 Insights for Leaders on the Importance of a Personal Connection in 2022
As one of the world’s largest consumer-focused private equity firms, L Catterton has helped guide their portfolio companies on how to adopt effective skills to manage both the significant shift in consumer habits as a result of COVID-19, and the ways in which leadership can drive internal connectivity with employees. In a recent discussion, Jeff Weiser, operating
The Christopher Group Places Head of HR at Nordson
Executive recruiters are in hot pursuit of chief human resource officers and other senior-level HR leaders across the nation. Why such pent-up demand for top-flight HR experts? Corporate leaders want HR leaders who are sophisticated, proactive and strategic minded, with strong business savvy to drive their people capabilities like they would a P&L, according to
Buffkin / Baker Seeks General Counsel for University of Missouri System
Executive search firm Buffkin / Baker has been chosen to recruit the next general counsel for the University of Missouri (MU) in Columbia. Leading the assignment is Martin M. Baker, managing partner. Last month general counsel Steve Owens announced his plans to step down in March. Board curator chair Darryl Chatman appointed a search committee, which
Society Launches Board Practice Focused on Placing LGBTQ+ Professionals
Global search firm Society has launched a board practice focused of placing LGBTQ+ directors on the boards of private and publicly traded companies. “This effort is directed to meet the immediate needs to diversify corporate boards and give an inclusive voice to the underrepresented LGBTQ+ community,” the search firm said. “By building a database of self-identified
Advancing Black Leadership at the Board and Executive Level
Black executives have largely not been afforded the same opportunities in tech start-ups and venture capital, according to Daversa Partners. To answer the call, the search firm has established Dreamscape to address the issue by focusing on industry-wide equity and transformation. By working in partnership with CEOs, founders and investors who are committed to making
Savage Partners Appoints COO
Savage Partners, a boutique executive search firm serving the technology sector, has named Kenneth Vancini as its new chief operating officer. “We are thrilled to welcome Ken to Savage Partners,” said Todd Savage, managing director and co-founder of the firm. “His extensive industry experience and expertise will help us continue to serve our clients with
Odgers Berndtson Tapped to Fill Posts for 2032 Olympic Games
Odgers Berndtson has been appointed to find five independent directors, including the president, to serve on the organizing committee for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Brisbane. Federal Minister for Sport Richard Colbeck said a “rigorous recruitment process will ensure an unparalleled line-up of board directors working in the best interests of Queenslanders and all Australians.”
Seattle University Picks Diversified Search Group | Koya Partners to Recruit CHRO
Diversified Search Group | Koya Partners has been enlisted by Seattle University to find its next vice president for human resources and chief human resources officer (CHRO). Managing director Beth Schaefer and search associate Holly Bogo are leading the assignment. “Seattle University seeks an innovative, experienced, and collaborative leader to serve as its next vice president for human
Eton Bridge Partners Names Managing Partner
Executive search, consulting, and interim management provider Eton Bridge Partners has expanded with the addition of Steve Deverill as managing partner. “As I move to non-executive director, I am extremely proud of what we have collectively achieved since establishing the business in 2010,” said Ashton Ward. “We have always been focused on our reputation, delivering results for
The Importance of Leadership Teams in Portfolio Companies
The global private equity market boomed across fundraising, acquisitions and exits in 2021, buoyed by cheap financing, vast monetary and fiscal stimulus, and the resulting increases in share and private capital market prices. In total, $1.17 trillion of deals were recorded between January and September 2021 – more than in any year since 2015, according
Hanold Associates Seeks Head of People for Autograph
Chicago-based Hanold Associates HR & Diversity Executive is seeking a head of people for Autograph, a leading platform for NFTs co-founded by NFL quarterback Tom Brady. Jason Hanold, Mayank Parikh and Eleanor Tetreault are leading the assignment. “Autograph is rapidly growing, bringing a unique and innovative platform to a revolutionary new market that is quickly
Cejka Search Seeks New Leader for Lake Regional Health System
Cejka Search was recently selected to help recruit a new CEO for Lake Regional Health System in Osage Beach, MI. The assignment is being led by Mark Madden, the recruitment firm’s executive vice president and managing principal. Reporting to Lake Regional Health System’s board of directors, the CEO will lead the health system in strategic, operational, and
Quick Leonard Kieffer Seeks Chief People Officer for FirstHealth of the Carolinas
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
ON Partners Appoints Three Partners
ON Partners has named Sean Cantarella, Nina McMaster and Alex Pelak as partners. They will support ON Partners’ growth in several sectors, including consumer, life sciences and healthcare, technology, industrial, fintech, gaming, insurance tech, aerospace and defense, and business services. “We’ve seen tremendous growth across the board over the past year, particularly in CEO, board and C-level searches,” said Tim
5 Hiring Insights from Executive Recruiters
We are currently in a taxing recruiting environment for employers. How should you react? This morning the Labor Department reported 10 million open jobs and a record ratio of openings to hires. “Add to this a blur of emotions felt as employees and leaders face return-to-work deadlines, childcare concerns, and the Delta variant, and we have
Four Key Tech Trends to Watch for in 2022
As we enter the new year, the practice of finding, attracting, hiring, and retaining top talent in technology has continued to be a challenge, and the trends that we started to see due to the necessity of a widespread virtual workforce has become a Pandora’s Box that will likely stay forever open. Recruiting top professionals
SPMB Assists Cervin Ventures in Recruitment of New Partner
Tremendous opportunity lies ahead in integrating a set of distinctive human capital solutions that will deliver exponential value to private equity firms and their portfolios. At the core of this drive are private equity talent leaders and executive recruiters who are developing solutions to help clients navigate change and power value creation early in the
ZRG Partners Assists Rigel Pharmaceuticals in Filling Board Position
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. ZRG Partners, a leading search firm backed by private equity firm RFE Investment Partners, recently
Unemployment Rate Falls to 3.9 Percent
Employment rose by 199,000 in December as the U.S. unemployment rate fell to 3.9 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. Employment continued to trend up in leisure and hospitality, in professional and business services, in manufacturing, in construction, and in transportation and warehousing. The unemployment rate declined by 0.3 percentage
Private Equity Recruiting Takes Off in Hot Market for Talent
Private equity firms have been pulling strongly in a direction all their own, not only bucking the challenges impacting other businesses but clearly passing key inflection points for growth. According to Dominic Lévesque, president of Tatum: “We’re seeing huge reserves of dry powder on tap, and along with it, sky-high valuations. Small wonder, then, that
Dreamscape Finds New Directors for Brex, Robinhood, and AppLovin Corp.
Daversa Partners’ Dreamscape business unit has recently helped to place Thasunda Brown Duckett of TIAA, Dara Treseder of Peloton, and Alyssa Harvey Dawson of Gusto to fill key director roles for Brex, Robinhood and Applovin Corp., respectively. Dreamscape, which was launched in November, is dedicated to advancing black representation on the boards and executive teams
Crist|Kolder Associates Names President, Reshuffles Leadership Team
Crist|Kolder Associates has appointed Clem Johnson as president of the firm, and Scott Simmons and Josh Crist have been named co-managing partners. Mr. Johnson takes over from Tom Kolder, who is moving into a vice chairman role alongside chairman Peter Crist. “As Peter and I pass the day-to-day leadership to Clem, Scott and Josh, we have
Jobless Claims Remain at 52-Year Low
The Labor Department reported that 207,000 Americans have filed new claims for state unemployment benefits, an increase of 7,000 from the previous week’s revised level. The previous week’s level was revised up by 2,000 from 198,000 to 200,000. The four-week moving average was 204,500, an increase of 4,750 from the previous week’s revised average. The previous
Russell Reynolds Associates Appoints New CEO
Russell Reynolds Associates has appointed Constantine Alexandrakis, currently head of the firm’s Americas region, as its new chief executive officer succeeding Clarke Murphy, who will remain with the firm, transitioning back to full-time client work. “Constantine is a demonstrated leader who has an inspiring vision,” said Mr. Murphy. “With his global orientation, collaborative leadership, inclusive mindset, and
Bespoke Partners Recruits Chief Technology Officer for Greenphire
San Diego, CA-headquartered executive search firm Bespoke Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Alan Matuszak as the new chief technology officer of Greenphire, a global provider of financial lifecycle management for clinical trials. Vice presidents Katelyn Quaresma and Ned Lanphier led the assignment. “We’re delighted to have Alan join our team,” said Jim Murphy, CEO of Greenphire. “Over
ChampionScott Partners Places COO for Frontpoint Security
ChampionScott Partners, which specializes in senior-level appointments for technology and technology-enabled companies, recently helped to place Derek Carder as the new chief operating officer for Frontpoint Security, a leading provider of premium do-it-yourself home security and smart home technology in the U.S. Geoff Champion led the assignment along with Chris Messing. Mr. Carder will be responsible
Furst Group Assists Ayin Health Solutions in the Recruitment of New President
Executive recruitment firm Furst Group, which serves the healthcare and insurance industries, has assisted Providence, one of the largest health systems in the nation, in the recruitment of Ruth Krystopolski as president of Ayin Health Solutions, a population health company created to share expertise and solutions with other health systems. “We are officially setting the stage
Cornerstone International Group Names New Practice Leaders
Cornerstone International Group, a global executive search and leadership development firm, has named four new leadership appointments in its industrial practice. Walter Baker of Cornerstone Atlanta was recently named global industrial practice leader. Mr. Baker has over 25 years of experience in senior-level recruiting and assessments. He has been conducting senior-level recruiting and assessment assignments throughout the U.S.,
Demand for Cybersecurity Talent Sets Salaries Soaring
Cyber breaches at SolarWinds and Colonial Pipeline have underscored the importance of putting the right chief information security officers (CISO) in place. That, in turn, has led to intense competition to recruit top cybersecurity leadership who have seen their market values and salaries soar, according to just-released compensation data from IANS Research and Artico Search.
Oregon State Selects Isaacson, Miller to Lead President Search
Oregon State University (OSU) has retained Isaacson, Miller to assist in the search for its next president. Partners David Bellshaw and Julie Filizetti are leading the assignment with senior associate Phuong Ta and associate Kathy Martinez. F. King Alexander, OSU’s previous president, resigned last March amid criticism over his handling of sexual misconduct charges during
