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Daily Newswire
Modern Executive Solutions Appoints CFO
Atlanta-based talent consultancy Modern Executive Solutions has appointed Apostol Nikolov as its new CFO. “Apostol brings a powerful combination of strategic insight and operating experience,” said Mark Oppenheimer, CEO of Modern Executive Solutions. “His background advising on complex transactions and then leading finance functions within high-growth environments gives him a unique perspective that will be invaluable as
Candidate Confidentiality: Why It Matters
Executive search sits in a uniquely sensitive middle ground: recruiters are asked to represent an employer’s interests while also earning and protecting a candidate’s trust, explained a recent report from ExecSearches. That “in-between” position makes confidentiality more than a professional courtesy. “For the candidate, it can be the difference between a strategic career move and
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
Five Shifts That Influenced CEO Leadership in 2025
Organizations entered 2025 confronting a level of volatility that demanded more than short-term adjustments—it required a fundamental rethinking of how leaders grow and respond. As the pace of change accelerated, CEOs increasingly recognized that their ability to evolve strategically and personally would define their effectiveness. In 2025, CEOs operated in a world defined by continuous
How to Remove Unconscious Bias from the Recruiting Process
Diverse and inclusive workforces benefit all organizations at every level. By leveraging fresh and different perspectives, an organization can create a more intentional and inclusive environment for its employees and a better experience for its customers, according to a new report from Julian Rives, managing partner of Chapel Hill Solutions, a healthcare-focused executive search firm. Diversity
Artico Search Recruits Chief Marketing Officer for commercetools
Mercedes Chatfield-Taylor, a co-founder of Artico Search, has placed Jen Jones as chief marketing officer of commercetools, a platform for next-generation B2C and B2B commerce. In her new position, Ms. Jones oversees commercetools’ global brand, marketing, and corporate communications efforts, including brand strategy and design, customer marketing, demand generation, product marketing, marketing analytics and operations. Prior to joining
Daversa Partners Recruits CFO for Mint House
Daversa Partners, which helps build leadership teams for growth and venture-backed companies, has assisted in the recruitment of Samantha Greenberg as the new CFO for Mint House, a tech-enabled residential hospitality company. Partner Peter Baiocco led the assignment. “Samantha is a highly regarded finance leader and investor, having established a longstanding track record at firms including Goldman
NGS Global Opens New Office in Toronto
Executive search firm NGS Global has expanded with the addition of a new office in Toronto. The firm appointed José Carlos Hassan Suarez as partner to be based in Toronto as well as to support key initiatives in the Latin America region. He brings an extensive, global understanding and track record, having worked with clients throughout
Jobless Claims Fall for the Third Straight Week as Recovery Continues
The Labor Department reported that 223,000 Americans have filed new claims for state unemployment benefits, a decrease of 16,000 from the previous week’s revised level. The previous week’s level was revised up by 1,000 from 238,000 to 239,000. The four-week moving average was 253,250, a decrease of 2,000 from the previous week’s revised average. The
Inside the High Demand for General Counsel Leaders
The legal and compliance market is booming. The number of in-house lawyers and law firm partners with aspirations of becoming a general counsel is at an all-time high. Unfortunately, landing the position is a challenge. Every search has specific criteria established by the executive leadership team and board which must be met. Some of the criteria
The Judge Group Acquires Slayton Search Partners
Professional services firm The Judge Group has acquired Chicago-based Slayton Search Partners. The Judge Group is a provider of consulting, learning and talent services with over 50 years of experience. The acquisition of Slayton Search Partners brings a retained executive search capabilities to Judge’s broad portfolio, the company said. “The acquisition of Slayton combines two
University of Louisville Taps DHR Global to Find Men’s Head Basketball Coach
Universities continue to turn to executive search firms to fill top coaching positions. The University of Louisville has retained Chicago-based DHR Global to assist in its search process for a new head men’s basketball coach. DHR’s managing partner and global sports practice leader Glenn Sugiyama is partnering with the school on the search. “Identifying the right coach to
Hanold Associates Places Chief Inclusion & Diversity Officer for Kroll
Chicago-based Hanold Associates HR & Diversity Executive has placed William Rolack as chief inclusion and diversity officer for Kroll, a leading provider of services and digital products related to valuation, governance, risk and transparency. He is based in New York. Val Lopez, Sandra Peña and Ivy Arlia led the assignment for the search firm. Mr.
JM Search Appoints Partners
JM Search, a senior-level talent provider serving private equity investors, portfolio companies and Fortune 1000s, has promoted nine new partners. The announcement follows a record year in the 42-year history of the firm, which recently posted 73 percent year-over-year growth. “The 2022 class of partners will be instrumental in supporting JM Search’s commitment to partner-led
Storbeck Search / Diversified Search Group Leading Hunt for UNLV’s Chief Diversity Officer
Higher education-focused search firm Storbeck Search, part of the Diversified Search Group, has been enlisted to find a vice president for diversity initiatives and chief diversity officer, an inaugural role, for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Leading the assignment are managing director R. Thomas Fitch and senior associate Alyssa Perez Leal. The vice president for diversity initiatives
5 Ways Leaders Can Drive Successful Employee Development Programs
The modern workplace has become dynamic, and it is now transitioning from an employer-driven ecosystem to an employee-driven one, according to a new report by The Taplow Group. “This means, that, employers cannot take employee loyalty for granted,” the study said. “CEOs and business leaders need to identify ways through which they can drive successful employee
ON Partners Recruits Chief Marketing Officer for Conversica
ON Partners recently placed David Greenberg as the new chief marketing officer for Conversica, a provider of conversational AI solutions for enterprise revenue teams. Consultant Aaron Clark led the assignment. “We’re addressing a real need with applied AI,” said Jim Kaskade, CEO of Conversica. “I am thrilled for David to join our executive team roundtable. His experience in marketing
Russell Reynolds Associates Names Chief People Officer
Russell Reynolds Associates (RRA) has appointed Renée Bell as chief people officer. She is based in Chicago and will serve on the firm’s senior leadership team. “She will lead the global people team to further align the firm’s people strategy to its business strategy and will help cultivate talent to further strengthen and deepen the organization’s
Nicolas Associates Group Merges with Main-Board
M&A activity, with the support of private equity firms, continues to heat up in the executive search industry. Just recently, U.K.-based Nicholas Associates Group merged with specialist executive search firm Main-Board. Main-Board is an independent specialist executive search consultancy which provides nationwide expertise to SMEs, privately owned firms, private equity backed companies and PLCs. It specializes in
Executive Compensation Benchmarks & Search Outlook for 2022
To lure new workers, companies across the country are extending salary guidelines and considering what many once deemed unthinkable: counteroffers! It is a trend that will likely wreak havoc with executive compensation benchmarks that have been thoughtfully put in place for years. Thrive and Hunt Scanlon Media have teamed up for a highly anticipated webinar on
Reffett Associates Seeks Provost for U.S. Naval War College
Seattle, WA-based Reffett Associates has been enlisted to help find the next provost for the U.S. Naval War College (NWC) in Newport, RI. Leading the assignment are Eric Reffett and Marshall Reffett, managing director of the firm’s Seattle office. The college plans to fill the provost role by Aug. 1. “We are thrilled to have been
Frederickson Partners Selected by GRAIL to Lead Chief People Officer Search
Talent acquisition strategies at many large companies have become as complex as their balance sheets. And while CHROs 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 competitive advantage, with
ManpowerGroup Posts 15 Percent Revenue Increase
ManpowerGroup / (NYSE:MAN) posted 2021 full-year revenues of $20.7 billion, up 15.1 percent from $18 billion a year ago. The company posted fourth-quarter revenues of $5.4 billion, a decrease of six percent from the year earlier period. All brands recorded revenue growth during the quarter with Experis recording strong 33 percent revenue growth (14 percent), Talent Solutions 10
Harvey Nash Group Names Global Chief Information Security Officer to Establish Virtual CISO Practice
Increasingly, organizations of all sizes are awakening to the perils posed by cyber attacks. For years, many groups tried to ignore the problem, dismissing cybersecurity as a concern only for the biggest, most high-profile entities, be they government or corporate. These days, more groups are coming to understand how ruinous such intrusions could be. This
Economy Adds Jobs Despite the Rise of Omicron Cases
Employment rose by 467,000 in January as the U.S. unemployment rate edged up to four percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. Employment growth continued in leisure and hospitality, in professional and business services, in retail trade, and in transportation and warehousing. Over the year, the unemployment rate is down by 2.4 percentage
Flatiron Search Partners Recruits People and Culture Leader for cocokind
As the ramifications of COVID-19 continue, broad and lasting changes to the workplace have advanced a more integrated approach to talent management built around culture, according to executive recruiters. Organizations that used to synchronize their talent to corporate vision, core values and strategic objectives are now aligning people around purpose. And for good reason: Building
Artico Search Lands Managing Director for Insight Partners
Mercedes Chatfield-Taylor, a co-founder of Artico Search, has placed Whitney Bouck as managing partners Insight Partners, a global venture capital and private equity firm investing in high-growth technology and software scaleup companies that are driving transformative change in their industries. “The search was for an operating MD to join Insight Partners’ team,” said Ms. Chatfield-Taylor. “Insight is
ON Partners Places Two Key Executives for Niche
ON Partners recently assisted in the recruitment of Kelly Lavin and Paul Moore, the latest executive team appointments for fast-growing Niche, a company that developed a platform of rankings on schools, colleges, and places to live. Ms. Lavin becomes the Pittsburgh, PA-based company’s first people officer. Mr. Moore is the new vice president of engineering. Leading
ZRG Partners Adds Leader to Help Expand into Greater China and Asia-Pacific
ZRG Partners, a leading search firm backed by private equity firm RFE Investment Partners, recently expanded with the addition of Train Luo as managing director to help lead the firm’s expansion into Greater China and the Asia-Pacific region. A cross-border executive recruiter (based in San Jose and Shanghai), Mr. Luo will join ZRG’s technology practice. “Having entered
CEOs Leaning on Chief Talent Officers More Often as Talent Issues Dominate the Agenda
Last January, chief executive officers described 2021 as the year of hope. One year later and looking back on their lived experience, many CEOs described 2021 as “challenging.” In the recently released Winter 2022 Fortune/Deloitte CEO Survey, nearly 60 percent of CEOs delivered one-word sentiments that put 2021 in a distinctly negative light: In addition
The Christopher Group Recruits EVP of People and Places for Kiva
The Christopher Group (TCG), a boutique HR executive search and business solutions recruiting firm, has placed Don Carter as the new executive vice president of people and places at Kiva, an online lending platform. The search was led by managing directors Nat Schiffer and Pam Noble. “Kiva had several critical goals that they wanted to accomplish on this
The Loring Group Completes Top Finance Search for Fenagh Engineering and Testing
San Francisco-headquartered executive search firm The Loring Group recently placed Sunday Adebowale as vice president of finance for Fenagh Engineering and Testing. The search was led by Rich Kampmann, a partner at The Loring Group, and was completed in 42 days. Mr. Adebowale is a seasoned and accomplished finance and accounting professional with over 20 years of
N2Growth Adds Former HR Executive as Partner
The executive search field continues to be a welcoming landing pad for HR executives looking for a career change. For CHROs, chief talent officers and other C-suite HR executives, the cross-over skills required in the search business are nearly identical. Recently, N2Growth, a Philadelphia-based management consulting and executive search firm, named former HR executive Jos van der
Americans Continue to File for Unemployment as Workers Call in Sick
The Labor Department reported that 238,000 Americans have filed new claims for state unemployment benefits, a decrease of 23,000 from the previous week’s revised level. The previous week’s level was revised up by 1,000 from 260,000 to 261,000. The four-week moving average was 255,000, an increase of 7,750 from the previous week’s revised average. The
Crescent Cove Advisors Takes Equity Stake in Kingsley Gate Partners
Kingsley Gate Partners has secured an investment from Crescent Cove Advisors, a multi-asset investment firm focused on technology investments. The equity partnership is expected to fuel the search firm’s growth through global expansion and accelerate a push into talent acquisition AI-enabled software. Umesh Ramakrishnan, one of Kingsley Gate Partners’ co-founders, has been named CEO. “First,







