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Daily Newswire
How AI Is (and Isn’t) Changing Search
In boardrooms and talent discussions alike, the conversation around AI has quickly shifted from curiosity to expectation. Organizations are no longer asking whether to use AI in executive search, but how to use it responsibly and effectively. This shift is forcing firms to rethink not just their tools, but their philosophy—how they evaluate leadership, how
Shelli Herman and Associates Recruits Chief Experience Officer for the Saint Louis Zoo
Los Angeles-based Shelli Herman and Associates has placed Kirby Meyer as chief experience officer (CXO) at the Saint Louis Zoo. This is a brand-new executive leadership on the Zoo’s executive team focused on shaping a unified, strategic approach to all external engagement functions. In this role, Ms. Meyer will oversee the Zoo’s creative services, events, guest experience, marketing,
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.
BarkerGilmore Recruits General Counsel for American Credit Acceptance
Boutique search firm BarkerGilmore, which specializes in building corporate legal and compliance teams, has placed Debra Noll as general counsel at American Credit Acceptance. The search was led by Stephen Bell and Alison Waters. “Deb is exceptionally well-positioned to support American Credit Acceptance as it continues to grow and adapt in a complex environment,” BarkerGilmore said in a LinkedIn
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?
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,
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
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
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
Shelli Herman and Associates Recruits CEO for Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County
Los Angeles-based Shelli Herman and Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Claudia Bonilla Keller as chief executive officer of Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County, in California. Second Harvest board chair Dave Coffaro, speaking on behalf of the board of directors, said: “Claudia is the right leader to carry the organization into the future.” Mr.
Vetted Solutions Seeks New Leader for the Society for Public Health Education
Washington, D.C.- based Vetted Solutions has been selected by the Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) to lead its search for a new chief executive officer. SOPHE’s next CEO will serve as a partner to the president and executive committee of the board of trustees, providing both the strategic mindset and managerial expertise needed to meet the
Contra Secures $30 Million in Funding
Contra, a professional network for independent workers founded by Ben Huffman and Gajust Kuizinas, has secured $30 million in Series B funding, led by NEA, with participation from Unusual Ventures and Cowboy Ventures, both of which invested in Contra’s $14.5 million Series A last year. The latest funding round gives the company just under $45 million in total funding,
The Christopher Group Recruits Chief People Officer for Clayton Homes Building Group
The Christopher Group (TCG), a boutique HR executive search and business solutions recruiting firm, has placed Case McGee as chief people officer of Clayton Homes Building Group (CHGB), the largest builder of manufactured housing and modular homes in the U.S. The search was led by founder and CEO Tom Christopher and managing directors Nat Schiffer and Tobin
JVS Philadelphia Fund for Women Established by Judee von Seldeneck
Judee von Seldeneck, founder and chair of Diversified Search Group (DSG), has established the JVS Philadelphia Fund for Women, a multi-million-dollar partnership with Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania (Ben Franklin) designed to provide capital and to coach women-owned enterprises with strong growth potential in Greater Philadelphia. The fund will deploy capital in two primary
The Moran Company Seeks CEO for Together Women Rise
The Moran Company, an executive recruitment firm that specializes in the non-profit sector, has been called in to help find the next chief executive officer for Together Women Rise in Greensville, SC. Senior search consultant Becky Hauk is leading the assignment. The search firm is seeking a CEO who has a commitment to achieving global
Waverly Partners Recruits CEO for the Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire
Executive search firm Waverly Partners has placed Mike Skelton, who has led the Greater Manchester Chamber in New Hampshire since 2014, as the new president and chief executive officer of the Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire (BIA). Mr. Skelton will join the organization in early February. Selected after a nationwide search, he succeeds
NPAworldwide Adds New Member Firm in Italy, Australia and the U.S.
Member-owned recruitment network NPAworldwide has expanded its membership in Italy, Australia, and the U.S. with the addition of eight new member locations. These search organizations are looking to increase revenue through NPAworldwide’s cooperative placement model. NPA now has 550 member offices across six continents. “Congratulations to these recruitment firms,” said Dave Nerz, president of NPAworldwide. “By joining our global
Hunt Scanlon’s Top 10 Recruiting Stories of 2021
For the recruiting industry, 2021 was dominated by the pandemic and search sector consolidation. Mergers and acquisitions, in fact, made for some of our most highly read news stories. But it was also a year when so many world-class search assignments were handed out — and those mandates were answered with some of the best
Daversa Partners Assists The Pill Club with CFO Search
Daversa Partners, which helps build leadership teams for growth and venture-backed companies, has assisted in the recruitment of Christine Park as the new chief financial officer for The Pill Club. Ms. Park joins the company from Strava, a social fitness platform with over 70 million athletes globally, where she was CFO and oversaw the finance, accounting,
Caliber Associates Recruits Chief Development Officer for Coherus BioSciences
San Diego, CA- based Caliber Associates recently placed Theresa LaVallee as the chief development officer at Coherus BioSciences in Redwood City, CA. Dr. LaVallee will serve as a member of the company’s executive leadership team and oversee all regulatory matters and product development functions, reporting to Denny Lanfear, president and CEO of Coherus. “Theresa is a terrific addition to
Hunt Scanlon’s Top 10 Recruiting Acquisitions of 2021
Acquisitions made huge news in the recruiting industry this year, and for good reason. Outside investors finally caught on to the sector’s expansion potential and long growth runway ahead. Top search leaders also found ways to maximize profit (cutting back on office space helped every search firm achieve a better bottom line in 2021). That
Heidrick & Struggles Enters Agreement to Acquire RosExpert in Russia and WE Partners in Ukraine and Kazakhstan
Executive search, leadership consulting and culture shaping services provider Heidrick & Struggles has entered into agreements to acquire RosExpert in Russia and WE Partners in the Ukraine and Kazakhstan. The transactions are expected to close in Q1 2022, subject to relevant regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. These acquisitions form part of Heidrick & Struggles’ strategy to expand its global footprint and grow its local presence in
De Forest Search Places Head of Marketing for Confidence Drink
Manhattan Beach, CA-based De Forest Search recently placed Cory Brunwasser as head of marketing at Confidence Drink. Maureen Christiansen led the assignment. “While Cory was not in the market for a new role, he could not pass up an opportunity to make his mark leading the marketing team in the functional beverage space,” De Forest Search
Hunt Scanlon’s Top 10 Search Assignments for 2021
2021 was a year of change and challenge. But it was also a year when the best recruiting leaders stepped up their game. Across the board, from non-profits, sports teams, and cannabis companies, to start-ups, the Fortune 500, and PE-backed companies, top leaders were in high demand to help guide organizations through the second year
Diversified Search Group Appoints CEO
Diversified Search Group (DSG), a leading search firm backed by private equity firm ShoreView Industries, has appointed vice chairman Aileen K. Alexander to chief executive officer, reporting to Judith M. von Seldeneck, founder and chair. Ms. Alexander’s accession comes following Dale E. Jones’ recent decision to step down after nine years as CEO. Under Mr. Jones’s
ZRG Partners Acquire Walter James
ZRG Partners, a leading search firm backed by private equity firm RFE Investment Partners, has acquired London-based executive search firm Walter James. “Supply chain talent has never been more important to the global economy than what we are experiencing today, and we don’t see the issue changing for years,” said Larry Hartmann, CEO of ZRG. “Walter
DHR Global Reveals Best Ways to Attract and Retain Diverse Talent
Employees and customers are no longer asking organizations to prioritize diversity, equity and inclusion. They are demanding it and they’re ready to hold businesses accountable for it—which differentiates the need for DE&I programs from other business initiatives. For most business initiatives, the incentives are straightforward: higher profits, increased efficiency, quicker time to market, and so
ON Partners Recruits CEO for MemryX
ON Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Keith Kressin as the new president and chief executive officer of MemryX Inc. Leading the assignment for ON Partners were consultants Bryan Buck, Matt Mooney, and Sean Cantarella. “Since MemryX’s founding, we’ve primarily focused on building what would be a transformative technology,” said Wei Lu, co-founder of MemryX. “We saw
WittKieffer Seeks VP Diversity and Inclusion for Syracuse University
Oak Brook-IL-based WittKieffer has been enlisted by Syracuse University to find a vice president for diversity and inclusion. Leading the assignment are consultant Christine J. Pendleton, senior associate Sandra Chu and senior partner Robin Mamlet. “The vice president for diversity and inclusion will serve as a leader within the campus community to identify and propose solutions
Korn Ferry Seeks President for the Human Rights Campaign
The Human Rights Campaign and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (collectively HRC), together the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, has retained the services of Korn Ferry to assist in the search for the organization’s next president. “After speaking with over a dozen highly-regarded search firms, we’re eager to
Mogul Partners with Namely
Recruitment platform and executive search firm Mogul recently inked a deal with Namely, a New York-based HR technology platform for mid-sized companies. Mogul offers a talent acquisition platform, diversity recruiting services, inclusive networking events, educational events, and online social communities. Namely plans to use Mogul’s talent acquisition platform to attract, source and hire top, diverse talent. Mogul’s
Future Insights for Engagement, Retention and Communication
A new report from Tatum says that three questions have probably crossed the minds of most organizational leaders lately: Are there any readily available levers that could help drive better employee retention outcomes? How are return-to-work policies and plans being communicated to employees? What’s working — and what isn’t? Finally, for deeply fragmented workforces where
CarrSports Consulting Leading Athletic Director Search for Marshall University
Marshall University has begun a national search for an athletic director and has retained CarrSports Consulting to assist. President Jerome A. Gilbert, who is stepping down as president at the end of December, and incoming president Brad D. Smith have formed a nine-person search committee charged with advancing a slate of finalists for consideration. The two,
Steven John & Associates Tapped by Earthjustice to Lead General Counsel Search
Legal recruiting continues to be a hot area for search firms. Lawyers employed by government agencies in particular have been on the move in recent months, according to Hunt Scanlon Media. Employment of lawyers is projected to grow 10 percent through 2022. Demand for legal work is expected to be robust as individuals, businesses and all levels of
Bryant Group Seeks Two Key Development Leaders for Western Michigan University
Irving, TX-based Bryant Group is conducting two key development searches for Western Michigan University (WMU) and its partner, the Western Michigan University Foundation. The first assignment is for a senior director of principal gifts. The other is for a senior director of gift planning. WMU wants an experienced, passionate, and highly successful fundraising professional for
