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Building an Effective, Diverse Board Across Growth Stages
Board composition is no longer a static exercise but a dynamic process that must keep pace with the company’s trajectory. As organizations progress through different stages of growth, the expectations placed on directors expand, requiring a deliberate and forward-looking approach to how boards are structured and refreshed. In the realm of corporate governance, having an
The Tolan Group Recruits Chief Revenue Officer for NLP Logix
The Tolan Group (TTG) has placed D.J. Price as chief revenue officer at NLP Logix in Jacksonville, FL. “D.J.’s energy and leadership will push NLP Logix into a new phase of innovation and scale,” said Ted Willich, co-founder and CEO. “His ability to create high-performing teams and drive aggressive, sustainable growth makes him the ideal
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.
Brettschneider Executive Search Seeking Inaugural SVP of Advancement for Wilmington University
New York City-based Brettschneider Executive Search has been retained by Wilmington University (WilmU) to lead in its search for an inaugural senior vice president of advancement to lead the University’s next phase of philanthropic growth. Reporting to WilmU president LaVerne Harmon, the SVP will partner closely with the president, board and University leaders to advance the University’s strategic
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?
August Leadership Expands in London
August Leadership has expanded with the addition of Honor Pollok as a partner in London. Ms. Pollok brings over 20 years of executive search and leadership experience. She has led numerous high-profile placements in chair, non-executive director, CEO and the full spectrum of C-suite roles. Her search expertise spans key commercial, financial, creative, human resource, functional,
Hunt Scanlon and HSiQ Spotlight New Approach to Recruiter Training
As the executive search industry faces mounting pressure to improve performance and consistency, firms are increasingly reevaluating how recruiters are trained and developed. Hunt Scanlon and its HSiQ talent intelligence advisory unit recently launched a new Recruiter Performance Training Program designed to bring greater structure, commercial rigor, and scalability to recruiter development in an industry long driven by
Building Team Alignment in an Era of Continuous Change
Ask any team to describe its top strategic priorities and you will often get as many answers as there are people in the room. The problem is not that the strategy hasn’t been communicated, according to recent report from AIIR Consulting. “The problem is that it was communicated into an environment that has since shifted
Isaacson, Miller Helps Recruit 28th President for Texas A&M
Boston-based Isaacson, Miller has assisted in the recruitment of Susan Ballabina as the 28th president of Texas A&M. Andy Lee and Julie Filizetti, led search with Raul Bernal and Luciano Zuniga, and Madeline Fitzpatrick. The members of the Board of Regents conducted a national search that produced a strong pool of candidates. Dr. Ballabina emerged through that process based on her experience, her understanding of
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
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,
Powering Growth Through Precision Dealmaking
In an era defined by rapid consolidation and strategic reinvention, precision dealmaking has emerged as the driving force behind growth in the executive search industry. As firms navigate shifting market dynamics, many are turning to mergers, acquisitions, and private equity partnerships to expand capabilities, unlock liquidity, and gain competitive advantage. The most forward-thinking leaders are
Hiring Optimism Grows and Jobless Claims Fall to New Low
The Labor Department reported that 267,000 Americans have filed new claims for state unemployment benefits, a decrease of 4,000. This is the lowest level for initial claims since March 14, 2020 when it was 256,000. The previous week’s level was revised up by 2,000 from 269,000 to 271,000. The four-week moving average was 278,000, a decrease
Ducatus Partners Names Managing Partners for EMEA and the Americas
Executive search firm Ducatus Partners has strengthened its management team by naming Michael Diamond and Allister Graham as managing partners for EMEA and Americas, respectively. The additions are expected to be instrumental in driving global growth for the London-based firm across a diverse energy portfolio. Ducatus Partners, which is part of workforce solutions provider Airswift,
Managing Corporate Culture Now Means Managing Great Expectations
The pandemic has disrupted every aspect of society, including the workplace. Nascent trends in employment, recruitment, and retention that existed pre-pandemic have acquired new momentum and force over the past 18 months and have now been joined by new factors. Collectively, this is changing how work is organized inside companies and how employees view their
R. William Funk & Associates Assists Lawrence Technological University Find New President
R. William Funk & Associates, which specializes in recruitment for roles in higher education, has placed Tarek M. Sobh as the new president of Lawrence Technological University (LTU) in Southfield, MI. Dr. Sobh, a licensed professional engineer, has served as vice president of academic affairs and provost at Lawrence Tech since 2020. The university’s eighth
Slone Partners Recruits Technology Officer for Encodia
Over the past few months, numerous healthcare and life sciences organizations have turned to executive search firms to find new leaders. In the era of COVID-19, the sector has been burgeoning for executive search firms. Recently, life sciences-focused search firm Slone Partners recruited Nigel Beard as chief technology officer at Encodia, a rapidly growing platform company that is developing a
MalinHughes Names Managing Director
Chicago-based executive search firm MalinHughes has named Deveran George as a managing director in its human capital strategy and executive search practices. She will be responsible for leading MalinHughes’ strategic consulting practice as well as working within the executive search practice. Ms. George will be working closely with current customers as well as focusing on
ECA Partners Launches New Client Portal
ECA Partners has launched its client portal, Cascade. “A lot of our middle-market private equity clients have a short time horizon to deliver on value creation plans,” said Ken Kanara, president and CEO of ECA Partners. “We built Cascade, a talent management system, with that in mind. Combined with our proprietary process, we are able
Working with Generation Z is a Holistic Effort
An ongoing pandemic, mental wellness and activism are fundamentally reshaping what’s to come for the next generation. Although improving, businesses still need to earn Gen Z’s confidence, says a new report by EY. Sixty percent of the Gen Z members across the U.S. who were surveyed for the study say most people can’t be trusted,
Ventura Partners Recruits CEO for Carbitex
Executive search firm Ventura Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Rob Langstaff as the new chief executive officer of Carbitex, a manufacturer of flexible carbon fiber composites. He replaces CEO Ron Boninger who recently retired. Bob Damon, a partner at Ventura, led the assignment. “Rob is an exceptional and engaging leader with deep footwear expertise and a
The Onstott Group Assists Care Everywhere with President and COO Search
The Onstott Group, a Wellesley, MA-based search firm, has placed Bryan Gilpin as the new president and chief operating officer of Care Everywhere in Natick, MA. Mr. Gilpin is a hands-on, engineering-oriented general manager/COO with experience developing, manufacturing, selling, distributing, and supporting bio-medical equipment, devices, and software around the world for large- and mid-cap healthcare
Myers McRae Seeking President for Winthrop University
Macon, GA-based Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting has been enlisted to find the next president of Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC. Leading the assignment for the firm are Emily Parker Myers, CEO, and Kenny Daugherty, president, along with Jennifer Barfield, senior vice president. “Winthrop University seeks an exceptional, vibrant and visible leader with creativity, energy
Eastward Partners Appoints Head of Private Equity Practice
New York-based Eastward Partners has named Brett Vecchio as principal and head of the firm’s private equity practice. After having helped launch Eastward Partners in 2015, Mr. Vecchio took a brief stint outside the firm to help scale a rapidly growing private equity-backed consulting company. ‘‘We are ecstatic to have Brett rejoin the firm at this juncture
Jensen Partners Makes Diversity Pledge to Alternative Asset Management Sector
New York City-based Jensen Partners, a woman-owned executive search and corporate advisory firm for the alternative investment management industry, says that all of the firm’s future human capital searches will begin with a candidate pool comprised of at least 51 percent of candidates emanating from underrepresented backgrounds. It is the second diversity initiative the firm has launched
Fighting the Great Resignation with Cash
As the Great Resignation has extended worldwide, compensation experts have reminded organizations that there are numerous ways to attract and retain employees besides paying them higher wages. But there’s overwhelming evidence that the go-to move for most companies continues to be paying more, according to the latest findings from Korn Ferry, which found a record
Hobbs & Towne Recruits CFO for Solid Power
Clean tech and sustainability recruiting powerhouse Hobbs & Towne has assisted in the recruitment of Kevin Paprzycki as the new chief financial officer of Solid Power, a developer of all-solid-state battery cells for electric vehicles. Senior partner Dan Cremins and partner Ryan Houder led the assignment. “At this pivotal moment in Solid Power’s history, we are elevating and enhancing our team
Griffith Group Seeks CEO for U SPORTS
U SPORTS, a national brand for university sport in Canada, has retained Toronto-based executive recruitment firm Griffith Group to lead its search for a new chief executive officer. Jane Griffith, managing partner and founder, and Sam Walton, principal, are spearheading the assignment. Reporting to U SPORTS board of directors, the new CEO will have accountability and responsibility for
Hudson Global Acquires Karani
Old Greenwich, Conn.-based recruiting firm Hudson Global Inc. has acquired Karani, a Chicago-headquartered recruiting services provider that serves mainly U.S.-based customers from its operations in India and the Philippines. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “We are very excited to welcome the Karani team to Hudson RPO and believe this accretive combination will generate considerable value for our clients, team
A New Twist on Recruiting Diverse Teams Across the Technology Ecosystem
Innovative technology and high powered, highly functioning engineering teams are the backbone of the tech ecosystem. To have a world-class chief technology officer or vice president of engineering that attracts talent and can build a team quickly and with diversity in mind is the ultimate goal. If you can be one of the great companies
Unemployment Rate Falls to 4.6 Percent
Employment rose by 531,000 in October as the U.S. unemployment rate fell to 4.6 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. So far this year, monthly job growth has averaged 586,000. Job growth was widespread, with notable job gains in leisure and hospitality, in professional and business services, in manufacturing, and
Reffett Associates Fills Senior Post for Good Food Holdings
After a global search, Seattle, WA-based Reffett Associates has helped to place Elizabeth Strydom as vice president of private label and purchasing at Good Food Holdings. It took a team effort to find a qualified candidate for this unique role. Sam Mayberry, principal and lead on the search, was supported by William Reffett, managing partner, and Marshall Reffett, managing director at Reffett Associates. “The search
CIO Partners Seeking Top IT Leader for Builders FirstSource
Recruiting within the IT function remains challenging, as skilled C-suite professionals are among the toughest to find. CIO Partners was recently selected by Builders FirstSource as their exclusive partner to lead their search for the role of vice president of IT operations, located in Dallas. Reporting to the CIO, the vice president is responsible for the 24×7
Vaco Acquires Bay State Search
Brentwood, TN-headquartered recruiting firm Vaco has acquired Bay State Search, a Boston-based national talent acquisition and outsourcing firm. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The deal gives Vaco a foothold into the Boston market and complements its Northeast growth, following the launch of its technology and staffing divisions in the tri-state area last year. Bay
Linking Culture to Value, Growth and Performance
In the wake of COVID-19, broad and lasting changes to the workplace have advanced a more integrated approach to talent management built around culture. Organizations that once synchronized their talent to corporate vision, core values and strategic objectives are now aligning people around purpose. And for good reason: Building sustainable cultures in the long run
LCap Group Invests in Rowan Executive Search
Strategic investor LCap Group has acquired a stake in U.K.-based Rowan Executive Search. “Rowan is a strong brand and a superb business which speaks to a clear segment of the marketplace,” said Graham Roadnight, CEO of LCap. “It has great synergies with the other companies in the LCap Group, and significantly broadens our scale in
Mogul Recruits General Counsel for Fetch Rewards
Recruitment platform and executive search firm Mogul has placed Rachel Olchowka as general counsel at Fetch Rewards, a consumer-loyalty and retail-rewards app. Fetch Rewards, based in Madison, WI, engaged Mogul’s executive search services to attract, source and hire Ms. Olchowka. The general counsel role is the first for Fetch Rewards and will provide guidance, enhance capabilities and
Odgers Berndtson Expands Technology Practice
Odgers Berndtson has expanded with the addition of Craig Brechner as a partner in the firm’s technology practice based in California. “We are thrilled that Craig has joined the firm,” said Steve Potter, CEO of Odgers Berndtson U.S. “His leadership roles at leading technology companies along with his start-up experience and his deep expertise in M&A activities is a
Jobless Claims Reach Pandemic Low, But New Problems Emerge
The Labor Department reported that 269,000 Americans have filed new claims for state unemployment benefits, a decrease of 14,000. This is the lowest level for initial claims since March 14, 2020 when it was 256,000. The previous week’s level was revised up by 2,000 from 281,000 to 283,000. The four-week moving average was 284,750, a decrease
Companies Continuing to Increase Board Diversity
S&P 500 boards appointed 456 new independent directors in the 2021 proxy year, the most since 2004. Of that number, 72 percent were women or men from historically underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, up from 59 percent last year, according to a new study compiled by Spencer Stuart. The 2021 U.S. Spencer Stuart Board Index found that companies
ChampionScott Partners Assists Apptopia Recruit New Sales Leader
ChampionScott Partners, which specializes in senior-level appointments for technology and technology-enabled companies, recently assisted in the placement of Arun S. Gupta as senior vice president of sales at Apptopia, a provider of competitive intelligence to brands and financial institutions by generating insights across mobile apps and connected devices. Geoff Champion led the search along with
Carrington & Carrington Retained by Feeding America to Recruit Chief Marketing & Digital Experience Officer
Chicago-based Carrington & Carrington has been enlisted to find a chief marketing and digital experience (CMXO) officer for the food bank network Feeding America. Marian Carrington, principal and co-owner, is leading the assignment. The CMXO directs the development and execution of strategies focused on significantly increasing public awareness of the issue of hunger, step-changing public engagement in Feeding
Top Gun Ventures Recruits Chief Revenue Officer for iDonate
Top-drawer chief revenue officers are commonly found at start-ups and smaller businesses and tend to the bottom line while the rest of the C-level team expands key partnerships, seeks growth opportunities, or sources funding. That is changing. Larger businesses now view the CRO post as an essential, long-term role. In one recent search, Plano, TX-based
