DAILY NEWSWIRE - TOP STORIES
Daily Newswire
A New Role For HR: Powering Growth, Not Just Managing Talent
According to McLean & Company’s HR Trends Report 2026: Leading Through Change: Human-Centric and Future Ready, HR organizations are being pulled into the center of enterprise transformation as companies grapple with relentless change driven by AI adoption, economic pressure, and shifting employee expectations. Leadership development remains the top priority for HR, but innovation has surged to
WittKieffer Retained by the American Hospital Association to Find New Leader
Oak Brook, IL-based WittKieffer has been tapped by the American Hospital Association (AHA) to lead in its search for a new president and CEO. Andrew Chastain, Paul Bohne, and Keshia Harris are leading the assignment. The organization seeks a dynamic, transformative leader to serve as its next president and CEO. This is a career-defining opportunity to advance
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.
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,
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?
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,
IIC Partners Adds New Member Firm in New Zealand
IIC Partners Executive Search Worldwide has added Auckland, New Zealand-based Infinitas as its newest member firm expanding its capabilities across the Asia-Pacific region. “I am thrilled to welcome Infinitas to IIC Partners,” said Christine Hayward, executive director of IIC Partners. Their people-first philosophy, tech-enabled search processes, and talent advisory capabilities deeply align with our mission to transform
Hiring for the Culture You Don’t Yet Have
For much of the past decade, organizations have invested heavily in strategy, technology and operational efficiency to navigate an increasingly complex business environment. Yet despite these investments, many transformation initiatives continue to fall short of expectations. The differentiator is rarely the strategy itself. More often, success depends on whether leadership teams have the right people
BoardWalk Consulting Leading CEO Search for Downtown Atlanta Inc.
BoardWalk Consulting has been tapped by Downtown Atlanta Inc. (DAI) to lead in its search for a CEO. The search is being led by Sam Pettway, Crystal Stephens, and Patti Kish. The organization is seeking a leader who can help define what the next generation of Downtown Atlanta will become. This is a leadership opportunity of unusual scale and
Peña Search Assists To Be Like Me with the Recruitment of Executive Director
Peña Search recently assisted in the recruitment of Lauren Rowe as the new executive for To Be Like Me (TBLM) in Dallas, TX. Travis Hillier, Carlos González Peña, and Thaise Pereira led the assignment. She replaces To Be Like Me founder Hollis Owens, who has served as executive director since 2018 and initiated the search for her replacement last
BroadView Talent Partners Tapped by Baltimore Community Lending for President/CEO Search
BroadView Talent Partners was recently retained by Baltimore Community Lending, Inc. (BCL) to lead in its search for a new president and CEO. Tracy McMillan, Robyn Quinn, and Donna Young are leading the assignment. The CEO is the strategic, operational, and external leader of Baltimore Community Lending, responsible for driving the organization’s next era of growth and
Allen Austin Launches Evidence-Based Leadership Assessment VantagePoint
Houston, TX-based search firm Allen Austin launch of VantagePoint, an evidence-based leadership assessment that helps organizations identify and develop high-potential leaders with greater clarity and confidence. VantagePoint is grounded in three decades of leadership advisory work and original research by Allen Austin chairman and CEO Rob Andrews. Over two years, Mr. Andrews interviewed more than 100 CEOs,
The CHRO’s New Mandate
Across industries, the organizational design structure has shifted from a traditional pyramid to an hourglass model. This is not a recent development, explained Slayton Search Partners’ John Doyle in a recent report. “Organizational efficiencies, increased technology and the first wave of Baby Boomer retirements began this transition nearly two decades ago,” he said. “Experienced leaders have been retiring. Internal pipelines have
AGB Search Recruits 11th President for Lewis University
Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, has helped to recruit Christopher Sindt as the 11th president of Lewis University. The Lewis University board of trustees recently announced that president David Livingston, will retire at the conclusion of the 2025–26 academic year. Melissa K. Trotta, Matthew J. Kilcoyne, and John Cech led the assignment. “After
Kincannon & Reed Assists CCI Prime with CFO Search
Kincannon & Reed (K&R), which exclusively focuses on food, agribusiness, and the related life sciences, has assisted in the recruitment of Jamie Broad as CFO of CCI Prime, bringing on a seasoned finance leader to support the company’s next phase of growth. “Jamie’s ability to connect financial insights to operational realities makes her an exceptional
EQU Advisors Seeking Senior Leader for Sarah Lawrence College
Executive search firm EQU Advisors was recently retained by Sarah Lawrence College to lead in its search for an associate vice president of enrollment. This executive will serve as a key member of the senior enrollment leadership team and a collaborative partner across the institution. This role is designed to strengthen coordination, elevate shared strategy, and support
Egon Zehnder Forms Alliance with IMD
Global leadership advisory firm Egon Zehnder and IMD, a leading business school in global executive education, have formed a strategic partnership to facilitate board directors’ personal growth and elevate board performance. The partnership combines IMD’s academic rigor and deep connections to global boards with Egon Zehnder’s expertise in leadership and board effectiveness. Together, they will co-create tailored
Why Boards Are Betting on New CEOs and How to Set Them Up to Win
A growing number of companies are entrusting the corner office to leaders stepping into the CEO role for the first time. As succession strategies evolve and executive talent markets tighten, boards are increasingly prioritizing leadership potential, adaptability, and strategic vision over prior CEO experience. Boards now face a new question: which qualities make a first-time CEO succeed,
The Leadership Reset: What AI is Exposing About Today’s Executives
For decades, leadership success was largely measured by experience, team size, and the ability to manage complex organizations. Today, artificial intelligence is changing that equation, and it is reshaping how boards, investors, and hiring executives evaluate leadership talent. As AI transforms how work gets done, organizations are discovering that competitive advantage is no longer determined
Greenwood Asher & Associates Recruits Provost for the University of Cincinnati
Miramar Beach, FL-based executive recruitment firm Greenwood Asher & Associates has assisted the University of Cincinnati (UC) in the recruitment of Rudolph Buchheit as executive vice president for academic affairs and provost. Andriel Dees and Julie Schrodt led the assignment for the search firm. His selection follows a national search led by a dedicated search committee that was informed by
HARTZ Search Assists Geisinger with Recruitment of CIO
Charlotte, NC-based HARTZ Search has helped to recruit Bill Bellando as executive vice president and chief information officer of Geisinger. He joins Geisinger after serving as senior vice president and chief information officer at Georgia-based Wellstar Health System from 2022 to 2026. In this role, Mr. Bellando oversaw information technology and digital initiatives across the health system.
The Rise of Authentic Leadership
For years, professionals have felt compelled to separate their “work selves” from their “personal selves” in order to conform to strict corporate norms. But that’s beginning to change. Today, authentic leadership is what drives organizations to thrive, inspire, and retain great talent. It’s about authenticity and showing up as your true self, not just focusing
Greenwood / Asher & Associates Selected by Auburn University to Lead President Search
Miramar Beach, FL-based executive recruitment firm Greenwood /Asher & Associates has been chosen by Auburn University to lead the search for its 21st president. In June, president Jay Gogue announced that he was planning to retire soon and that the board should start looking for someone to fill his role. “I think it’s important for you guys
Caliber Associates Recruits General Counsel for INOVIO Pharmaceuticals
San Diego, CA- based Caliber Associates recently placed Robert Crotty as the new executive vice president and general counsel of INOVIO Pharmaceuticals. Steve Hochberg, CEO and founder of Caliber Associates, led the assignment. “Rob brings significant industry experience leading the legal function of several successful biotech companies,” said Mr. Hochberg. Mr. Crotty joins INOVIO from Nabriva Therapeutics,
Kingsley Gate Partners Appoints Global Industrial Practice Leader
Kingsley Gate Partners recently named Arnaud Despierre as senior partner Asia-Pacific and global industrial practice leader. He is based in Singapore. “We are pleased to welcome Arnaud to the Kingsley Gate Partners team,” said the members of the office of the CEO. “Arnaud’s extensive experience in conducting cross-border projects in Asia, where he has been based for
Integrating Human Capital Solutions in Private Equity That Deliver Value
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 PE talent leaders and executive recruiters who are developing solutions to help clients navigate change and power value creation early in the hold
Daversa Partners Names Boston Office Leader
Executive search firm Daversa Partners, which helps build leadership teams for growth and venture-backed companies, has named Joe Suliman as managing director and leader of its Boston practice. “The firm is excited to continue to build world-class leadership teams for high growth technology companies in the Boston and Greater Boston markets, and there is no one better suited to
Saint Xavier University Selects Academic Search for Chief Diversity Officer Search
Education-focused executive recruiter Academic Search has been chosen to find the inaugural chief diversity officer for Saint Xavier University (SXU) in Chicago. Leading the assignment are senior consultant Carlos Medina and consultant Andrea Cowsert. “Saint Xavier University seeks in its inaugural chief diversity officer a courageous, collaborative, strategic and inspiring leader who has a track record
Watermark Search to Find Next CEO for National Disability Services
Nowhere are leaders and talent more deeply passionate about what they do than in the mission-driven sector. Non-profit, philanthropy and social enterprises are evolving at a rapid pace. According to recruiters, leaders are challenged with doing more with less as they navigate increasing demand. National Disability Services (NDS) recently chose Australian-based recruiters Watermark Search International to
Odgers Berndtson APAC Names Head of Sport & Entertainment Practice
Odgers Berndtson has named Troy de Haas as partner and head of its sports and entertainment practice for Asia-Pacific. “Troy joins us just as the Asia-Pacific region is gathering rapid momentum in hosting more and more major global events,” said Mark Braithwaite, managing director at Odgers Berndtson APAC. “As a firm, we have been operating globally in
Diversified Search Group | Koya Partners Recruits First Female Director for Detroit Zoo
Koya Partners, part of the Diversified Search Group, has placed Hayley Murphy as the first woman to lead the Detroit Zoological Society (DZS). She is succeeding a chief executive officer, Ron Kagan, who is retiring after 28 years of service. Alison Ranney, managing partner and partner in charge, Chicago, and Kara Teising, managing director, co-led the CEO search team for Koya
Can Leadership Be Sustainable?
As the world gradually starts to lift the restrictions imposed as a result of COVID-19, many are questioning the capitalist business models that have been used to build our current society, according to new report from EMA Partners’ Rui Guedes de Quinhones. “We live in a historic moment in which business leaders can choose to
McCormack+Kristel Recruits Executive Director for Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice
LGBTQ-focused executive search firm McCormack+Kristel has placed Joy Chia as the new executive director of the Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice in New York City. The charitable foundation supports grantee partners in the U.S and internationally who challenge oppression and seed change. Interim executive director Sandy Nathan has been leading the non-profit organization since 2019. Ms.
RH Perry & Associates Assists Erie County Community College in President Search
Asheville, NC-based RH Perry & Associates has assisted the Erie County Community College of Pennsylvania in recruiting Chris Gray as its first president. “The board of trustees, after an extensive national search, is proud to appoint Christopher Gray as the founding president of the Erie County Community College of Pennsylvania,” said Ronald Dinicola, chairman of the
PFM Executive Search Partners with ViRTUS
PFM Executive Search has formed a partnership with ViRTUS Inc., a leadership development and strategic planning firm. “At ViRTUS, their purpose is to make a difference in the lives of others,” PFM said. “They build respectful, empathetic and productive leaders, who are aware of their impact on the world. ViRTUS helps senior teams create strategies that
The Future of the Private Equity Workforce
Among the central paradoxes of COVID-19 is the disconnect between our day-to-day lived experience of the pandemic — in a word: “stagnation” — and the ways in which it forced the business world to actively adapt, change and evolve. In that sense, 2020 felt less like a moment of acceleration, as many commentators have suggested,
Extensive Labor Shortages Leading to Pressure on Wages
The Labor Department reported that 332,000 Americans have filed new claims for state unemployment benefits. 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 310,000 to 312,000. The four-week moving average was 335,750, a decrease of 4,250 from
Wharton School Taps Isaacson, Miller to Find Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer
Isaacson, Miller has been enlisted to find a chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer for the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Keight Tucker Kennedy is leading the assignment, with Tiffany Weber and Kelly McLaughlin. “The inaugural chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer will use a data-informed approach to provide school-wide leadership
Bespoke Partners Recruits Chief People Officer for Conga
San Diego, CA-headquartered executive search firm Bespoke Partners has placed Dayna Perry as the new chief people officer of Conga, a global leader in commercial operations transformation. Her appointment is effective immediately. She will be based out of Conga’s Broomfield, CO office. Alex Bossetta led the assignment. “As Conga continues to grow and evolve as a global organization,
The Bowdoin Group Adds Director of Marketing, Eight Other Hires
In its largest hiring spree in the more than 25-year history of the firm, The Bowdoin Group has added nine new hires, including a director of marketing, to its team. Lauren Kendall, the new director of marketing, joins the firm from T3 Advisors, where she was senior marketing director. The other additions include two senior consultants,
How to Define Your Professional Brand
When most people think of brands, they first think of well-known consumer packaged goods or durable goods, such as Pepsi or Ford. These are often synonymous with TV commercials and other mass media advertising with big budgets, which are aimed at consumers. They have defined identities comprised of a logo and tagline, and they have a
Recruiting Entrepreneur Makes Seven-Figure Investment in ZRG
ZRG, a leading search firm backed by private equity firm RFE Investment Partners, has elected Hamilton Bradshaw CEO James Caan to its board of directors. Mr. Caan has made a personal seven-figure investment in the company. “We are thrilled to add James Caan to our board of directors,” said CEO Larry Hartmann. “He brings a global
Hobbs & Towne Assists Cervest Recruit Chairperson
Executive search firm Hobbs & Towne has assisted in the recruitment of Lila Tretikov as chairperson of Cervest’s board of directors. “Lila’s experience is incredibly unique,” said Iggy Bassi, founder and CEO of Cervest. “She brings to Cervest an important combination of climate and sustainability knowledge coupled with technology and AI expertise. She understands the strategic and
IQTalent Partners Launches Diversity-Focused SaaS Platform
Executive recruitment firm IQTalent Partners has unveiled Diversify by IQTalent Xchange to its existing talent exchange platform. Diversify by IQTX enables companies that are focused on recruiting and retaining underrepresented talent to generate an inclusive slate of qualified passive candidates for any open role. An original market concept, using responsible and advanced artifical intelligence combined with human
LPA Search Partners Recruits Digital Transformation Leader for American Chemical Society
LPA Search Partners recently placed Tim Jones as senior vice president of digital transformation for the American Chemical Society (ACS), the world’s largest scientific membership organization. “We are so honored to have led the search that brought Tim to ACS and continue to match great talent to challenging, high-growth opportunities in service of our clients,” said Anna
Diversified Search Group Selected to Lead Search for Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino
Diversified Search Group (DSG) has been selected to lead the search for the founding director of the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino. Leading the search are Victor Arias, managing partner of the firm’s Dallas office, and Jason León, managing partner of its Washington, D.C. office. “We are honored to have been selected to lead the search
Five Top Characteristics of Top Cannabis Executives
The cannabis industry has seen extraordinary growth of late due to increasing decriminalization and legalization across many states. In 2020, cannabis sales hit a record $17.5 billion, which was a 46 percent increase from 2019. Market analysts project that the cannabis industry could skyrocket to $100 billion in the U.S. by 2030. Cannabis is legal
WittKieffer Seeks Chief People Officer for the Institute of Aging
With the coronavirus crisis still posing a risk to people everywhere, human resources executives are stepping up at businesses across the country, playing a vital role in helping their organizations navigate what continues to be an even greater challenge than the Great Recession. Along the way, the importance of people strategy is expanding, and that
JDG Associates Begins CFO Search for ACTE
Rockville, MD-based executive search firm JDG Associates has been enlisted by ACTE (the Association for Career and Technical Education) to lead its search for a new chief financial officer. ACTE, headquartered in Alexandria, VA, is the largest national association dedicated to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for careers. ACTE’s CFO manages the financial
QJumpers Launches New AI Candidate Search Software
The demand for AI specialists focused on data and machine learning is growing exponentially internationally and the search for top talent is increasing, according to executive recruiters. QJumpers, a sourcing and recruitment software provider, has released its newest product, AI Talent Sourcing. The tool scours publicly available information and uses artificial intelligence to find, rank and engage
True Search Places President at PE-Backed CrossFit
Haddonfield, NJ-based executive recruitment firm True Search has placed former Nike executive Jason Dunlop as president of CrossFit, based in Boulder, CO. Todd Zangrillo, co-leader of the consumer practice, led the assignment along with partner Ben O’Reilly, principal Hannah James and senior associate James Rigano. “Jason is a perfect fit for the CrossFit president role,” said Mr. Zangrillo. “He brings a high growth
Steven John & Associates Recruits Deputy General Counsel and Global Head of Commercial Legal for Snap
Executive search firm Steven John & Associates has assisted Snap Inc. in the recruitment of Claudia Teran, a 21-year legal veteran of Fox Corp., as vice president, deputy general counsel and global head of commercial. Steve John, founder and principal, and Jason Snyder, managing director, led the assignment. Ms. Teran will report directly to general counsel Mike
Healthcare Trust of America Taps Spencer Stuart to Find New CEO
Healthcare Trust of America Inc. (HTA), based in Scottsdale, AZ, confirmed that Spencer Stuart has been retained to assist the organization’s board of directors in identifying the company’s next chief executive officer. Peter N. Foss, an independent director of the board, is serving as interim president and chief executive officer while the search process is ongoing. “The search
