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A Playbook for Speed to Hire at the Executive Level
In executive recruiting, companies often focus heavily on identifying the right candidate while overlooking another factor that can determine the outcome of the search: momentum. In today’s competitive executive talent market, highly sought-after leaders are evaluating opportunities in real time, and organizations that hesitate risk losing top talent before the process is complete. The ability
Isaacson, Miller Recruits Chief Information Officer for the Smithsonian Institution
Boston-based Isaacson, Miller has assisted in the recruitment of Zack Kahn as chief information officer for the Smithsonian Institution. Karen Avery and Dan Rodas led this search with Stephen Kalogeras and Caroline Corry. Mr. Kahn joins the Smithsonian Institution with more than two decades of strategic technology leadership across federal agencies, global operations, and mission‑driven institutions. He previously served as
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.
Vetted Solutions Recruits CEO for GO2 for Lung Cancer
Washington, D.C.-based Vetted Solutions has placed David Benson as the new CEO of GO2 for Lung Cancer. “David is an exceptional leader with a deep commitment to improving the lives of people affected by cancer,” said GO2 board president Rick Sherlock. “His collaborative leadership style, strategic vision, and ability to build meaningful partnerships make him the right
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?
TalentRise Assists Grassroots Gardens of WNY with Executive Director Search
TalentRise has assisted in the recruitment of Megan Kelly as the new executive director of Grassroots Gardens of WNY. “We’re thrilled to announce Meg Kelly as the new executive director of Grassroots Gardens WNY,” the organization said. “Meg brings experience to our garden network from her work with the region’s business and entrepreneurship community, and enters
Private Equity Firms Rethink Executive Hiring for Future Growth
PE investors routinely underwrite businesses based on their future state. For example, an investment thesis may assume a restaurant company will double its unit count, accelerate franchising, expand geographically, complete acquisitions, improve margins, or become significantly more institutionalized during the hold period. Executive hiring, however, often remains anchored to the present, according to a new
ON Partners Recruits CFO for Fortera
Partners Josh Nathanson and Chris Clements along with principal Alexis Rohe of ON Partners have placed Albert Luu as the new CFO of cement manufacturer Fortera in San Jose, CA. “Fortera is at a stage where the work we’ve done to prove the technology now has to be matched by our ability to finance and execute at scale,”
BoardWalk Consulting Assists Downtown Atlanta with CEO Search
BoardWalk Consulting has recruited Kyle Waide as the new CEO of Downtown Atlanta Inc. (DAI) to lead in its search for a CEO. The search was led by Sam Pettway, Crystal Stephens, and Patti Kish. The search committee began its work in April of 2026 under the leadership of Egbert Perry, CEO, Integral Group; longtime member of CAP and
SearchWide Global Recruits President and CEO for Visit California
SearchWide Global has helped to recruit Julie Coker as the new president and CEO of Visit California. She succeeds longtime leader Caroline Beteta, who announced her retirement earlier this year. The assignment was led by Mike Gamble, chairman, CEO, and co-founder of SearchWide. The appointment is the culmination of a comprehensive global search conducted in partnership
JM Search Expands Search Team
JM Search, a senior-level talent provider serving private equity investors, portfolio companies, and Fortune 1000s, has expanded with the additions of Amber Shockey as partner within its legal practice and Curtis Walker as principal within its media & telecommunications team. “Continued private equity investment across legal services, legal-adjacent businesses, and professional sports is elevating the importance of
Interim or Executive Search? Choosing the Right Leadership Solution
Interim leadership has moved well beyond being a stopgap solution for unexpected vacancies. As organizations face greater complexity, faster strategic shifts, and mounting pressure to deliver results, boards and CEOs are increasingly turning to experienced interim leaders as a flexible way to maintain momentum and address critical business needs. For executive search firms, that shift
Funk Associates Assists the University of North Florida with the Recruitment of Eighth President
Funk Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Michael P. Shannon as the eighth president of the University of North Florida (UNF). Past president Moez Limayem stepped down from his position in early 2026. “Mike Shannon is the leader who can build on UNF’s strong momentum and continue to elevate the University’s incredible impact across our
DHR Global Recruits President of Business Operations for the Pittsburgh Penguins
Talent advisory firm DHR Global has placed Marcel Braithwaite as president of business operations for the Pittsburgh Penguins. This search was led by Mike Gagliardi and Glenn Sugiyama of DHR’s sports practice. “Marcel is going to be a transformational hire for one of the NHL’s premier teams,” said Mr. Sugiyama, managing partner of DHR’s sports practice. “I had the
Mercuri Urval Expands International Public and ESG Expert Practice
Stockholm, Sweden-based executive search firm Mercuri Urval (MU) has expanded with the addition of former Danish government minister Astrid Krag to its international public and ESG expert practice. “With Astrid’s extensive experience in international public affairs, strong commitment to ESG and sustainability, and deep understanding of life sciences, she brings a valuable combination of expertise and
ZRG Partners Acquires N2Growth’s Spain Business
ZRG Partners has entered the Spanish market through the acquisition of the business formerly known as Blacksmith that had been doing business since 2023 under the umbrella of N2Growth. Through this integration, ZRG enters the Spanish market with an established local team and the goal of offering Spanish and international clients agile, high-touch advisory backed by
Family Offices Move Into Human Capital M&A
Altss’ latest ranking, The 50 Largest Family Offices in the World (2026), illustrates the scale family capital has reached. The 50 largest offices collectively manage an estimated $2.4 trillion, with the top 10 controlling more than $1.5 trillion. Twenty-eight of the top 50 are headquartered in North America, while private equity represents their largest average portfolio allocation
The Leadership Pipeline Crisis: AI’s Hidden Cost
Companies everywhere are celebrating leaner teams, faster execution, and higher productivity thanks to AI, according to HIRECLOUT. From a business perspective, the logic is easy to understand, according to Avetis Antaplyan, founder and CEO of HIRECLOUT. “Investors reward efficiency,” Mr. Antaplyan said. “Leaders are under pressure to do more with less. Automation is eliminating repetitive
Klein Hersh Recruits CFO for Sparrow Pharmaceuticals
Klein Hersh, a search firm focused on the life sciences and healthcare industries, has recruited George Eldridge as the new CFO of Sparrow Pharmaceuticals, a targeted cardiometabolic therapeutics company. “We are thrilled to welcome George to Sparrow at such an important time for our company,” said Robert Jacks, president and CEO of Sparrow Pharmaceuticals. “George
McCormack + Kristel Seeking Executive Director for NEXT Harm Reduction
McCormack + Kristel has been retained by NEXT Harm Reduction (NEXT Distro) to lead in its search for an executive director. This is a rare opportunity for a visionary leader and skilled fundraiser to take a nationally recognized organization with an urgent mandate and grow it to the scale the moment demands. Reporting to the board
Riviera Partners Expands Public Practice
San Francisco-based Riviera Partners, a recruitment provider specializing in C-level engineering, product, and design leader placements, has expanded with the addition of Archer McFall as a partner within its public practice serving large, publicly-traded companies and late-stage, pre-IPO companies. “Getting the right CTO, CIO, or chief AI officer in place, building the team structure around AI, making sure the
HelloSky Brings Its Graph of People, Investors, and Companies Into Claude and ChatGPT
Executive search firms are increasingly looking for ways to move beyond traditional databases and static candidate profiles as clients demand deeper market intelligence and faster, more precise insight into leadership talent. Advances in artificial intelligence are giving recruiters new tools to connect people, companies, investors, relationships, and career outcomes in ways that can strengthen candidate
Harris Search Associates Leading Senior Assignment for Carnegie Mellon University
Harris Search Associates has been retained by Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) to lead in its search for newly created role of associate vice president for research computing and data (AVP RCD). Jeffrey Harris and Ed Christ are leading the assignment. This role offers a unique opportunity to elevate and transform CMU’s research computing ecosystem positioning it to better support
Preng & Associates Assists SOGC, LLC with President Search
Following a comprehensive executive search, Houston-based Preng & Associates assisted in the recruitment of David French as the new president of SOGC, LLC. “Preng & Associates is proud to have supported this important leadership appointment and continues to partner with energy companies worldwide in identifying and securing transformative executive talent,” the firm said. Mr. French brings
NPAG Appoints Senior Advisor
Executive search firm NPAG has appointed André Blackman as senior advisor. In this new role, he will build and lead a practice focused on mission-driven innovation — connecting dynamic leadership talent and the development resources to keep that talent in seat, to founders and organizations solving problems that matter. “André brings a rare combination of strategic insight, storytelling
Sheffield Haworth Adds Private Equity & Growth Venture Portfolio Assets Veteran
Global leadership advisory and executive search firm Sheffield Haworth has expanded with the addition of Michael McDonnell as managing director, private equity and growth venture portfolio assets. He is based in the New York office and works within the technology sector practice. “We are thrilled to welcome Michael to the team,” said Paul Gillespie, managing director of the
Leadership Needs Shift in a Changing Federal Market
Executive search across the federal contracting, government services, defense, and technology sectors is entering a new phase as companies look for more sophisticated ways to evaluate leadership beyond résumés, references, and past performance. In markets where specialized experience, relationships, and an understanding of complex government customers can be critical, the challenge is not simply identifying
Private Equity Rollup Wave Reshapes Executive Search
What may once have looked like a series of isolated transactions is increasingly taking on the shape of a broader industry shift. As capital moves into the sector and firms rethink where they have true competitive strength, the pattern is becoming harder to ignore. “A year ago, I would have called this a prediction, today,
HARTZ Search Seeking Chief Revenue Officer for Geisinger
Charlotte, NC-based HARTZ Search was recently retained by Geisinger to lead in its search for a chief revenue officer. This executive will direct, manage, and implement programs to ensure efficient revenue management operations and sufficient cash flow to support Geisinger operations and strategic initiatives. The role is responsible for identifying, analyzing, reducing, and resolving revenue management issues
Kincannon & Reed Places Executive Director for the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association
Kincannon & Reed (K&R), which exclusively focuses on food, agribusiness, and the related life sciences, has assisted in the recruitment of Patrick Carney as the new executive director of the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association. Dave Smith stepped down from his executive role after leading the association for more than 30 years. “Patrick pairs dairy industry knowledge with
Hunt Scanlon’s Top 10 Recruiting Stories of 2025
In 2025, the recruiting and executive search industry entered a pivotal transformation driven by the rapid integration of AI and data intelligence. As firms navigated uneven hiring demand and ongoing consolidation, recruiters increasingly turned to AI-powered platforms, advanced analytics, and leadership science to deliver sharper insight, faster outcomes, and measurable value for clients. Investor activity
Jobless Claims Remain Idle as Recovery Looms
The Labor Department reported that 268,000 Americans have filed new claims for state unemployment benefits, a decrease of 1,000. 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 267,000 to 269,000. The four-week moving average was 272,750, a decrease of
Frederickson Partners Places Chief People Officer at Mitratech
With the coronavirus crisis continuing to disrupt the world economy, chief people officers are stepping up at businesses across the country, playing a vital role in helping organizations navigate what is looking to be an even greater challenge than the Great Recession. Executive recruiters across the business landscape report that searches for these C-suite executives
The Moran Company Retained to Find New Leader for Cottonwood Inc.
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 Lawrence, KS-based Cottonwood Inc., which serves individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities. Ann Graff, senior search consultant, is leading the assignment. “The CEO reports to the board of directors and works
Allen Austin Appoints Consumer Products and Retail Sector Leader
Houston, TX-based search firm Allen Austin, parent company to Gaines International, has named Ken Wilcox as its newest partner and head of the consumer products and retail sectors in the executive search practice. “Ken is a truly exceptional addition to the Allen Austin team,” said Darcie Murray, senior managing partner. “Ken will help us make deeper inroads
Pursuing Culture as a Financial Performance Driver
Heidrick & Struggles recently surveyed 500 CEOs at large companies around the world about how they define culture and how it influences financial performance. Findings suggest that most CEOs make culture a priority. Problem is many are not particularly intentional in their pursuit of culture as a driver of financial performance. The report, which was authored by Heidrick consultants
Caldwell Reports Extraordinary Year-End Results
Toronto-based Caldwell posted Q4 revenues of $41.7 million (Canadian), a 271 percent increase from a year ago. Full year revenues rose by 106 percent, from $56.7 last year to $119.5 million. Financial results include those of IQTalent Partners (IQTP) beginning on the date of acquisition of December 31, 2020. “Fiscal 2021 was a year of enormous and
Korn Ferry Assists the New York Mets in Landing New GM
Korn Ferry has assisted in the recruitment of Billy Eppler as the new general manager of the New York Mets. The Mets did not confirm the deal because it is not yet official, but a source said the two sides were working out final contract details and completing a background check which should be completed by
Terra Search Partners Names Co-Leader of Affordable Housing and Impact Investing Practice
San Francisco, CA-based, real estate focused executive recruiting firm Terra Search Partners recently appointed Becky Regan as managing director and co-lead the firm’s affordable housing and impact investing practice. She will work alongside partner Greg Melanson. Additionally, with Regan’s hire, the firm extends its footprint in the Northeast. “At Terra Search, we are inspired by the
Egon Zehnder Assists Queensland Investment Corp. With CEO Search
After a four-month global search, Egon Zehnder has placed Kylie Rampa as chief executive officer of QIC, a leading Australian investment manager owned by the Queensland Government. Ms. Rampa will begin her new role in April, succeeding Damien Frawley, who has led the organization for over nine years. Mr. Frawley announced in June that he
Daversa Partners Recruits Chief People Officer for H1
Daversa Partners, which helps build leadership teams for growth and venture-backed companies, has assisted in the recruitment of Traunza Adams as chief people officer of H1, which provides the largest global healthcare platform that connects healthcare professionals. Director Meagan Flynn and partner Peter Baiocco led the assignment. “H1 has hired talent at an extraordinary pace, especially
The Loring Group Places VP of Supply Chain for Kendo Brands
San Francisco-headquartered executive search firm The Loring Group recently placed Ngan Lam as vice president of supply chain for Kendo Brands. The search was led by partner Rich Kampmann. Kendo Holdings is a San Francisco-based beauty brand developer and wholesaler owned by LVMH Moët Hennessy – Louis Vuitton, the world’s largest luxury group. Kendo has become the
Heidrick & Struggles Names Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary
Executive search, leadership consulting and culture shaping services provider Heidrick & Struggles has appointed Tracey Heaton as its new chief legal officer and corporate secretary. “As we continue to expand our suite of future-focused offerings and innovative, tech-driven capabilities, Tracey’s proven global experience across commercial, corporate and digital payments technology arenas will be incredibly valuable to our ongoing growth
Hudson Global Posts 77.1 Percent Increase in Revenues
Old Greenwich, Conn.-based recruiting firm Hudson Global Inc. / (NASDAQ:HSON) has posted third quarter of $45 million, an increase of 77.1 percent from the third quarter of 2020 and 71.8 percent in constant currency. This surpassed the Zacks consensus estimate by 11.55 percent. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates four times over the last four
SpenglerFox Appoints Head of Talent Acquisition
Global executive search and human capital solutions provider SpenglerFox has named Dimitra Filis as head of talent acquisition. She will be responsible for the firm’s talent acquisition strategy to support the rapid growth of the business in key markets. “At a time when we are growing our own talent to support the rapid expansion of our business
ESG in Private Equity and What it Means for Talent
There’s no denying that sustainability has gained traction, momentum and awareness in recent years. Governments, corporations, and non-profits around the world have increasingly come under scrutiny for their actions and policies, and in many instances their lack thereof. The issue is no longer one that’s feasible to ignore, or advisable to be passive about, and this is to
H.I. Executive Consulting Assists Volcon with CEO Search
H.I. Executive Consulting (HIEC) has recruited Jordan Davis as the new chief executive officer of Volcon, the first all-electric, off-road powersports company. He will succeed Andrew Leisner, who has served as CEO since the company’s establishment. “We are delighted to have played our part in the search for Volcon’s chief executive officer,” said Brian Donohoe, partner. “We
Lindauer Seeks VP Development for University of Washington
Boston-based Lindauer has been retained by the University of Washington to lead its search for a vice president for development, university advancement. Jill Lasman, senior executive vice president, and Tensie J. Taylor, consultant, are spearheading the assignment. “The University of Washington is seeking an inclusive, strategic and collaborative leader to serve as the next vice president
Odgers Berndtson Adds Partner to Alternative Assets Recruiting Practice
Odgers Berndtson has expanded with the addition of Coleen Howard as a partner in the asset, wealth and alternative investments sector of the firm’s financial services practice based in Boston. “We are delighted that Coleen has joined the firm,” said Steve Potter, CEO of Odgers Berndtson U.S. “Her deep background in asset and wealth management as well as
Hirewell Raises $21 Million in Funding
Hirewell, a Chicago-based talent acquisition firm, secured an investment of $21 million from Prytek, a global investment firm with expertise in integrating global services firms with cutting-edge technologies. Prytek will provide capital to enable Hirewell to accelerate its organic growth and integrate technology into its managed recruiting services. As part of this investment, Hirewell will
New York Mets Tap Korn Ferry to Assist Lagging GM Search
According to multiple sources, the New York Mets have called in Korn Ferry to assist in its search for a new general manager. Speaking to reporters at the general managers’ meeting on Tuesday, Mets team president Sandy Alderson said what initially began as a hunt for two roles, a president of baseball operations and general
How to Prepare Candidates for a Successful Resignation
So, you’ve just run an exhaustive search process leading to a key executive that everyone has agreed is ‘the one.’ The negotiations are finally over, the swords have been put away and you have a signature on the offer letter. Time to celebrate, right? Think again. Never underestimate a candidate’s ability to blow themselves up
Bespoke Partners Opens East Coast Office
San Diego, CA-headquartered executive search firm Bespoke Partners has opened a Philadelphia-area office driven by the firm’s rapid growth in its executive recruiting and leadership advisory services for private equity-backed software companies. The new office joins the Bespoke Partners headquarters in San Diego and its regional office in Austin. Bespoke also named Maria Scharper as vice president
Russell Reynolds Associates Assists Taylor Morrison with CFO Search
Chief financial officers continue to be in high demand. Finding them is keeping many of the nation’s top recruitment operations busier than ever. In recent months, search firms of all varieties have placed CFOs at various companies. And there is no let-up in sight. Russell Reynolds Associates recently assisted in the recruitment of Lou Steffens as
Coulter Partners Recruits First Chief Medical Officer for Enthera Pharmaceuticals
Over the past few months, numerous healthcare organizations have turned to executive search firms to find new chief medical officers. In the era of COVID-19 this is likely to be another burgeoning area for executive search firms. Life sciences search specialist Coulter Partners recently assisted in the recruitment of Antonio Speziale as the first chief medical officer
Evolving the Conversation Around Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Diversity, equity and inclusion are three concepts that are connected but not interchangeable, which is why it is important to touch on all three, according to Ruben Moreno, HR practice lead for Blue Rock Search. “Diversity is about heterogeneity, where a group intentionally has many different perspectives, backgrounds and experiences,” Mr. Moreno said. “Equity is an
Arts Consulting Group Seeking Executive Director for Milwaukee Ballet
Founded in 1970, Milwaukee Ballet has grown to become the leading ballet company in Wisconsin. The organization recently called in Boston-based search firm Arts Consulting Group (ACG) to find a new executive director. President Bruce D. Thibodeau and vice president Geoff Chang are leading the assignment. Reporting to and collaborating with the board of directors in a shared leadership model with
Acertitude Names Global Head of Talent
Executive search firm Acertitude has appointed Ben Warner as vice president of talent. Based in Chicago, he reports to Guy Barnes, managing partner. “Ben’s role is a hugely important one for all of us within Acertitude,” Mr. Barnes said. “It represents a key investment in each one of us as we develop our job families and provide
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
