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Cook Silverman Search Retained by Common Sense Media to Find Chief Development Officer
Greenbrae, CA-based Cook Silverman Search has been retained by Common Sense Media to lead in its search for a chief development officer. This executive provides strategic leadership and guidance for the development department, while supporting the president and board chair. They are responsible for building a multi-year sustainability strategy to deepen, diversify, and support the organization’s
True Adds Digital Infrastructure Expert
Global executive talent platform True has expanded with the addition of Ros Deans as a partner in its digital infrastructure practice. Based in London with a global remit, Ms. Deans will work with data center operators, infrastructure investors, real estate developers, private equity firms and hyperscalers. She will place C-suite, functional and regional leaders who drive
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.
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
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?
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
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
Mega-Deals Point To Shifting Priorities In M&A
According to S&P Global, third-quarter deal value for $10 billion-plus transactions has already reached $171.81 billion, nearly matching the $179.74 billion posted in the second quarter — even with fewer transactions. The headline is clear: overall volume may be cooling, but the deals that do close are bigger, bolder, and designed to reshape industries. This reflects
NorthWind Partners Recruits CFO for Cognosante
Reston, VA-headquartered executive search firm NorthWind Partners has assisted in the placement of Steve Hamric as the new chief financial officer of Falls Church, VA-based health IT company Cognosante. Partner Hunter Murray led the assignment. “I am pleased to welcome Steve to our leadership team,” said Michele Kang, founder and CEO of Cognosante. “He complements our strong growth culture, and
SearchWide Global Assists Big Sky Chamber of Commerce and Visit Big Sky in CEO Search
Retained executive recruitment firm SearchWide Global recently assisted in the placement of Brad Niva as the new president and CEO of non-profit Big Sky Chamber of Commerce and Visit Big Sky in Montana. Search firm vice president Nicole Newman led the assignment. Mr. Niva brings an extensive background in the outdoor and tourism industry. Most recently, he served as the
HC Smith Recruits Executive Director for Las Vegas Philharmonic
Following a nationwide executive search, Beachwood, OH-based executive search firm HC Smith has assisted in the placement of Anne Berquist as the new executive director of the Las Vegas Philharmonic. “I am thrilled and honored to be the Las Vegas Philharmonic’s executive director,” Ms. Berquist told Broadway World. “The Philharmonic has a long and prestigious history, and there are countless
Jensen Partners Launches New Platform to Address Diversity Hiring
Today, New York City-based Jensen Partners, a woman-owned executive search and corporate advisory firm for the alternative investment management industry, will launch DiversityMetrics, a software platform to combine self-reported diversity data and human capital management technology specifically designed for asset managers seeking to quantify, measure, report and improve workforce diversity and inclusion – both within their
Caldwell Places Chief Revenue Officer at Rasa Technologies
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, Mercedes Chatfield-Taylor, managing
Russell Reynolds Associates Seeking CFO for Rail Safety and Standards Board
The Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB), an independent British non-profit company which supports its members to deliver a better, safer railway through its research, standards, and analysis, has retained Russell Reynolds Associates to lead its search for a chief financial officer. RSSB’s new CFO, who will be based in London, will report to the
KEES Recruits Executive Director for The Acorn Theater
Executive search and non-profit consulting firm, KEES, has recruited Beth Kaskel as the new executive director of The Acorn Theater (The Acorn) in Three Oaks, MI. Sandra Thompson, who has held The Acorn’s executive director role for the last five years announced in November that she would be shifting from administration, fundraising and general management to focus specifically on artistic
AMS Expands into Russia
Global provider of talent outsourcing and advisory services, AMS, has continued its global expansion opening a dedicated Russian entity. This latest move follows an increase in demand for talent solutions in the country across multiple industries, including pharmaceutical, life sciences and fast-moving consumer goods. “Located in Moscow and with a dedicated team with the knowledge, experience
For Cannabis Companies, Aligning C-Suite Leadership is Job One
Cannabis companies face unique challenges as they move through various business stages. Many founders began as growers without extensive business experience and as they move through the business lifecycle into a second-stage start-up, they might realize they need to scale their leadership team, bringing on people who complement their own strengths and weaknesses for a
Hanold Associates Taps CHRO for Millennium Trust Company
Chicago-based Hanold Associates HR & Diversity Executive has placed Karyn DeFalco as chief human resources officer (CHRO) for Millennium Trust Company (MTC), a leading fintech company providing retirement and investment solutions. Partners Sandra Peña, Sonia Nagra and Adam Watson led the assignment. Ms. DeFalco’s appointment follows John Samaan’s decision to step down as CHRO to pursue another
Frederickson Partners Recruits Equity, Inclusion and Diversity Leader for Western Digital
Global HR search firm Frederickson Partners recently placed Lise Edwards as senior director of equity, inclusion and diversity at data-centric solutions company Western Digital. “We’re very excited to have Lise join Western Digital in this important role,” said Lori Sundberg, executive vice president and chief human resources officer of Western Digital. “She brings years of experience in
accelHRate Partners with the National Association of Corporate Directors
The National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD), the authority on boardroom practices representing more than 21,000 board members, has enlisted search firm accelHRate to help grow its board director search practice. NACD Board Search will leverage the membership (including NACD certified directors), partners, and ecosystem of NACD to expertly match qualified candidates to available board
NPAworldwide Adds New Member Firms
As we emerge from a global pandemic, executive search consultants are seeing an increase in hiring mandates from around the world. To meet demand, they continue to develop new practices, hire new recruiters, and open new locations. Global recruiting consortiums, meanwhile, are taking advantage of a resurgence in certain geographic areas. Member-owned recruitment network NPAworldwide recently added The
Settling Into a New Normal and What That Means for Jobs Recovery
The Labor Department reported that 412,000 Americans filed new claims for state unemployment benefits. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones expected 360,000 new jobless claims. The previous week’s level was revised down by 1,000 from 376,000 to 375,000. The 4-week moving average was 395,000, a decrease of 8,000 from the previous week’s revised average. This is
4 Lessons on Leading Through a Crisis
Having worked through a global pandemic that affected every business, some leaders are emerging from this crucible more agile, energized and better prepared to guide their organizations through recovery and beyond. In a recent report, ChampionScott Partners showcased four such leaders and the opportunities they saw in adversity to make their companies stronger, more resilient
Furst Group Places Chief Growth Officer for Paradigm
Executive recruitment firm Furst Group, which serves the healthcare and insurance industries, has placed Tom Mafale in the newly created role of chief growth officer at Paradigm, an industry leader in solving catastrophic and complex healthcare challenges. Paradigm created the chief growth officer position to focus on delivering new and existing products and services to a wider range of
The Bedford Consulting Group Recruits CEO for AceAge
Toronto-based executive search and talent management solutions provider Bedford Consulting Group has helped to place John Simmons, former general manager of Abbot Diagnostics, as the new chief executive officer of AceAge Inc. “John is a proven leader with a track record of delivering outstanding results in senior roles with an extensive background in medical devices,” stated
ClearPath Solutions Introduces Franchise Match Division
ClearPath Solutions, an Irvine, CA-based executive search firm focused on the restaurant and retail industry, has launched ClearPath Franchise Match. “A firm dedicated to serving the franchise industry, ClearPath Franchise Match connects high-growth brands with well-capitalized, proven and operationally savvy franchisees,” the search firm said. ClearPath Solutions partners with founders, brands, family offices and private
Penn State Hires Spencer Stuart to Assist in Search for Next President
As part of a phased approach, the board of trustees of Pennsylvania State University has gathered an array of critical characteristics that the university community wants in the successor to president Eric J. Barron, who is retiring next year. The school has called in Spencer Stuart to assist in the search for a new leader.
Diversified Search Group Names Vice Chair and Leader of Global Corporate Practice Group
Diversified Search Group has appointed Aileen K. Alexander to the newly created position as vice chair and leader of the firm’s global corporate practice group. “Aileen Alexander is an innovator,” said founder and chair Judith M. von Seldeneck. “Her exceptional experience and industry insights will contribute significantly not only to our rapidly growing firm, but also
Caldwell Recruits Senior Partner for Apollo Global Management
Caldwell recently assisted Apollo Global Management in the recruitment of Craig Farr as a senior partner to lead capital solutions activities for the firm. Paul Heller, managing partner of Caldwell’s global financial services practice, led the assignment along with consultant Cristina Toohey. In this newly created position, Mr. Farr will spearhead Apollo’s centralized origination, structuring and distribution platform, reporting
Rosin Executive Search Assists TMX Group in the Recruitment of New CFO
Rosin Executive Search recently assisted TMX Group in Toronto in the recruitment of financial services industry David Arnold as its new CFO. “We are excited to add a dynamic and experienced financial professional with an impressive track record of execution to TMX Group’s senior leadership team, as we work to advance our global growth strategy
Signium Names Co-Leaders of Global Technology Practice
Executive search consortium Signium appointed Stéphanie Engels and Alexander de Freitas as new co-leaders of the global technology practice. Based in Zurich, Ms. Engels has developed new business models and coached intrapreneurs as well as partner start-ups. As a partner at Signium, she is experienced in defining new business models with different types of partners (big companies, SMEs and start-ups)
U.S. Employers Report Strongest Hiring Outlook In 21 Years
Employers in 32 percent of U.S. businesses surveyed expect an increase in payrolls during the next three months, while three percent expect to trim payrolls and 63 percent anticipate no change, according to the latest “Employment Outlook Survey,” released by ManpowerGroup. “Employers are ready to bring their workers back as restrictions lift and America gets ready to work,”
HARTZ Search Recruits Chief Diversity, Inclusion and Health Equity Officer for Roper St. Francis Healthcare
Charlotte, NC-based HARTZ Search has assisted in the placement of Michael Moxley as vice president/chief diversity, inclusion and health equity officer for Roper St. Francis Healthcare (RSFH) in Charleston, SC. RSFH, a joint venture between Bon Secours Mercy Health and the Medical Society of South Carolina, is a four-hospital integrated health system with over 671-licensed beds and
JM Search Recruits CMO for TrueLearn
As business becomes more global and complex, and power shifts from producers of goods and services to consumers, the chief marketing officer’s job of planning and coordinating marketing activities has become more challenging — and much more influential. JM Search, a senior-level talent provider serving private equity investors, portfolio companies and Fortune 1000s, recently assisted in
Academic Search Assists North Park University in the Recruitment of Provost
Education-focused executive recruiter Academic Search has helped to place Michael S. Carr as the new provost and chief academic officer for North Park University, a Christian university in Chicago. Andrea Warren Hamos and Mahauganee D. Shaw led the assignment. Dr. Carr will join the president’s cabinet, beginning July 1. He succeeds Craig Johnson, who held the role
Raines International Opens Offices in Miami and Philadelphia
New York-based Raines International has opened new offices in Miami and Philadelphia. According to the search firm, the opening of the Miami office supports Raines’ strategic client development and growth plan, balancing current market demands and the opportunity to pursue accelerated growth in new sectors. “I am thrilled to be personally opening our newest office in Miami,” said CEO
3 Ways Your Company Can Advance Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
As various social movements have heightened the focus on diversity issues worldwide, more and more organizations are creating senior diversity leadership roles as one way to help effect sustainable change, according to Spencer Stuart. The firm recently hosted a virtual roundtable to gather some of these diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) leaders to discuss best
Anthem Executive Recruits President for Lamar University
Following a national search, Lamar University (LU) has named Jaime R. Taylor, who serves as the provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at Marshall University, as the school’s next president. Leading the assignment were Anthem Executive’s Scott Watson, Michael Ballew and Florene Stawowy, supported by Mike JR Wheless and John Rudley. Current president Kenneth Evans announced
Human Resource Solutions Assists Hunter Communications in CFO Search
Golden, CO-based executive search firm Human Resource Solutions has assisted in the placement of Sam Pauley as chief financial officer for Hunter Communications, a portfolio company of Grain Management LLC. The search was led by R. Woody Daroca. “Sam brings both financial and operational telecommunications experience, which will help us align our business goals and strategies with operations as
