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Hudson Talent Solutions Completes Purchase of Acquired Philadelphia
Tampa, FL-based Hudson Talent Solutions has completed the acquisition of Acquired Philadelphia, a female-founded talent acquisition consultancy. The integration brings the expertise of Acquired Philadelphia’s founder, Jessica Dombkoski, into Hudson Talent Solutions’ growing platform and strengthens the firm’s capabilities across executive search, success-fee recruitment, strategic talent advisory, and its proprietary agentic-AI platform, HudsonFlow. “Jessica has built deep,
AI Adoption Linked to Stronger Revenue Growth Across Executive Search Firms
Macroeconomic conditions were unpredictable and labor markets remained sluggish in 2025, but many firms were able to find success in this challenging market. One way was with AI, which revolutionized the recruitment industry in 2025. Top-performing firms are four times as likely to be using AI, and 55 percent have seen KPIs increase more than
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
Egon Zehnder Assists with the Recruitment of America’s 76th Postmaster General and CEO
Global leadership advisory firm Egon Zehnder recently assisted the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors in the recruitment of David Steiner to be America’s 76th postmaster general and CEO. He succeeded former postmaster general Louis DeJoy, who resigned in March, and current acting postmaster General Doug Tulino, who will return to his permanent position as deputy
Diversified Search Group Names Managing Directors in Chicago and Washington D.C.
Diversified Search Group has added three managing directors – Steve Edwards, Robin Goolsbee and David Kuguru – to its burgeoning non-profit, corporate and life sciences practices. Following an accelerated demand for new leadership in the wake of the pandemic, the search firm says it has seen a 30 percent surge in business and market growth
Frazer Jones Appoints Head of U.K.
Executive search firm Frazer Jones, part of The SR Group, has appointed Nick Croucher as partner and head of Frazer Jones U.K. “Nick has been an integral part of the Frazer Jones management team since he joined in 2014,” said David Buckley, CEO of The SR Group. “He was, and continues to be, instrumental in growing our capability
3 Predictions for 2021 That Every CHRO Must Know
The last year has been, by many accounts, one of the most disruptive periods for HR teams – and many human resource professionals up and down the line are still finding their bearings as 2021 unfolds. But the best people teams are those that choose to make the best out of a messy situation. A new
St. Bonaventure Selects CarrSports to Find New Athletic Director
CarrSports Consulting has been called in to help St. Bonaventure University (SBU) find a new athletic director. Last month, the university chose not to renew the contract of Tim Kenney, who held the role since 2015. Barb Questa, who has been the senior member of SBU’s athletics administration team for 30 years, was named interim
Pender & Howe Executive Search Recruits CEO for CAAIN
Toronto-based Pender & Howe Executive Search recently placed Kerry Wright as the new chief executive officer for CAAIN, the Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network in Edmonton, Alberta. The non-profit organization supports the creation of technological solutions for challenges facing Canada’s agri-food sector. The search was spearheaded by managing principals Glenn Lesko and Travis Hann. Canada is
Boyden Elects Chair and Names New Global Board Members
Boyden has elected Craig Stevens to a two-year term as chairman. Three new board members have also been elected: Dina Akimova, managing partner, Russia; Kathleen Dunton, managing partner, Germany and EMEA leader, private equity & venture capital practice; and Kristen Smit, managing partner, France. Jim Harmon, managing partner, Canada, was re-elected. Board members completing their
Dinte Global Executive Search Appoints President
Mclean, VA-headquartered Dinte Global Executive Search has appointed Sam Dinte as president. In an elevated role, Mr. Dinte will drive growth strategy in delivering executive search, talent mapping and human capital diligence in aerospace and defense, and other core industries. As president, Mr. Dinte draws on a career as an aerospace and defense specialist with a
Help Wanted: As Companies Search for Workers, Interim Solutions Gain a Foothold
The Labor Department reported that 376,000 Americans filed new claims for state unemployment benefits. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones expected 370,000 new jobless claims. This is the lowest level for initial claims since March 14, 2020, when it was 256,000. The four-week moving average was 402,500, a decrease of 25,500 from the previous week’s unrevised
CarterBaldwin Recruits 12th President for Cornerstone University
CarterBaldwin Executive Search has placed Gerson Moreno-Riaño as the 12th president of Cornerstone University, a private, non-denominational Christian institution, in Grand Rapids, MI. Partner Bill Peterson led the assignment. Dr. Moreno-Riaño succeeds Joseph M. Stowell, who retired this spring after 13 years in the role. Cornerstone’s new president previously served for over seven years as
Herbert Mines Fills Board Positions for The Container Store
New York-based retail and consumer focused executive search firm Herbert Mines Associates recently partnered with The Container Store Group in the recruitment of Anthony Laday, CFO of Fogo de Chão, and Nicole Otto, former VP of Nike Direct North America, as new members of its board of directors. They will be officially elected as class ii directors
WilsonHCG Appoints Talent Consulting Division Leader
Global talent solutions provider Wilson Human Capital Group (WilsonHCG) has appointed Steven Davis to head its talent consulting division. Based in New York, he will lead the firm’s global consulting team. “Having known Steve for a long time, I am very pleased to officially welcome him,” said John Wilson, founder and CEO. “He will play a
Daversa Partners Appoints 14th Partner
Executive search firm Daversa Partners, which serves the technology sector, has named Nicolette Stanise as the firm’s 14th partner. Ms. Stanise, a leader within the firm’s consumer practice, has spent the last decade building executive teams for some of the most disruptive consumer and healthcare start-ups across the globe. She recently built out the vice
DHR International Assists Northwestern University in Landing New Athletic Director
Universities continue to turn to executive search firms to find new athletic directors. Chicago-based DHR International recently assisted Northwestern University in the recruitment of Derrick Gragg as the Combe Family vice president for athletics & recreation. He succeeds Mike Polisky, who resigned as the university’s athletic director last month. Dr. Gragg, the NCAA’s senior vice president for
True Search Names New Leaders
Haddonfield, NJ-based executive recruitment firm True Search has named new co-leaders to several specialized practices: the financial officers practice, the consumer practice and the financial services practice. Managing director Matt Goldstein has joined partner Rhoda Longhenry as co-practice lead of the financial officers practice. It’s a homecoming for Mr. Goldstein, who launched the practice with Ms. Longhenry in 2017 before turning
Parker Executive Search Retained by the University of Memphis to Find New President
The University of Memphis recently selected Parker Executive Search to lead the search for its 13th president. The assignment is expected to be completed by the end of the year. The school noted that Parker has conducted more than 500 higher education searches for chancellor, president, vice president, provost, dean, chair and director positions. Laurie Wilder, president
Kirby Bates Associates Seeks Chief Nursing Officer for UCSF Health Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland
As the healthcare sector continues to expand and reshape itself, vanguard organizations in the field are looking to bolster their leadership ranks. In demand: multi-skilled executives, physician leaders and nurses who can effect change on many levels. Of the four major C-suite roles in the typical hospital, the chief nursing officer has traditionally been the most
inQuest Consultores Merges with The ExeQfind Group
Santiago, Chile-based inQuest Consultores has merged with Atlanta-based The ExeQfind Group. Launched in 2002, inQuest serves both the professional and technical recruitment space as well as retained executive search in both Chile and other countries within Latin America. The merger leverages almost a decade of collaboration between inQuest and both The QualiFind Group and The
Common Misconceptions About Executive Search Firms
In the world of recruiting, misconceptions often run rampant when talking about executive search firms. Despite the value that dedicated providers bring to the table, many organizations continually question whether outsourcing a high-level executive or C-suite search is worth the cost, according to a new report by TalentRise. “To educate our audience on the advantages
Egon Zehnder Places CEO for the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation
The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation has announced the appointment of Miyo Yamashita as president and chief executive officer. Egon Zehnder led the search assignment. “Miyo will make an incredible contribution to our foundation and we are so pleased to have her on board,” said Janice Fukakusa, board chair of the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation. “She accepts the appointment at
The Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence Selects Lindauer for CDO Search
Lindauer has been called in by The Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence (AI2) to lead the search for its inaugural chief development officer. Leading the assignment is senior consultant Terri Rutter. “AI2 has just recently diverged from its parent, Vulcan Inc., to become an independent 501(c)(3) organization,” said Lindauer. “The first AI2 CDO will build and
Buffkin / Baker Recruits Vice Provost for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the University of San Diego
Martin M. Baker, managing partner of Buffkin / Baker, assisted the University of San Diego (USD) in the recruitment of Regina Dixon-Reeves as its vice provost for diversity, equity and inclusion. “I am delighted to announce that Regina Dixon-Reeves, PhD, has been appointed as vice provost for diversity, equity and inclusion,” said USD VP and
Hanold Associates Launches Retail and Luxury Goods Practice
Chicago-based Hanold Associates HR & Diversity Executive Search has launched a new retail and luxury goods practice and named Lisa Butkus as the practice leader. Hanold Associates has led numerous high-profile searches for members of this industry, including finding HR, diversity and other leaders for brands like Abercrombie & Fitch, Beautycounter, Dick’s Sporting Goods, JC Penney, Patagonia, Tailored Brands
The Emergence of Chief Diversity Officers in Higher Education
Chief diversity officers (CDO) have become increasingly common across leading institutions of higher education, driven by the push to create more diverse, inclusive, and equitable environments for the benefit of all members of the community. While much has been written on the evolution of the mandate and remit of this role, relatively little data exists
Spencer Stuart Recruits Commissioner for the Ladies Professional Golf Association
Spencer Stuart has assisted the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) in the recruitment of Mollie Marcoux Samaan as its ninth commissioner. Mike Whan recently announced that he would be leaving the tour this year after 11 years in the top job. “Our selection of Mollie Marcoux Samaan as the LPGA’s next commissioner is the outcome
Korn Ferry Recruits Chief Investment Officer for Los Angeles Fire & Police Pensions
After an exhaustive search, Korn Ferry has helped to place Ray Joseph, a vice president at Wilshire Associates, as the new chief investment officer of the $30 billion Los Angeles Fire and Police Pensions (LAFPP). Senior client partner Michael Kennedy led the assignment for the search firm. Effective June 14, Mr. Joseph will replace Tom Lopez,
Massey Henry Launches in Canada
Massey Henry has opened its doors in Toronto as an executive search and board advisory firm specializing in financial services and the public sector. Founder and managing partner, Michael Henry, a seasoned executive search professional, aims to set a new standard for executive recruiting with a streamlined, collaborative approach that enables organizations to recruit diverse top
IIC Partners Adds FESA Group Argentina
IIC Partners Executive Search Worldwide has added FESA Group Argentina as its newest member firm. Barbara Toth, managing partner and CEO, FESA Group Argentina, and Bernabé O`Rourke, associate director and partner, said: “At FESA Group Argentina we are really happy and proud to be part of IIC Partners. We do believe that it will be a
Unemployment Rate Falls to 5.8 Percent as Recovery Speeds Up
Employment rose by 559,000 in May as the U.S. unemployment rate dropped to 5.8 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report released this morning. Economists had expected 671,000 jobs added and a 5.9% unemployment rate in May. Job gains in May were led by leisure and hospitality, which added 292,000 jobs,
ZRG Acquires Sucherman Group
ZRG has acquired Sucherman Group, a media and entertainment focused executive search firm. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Founder Stuart Sucherman and CEO Erik Sorenson, both former media executives, will continue to lead the organization. “We are thrilled to add the premier team in the media space to the ZRG family. They have built
Is Leadership Really Sustainable?
As the world gradually starts to lift the restrictions imposed as a result of COVID-19, many business leaders are questioning the capitalist models that have been used to build society. From a clean tech perspective, it is a historic moment in which business leaders can choose to return to the world of pollution and waste
Renovata & Company Places CEO at Single Digits
Global executive search and private equity advisory firm Renovata & Company has recruited Michael H. Sargent as the new CEO of Single Digits, a provider of high-speed internet access (HSIA) management and support solutions. He succeeds Stephen Singlar, CEO and co-founder of Single Digits, who will remain on the board of directors. The search comes shortly after the firm
