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Integration-Ready C-Suite Leaders Growing In Demand, and Influence
After two years of subdued activity, global M&A surged last year, with deal value climbing 40 percent to roughly $4.9 trillion, marking one of the strongest years on record. According to Bain & Company Global M&A Report 2026, the rebound was broad-based across sectors and geographies and driven by a renewed urgency among companies to reinvent
WittKieffer Tapped by the University of Tulsa for President Search
Oak Brook, IL-based WittKieffer has been retained by the University of Tulsa (UTulsa) to lead in its search for a new president. Zachary Smith, Robin Mamlet, and Julia Bradley are leading the assignment. The school seeks a visionary and dynamic leader to serve as its next president and to guide the private research institution to the next phase of success.
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.
Streamlining the Hiring Process to Secure Top Talent
In a competitive hiring market, speed and preparation can often make the difference between securing a top candidate and losing them to another opportunity. With many professionals exploring new roles while remaining fully employed, organizations must balance thorough evaluation with an efficient and well-coordinated recruitment process. The most successful employers are those that approach hiring
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?
DHR Global Adds New Partner in Singapore
Talent advisory firm DHR Global has expanded with the addition of Veronique Denis-Pelliet as a partner in its technology and retail & consumer practices in Singapore. A seasoned executive with over 10 years of experience in executive search, ESG leadership, sales, and international business development, Ms. Denis-Pelliet has led multicultural teams and driven growth in Southeast Asia, China, Europe,
Assessing Business Development Talent Without Slowing the Hiring Process
Companies are placing greater emphasis on improving hiring accuracy as competition for high-performing talent intensifies across the market. Yet many organizations continue to rely on inconsistent interview practices, subjective evaluations, and selection processes that create unnecessary friction for both candidates and internal stakeholders. Most hiring failures do not happen because companies move too fast. They
Academic Search Recruits President for Henry Ford College
Academic Search has placed David M. Knezek as the seventh president of Henry Ford College. Shirley Robinson Pippins and Richard Cummins led the assignment. Mr. Knezek, currently serving as chief operating officer of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and as an elected Wayne County commissioner, will assume the presidency later this year, succeeding interim president Dr. Lori
Fabric.AI Taps Egon Zehnder for Critical Search
Global leadership advisory firm Egon Zehnder has been retained by NASDAQ-traded AI infrastructure company Fabric.AI to lead the search for a senior project management executive. “Egon Zehnder’s reputation, global reach, and deep expertise across AI, advanced technologies, and organizational leadership make them an ideal partner for Fabric.AI at this stage of our growth,” said Josh Silverman, CEO of
Caldwell Expands in London and Madrid
Toronto-based Caldwell has expanded with the addition of Alex Langridge as a partner in the firm’s financial services practice. Based in London, Mr. Langridge advises clients across financial services and fintech on senior executive and board appointments, succession planning, organizational design, and transformational leadership hiring. “Alex’s appointment reflects our continued investment in expanding Caldwell’s financial
Fama Technologies Granted U.S. Patent on Foundational AI-Powered Social Media Screening Technology
Fama Technologies, providers of AI-powered online screening, has announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has allowed all claims in its patent application covering the foundational technology behind social media background screening. The patent, titled “System for Searching and Correlating Online Activity with Individual Classification Factors,” has a priority date of November
Updating How You Work So AI Can Actually Deliver
AI adoption is no longer a technology challenge, it is an operational one. Companies that generate lasting value from AI will be the ones willing to redesign workflows, redefine leadership responsibilities, and embed AI directly into how work gets done every day. Most companies will not fail at AI because they chose the wrong model,
Vetted Solutions Assists CoreNet Global with CEO Search
Following an extensive search process, Washington, D.C.-based Vetted Solutions has assisted in the recruitment of Vicki Worden as the new CEO of CoreNet Global. “Vicki Worden demonstrates exemplary leadership through her collaborative approach,” said Jamie Leary-Erickson, CoreNet Global board chair. “Vicki’s extensive experience in the architecture, engineering, and commercial real estate sectors, combined with her global perspective
BarkerGilmore Places Head of Legal at Vantage Elevator Solutions
Boutique search firm BarkerGilmore, which specializes in building corporate legal and compliance teams, has placed Keinan Meginniss as VP, head of legal at Vantage Elevator Solutions. The search was led by Stephen Bell and Alison Waters. “Keinan joins the organization at an exciting time as the company continues to expand its operations and strengthen its leadership team
NGS Global Adds TalentXera
Wilmington, DE-headquartered executive search firm NGS Global has added Saúl Almendárez and his team at TalentXera. This expands the firm’s capabilities across Mexico and the broader Latin America region. Mr. Almendárez is based in Mexico City, where he has spent more than 20 years building an exceptional team and a highly regarded brand in the executive search industry. Along
IMD International Search Group Elects New Board Members
Global executive search consortium IMD International Search Group recently had delegates from member firms meet in Helsinki, Finland, and announced the election of several board members. Ben Tucker (Minerva, IMD U.K.) transitions from director to VP finance and legal. Eva Nielsen (Lisberg, IMD Sweden) is reelected for a second mandate as director while Terhi Heikkinen (IMS Talent,
Hunt Scanlon and HSiQ Launch Recruiter Performance Training Program
The executive search industry has a training challenge. For years, recruiting firms have depended on apprenticeship-style development, learning through observation, informal mentoring, and varying management approaches. That model works for some, but it does not scale effectively. In a market increasingly shaped by AI, speed, precision, and commercial demands, inconsistent recruiter performance is no longer
Executive Search Firms Confront the AI Transformation
As AI rapidly reshapes the executive search landscape, recruiting firms are facing growing pressure to modernize how they identify, assess, and engage leadership talent. Industry experts say AI-driven sourcing, predictive analytics, and automation tools are helping firms accelerate search timelines and expand candidate reach, while also forcing recruiters to rethink where their true value lies.
Cooper Coleman Recruits CFO the Center for Child Protection
Cooper Coleman LLC has placed William Wade as chief financial officer of the Center for Child Protection (CCP) in Austin, TX. The national search was led by Johnny Cooper, founder and CEO of Cooper Coleman. “Dion brings the kind of strategic thinking and mission alignment CCP needs in its CFO,” said Mr. Cooper. “They are doing remarkable work,
Boyden Assists Kerry’s Place Autism Services with CEO Search
Boyden has recruited Normandie Wragg as the new president and CEO of Kerry’s Place Autism Services in Ontario. The appointment follows the previously announced retirement of CEO Susan VanDeVelde-Coke at the end of June. The search was led by partners Jim Stonehouse and Pamela Colquhoun, and Kathy Luu, senior associate. “Normandie is a highly accomplished, values-driven
Modern Executive Solutions Expands Technology Practice
Atlanta-based talent consultancy Modern Executive Solutions has expanded with the addition of Moises Velilla as managing director in its technology practice. He brings deep experience advising organizations on senior leadership hiring and talent strategy across technology and transformation. Mr. Velilla specializes in advising clients on executive talent strategy and recruiting transformative technology and professional services leaders. He
AI’s Next Test: Can It Actually Drive Growth?
A massive opportunity, and a critical trust gap, is emerging among corporate leaders. According to EY-Parthenon’s Growth Survey of 271 U.S. executives, 78 percent believe AI will accelerate growth, even as nearly 80 percent say the growth environment has become more challenging over the past year. Yet only about a third trust AI inputs for high-stakes decisions such
Retained vs. Contingent Search: Choosing the Right Executive Search Model
As companies navigate increasingly complex leadership challenges, the pressure to make the right executive hiring decision has never been greater. Boards and leadership teams are looking beyond resumes and credentials, placing greater emphasis on cultural alignment, long-term business impact, and a candidate’s ability to guide organizations through growth, transformation, and uncertainty. At the same time,
Brettschneider Executive Search Completes Search for Western Colorado University
New York City-based Brettschneider Executive Search recently assisted in the recruitment of Sharoni Little as dean of Western Colorado University’s School of Business. “Dr. Little’s forward-thinking approach will help shape the future of business education at Western, creating opportunities for students to thrive in today’s competitive economy,” said Brad Baca, president. With a career spanning academia, corporate leadership,
Ren Systems Appoints Head of Product
Ren Systems, an AI-powered relationship intelligence platform used by sales, business development, and professional services leaders, recently expanded with the addition of Nick Wynja as head of product. “As we’ve scaled Ren to 70+ enterprise customers and accelerated our feature release cycle, it became clear that we needed focused product leadership,” the company said in
How to Kick Off an Executive Search the Right Way
As leadership demands grow more complex, organizations are increasingly recognizing that a successful executive search begins long before candidate outreach or interviews take place. Search consultants say the strongest outcomes are driven by early alignment around business strategy, organizational culture, leadership expectations, and the capabilities needed to support future growth. Rather than simply filling an
Why Structured Interviews Lead to Better Hiring
As organizations compete for leadership talent, many are reexamining how executive interviews are conducted and whether traditional hiring instincts are leading to the best decisions. Increasingly, research is showing that structured interviews built around standardized questions and evaluation criteria deliver more reliable hiring outcomes than conversational, free-flowing assessments. Talent experts say the approach not only
Rethinking Career Loyalty in the Age of Gen Z and Millennials
As leadership priorities continue to evolve, executive search firms are seeing a growing shift in how candidates evaluate long-term career opportunities. Today’s professionals are placing greater emphasis on purpose, culture, mentorship, flexibility, and personal growth alongside compensation and title. Recruiters say organizations that can clearly communicate vision, invest in employee development, and foster strong leadership
Coulter Partners Recruits Chief Scientific Officer for Laigo Bio
Life sciences recruiting specialist Coulter Partners has recruited Richard C.A. Sainson as the new chief scientific officer of Laigo Bio. “It was a privilege to partner with Matthew and the Laigo board,” said Kay Wardle, managing partner at Coulter Partners. “Targeted protein degradation is one of the most exciting frontier areas of drug discovery, and finding a chief
Blue Rock Human Capital Recruits Chief People Officer for Michelli Weighing & Measurement
Talent acquisition strategies at many large companies have become as complex as their balance sheets. And while chief human resource officers play a vital role in overseeing an organization’s broad-based workforce, the chief people officer typically goes beyond overseeing its people policies. The focus instead is on building talent as a key competitive advantage, with more
Agile Leadership Strategies: 6 Ways to Lead with Flexibility and Focus
Today’s organizations are navigating an environment of almost constant disruption and change. From ongoing economic uncertainty and rapid advances in digital transformation, to shifting workforce demographics and rising employee expectations, businesses are being challenged to adapt faster than ever before. Traditional leadership models, which often emphasize stability, hierarchy, and predictability, are no longer sufficient to
Korn Ferry Appoints Co-Leader of EMEA Global Technology Practice
Korn Ferry has named Alexander Strahl as a senior client partner and co-leader of its EMEA global technology practice. He is based in the firm’s Brussels office. “We are excited to have Alexander´s experience and leadership on board,” said Sonamara Jeffreys, co-president, EMEA, Korn Ferry. “He brings to Korn Ferry and our clients a wealth of
Executive Search Tops Contingent Recruitment in Salary
Between executive search and contingent recruitment, there is an incremental increase in salary in relation to years’ experience, according to Tempting Talent’s USA Executive Search & Recruitment Compensation Report for 2021. “This compensation report is an important step towards making our industry more transparent,” said Ryan Cleland-Bogle, founder of Tempting Ventures, a recruitment-focused venture capital firm.
Accelerating Economy Means Good News for Jobs Recovery
The Labor Department reported that 444,000 Americans 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 5,000 from 473,000 to 478,000. The four-week moving average was 504,750, a decrease of 30,500 from the
Caldwell to Trade on the OTCQX Best Market
OTC Markets Group, operator of financial markets for 11,000 U.S. and global securities, announced yesterday that Caldwell has qualified to trade on the OTCQX Best Market. Caldwell now trades on OTCQX under the symbol CWLPF. U.S. investors can find current financial disclosure and real-time quotes for the company on www.otcmarkets.com. Upgrading to the OTCQX Market is
Slone Partners Recruits Chief Legal Officer for InterVenn Biosciences
Over the past few months, numerous healthcare and life sciences organizations have turned to executive search firms to find new leaders. In the era of COVID-19, the sector has been a burgeoning area for executive search firms to ply their trade. Recently, life sciences-focused search firm Slone Partners placed Stephana Patton as chief legal officer at InterVenn Biosciences. “Dr. Patton
Kevin Chase Executive Search Group Seeks New Leader for LYRIC: Center for LGBTQQ Youth
Los Angeles-based Kevin Chase Executive Search Group has been enlisted to find a new executive director for LYRIC: Center for LGBTQQ Youth in San Francisco. Leading the assignment are Kevin Chase, managing partner, and Catie DiFelice, senior associate. The non-profit organization is currently being led by interim executive director Toni Newman, who is expected to be with
3 Strategies for Adding More Diversity to Your Talent Model
Since the 1990s, much has been written about the business case for diversity and inclusion in the workplace. More recently, “the concept has gained traction in the corporate world as the benefits become increasingly clear,” said Louis Montgomery Jr., leader of the human resources and diversity officer practice at JM Search, in a fresh report
Why Talent is Key to a Post-Pandemic Retail Sector Resurgence
These are revolutionary times for retail with COVID-19 having accelerated some fundamental trends across the sector. This has in turn created a fertile environment for the most able executives to set themselves apart and chart a course for a successful, digitally focused future, according to a new report by Melissa Reed, a consumer and retail
Bespoke Partners Assists Zipari and Aptos Retail in CFO Searches
San Diego, CA-headquartered executive search firm Bespoke Partners recently filled chief financial officer positions for Zipari and Aptos Retail with the placements of Matthew Crumley and David Bertolino, respectively. Vice president Katelyn Quaresma led the Zipari assignment; vice president Nick Donlan spearheaded the Aptos search. Mr. Crumley arrives on the heels of Zipari’s strategic growth investment from leading private
Riviera Partners Names Practice Leaders
Riviera Partners, a recruitment provider specializing in C-level engineering, product and design leader placements, has appointed Eoin O’Toole and Eric Larson, alongside managing partners Ali Behnam and Michael Morell, to lead four newly implemented, specialized practices within the firm. Mr. O’Toole will manage the emerging and early-stage practice; Mr. Behnam will run the mid- to late-stage venture-backed practice; Mr.
Worksome Receives $13 Million in Funding
Investors are pouring money into recruiting solutions businesses. Worksome recently closed a $13 million Series A funding round for its freelance talent platform — after racking up 10x growth in revenue since January 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic sparked a remote working boom. Founded in 2017, Worksome is an enterprise platform that connects companies with freelancers
Women Leaders Driving Corporate Sustainability Forward
Companies adopt more socially and ecologically sustainable practices when their boards include women and environmental experts and when younger members are elected to board leadership, according to a newly released report by Egon Zehnder and the University of Göttingen, Germany. “Corporate sustainability must be anchored more firmly within boards,” said Carsten Wundrack, head of the German industrial practice
CannabizTeam Report Shows Double-Digit Compensation Increases for Cannabis Executives
Cannabis sector salaries are up across the board with increased demand for top flight leaders driving double-digit increases in compensation for experienced managers and C-suite executives, according to a new report by CannabizTeam, a cannabis-focused executive search firm. Salaries, the study said, continue to increase above cost of living index due to competition and a shortage of
Kingsley Gate Partners Places Chief People Officer for J.Crew Group
Kingsley Gate Partners has placed Jose Davila, former vice president of human resources for Levi Strauss & Co., as chief people officer at J.Crew Group. Mike Bergen, senior partner and global HR practice leader led the search. “Jose is a builder that knows how to creatively transform and grow businesses and HR teams and is particularly strong at
Development Guild DDI Tapped by St. Louis Children’s Hospital Foundation to Find Chief Development Officer
Virtually every industry needs top-drawer chief development officers. CDOs play a key role in planning, coordinating and administering capital campaigns, corporate giving and galvanizing new donors while keeping previous funders content. Implementing funding strategies that “keep the lights on,” according to recruiters specializing in the function, is Job 1. Non-profit specialist recruitment firm Development Guild DDI was
Sheffield Haworth Appoints Executive Director in Corporate Officers Practice
Global leadership advisory and executive search firm Sheffield Haworth has named Paul DeCoster as executive director in its corporate officers practice. Based in New York, he will be working closely alongside Sonjay Vishnupad to develop and nurture new and existing relationships with clients across the financial services space. “We are delighted Paul has joined us at Sheffield Haworth,” said
Why a One-Search Diversity Strategy Often Fails
Play to win and when it comes to diversity, winners take all, according to a new report by Karen Alphonse, search solutions leader and executive coach with ExecSearches. “Organizations that manage diversity well will reap many benefits: increased productivity, employee satisfaction and creativity,” she said. “Their messaging and brands will resonate with best practices. Typically, where diversity hiring
TurnkeyZRG Assists Pac-12 in Finding Next Commissioner
TurnkeyZRG has assisted the Pac-12 Conference in the recruitment of sports business executive George Kliavkoff as its next commissioner. The Pac-12 announced on Jan. 20 that its governing executive committee, its presidents, and commissioner Larry Scott mutually agreed that Mr. Scott would not seek a new contract following an 11-year tenure. On the way to the selection of Mr. Kliavkoff,
WittKieffer Tapped by Premier Health to Find New CFO
WittKieffer has been retained by Premier Health in Baton Rouge, LA, to lead its search for a new chief financial officer. Donna Padilla, managing partner and leader of WittKieffer’s healthcare practice, is spearheading the search along with Jim King, chief quality officer as well as the leader of the board services and children’s hospitals practices,
Saxton Bampfylde Recruits Vice Chancellor and President for Loughborough University
U.K.-based executive recruiter Saxton Bampfylde recently assisted in the placement of Nick Jennings as the new vice chancellor and president of Loughborough University. Professor Jennings, who will be Loughborough’s ninth vice-chancellor, will take up the post in the autumn. He succeeds Robert Allison, who served nine years in the role. “We are thrilled professor Jennings
Horton Group International Elects Chairman
Horton Group International recently elected Maneesh Ajmani as its chairman of the board. “Having been a member of the board for some time, I have seen the organization grow from strength to strength in recent years, and I am confident that we will continue to build the Horton brand and our global reach in the coming years,” said
Why Brilliant People Fail in New Jobs
There are several reasons people fail in new jobs, and one of them is the result of talent that is not aligned with the role. In a recent report, Shefali Salwan of CEO.works explains how talent is set up to succeed when signature strengths, readiness, and fit are synergistic with a position’s requirements. “Throughout my three decades
5 Ways to Open Doors for Underrepresented Talent in Executive Leadership
Truth be told, executive recruiters have a disproportionate amount of influence in the process of hiring executive candidates. Unfortunately, that means talent from underrepresented backgrounds can be overlooked in the hiring process if the search firm doesn’t partner with clients to create a clear diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) placement strategy, according to a new
McDermott + Bull Recruits President for Buck Knives
Irvine, CA-based search firm McDermott + Bull has placed Lane Tobiassen as president of Buck Knives Inc. USA. The assignment was led by McDermott + Bull co-founder and managing partner Chris Bull, managing director Jake Vander Zanden, director Anne Terry, and senior executive recruiters Quyen Doan and Sara Pizarro. “We loved working with the board and the Buck family on making this critical transition from a
Tyler & Company Assisting PRISM Vision Group in CHRO Search
With the coronavirus crisis continuing to disrupt the world economy, HR leaders 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. Atlanta-based executive recruitment firm Tyler & Company was recently called in by PRISM Vision Group in New Providence,
Major Executive Search Taps New CEO for InterDigital Inc.
Major Executive Search has placed Liren Chen as chief executive officer for InterDigital Inc., a leading mobile and video technology research and development company in Wilmington, DE. Founder and CEO Sue Major along with managing director John Rivoir conducted the assignment. Mr. Chen replaces William J. Merritt, who retired this spring after 25 years at
New Jobless Claims Drop to Lowest Levels in More than a Year
The Labor Department reported that 473,000 Americans 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 9,000 from 498,000 to 507,000. The four-week moving average was 534,000, a decrease of 28,250 from the
Renovata & Company Recruits CFO for Outfittery
Global executive search and private equity advisory firm Renovata & Company has recruited Benjamin Von Schenck as chief financial officer of Outfittery, Europe’s biggest personal shopping service for men that helps them “unlock their true style” by providing curated selections driven by AI and personal stylists. “Benjamin will work across operational, commercial and strategic initiatives, offering insight and
Odgers Berndtson Adds Latin America Offices, Starts Blockchain Practice in U.S.
Odgers Berndtson continues to ride a wave of growth. This month, the executive recruitment firm made two moves that are expected to deliver big dividends. Internationally, the firm announced that it is opening offices in Buenos Aires, Santiago, Puerto Montt and Montevideo, further expanding its presence in the Americas. And in the U.S., Odgers Berndtson is starting
OverNorth Names Partner
Chicago, IL-based executive search firm OverNorth has named David L. Hansen as partner. “Clients appreciate and benefit from his disciplined approach to candidate assessment and client service, and he has helped many of OverNorth’s clients recruit difference-making senior executives to their companies,” said Jane C. Beatty, managing partner of OverNorth. With 20 years of experience in
Consider This When Choosing Your Next Executive Search Firm
Despite continued record unemployment, candidate pools are larger than ever. This has led organizations to turn more often to executive search firms to find coveted talent. Finding the right executive search firm is an investment of time and resources, which means that it requires careful consideration. What can talent leaders do to ensure they are finding
