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Funk Associates Tapped by the University of North Florida to Lead Search for Eighth President
Funk Associates was recently retained by the University of North Florida (UNF) to lead a national search for its eighth president. Past president Moez Limayem stepped down from his position in early 2026. The presidential search committee, chaired by UNF board of trustees member Jack Boyle, plays a critical role in this process, focusing on
Acertitude Recruits CEO for PE-Backed Zep Inc.
Acertitude has placed Tim Feast as the new CEO of Zep Inc., a Truelink Capital portfolio company. The search was led by partner, Geoff Votta and principal, Rod Vaughan with support from Matthew Marasco and Maryanne Santospirito. Mr. Feast steps into the role with a mandate to accelerate growth, sharpen execution, and lead Zep into its
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.
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
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?
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
Raising the Bar for Interim and Fractional Leadership
As companies face mounting pressure to move faster and adapt to constant change, interim and fractional executives are increasingly being brought in not simply to maintain stability, but to drive transformation from day one. Organizations today are seeking experienced leaders who can step into critical roles, solve immediate business challenges, and create momentum while long-term
BoardWalk Consulting Selected by Atlanta Ballet for Executive Director Search
BoardWalk Consulting has was recently tapped by Atlanta Ballet to lead in its search for an executive director. The search is being led by Sam Pettway, Demeika Wheaton, and Patti Kish. The executive director will lead Atlanta Ballet’s administrative and business functions in alignment with the organization’s mission and values, while partnering closely with the artistic
When Search Fatigue Leads to Costly Hiring Mistakes
In executive search, the biggest hiring mistakes are not always caused by weak candidate pools or poor sourcing strategies. More often, breakdowns occur near the finish line, when prolonged interview cycles, competing stakeholder opinions, and mounting business pressures begin to wear down decision-making discipline. What starts as a rigorous evaluation process can gradually shift toward
Preng & Associates Recruits SVP of Government Services for American Bureau of Shipping
Houston-based Preng & Associates has placed Rear Admiral Ronald J. Rábago as senior vice president of government services at American Bureau of Shipping (ABS). “Admiral Rábago brings exceptional government and industry experience that will further enhance the support we provide to our government clients in the U.S. and around the world,” said John McDonald, ABS chairman and CEO. “His
McDermott + Bull Expands in Amsterdam
Irvine, CA-based McDermott + Bull has expanded in Amsterdam with the addition of Gerben van den Hout as managing director. “This strategic hire comes as McDermott + Bull continues to expand its executive search presence across Europe, further strengthening the firm’s ability to support organizations in identifying and placing high-impact leadership talent,” the firm said. “Gerben’s appointment represents an
Risk Mitigation and Business Complexity is Driving Demand in Legal Recruiting
Demand for senior legal leaders is rising as companies, and law firms face mounting regulatory complexity, global uncertainty, and shifting risks. Boards and CEOs now expect legal executives to be not only technical experts but also strategic business partners who can influence decisions, manage crises, and deliver commercial impact. The bar has never been higher
AGB Search Fills Senior Position for Western Colorado University
Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, has recently assisted Western Colorado University with the recruitment of Shelley Thompson as vice president of advancement and executive director of the WCU Foundation. Kimberly Templeton and Andrew Bowen led the assignment. “Shelley has extensive experience in the philanthropic sector, both in higher education and beyond,” Western president Brad Baca
Pyramind Expands Search Team
Falls Church, VA-based executive search firm Pyramind has expanded with the appointment of Victoria Geis as principal, complemented by assessment veteran Adam Smith, and research specialist Lane Crawford. “Pyramind connects visionary companies with executives who drive sustainable future growth, using a distinctive three-pronged assessment approach that examines candidates’ complete career trajectories, decision-making patterns, and leadership behaviors—looking beyond
Bain & Co. Says Building A Value Creation Plan Starts With Building An A-Team
In a recent report, Bain & Company highlights a number that immediately changes the temperature in the room: private equity owners replace 50 percent to 70 percent of portfolio company CEOs during the hold period. It is a stark reminder of how demanding the PE ownership model can be for leaders unfamiliar with the speed and discipline
AI Won’t Replace Retained Search; It Will Reveal Who’s Doing It Well
In executive search, the real AI question is no longer if it belongs in the process, but how it can sharpen human judgment instead of diluting it. “Everyone is piloting AI somewhere in the talent stack,” said Mike Caggiano, co-founder and CEO of ExactSearch.AI. He explained that the executive tier is where the question shifts
WittKieffer Seeking CHRO for Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital
Oak Brook, IL-based WittKieffer has been retained by Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital to lead in its search for a new CHRO. Senior partner Mark Andrew is leading the search along with senior associate Molly Solomon. Reporting to the CEO, this leader will be an integral member of the executive leadership team for this independent organization that has a
Cooper Coleman Recruits CFO for East Coast Zoological Foundation
Chicago-based Cooper Coleman LLC has recruited David Lamadrid as the new CFO of East Coast Zoological Foundation (ECZF), home of the Brevard Zoo and the upcoming Bowen Aquarium. This follows a national search led by Johnny Cooper, founder and CEO of Cooper Coleman. “David is a thoughtful, values-driven leader who understands how to build strong financial systems
Nexus Search Partners Names Leader of Private Equity Practice
Nexus Search Partners, an executive search and advisory firm in Charlotte, NC, has appointed Allison Worthington as partner and leader of its private equity practice. “Allison’s background as both a private equity talent leader and retained executive search expert gives her a unique perspective as she works with our existing PE clients and creates new
Five Shifts That Influenced CEO Leadership in 2025
Organizations entered 2025 confronting a level of volatility that demanded more than short-term adjustments—it required a fundamental rethinking of how leaders grow and respond. As the pace of change accelerated, CEOs increasingly recognized that their ability to evolve strategically and personally would define their effectiveness. In 2025, CEOs operated in a world defined by continuous
Heidrick & Struggles Completes Take-Private Transaction
Executive search, leadership consulting and culture shaping services provider Heidrick & Struggles International / (NASDAQ:HSII) has completed its previously announced transaction to become a privately held company through the acquisition by a consortium of investors led by Advent International, and Corvex Private Equity, with support from a global network of prominent strategic investors including Salem Capital Management, Mousse
Greenwood Asher & Associates Retained by Murray State for Provost Search
Miramar Beach, FL-based executive recruitment firm Greenwood Asher & Associates has been selected by Murray State University to lead in its search for a vice president of academic affairs and provost. Jeremy Duff and Lois Stetson are leading the assignment. The provost will play a pivotal role in advancing academic excellence, expanding opportunity, and ensuring that Murray State continues to
Newland Associates Completes Search for Memorial Healthcare System
After an extensive and competitive interview process, Lake Mary, FL-based executive search firm Newland Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Amy Weasel as the new employee health & wellness director for Memorial Healthcare System. Vanessa Abreu, director of recruiting, led the assignment. “It was truly a pleasure collaborating with Amy and the exceptional team at Memorial Healthcare
Lock Search Group Announces Expansion
Toronto-headquartered executive recruitment firm Lock Search Group has expanded with the addition of Nick Kanaan as a consultant in British Columbia. “We are thrilled to welcome Nick Kanaan as the newest member of our team at Lock Search Group,” Lock Search Group said in a LinkedIn post. “His collaborative, client-focused approach and deep understanding of business leadership
The Real Threat Isn’t AI Replacing Work, It’s Companies Not Keeping Up
AI has quietly moved from experimental novelty to competitive baseline, and that shift is happening faster than most orgs are prepared to manage. What separates companies that capture real value from those that accumulate pilots is no longer access to technology, but the ability to make smart choices about where to apply it, how to
Improving Employee Performance — Reviews With Real Impact
As organizations confront a tougher operating climate and rising expectations on leaner teams, many are taking a hard look at how they keep people engaged and performing at their best. According to Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace report, after several years of gains, last year saw global employee engagement fall to 21 percent. When
McCormack+Kristel Seeking President for Resource Center
Executive search firm McCormack+Kristel has been selected by Resource Center to lead in its search for a president. The newly created president position has been developed at a critical period in Resource Center’s evolution. Following exponential revenue and staff growth, as well as unprecedented programmatic expansion, the Center is strategically enhancing its leadership team to prepare
Bauer Harris Recruits Chief Marketing Officer for PREMIER Bankcard
Boston, MA-based executive search firm Bauer Harris has assisted in the recruitment of Jennifer Murillo as the new chief marketing officer for PREMIER Bankcard. Before coming to PREMIER Bankcard, Ms. Murillo worked as the chief marketing officer at Discover Financial Services headquartered in Riverwoods, IL. With decades of award-winning brand, advertising, and communications experience, she began her career at
Coulter Partners Strengthens Senior Leadership Team
Life sciences recruiting specialist Coulter Partners has strengthened its senior leadership team with Ian Coyne joining the managing partners group. In addition, the firm further refined the structure of its senior leadership team, with Joe Coulter assuming a new role as chief business officer and Charlotte James being promoted to chief operating officer. “Ian’s wealth of diverse experience across executive search, technology, and management consulting is perfectly
Leading Through Turbulent Times: 5 Things Every CEO Can Focus On
Volatility has a way of stripping leadership down to its essentials, revealing what actually holds a company steady when the ground shifts. For CEOs, the goal in those moments isn’t to predict every turn, but to create the focus, trust, and flexibility that let teams keep moving through it. Major disruptions don’t arrive politely or
5 Resume Writing Tips to Help You Stand Out in Your Next Interview
Creating a standout resume can seem like a mysterious art, but it really doesn’t have to be. Your resume, like you, is one of a kind, and it’s often the first impression you make on a potential employer. As a snapshot of your professional story, your resume is an important tool in landing your next
Artico Search Assists Fleetio with Chief Marketing Officer Search
Artico Search has assisted in the recruitment of Leslie Henthorn as the new chief marketing officer of private equity-backed Fleetio. Mercedes Chatfield-Taylor, CEO and co-founder of Artico Search, led the assignment. “From my first conversations, I knew Fleetio was special—a company built on authentic customer love, a clear mission, and a team dedicated to earning the
ADK Consulting & Executive Search Recruits Executive Director for Lincoln Airport
ADK Consulting & Executive Search has helped to recruit Anthony Dudas as executive director for Lincoln Airport (LNK). He will assume his new role at the start of the new year. Rod Dinger and Kim Kenville led the assignment. “The Lincoln Airport Authority board is pleased to welcome Anthony Dudas as our new executive director,” said Chris
McDermott + Bull Expands in Texas
Irvine, CA-based McDermott + Bull has appointed Ryan Harmon as managing director in its Texas office. Based in Dallas, he will play a key role in supporting McDermott + Bull’s national clients while advancing the firm’s continued growth and investment across the Texas market. “We’ve developed a strong and growing client base across Texas, and Ryan’s addition
Upskilling and Reskilling for a Future-Ready Workforce
With talent shortages continuing to intensify, organizations around the world are increasingly recognizing the need to upskill and reskill their current workforce. This growing focus on internal capability development is driven by the pace of technological change, evolving business models and shifting employee expectations, a recent report from Kestria explained. According to the Kestria Global Leadership
Korn Ferry Posts Seven Percent Q2 Revenue Increase
Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) has posted Q2 fiscal-year 2026 revenues of $721.7 million, an increase of seven percent year-over-year, six percent at constant currency. Fee revenue grew 10 percent and 17 percent year-over-year in executive search and professional search & interim, respectively. “Our performance during the quarter was outstanding, as we achieved our fourth consecutive quarter of
Shelli Herman and Associates Assists of the Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority with CEO Search
Los Angeles-based Shelli Herman and Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Adam J. Straight as the new president and CEO of the Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority (MECA) in Omaha, NE. The decision to hire Mr. Straight follows an exhaustive nationwide search to replace the current MECA President and CEO, Roger Dixon, who is retiring at
CIO Partners Recruits Chief Information Officer for RaceTrac
CIO Partners has helped to recruit Ameet Shetty as the first chief information officer of RaceTrac. Mr. Shetty joins RaceTrac from financial services firm Equifax, where he had been its chief data officer since 2024. He also spent three years as CIO for Pilot Company, one of RaceTrac’s top travel center competitors, where he led enterprise
HTP Group Expands in Benelux
HTP Group has expanded with the addition of Govert Doedijns as partner based in Benelux. “Govert’s unique combination of executive experience, consulting expertise, and coaching excellence makes him a valuable addition to our leadership consulting team,” said Ineke Arts and Raffaele Jacovelli, managing directors of HTP Group. “His appointment reinforces our commitment to supporting clients in the Benelux and
McKinsey Continues to Deliver Value; It Just Charges Differently for it Now
Consulting is undergoing a fundamental reset. Clients no longer want episodic strategy advice – they want measurable impact tied to their biggest transformation mandates, and they expect their consultants to be accountable for results. McKinsey’s rapid internal adoption of AI shows just how quickly the industry is evolving. Since the firmwide rollout of Lilli, its
5 Cybersecurity Shifts Every Executive Must Prioritize Before 2026
Cybersecurity is now a direct driver of enterprise value, and this piece frames the run-up to 2026 as a moment for leaders to reset their assumptions about risk and resilience. For executives, especially those in private equity and high-growth companies, cybersecurity is no longer a technical function in the background, according to a recent report
SPMB Recruits CFO for OffSec
Steven Popper of SPMB Executive Search has placed Ian Charles as the new CFO of OffSec in New York City. “Ian brings the strategic and operational depth to support OffSec, a global leader in cybersecurity education and hands-on training, as it enters its next phase of growth,” SPMB said in a LinkedIn post. “He is also highly experienced
Academic Career & Executive Search Recruits CFO for the Cleveland Institute of Art
Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) has assisted in the recruitment of Melanie Walker as vice president of business affairs and chief financial officer of the Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA). Jennifer Muller, managing partner, led the search. “We’re thrilled to welcome Melanie as CIA’s next vice president of business affairs and CFO,” said president and CEO
