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AGB Search Assists Lewis University with Recruitment of 11th President
Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, has assisted in the recruitment of Christopher Sindt as the 11th president of Lewis University. Melissa K. Trotta, Matthew J. Kilcoyne, and John Cech led the assignment. The Lewis University board of trustees previously announced that president David Livingston, will retire at the conclusion of the 2025–26 academic year.
Modern Executive Solutions Names Leader of HR Practice
Atlanta-based talent consultancy Modern Executive Solutions has named Brad Pugh has joined the firm as senior partner, where he will lead and grow the firm’s global HR practice across executive search, leadership advisory, organizational consulting, and executive communities. “Brad’s experience sits at the intersection of executive search, leadership advisory, and technology — exactly where the future
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
The Stakes of Executive Hiring in Private Markets
In private equity and venture capital, the difference between a portfolio company that delivers 3x returns and one that barely breaks even often comes down to a single factor: leadership. Whether you’re installing a new CEO to drive operational improvements in a mature PE portfolio company or finding a CTO to scale a Series B startup’s engineering team,
LLR Partners Makes Equity Investment in True
LLR Partners, a private equity firm based in Philadelphia, has made an investment in Haddonfield, NJ-based True, a global executive talent management platform. The new partnership is aimed at developing and expanding innovation within the talent space. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. True surpassed $100 million in revenues in 2019 and added 146
Hanold Associates Assists American Airlines in the Recruitment of Chief People Officer
Chicago-based Hanold Associates HR & Diversity Executive Search has assisted in the placement of Mecole “Cole” Brown as the new chief people officer of American Airlines. The mandate was led by Jason Hanold, CEO and managing partner, and Keri Gavin, partner and global D&I practice sector leader. She will report to Elise Eberwein, executive vice president of
Egon Zehnder Retained by American Equity Investment Life Holding Co. to Lead CFO Search
Immediate concerns around cash flow, liquidity and the bottom line are taking precedence at many companies due to continued fallout from the pandemic. That means seasoned chief financial officer talent is in high demand. American Equity Investment Life Holding Co. recently retained Egon Zehnder to lead its search for a new chief financial officer. American Equity Investment Life,
Greenwood /Asher & Associates Seeking Provost for University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
Miramar Beach, FL-based executive recruitment firm Greenwood /Asher & Associates has been enlisted to find a provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs for the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay (UW-Green Bay). Leading the assignment are Jan Greenwood, founder, and Shelley Feather, library practice leader and senior executive search consultant. “Building on the successes of recent years, including six
Tier One Executive Search Joins TRANSEARCH International
As a result of a deal finalized this week, Detroit based Tier One Executive Search has become a part of TRANSEARCH International. “We had been approached by several firms over the years and none of them felt right at the time” said Mark Thibodeau, senior partner of Tier One. “In a couple of early cases,
How Cannabis Executives Can Lead Companies for the Long Haul
Marijuana has gained widespread acceptance in recent years. The legalization of the plant in many countries has led to a boom in the cannabis industry. Consumer spending on cannabis has now topped $10 billion in the U.S. alone, and worldwide sales are expected to top $100 billion before the end of the decade. The United
WittKieffer Selected by Colorado State University to Lead VP of Diversity & Inclusion Search
WittKieffer has been enlisted to find a vice president for diversity and inclusion (VPDI) for Colorado State University (CSU) in Fort Collins, CO. Spearheading the assignment are Charlene Aguilar, consultant; Christine Pendleton, senior associate; and Bree Liddell, associate. “The vice president for diversity and inclusion will join CSU amidst a time of increasing opportunity and transformative
The Bowdoin Group Places Chief Growth Officer at SchoolCare
The Bowdoin Group has placed Kevin McDonald as chief growth officer at SchoolCare, a provider of student health records software in K-12 schools. Partner Sean Walker led the search along with managing director Katelyn Marini. “It was a pleasure working with Kevin and the SchoolCare team throughout this search,” said Mr. Walker. “Kevin is a passionate, successful
Envision Consulting Recruits CEO For Pathways LA
The non-profit sector has gained economic strength in recent years, making it the third largest employer in the country. Nearly two million not-for-profits employ 10.7 million people and produce $1.9 trillion in revenue. In the past decade, employment in the sector grew by 17 percent. With demand for non-profit talent at an all-time high, recruiting firms have
Randstad North America Appoints Chief Marketing Officer
Randstad North America has named Spiro Papanicolaou as chief marketing officer. “Spiro’s deep expertise and strong business acumen have been integral to Randstad Canada’s continued growth,” said Karen Fichuk, CEO of Randstad North America and Randstad N.V. executive board member. “His depth of experience and proven track record for delivering comprehensive marketing and communications strategies will continue to drive
Building Workforce Skills Post-Pandemic
Over the past year, the COVID-19 pandemic has quickly and dramatically accelerated the need for new workforce skills. The rapid rise of digitization and remote work has placed new demands on employees who, in many instances, now require different skills to support significant changes to how work gets done and to the business priorities their
How to Make Your Next Career Move
It may seem counterintuitive that despite the pandemic — or perhaps because of it — a surprising number of people are considering a voluntary career move. They may be motivated by an increasing sense of dissatisfaction with their present position or, on a more positive note, they may be identifying new opportunities as business leaders
Lindauer Recruits EVP of Racial Equity and Social Justice for Fenway Health
Lindauer has placed Mark Brimhall-Vargas as executive vice president of racial equity and social justice for Fenway Health. Faith Eutsay led the assignment. “Mark has the perfect combination of professional background, knowledge and lived experience to shape this inaugural role into a force for change at Fenway Health,” said Ellen LaPointe, chief executive officer of Fenway
Chapel Hill Solutions Assists Jackson Hospital in Recruitment of New CIO
The chief information officer is considered one of the most strategic roles in any organization. Still, headhunting within the function remains challenging, as skilled C-suite IT professionals are among the toughest to find. Recently, Chapel Hill Solutions assisted in the recruitment of Mark Lauteren as the new chief information officer of Jackson Hospital in Montgomery, AL.
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
