DAILY NEWSWIRE - TOP STORIES
Daily Newswire
Atlanta Fed Retains Heidrick & Struggles for President/CEO Search
Leadership searches for top roles within the Federal Reserve system rarely come to market, making them highly visible assignments within the executive search industry. When they do, institutions often turn to globally recognized firms to help identify candidates with the experience and credibility required to guide regional monetary policy organizations. One such search is now
Jobplex Acquires Her Scout
Jobplex, the Chicago-based partner company of DHR Global, has acquired Her Scout, a boutique recruiting firm that specialized in early and growth-stage technology startups, and named its founder, Amy York, a partner in the firm’s advanced technology practice. The acquisition expands Jobplex’s capabilities in emerging technology and founder-led businesses, particularly among small, scaling companies that build leadership teams
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
What Is Succession Planning and Why Does Your Company Need It Now More Than Ever?
Succession planning is no longer optional—it’s essential. With shifting demographics, talent shortages, and constant change, companies must prepare for leadership transitions now. By developing future leaders today, organizations protect stability, preserve knowledge, and ensure long-term growth. Yet many organizations still treat succession planning as an afterthought, failing to recognize its vital role in ensuring a company’s long-term
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
ZRG Recruits CFO for a.k.a. Brands
Executive search firm ZRG has placed Ciarán Long as chief financial officer of a.k.a. Brands, a global platform that is pioneering a new approach to driving growth in digitally native fashion brands. Mr. Long will report directly to chief executive officer Jill Ramsey. Brian Meany, ZRG’s global head of consumer in New York, led the
Caldwell Places Chief Marketing Officer for VC-Backed Imply
Mercedes Chatfield-Taylor, managing partner of the private equity and venture capital practice at Caldwell, has placed Praveen Rangnath as the new chief marketing officer for venture capital-backed Imply, a provider of self-service analytics. Mr. Rangnath is an experienced marketing leader across enterprise GTM and product-led growth. Previously, he was head of product marketing at Confluent, covering
JM Search Expands CFO / Financial Officers Practice
JM Search, a senior-level talent provider serving private equity investors, portfolio companies and Fortune 1000s, has added Stephen Thompson and Ryan Tomei to the firm’s CFO / financial officers practice. “We are thrilled to add Stephen and Ryan to our team,” said Drew Pressmen, leader of the CFO/financial officer practice. “I’m proud of the exceptional talent we are
Here’s Why Counteroffers are On the Rise
Companies in 2021 are in a mad dash to understand the post-COVID consumer landscape and eager to hire top research and analytics talent, among so many other specialists, to help decode the way forward. But this talent rush has been made more complex by hiring challenges, particularly robust counteroffers from candidates’ employers, according to a
Spencer Stuart Recruits CFO for Burford Capital
Spencer Stuart has placed Kenneth A. Brause as the new chief financial officer for Burford Capital, a global finance and asset management firm focused on law. Jim Kilman, the firm’s current CFO, was appointed in August 2019 to serve for up to two years, after having been a senior advisor since 2017. Working with Spencer Stuart, the firm undertook a search for Mr.
Vetted Solutions Seeks New Leader for American Dairy Science Association
The American Dairy Science Association, the science-based organization working to advance a sustainable global dairy industry, has retained Washington, D.C.- based executive recruitment firm Vetted Solutions to help find its next executive director. This is a unique opportunity for an individual with the right mix of proven business management skills and a demonstrated ability to work constructively
The Tolan Group Appoints New Partners
The Tolan Group (TTG) has announced that three of its executive search professionals have become partners in the firm. Kaye Johnson runs operations and finance; Rachel Gauthier leads the client delivery team; and Tim Russell spearheads the firm’s business development efforts across all of its industry sectors. “It’s a special day in the life of a company to welcome equity partners
Signium Elects New Board
Executive search consortium Signium today will announce the election of its new board of directors: Annelize van Rensburg, director of executive search in Johannesburg, South Africa will be elected chair, and Piotr Pilecki, managing partner in Wroclaw, Poland will be elected as vice chair. Signium also will add Felipa Xara-Brasil, senior partner in Lisbon, Portugal; Aleksander Montalbetti,
Executive Recruiters Get Back to Business
Executive recruiters spent the better part of last year resetting expectations – the result of an unprecedented, and completely unexpected, interruption to their business due to COVID-19. But according to search professionals across the spectrum, that disruption has now receded, and business is returning to levels not seen since the waning days of 2019 and
Koller Search Partners Assists the LA Times in Recruiting Executive Editor
Koller Search Partners has placed Kevin Merida as executive editor of the Los Angeles Times, which continues its revival under the ownership of biotech entrepreneur Patrick Soon-Shiong and his wife, Michele. Leading the assignment for the search firm was Karen Danziger. The newspaper’s previous top editor, Norman Pearlstine, stepped down from the role in December
Parker Executive Search Assists LSU Recruit First African-American President
Atlanta-based Parker Executive Search has assisted Louisiana State University (LSU) in the selection of William Tate as the school’s first African-American president. He will replace Tom Galligan, who has served as LSU president since January 2020. “This is a very pivotal time at our university, from economic, environmental, social challenges, but we are doing great things at
Shelli Herman and Associates Seeking CEO for Saint Louis Zoo
Los Angeles-based Shelli Herman and Associates has been called in by the Saint Louis Zoo to find its next president and CEO. Shelli Herman, president of the recruitment firm, is leading the assignment along with her associate, Krista Haley. The Saint Louis Zoo seeks the next president & CEO to lead the zoo at a time of financial and
IIC Partners Introduces the International Mentorship Program
IIC Partners Executive Search Worldwide has launched a new service for executives available by invitation only: the International Mentorship Program. “I am so excited to launch this program with my fellow IIC Partners colleagues,” said Ewa Olszewski, senior partner at Michaël Berglund AB in Sweden, and initiator of the program. “All over the world, we see leaders
Unemployment Numbers Fall Short of Expectations
In an unexpectedly weak employment report, employment rose by just 266,000 in April as the U.S. unemployment rate dropped to 6.1 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report released this morning. Economists had predicted job gains of nearly a million during the month. The setback is all the more surprising because today’s
AGB Search Recruits SVP of University Operations for Fairleigh Dickinson University
As the pandemic begins to subside in the U.S. and organizations collectively begin to get back on their feet, colleges and universities across the country are opening searches that, if all goes to plan, will allow high-profile leaders to take them into a new era of fundraising, digitalization, sports and, increasingly the case, globalization –
Furst Group Recruits Chief Nursing Officer for Children’s Minnesota
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 top nursing executive has traditionally been the most
KEES Assists United Way of Will County with CEO Search
Executive search and non-profit consulting firm KEES (Kistner Eddy Executive Services) has assisted in the recruitment of Kamala Martinez as the new president and CEO of the United Way of Will County, in Illinois. Mike Hennessy, after 31 years leading the non-profit, recently retired. The assignment is being led by Heather Eddy, the search firm’s president and CEO.
