DAILY NEWSWIRE - TOP STORIES
Daily Newswire
Slone Partners Recruits CEO for Syra Health
Life sciences-focused search firm Slone Partners has placed Gregory R. Alexander as CEO at Syra Health, a healthcare technology company dedicated to powering better health outcomes through prevention-focused, accessible, and affordable solutions. “Gregory Alexander is a highly respected leader in the industry, having led several major healthcare initiatives and driving positive change for high-profile organizations throughout his impressive career,” said Sona
Russell Reynolds Associates Leading President Search for the University of Buffalo
Global leadership advisory firm Russell Reynolds Associates was recently tapped by the University of Buffalo (UB) to lead in its search for its 16th president. Satish K. Tripathi has announced that he will step down next July. Jett Pihakis, Steve Newton, and Joi Hayes-Scott are leading the assignment. The presidential search committee is composed of a diverse group of
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
How AI Is Reshaping the Talent Pyramid
The professional services talent pyramid is collapsing from the bottom, and AI is forcing the collapse, according to a recent report from Clark R. Beecher, managing partner and co-founder at Beecher Reagan. “For decades, professional services firms have followed the traditional leverage model to deliver work and maximize profitability,” the report said. “The few partners
Acertitude Names Managing Partner
Recruiters in the search industry continue to climb the ladder within their respective firms. Just recently, executive search firm Acertitude appointed Nate DaPore as managing partner. “During the past few years, Nate has played a meaningful role in the success and growth of Acertitude — of particular note, standing up and leading a high-performing healthcare and life sciences
6 Critical Factors for Selecting the Right Executive Search Firm
If the past year has taught us anything, it’s that leadership matters. Whether you are bolstering your C-suite to support continued success and growth or seeking executives to help redefine your strategy in the face of change, you need an executive search firm that can connect you with leading-edge talent. A new report from The Bowdoin Group and
Jobless Claims Plunge as Nation Enters Post-Pandemic Recovery Stage
The Labor Department reported that 498,000 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 37,000 from 553,000 to 590,000. With the revisions, this is the lowest level of claims since the
Korn Ferry Seeks CHRO for University of Alabama at Birmingham
The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) has initiated a national search to replace retiring chief human resources officer Alesia Jones. Korn Ferry is conducting the assignment. The CHRO reports to senior vice president for administration and financial affairs Brian Burnett. “This search is incredibly important to ensure UAB continues to support our most precious
N2Growth Names Leader of Executive Search Operations in Southeast Asia
N2Growth, a Philadelphia-based management consulting and executive search firm, has appointed Steve Manning as managing partner and leader of executive search operations in Southeast Asia. “Steve is a great addition to our team and will help us tremendously moving forward,” said Mike Myatt, founder and chairman of N2Growth. “He’s not only a proven player but a great human
Odgers Berndtson Launches Proprietary Intelligence Platform OBDynamics
Odgers Berndtson today launches a proprietary intelligence platform, OBDynamics, which uses big-data and machine learning to deliver data-informed talent intelligence and recruitment services rapidly and accurately. Built on a continually updated data lake of 1.1 billion personal and corporate records, all of which are gathered in accordance with the most stringent international privacy regulations, OBDynamics’ AI-powered
Hanold Associates Places Head of Executive Recruiting at American Airlines
Partners Sonia Nagra and Ashley Schiele of Chicago-based Hanold Associates HR & Diversity Executive Search recently assisted American Airlines in the recruitment of Maria-Clara Vasconcellos as head of executive recruiting. “Maria Clara is a vibrant and passionate talent acquisition leader who possesses a fantastic ability to attract best-in-class talent,” said Ms. Nagra. “She will be instrumental in creating an exceptional candidate
Carrington & Carrington Retained by Amherst College to Recruit CHRO
Executive recruiters continue to be in hot pursuit of chief human resource officers and other senior-level HR leaders across the nation. The latest: Chicago-based Carrington & Carrington has been enlisted by Amherst College in Massachusetts to find a new chief human resources officer. “Human resources at Amherst is at the end of a period of dramatic transformation in which
DHR International Appoints Leaders for Global Consumer Practice
Chicago-based executive search firm DHR International has named Marcey Rubin Stamas and Kristi LeBlanc as managing partners of its global consumer practice group. “Marcey and Kristi are highly collaborative leaders committed to the success of our global consumer practice clients,” said Geoff Hoffmann, CEO of DHR. “Their proven track record of successful placements across consumer product, consumer service and hospitality companies globally make them
Penrhyn International Adds New Member Firm in China
Even in the face of a global pandemic, executive search consultants are seeing an increase in hiring mandates from around the world. To meet demand, they continue to develop new practices, hire new recruiters and open new locations. Global recruiting consortiums, meanwhile, are taking advantage of a resurgence in certain geographic areas. Global executive search consortium Penrhyn
Pitfalls to Avoid in Virtual Executive Onboarding
As we look back on working through a global pandemic, we are all taking stock of how various elements of business life have changed in dramatic ways, Todd Fryling of Summit Leadership Partners opined in a new report. “Last year, hiring, particularly at top leadership levels, fundamentally shut down, and most thought it was going to be
Academic Search Assists Council of Independent Colleges Recruit New President
Education-focused executive recruiter Academic Search has assisted the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) in Washington, D.C., in the recruitment of Marjorie Hass as its new president. Richard Ekman, who led the organization for 20 years, announced last fall that he would be retiring in July. Senior consultant Ann Die Hasselmo led the assignment along with president and
Odgers Berndtson Canada Names Chief Marketing Officer
Odgers Berndtson has appointed Lori Dyne as chief marketing officer. “Lori’s previous experience supporting the growth of executive search, interim executive and leadership advisory businesses, coupled with her keen understanding of how to leverage digital to deepen the client relationship, will play an important role in the ongoing growth of our business,” said Carl Lovas, chairman
Academic Career & Executive Search Taps Founding Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer for University of Pittsburgh-Bradford
Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) has placed Tasha Alston as the inaugural chief diversity and inclusion officer for the University of Pittsburgh-Bradford in Bradford, PA. Jennifer Muller, managing partner and senior consultant, led the assignment for the search firm. “The University of Pittsburgh-Bradford required a committed, dynamic leader with a proven history of providing students
The Dahill Group Expands into Clean Energy and Minerals Extraction Industries
Denver, CO-based executive search firm The Dahill Group has expanded its recruiting services and expertise into the clean energy and minerals extraction industries, complementing its core oil and gas business. “As the energy industry transitions to a lower carbon future, we are expanding to meet the broader needs of our clients and the natural resources industry
Creating a Formidable, Tech-Driven Search Firm
Two years ago, when Caldwell and IQTalent Partners first started working together, it was nothing particularly out of the ordinary. Toronto-based Caldwell was looking for research support when one of the firm’s partners recommended the technology-driven talent acquisition solutions firm in Nashville, TN. So it was that Caldwell enlisted IQTalent Partners to help augment its
McDermott + Bull Recruits CEO for Prince’s Trust
Irvine, CA-based search firm McDermott + Bull has placed Jessica Greer Morris as the new chief executive officer of Prince’s Trust. She will help launch the U.K.-based youth charity organization in the U.S., serving as its first CEO. The search was completed by McDermott + Bull managing director Sue Waterbury and executive recruiter Allison Cox. Ms. Morris will guide the organization through a
Anthem Executive Conducting President Search for Lamar University
Anthem Executive has been retained by the Texas State University System (TSUS) to lead the president search for Lamar University (LU) in Beaumont. Leading the assignment are Scott Watson, Michael Ballew and Florene Stawowy, supported by Mike JR Wheless and John Rudley. Current president Kenneth Evans announced in January that he would be stepping down,
Boyden Assists Planned Parenthood Toronto in the Recruitment of New CEO
Following a comprehensive search, Boyden has placed Mohini Datta-Ray as the new executive director of Planned Parenthood Toronto. Partner Pamela Colquhoun led the assignment. “Mohini’s past work has seen her lead HIV community development, prevention education, youth-focused sex education and healthy relationship projects with a number of communities impacted by racism and poverty in Toronto and Ontario,” said
IMSA Search Expands into Portugal with ARGO Partners
Executive search network IMSA Search Global Partners continues its growth and expansion push, affiliating with ARGO Partners in Portugal. This addition of the ARGO team will further strengthen IMSA Search’s presence in the SEMEA region. “We are very excited about this collaboration,” said Monika Ciesielska, president of IMSA Search Global Partners. “The IMSA Portugal team is well-positioned to
Hiring Post Pandemic and the Growing Need for Search Firms
In the blink of an eye, the technology industry has flipped from a candidate-driven market to one that is client-driven, with the majority of companies cautiously assessing their needs to hire and grow, according to a recent report by StevenDouglas. “Many organizations are having to adjust to significantly decreased revenues, and thus, make tough decisions.
Slone Partners Recruits Chief Scientific Officer for Enveda 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 Sotirios Karathanasis as the new chief science officer at Enveda
CarterBaldwin Seeks President for Southwest Baptist University
CarterBaldwin Executive Search has been enlisted to help find the next president of Southwest Baptist University (SBU). Partner Bill Peterson and associate partner Scott Tanksley are spearheading the assignment. The university’s former president, Eric A. Turner, resigned effective last November after two years in the role. Brad Johnson, SBU’s vice president of university advancement, is
Versique Search and Consulting Adds HR Veteran to Lead Client Partnerships
The executive search field continues to be a welcoming landing pad for HR executives looking for a career change. Minneapolis, MN-headquartered Versique Search and Consulting has expanded with the addition of former HR leader Jenna Estlick to be the firm’s managing director of client partnerships. In her role, she will be responsible for leading the human resources
The Amrop Partnership Forms Alliance with JM Search
JM Search, a senior-level talent provider serving private equity investors, portfolio companies and Fortune 1000s, and The Amrop Partnership, have formed a strategic alliance that will see both companies expanding their offerings for their clients as well as growing their respective global reach. “We are very excited about our alliance with Amrop,” said John Marshall, chief
The New Business Imperative: Diversity & Inclusion
With research proving that companies with more ethnically and culturally diverse teams increase their productivity, reduce turnover and inch up profits, Glocap Search, in response, recently created a diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practice. The recruiting firm joins a chorus of rivals eyeing the DE&I space. “Since 1997, we have been a trusted advisor to
Jobless Claims Stand at Lowest Level in Over a Year
The Labor Department reported this morning that 553,000 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 19,000 from 547,000 to 566,000. With the revisions, this is the lowest level of claims since
SPMB Assists Impossible Foods Recruit Chief Experience Officer
SPMB, an executive search firm that helps find transformative executives throughout Silicon Valley, has assisted in the placement of former Apple creative leader Steve Turner as chief experience officer of Impossible Foods. Partner Becky Stein led the search. “Steve Turner was the best of an exceptionally talented group of all-star candidates to take Impossible to
The Moran Company Seeks New Leader for Hear Indiana
The Moran Company, an executive recruitment firm that specializes in the non-profit sector, was recently called in to help find the next chief executive officer for Hear Indiana, which works to create equal opportunities for children with hearing loss through listening and spoken language. Leading the assignment is senior search consultant Don Harkins. Naomi Horton,
GattiHR Launches Digital Health and Defense & Aerospace Practices
Quincy, MA-headquartered executive search firm GattiHR recently launched digital health and defense & aerospace practices which will be led by vice presidents Michael Delisle and Luis Beruff, respectively. “We see the addition of these two practice areas as part of our complimentary growth strategy and commitment to specialization,” the search firm said. “With the collective
The Impact of Age and Gender on Board Appointments
For even the most talented people who have the right mix of experience, career options will narrow as an individual’s age advances. There is a critical time in an executive’s life when their likelihood for being appointed to a board sharply declines, according to a new BoardEx study: “The Right Age to be a Director,” which







