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Bedford Group | TRANSEARCH Partners with System-3 Assessment
Howard Pezim, Steven Pezim and Elan Pratzer have announced a new strategic partnership between Bedford Group | TRANSEARCH and System-3, a provider of simulation-based leadership assessment grounded in observed performance. “By combining Bedford’s four-decades of expertise in executive search with System-3’s highly predictive, performance-based leadership assessment, we are enhancing our ability to support boards and CEOs in making well-informed,
When Founders Step Aside: Navigating Leadership Transitions In Private Equity
A recent Harvard Business Review article examining founder transitions highlights just how precarious these leadership handoffs can be. Founder CEO transitions carry a risk of failure or performance decline two to three times greater than standard CEO successions. The reason is simple: founders are rarely just executives. They are often the cultural center of gravity, the strategic
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
Wall Street’s Summer Deal Surge Redefines Talent Demands
According to The Wall Street Journal, the first week of August marked the highest-volume week for U.S. M&A in nearly four years. Union Pacific’s $71.5 billion purchase of Norfolk Southern led the spree, alongside deals from Alphabet, Global Payments, Charter Communications, and Constellation Energy. Bankers attribute the resurgence to a resilient economy, expectations of lower interest
New Challenges Ahead for Renewable Energy, Clean-Tech and Sustainability Sector Leaders
Over the last decade, clean technology, solar and electric energy, and sustainability have moved from the periphery to the center of the global economy. Established and emerging companies, along with private equity and venture capital firms, are making massive investments across the field as they stake out expanding areas of the market. This has driven demand
JM Search Recruits COO for Clark Capital Management Group
JM Search, a senior-level talent provider serving private equity investors, portfolio companies and Fortune 1000s, has assisted in placing Jim Warren as chief operating officer of independent asset manager Clark Capital Management Group in Philadelphia. JM Search fintech and financial services leaders Tom Figueroa and David Speicher led the assignment. “Jim’s depth of industry knowledge will help us continue
TurnkeyZRG Recruits Chief Communications Officer for US Olympic & Paralympic Committee
TurnkeyZRG recently assisted the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) in the recruitment of Kate Hartman as its chief communications officer. Allie Crone led the assignment. Ms. Hartman will lead USOPC communications initiatives, reporting to Katie Bynum, chief strategy and growth officer, and working closely with USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland to integrate stakeholder engagement
Robert Half Posts 7.2 Percent Revenue Decline
Robert Half International Inc./(NYSE:RHI) posted first quarter revenues of $1.398 billion, down 7.2 percent from the same period a year ago, surpassing the consensus mark by 3.32 percent. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates three times over the last four quarters. The Menlo Park, CA-based recruiting company recorded net income of $111 million, or $.98 per share,
Heidrick & Struggles Posts 12.9 Percent Revenue Gain
Executive search, leadership consulting and culture shaping services provider Heidrick & Struggles (NASDAQ:HSII) posted first quarter revenues of $193.7 million, up 12.9 percent from $171.5 million in the 2020 first quarter. Net revenue was driven by growth across all regions in executive search, partially offset by Heidrick Consulting. “Our results reflect a strong rebound from the global
Randstad US Partners with Gamesmith to Connect Talent with Open Roles
As video games increasingly become one of the world’s largest sources of entertainment, Randstad US has partnered with Gamesmith, which has deep relationships with thousands of video game development studios across the world, to fill open positions in the $118 billion video game industry. The partnership will leverage Randstad’s national hiring infrastructure and network of tech-based talent who may not
Diversified Search Group | Koya Partners Seeks Chief People Officer for the Museum of Science in Boston
Diversified Search Group | Koya Partners has been retained by the Museum of Science in Boston to lead its search for a chief people officer. Spearheading the assignment are managing director Beth Schaefer and senior search associate Josyanne Roche. “At this critical time in its history, the Museum of Science is seeking a dynamic, mission-driven leader
The Loring Group Recruits Controller for Kendo Brands
San Francisco-headquartered executive search firm The Loring Group has recruited Midori Overzyl as vice president and controller Kendo Brands. Partner Rich Kampmann led the assignment. Kendo Holdings is a San Francisco-based beauty brand developer and wholesaler owned by LVMH Moët Hennessy – Louis Vuitton, the world’s largest luxury group. Kendo has become the hub of creativity and
Frederickson Partners Recruits VP of HR for Tripwire
Global HR search firm Frederickson Partners recently recruited former Avangrid Renewables executive Staci Schwartz as vice president of human resources for Tripwire, a provider of cybersecurity, IT security and compliance automation software. Ms. Schwartz joins Tripwire after a tenure of 20 years as an HR leader with clean energy company Avangrid Renewables (formerly PPM Energy and Iberdrola Renewables). Starting
Allen Institute Taps Christopher Group for Top HR Search
The Christopher Group, a boutique HR executive search and business solutions firm, has been called in by the Allen Institute to lead its search for an executive director of human resources. Tom Christopher, founder and CEO, and Jim May, director, are leading the search. Reporting to the chief operations officer, the executive director will be the
Predictions for the Workplace Post Pandemic
Coming out of the COVID-19 crisis, everyone knows the world of work will change. Greenwich Harbor Partners has been talking with business leaders across the country about what our new world order of work might be like. Based on these conversations, the search firm brings us inside some changes that we can expect to see in
Hobbs & Towne Assists LifeLabs Design in CEO Search
Executive search firm Hobbs & Towne has recruited former North Face executive Scott Mellin as CEO of the newly formed company LifeLabs Design, a commercial brand built on patented textile technologies from two Stanford University scientists. The assignment was led by partners Ryan Houder and Tom Watchko. LifeLabs Design revolves around the earlier work of Yi Cui, director
Jensen Partners Names Head of Private Credit and Private Equity Practice
New York City-based Jensen Partners, a women-owned executive search and corporate advisory firm for the alternative investment management industry, has named Nicholas Koehler as head of private credit and private equity. In this new role, Mr. Koehler will lead the firm’s efforts to recruit diverse candidates for credit and private equity strategies. Based in New York City, he
ManpowerGroup Posts Seven Percent Revenue Gain
ManpowerGroup / (NYSE:MAN) posted first quarter revenues of $4.9 billion, an increase of seven percent from the same period a year ago. This surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 5.53 percent. Revenue in the U.S. was $609 million, representing a flat trend compared to the prior year. “Our first quarter results reflect a continuation of the
Why Organizations are Hiring for Skills Over Experience
COVID-19 has forced companies to rapidly adapt to changing talent needs. More than 70 million U.S. workers filed for unemployment insurance from March through December last year. Now, more organizations are converting what were furloughs early in the pandemic to permanent job losses, according to a new report by McKinsey & Company. “While many companies
The Quest for Venture Talent
Over the past year, executive search firms have seen a growing number of clients showing interest in experienced professionals with established relationships in the venture community. Among those recruitment firms is Greenwich, Conn.-based RSR Partners, which in a new report released by its asset management practice anticipates such demand will only continue to grow, especially
Isaacson, Miller Seeking President for Lehigh University
Isaacson, Miller has been called in by Lehigh University to lead its search for the school’s 15th new president. John D. Simon has informed the board of trustees of his decision to step down at the end of the academic year, effective June 30, 2021. John Isaacson and Rebecca Swartz are leading this search with Berkley Burke.
WGNinHR Consulting Seeking Chief People Officer for Arena
With the coronavirus crisis still posing a risk to people everywhere, human resources executives are stepping up at businesses across the country, playing a vital role in helping their organizations navigate what continues to be an even greater challenge than the Great Recession. Along the way, the importance of people strategy is expanding, and that
NPAworldwide Adds Seven New Member Firms in North America
Seven new independent recruitment firms have recently joined member-owned recruitment network NPAworldwide in North America. These search organizations are looking to increase revenue through NPAworldwide’s cooperative placement model. NPA now has 550 member offices across six continents. “Congratulations to each of our new members,” said Dave Nerz, president of NPAworldwide. “By joining the network, these recruitment firms have
Jobless Claims Fall to Lowest Level in COVID-19 Pandemic Era
The Labor Department reported this morning that 547,000 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 10,000 from 576,000 to 586,000. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg expected 603,000 filings. Since last February,
WB&B Executive Search Recruits Chief Inclusion and Diversity Officer for Unum
WB&B Executive Search recently assisted financial protection benefits provider Unum in the recruitment of Ericka DeBruce as chief inclusion and diversity officer. Leading the assignment for the search team were Kenneth Roldan, chief executive officer; Toyann King, senior partner and head of recruitment; and Bruce Colligan, senior partner. Ms. DeBruce will report to Liz Ahmed, executive vice
Bespoke Partners Assists Clearlake Capital and Siris-backed Constant Contact in CEO Search
Executive search firms have been stepping up their efforts to assist private equity-backed firms and their portfolios across the nation find top-level talent, including chief executives, chief people officers, CFOs and other C-suite roles. All are seen as key players as organizations grapple with the continued fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. Just recently, San Diego, CA-headquartered executive
Odgers Berndtson Launches Health and Wellness Recruiting Practice
Odgers Berndtson has launched a new health and wellness recruiting practice led by partner Andrew Dmytryk and designed to provide senior-level talent, leadership and recruitment project solutions for growing Canadian companies. Specifically catering to the cannabis, pharmaceutical, biotech and medtech industries, the new practice will work with Canadian health and wellness organizations. “The industry has really grown up and
Therio Partners Opens to Serve Animal Health and Veterinary Industries
Stacy Pursell, founder of The Vet Recruiter, has launched executive search firm Therio Partners to serve the animal health and veterinary industries. The firm will concentrate on animal agriculture and the full pet health ecosystem. The new venture provides retained search services for the animal health sector, including agricultural technology, pet care, animal nutrition, animal science,
Cargill Selects Hanold Associates to Lead Chief Diversity Officer Search
Chief diversity, equity and inclusion officers have emerged as key leaders during this enormous period of transition for workers and the workplace. With a global workforce shifting in complexity, there is a growing need for diversity experts who can shape the vision, culture and very face of organizations. At issue: Too few women and people
The Four Cs of Recruiting and Retaining C-Suite Talent
Prior to any action being taken regarding human capital in a family-owned business, a discussion about family objectives is not only valuable, but essential, according to a new report by Linda C. Mack, founder and president of executive search firm Mack International. Working with families is imbued in nuance. “Each family has unique needs, a unique culture,
Seattle Mariners Tap Protégé Partners to Assist in President of Business Operations Search
The Seattle Mariners have enlisted executive search firm Protégé Partners to assist in the search for a new president of business operations. Kevin Mather resigned from the position this past February. Managing partner Rory Verrett is leading the assignment for the recruitment firm. “John has given the search committee the opportunity to really spend the
Academic Career & Executive Search Helps Dallas College Recruit President for El Centro Campus
West Hartford, Conn.-based Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) recently placed Bradford Williams, former president of Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City (OSU-OKC), as the new president of El Centro Campus at Dallas College in Dallas, TX. Dr. Williams replaces José Adames, who stepped down in December after leading Dallas College El Centro Campus for six years.
TRANSEARCH Opens New Office in Singapore
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. TRANSEARCH International Partners recently opened new offices in Singapore in an effort to strengthen its
Leveling Gender Inequity Post-Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic created seismic shifts in corporate America and workplace environments. The transition from working in the office to working remotely from home has dramatically blurred the boundaries between work and personal life, making many employees feel like they’re always on, according to a new report from Executives Unlimited. Zoom fatigue is a real problem, and
BoardWalk Consulting Recruits President for Union of Concerned Scientists
Executive recruitment firm BoardWalk Consulting has placed Johanna Chao Kreilick as president of the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) in Cambridge, MA. Most recently, Ms. Kreilick managed the Open Society Foundations’ strategy unit responsible for planning, research and assessment for the foundations’ 50 global programs, national foundations and advocacy offices. She will officially join UCS on May
