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Caldwell Grows Life Sciences and Healthcare Practice
Toronto-headquartered Caldwell has expanded with the addition of Christoph Themel as a partner in the firm’s life sciences and healthcare practice. He is based in London. “Christoph’s appointment reflects our continued investment in building a strong, globally integrated life sciences and healthcare practice,” said Chris Beck, chief executive officer. “His international experience and sector depth expand our
PitchBook’s 2026 PE Outlook Puts Talent at the Center of Value Creation
PitchBook’s 2026 U.S. Private Equity Outlook describes a market that is reopening – but under pressure. Exit activity improved meaningfully in 2024 and 2025, yet the inventory of PE-backed companies continues to grow older. As of Q3 2025, U.S. PE inventory had expanded to nearly 12,900 companies, with roughly 30 percent held for seven years or longer and
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.
Coulter Partners Recruits Chief Scientific Officer for Laigo Bio
Life sciences recruiting specialist Coulter Partners has recruited Richard C.A. Sainson as the new chief scientific officer of Laigo Bio. “It was a privilege to partner with Matthew and the Laigo board,” said Kay Wardle, managing partner at Coulter Partners. “Targeted protein degradation is one of the most exciting frontier areas of drug discovery, and finding a chief
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?
Blue Rock Human Capital Recruits Chief People Officer for Michelli Weighing & Measurement
Talent acquisition strategies at many large companies have become as complex as their balance sheets. And while chief human resource officers play a vital role in overseeing an organization’s broad-based workforce, the chief people officer typically goes beyond overseeing its people policies. The focus instead is on building talent as a key competitive advantage, with more
Raising the Bar for Interim and Fractional Leadership
As companies face mounting pressure to move faster and adapt to constant change, interim and fractional executives are increasingly being brought in not simply to maintain stability, but to drive transformation from day one. Organizations today are seeking experienced leaders who can step into critical roles, solve immediate business challenges, and create momentum while long-term
BoardWalk Consulting Selected by Atlanta Ballet for Executive Director Search
BoardWalk Consulting has was recently tapped by Atlanta Ballet to lead in its search for an executive director. The search is being led by Sam Pettway, Demeika Wheaton, and Patti Kish. The executive director will lead Atlanta Ballet’s administrative and business functions in alignment with the organization’s mission and values, while partnering closely with the artistic
When Search Fatigue Leads to Costly Hiring Mistakes
In executive search, the biggest hiring mistakes are not always caused by weak candidate pools or poor sourcing strategies. More often, breakdowns occur near the finish line, when prolonged interview cycles, competing stakeholder opinions, and mounting business pressures begin to wear down decision-making discipline. What starts as a rigorous evaluation process can gradually shift toward
Preng & Associates Recruits SVP of Government Services for American Bureau of Shipping
Houston-based Preng & Associates has placed Rear Admiral Ronald J. Rábago as senior vice president of government services at American Bureau of Shipping (ABS). “Admiral Rábago brings exceptional government and industry experience that will further enhance the support we provide to our government clients in the U.S. and around the world,” said John McDonald, ABS chairman and CEO. “His
McDermott + Bull Expands in Amsterdam
Irvine, CA-based McDermott + Bull has expanded in Amsterdam with the addition of Gerben van den Hout as managing director. “This strategic hire comes as McDermott + Bull continues to expand its executive search presence across Europe, further strengthening the firm’s ability to support organizations in identifying and placing high-impact leadership talent,” the firm said. “Gerben’s appointment represents an
The CHRO’s Leadership Imperative in the AI Era
As organizations accelerate their adoption of artificial intelligence, business leaders are increasingly recognizing that successful transformation depends as much on people and leadership as it does on technology itself. HR executives, in particular, are finding themselves at the center of conversations around workforce readiness, employee trust, skills development, and organizational change management. Industry observers note
Cluen Invites Executive Search Firms to Participate in Upcoming 2026 Technology Trends Survey
For more than three decades, Cluen has partnered with leading executive search firms around the world to understand how top-performing recruiters use technology to gain a competitive advantage. Each year, the company’s Top Trends in Executive Search Technology survey uncovers the strategies, priorities, and innovations shaping the future of the profession. How are executive search firms balancing the rapid adoption of AI
Lindauer Retained by C-SPAN for Chief Development Officer Search
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 No. 1. Lindauer has been retained by C-SPAN to
NPAG Seeking Executive Director for the California Youth Defender Center
Executive search firm NPAG has been selected by the California Youth Defender Center (CYDC) to lead in its search for a new executive director. This search is being led by Ellen LaPointe and Phuong Quach. This is a unique opportunity to lead a respected and influential organization at a pivotal moment, shaping the future of youth justice
Lochlin Partners Helps Fill Senior Position for Business Roundtable
Lochlin Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Stefani Jones as senior director of policy at Business Roundtable (BRT). Ms. Jones is an accomplished technology policy leader with deep expertise at the intersection of cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and national security. Her experience spans the White House, the private sector, and senior federal policy roles. She
Why Executives Should Think Carefully Before Accepting Counteroffers
Few moments in an executive’s career carry as much complexity as the decision to resign from a leadership role and pursue a new opportunity. What often begins as a strategic career move can quickly become emotionally charged once a current employer responds with incentives aimed at reversing that decision. Recruiters and leadership advisors note that
Funk Associates Tapped by the University of North Florida to Lead Search for Eighth President
Funk Associates was recently retained by the University of North Florida (UNF) to lead a national search for its eighth president. Past president Moez Limayem stepped down from his position in early 2026. The presidential search committee, chaired by UNF board of trustees member Jack Boyle, plays a critical role in this process, focusing on
Acertitude Recruits CEO for PE-Backed Zep Inc.
Acertitude has placed Tim Feast as the new CEO of Zep Inc., a Truelink Capital portfolio company. The search was led by partner, Geoff Votta and principal, Rod Vaughan with support from Matthew Marasco and Maryanne Santospirito. Mr. Feast steps into the role with a mandate to accelerate growth, sharpen execution, and lead Zep into its
SearchWide Global Seeking CEO for Visit California
SearchWide Global is currently seeking a new CEO for Visit California. The assignment is being led by Mike Gamble, chairman, CEO, and co-founder of SearchWide. Visit California is seeking a collaborative, visionary, and politically astute leader to serve as the next CEO. As the organization’s chief strategist, brand steward, and operational head, the CEO works
Intersearch Worldwide Elects Chairwoman and New Board Members
InterSearch Worldwide, a global alliance of executive search companies, has announce the newly elected board following and the appointment of Vanessa Delacourt as chairwoman, marking an exciting new chapter and reinforcing the organization’s commitment to innovation and sustainable growth. The board has welcomed: Leslie Cooper A. (Chile); Vanessa Delacourt (Benelux); Frank Schelstraete (Belgium); Henri Vidalinc
The Platform Shift Reshaping Human Capital M&A
Hunt Scanlon Ventures’ 2026 Human Capital Markets Update: Q1 M&A Report points to a market undergoing rapid institutionalization. Human capital M&A is no longer centered around standalone recruiting firms or opportunistic acquisitions. Instead, buyers are consolidating around integrated platforms that combine executive search, leadership advisory, workforce analytics, succession planning, and AI-enabled infrastructure. The shift reflects a broader
WittKieffer Recruits 22nd President for the University of Tulsa
Oak Brook, IL-based WittKieffer has placed Stacy Leeds as the 22nd president of the University of Tulsa (UTulsa). Zachary Smith, Robin Mamlet, and Julia Bradley led the assignment. Ms. Leeds was selected following a competitive and comprehensive national search. Members of the search committee and full board were drawn to her unique portfolio of executive management, philanthropic success and unimpeachable academic credibility. “Stacy
SPMB Recruits CFO for AbsenceSoft
SPMB Executive Search has recruited Megan Wood as CFO of AbsenceSoft, a Denver, CO-based employee leave management and accommodations platform. Jon Landau and Laura Ayre led the assignment. “The market opportunity in front of AbsenceSoft is significant, and Megan brings the right financial and operational depth to meet it,” said Chris Murphy, CEO of AbsenceSoft. “Her proven track record at fast-growth, innovative companies on
AGB Search Helps Recruit 20th President for the University of Montana
Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, has assisted in the recruitment of Jeremiah Shinn as the 20th president of the University of Montana. His selection follows a national search that drew more than 70 accomplished applicants from across the country. Roderick McDavis, James H. McCormick and Janice S. Fitzgerald led the assignment. “Dr. Shinn’s on-campus visit
TurnkeyZRG Appoints Vice President
TurnkeyZRG has expanded with the addition of Sean Magee as vice president. “College and professional football are being reshaped in real time — by revenue sharing, NIL, the transfer portal, and unprecedented financial and operational complexity,” said Chad Chatlos, managing partner, ZRG Turnkey. “Sean lived inside that disruption as a senior operator. He understands what it
Rethinking the Factors Behind Employee Loyalty and Retention
Two widely repeated assumptions continue to shape discussions around today’s workforce, despite oversimplifying a far more nuanced reality. Claims that employee loyalty has disappeared, or that departures are driven almost entirely by poor management, often overlook the broader mix of organizational, economic, leadership, and career factors influencing retention. While such narratives persist because they are
Anthem Executive Assists the University of West Alabama with Provost Search
Anthem Executive has assisted in the recruitment of Amy H. Jones as provost of the University of West Alabama, the role that oversees all aspects of academics at the institution. “Dr. Jones has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a deep commitment to the mission of UWA,” said Todd G. Fritch, president of the University of West Alabama.
ON Partners Recruits Chief Supply Chain Officer for Atmus Filtration Technologies
ON Partners has helped to recruited Kevin Carpenter as senior vice president and chief supply chain officer of NYSE-traded Atmus Filtration Technologies Inc. in Nashville, TN. Partner Heidi Hoffman led the assignment. “Kevin is a proven operations leader with a strong track record of building resilient, customer focused supply chains at scale,” said Steph Disher, president and
ZRG Partners Acquires Sterling Martin Associates
ZRG Partners has acquired Sterling Martin Associates, a Washington, D.C.–based executive search firm specializing in professional associations, trade organizations, and mission‑driven non-profit organizations. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Larry Hartmann, CEO of ZRG, said the acquisition reflects ZRG’s disciplined approach to growth. “This is not about scale for scale’s sake,” he explained.
Interim Executives: When a Temporary Solution is the Smartest Move
In the high-pressure world of private equity, timing is everything—especially when it comes to leadership. Interim executives offer private equity firms a powerful, strategic solution for navigating leadership gaps, high-stakes transitions, and operational challenges. Hiring interim C-suite executives can often be a smarter move than scrambling to fill the role permanently on a fast timeline, according
Greenwood /Asher & Associates Seeks CHRO for Clemson University
Miramar Beach, FL-based executive recruitment firm Greenwood /Asher & Associates has been enlisted to find an associate vice president/ chief human resources officer for Clemson University in South Carolina. Clemson is seeking a dynamic leader on the cutting-edge of human resources strategy development and deployment, said Greenwood /Asher & Associates. The new CHRO will report to
Crist|Kolder Associates Recruits CFO for Foot Locker
Crist|Kolder Associates recently assisted in the placement of Andrew E. Page as the new chief financial officer of New York-based specialty athletic retailer Foot Locker. The previous CFO, Lauren B. Peters, is retiring. “We are pleased to welcome Andrew as Foot Locker’s next CFO,” said Richard Johnson, chairman and CEO. “Andrew has a track record of successfully leading finance functions,
NPAworldwide Adds Seven New Member Firms
Seven new independent recruitment firms have recently joined member-owned recruitment network NPAworldwide in the U.S., Europe, Canada and Africa. These search outfits seek 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
Skills Gap Points to Why We Need to Invest in People
Despite persistently high unemployment levels, the skills gap is costing employers millions of dollars annually. A new report from Horton International explores how the skills gap has evolved and takes a deep dive into what human capital is, and why we need to invest in people. The report, authored by Guillermo Cepeda, says that the nature of work is
Pandemic Era Spawns New C-Suite Roles
Along with the sudden rise in importance of chief people officers and CHROs, the pandemic era has spawned many new C-suite roles. But only some of those are likely to become permanent corporate fixtures when the current crisis subsides. A new report from Boyden explores how CEOs have used the creation of new executive roles to help
Greenwich Harbor Partners Fills Board Position for Teach for America
Greenwich Harbor Partners partnered with Teach for America in the recent recruitment of TransUnion executive Hilary Chidi to its board of directors. “Hilary is a rising star at TransUnion, a company that is highly committed to social responsibility; he was immediately attracted to Teach for America’s mission to support educational equality and excellence,” said Ted Pryor,
Phillips Oppenheim Seeking CEO for New York Botanical Garden
New York City-based executive search firm Phillips Oppenheim has been retained by the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) to lead its search for a new chief executive officer. Leading the assignment are Sarah James and Becky Klein. NYBG seeks a leader of unusual vision, intellectual breadth, managerial experience and cultural sensibility to enhance the relevance, impact and appeal
CannabizTeam Opens Office in Newark
Marijuana has become more popular than ever in the last few years. The legalization of the plant in many countries has led to a boom in the cannabis industry. Consumer spending on cannabis has topped $10 billion in the U.S. alone, and worldwide sales are expected to top $100 billion before the end of the
Canadian Executive Search Market Recovery Expected by Second Half of 2021
Canada enjoys second best-ranked status among countries around the world, according to the latest Best Countries survey by U.S. News & World Report. The Great White North is second only to Switzerland and jumped ahead of Japan in the latest roster—which is based on global perception metrics that include cultural influence, entrepreneurship, heritage, power, and
RSR Partners Assists Driscoll’s in Finding New Board Members
Although boards of directors are considered the backbones of organizations, director recruiting has grown markedly more challenging, say recruiters who conduct searches in that area. As a result, companies continue to turn to executive search firms to help find new board members. Greenwich, Conn-based RSR Partners recently assisted fresh berry provider Driscoll’s in the recruitment of Giannella Alvarez,
WittKieffer Names Chief Growth and Transformation Officer
Following a wave of recent growth, WittKieffer has appointed Michael Castleman as chief growth and transformation officer. “Michael’s keen ability to assess and navigate complex situations as well as his comprehensive perspective and innovative thinking made him an ideal addition to our leadership team,” said Andrew Chastain, president and CEO of WittKieffer. “He will be a
CohenTaylor Executive Search Seeks Executive Director for Regions Hospital Foundation in Minnesota
Minneapolis-based CohenTaylor Executive Search is conducting a search for an executive director for the Regions Hospital Foundation. The organization provides oversight and stewardship of all charitable contributions to Regions Hospital in St. Paul, MN, which is part of HealthPartners, the largest consumer-governed, non-profit health care organization in the nation. “The executive director is primarily responsible
Harvey Nash Appoints Regional Managing Director for Central Europe
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 firms, meanwhile, are taking advantage of a resurgence in certain geographic areas. Recently, recruitment firm Harvey Nash appointed
The State of Gender Equity on Boards
Around the world, countries are taking steps to encourage or mandate improved gender diversity in the boardroom. Those efforts vary by country, as does their effectiveness and impact. A new report from Russell Reynolds Associates takes a look at what is occurring in six countries, hears from female directors about what they are encountering, and provides recommendations
Caldwell Recruits Chief People Officer for Showpad
With the coronavirus crisis disrupting the world economy, chief people officers 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. As a recent article in The Economist put it, chief people officers “keep employees healthy;
Reffett Associates Recruits IT Leader for the Seattle Mariners
Following a nationwide search, Seattle, WA-based Reffett Associates has assisted the Seattle Mariners Baseball Club in placing Kari Escobedo as the new senior vice president of information technology. The search was led by Marshall Reffett, managing director, with assistance from Tom Young, director of operations. This is a new position for the organization and is part of
WittKieffer Partners with International Hospital Federation to Expand Young Executive Leaders Program
WittKieffer and the International Hospital Federation (IHF) have announced a partnership to advance the organization’s Young Executive Leaders (YEL) program, helping to build global healthcare leadership competencies among the next generation of leaders in the IHF’s international membership. WittKieffer has supported the healthcare industry for more than 50 years, serving as strategic leadership experts to
Felix Global Appoints Executive Search Practice Leaders
Leadership development, recruiting and outplacement firm Felix Global has named search veterans J. James O’Malley and Marc Detampel to lead its new executive search practice. “The addition of an executive search practice has been a desire of ours for some time as we continually look for ways to diversify our expertise,” said Jim Graham, chief
Jobless Claims Fall Below 700,000 for First Time Since Pandemic Start
The Labor Department reported this morning that 684,000 Americans filed new claims for state unemployment benefits. This marks the first time the number has fallen below 700,000 since the COVID-19 pandemic began just over a year ago. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg expected 735,000 filings. The reading also lands below the previous week’s revised total of
CarrSports Creates Social Justice Recruiting Team
Executive search firm CarrSports Consulting LLC has established a social justice recruiting team led by vice president Kevin Anderson. Working closely with Mr. Anderson in an advisory role will be Leonard N. Moore, former vice president for diversity and community engagement at the University of Texas at Austin. “In light of today’s media and intense public scrutiny, it
Allegis Partners Recruits CEO for the United States Golf Association
New York City-based executive search firm Allegis Partners has placed Mike Whan as the eighth chief executive officer of the United States Golf Association (USGA) in Liberty Corner, NJ. Current USGA CEO Mike Davis will step down later this year. The assignment was led by Keith Meyer, global practice leader of Allegis Partners’ CEO & board practice. “When
LPA Search Partners Assists Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Recruit New Board Member
Although boards of directors are considered the backbones of organizations, director recruiting has grown markedly more challenging, say recruiters who conduct searches in that area. As a result, companies continue to turn to executive search firms to help find new board members. Willa Perlman, co-CEO of LPA Search Partners, recently assisted learning technology company Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) in the
Russam Seeks Chief Executive for Association for Project Management
U.K.-based executive search firm Russam has been enlisted to find a new chief executive for the Association for Project Management (APM). Headquartered in Princes Risborough, in Buckinghamshire, England, APM is an educational charity committed to developing and promoting the value of project management in order to deliver improved project outcomes for the benefit of society.
When and Why to Hire an Executive Search Firm
Employers typically use an executive search firm when a top job opening is important enough, senior enough and when discretion is at a premium. Organizations justifiably take many criteria into account when considering partnering with an executive search firm. However, engaging an executive search firm is an investment of time and resources, which means that it
Herbert Mines Associates Partners with Resilience Capital on CR Brands CEO Search
New York-based retail and consumer focused executive search firm Herbert Mines Associates recently partnered with Cleveland-based private equity group Resilience Capital Partners in the recruitment of Tim Seitter as president and CEO of its portfolio company CR Brands. Managing director Christine Augustine led the assignment. “Tim combines an established track record in growing brands with an intimate
ZRG Recruits CEO for Topgolf Entertainment Group
ZRG recently helped to place Artie Starrs, the global chief executive officer of Pizza Hut, as the new CEO of Topgolf Entertainment Group. Mr. Starrs assumes the role on April 5. Search consultants Brian Meany and Jamie Crittenberger led the assignment. “We are thrilled to have Artie join Topgolf as he leads the company, together with the team, on
Jobplex Names Diversity & Inclusion Practice Group Leader
Jobplex, the Chicago-based partner company of DHR International, has expanded with of Soladé Rowe as managing partner and leader of the diversity and inclusion practice group. Based out of Washington, D.C., Mr. Rowe also will serve as a strategic advisor supporting firm-wide diversity initiatives for DHR. “His wealth of experience recruiting diverse leaders across a broad range of
Stanton Chase Names New Global Practice Leaders
Baltimore, MD-headquartered Stanton Chase has named five new appointments to positions of global practice leaders, a move that will help the organization meet the many new challenges it expects ahead this year. Fiona Lavan, the vice chair of practice groups for Stanton Chase who will be newly leading the government, education, and non-profit practice group, made the
Crisis Put CEO Successions on Hold in 2020; Expect a Rebound in 2021
Boards of directors tend to pause leadership successions during turbulent times, and 2020 was no exception. Globally, CEO transitions fell 42 percent between the first and second halves of the year as the economic strain of the COVID-19 pandemic intensified, according to research from by Spencer Stuart. But there’s good news: CEO transitions are likely
Roles of Board Chairs Continue to Evolve in Pandemic Era
Board priorities are rapidly increasing in today’s challenging environment. According to a recent report from RSR Partners, the granularity of the work for chairs has dramatically increased over the years and is now much more intense. The report, which gathered insights from more than 25 recent interviews with board chairs, says that many of these high-profile
Chasm Launches New Solution to Help VC and PE Investors Evaluate Leadership
Rowayton, Conn-based executive search firm Chasm Partners has introduced ChasmDILIGENCE, a new service designed to provide insights to help private equity and venture capital investors perform human capital diligence at deal stage. The offering builds on Chasm’s expertise in evaluating executive talent for high-growth healthcare organizations. “Since 2015, Chasm has helped our clients in venture capital
