DAILY NEWSWIRE - TOP STORIES
Daily Newswire
NPAworldwide Elects Board Chair; Re-Elects Key Directors
Member-owned recruitment network NPAworldwide has elected a new slate of representatives to its board of directors. The election was held during the group’s virtual annual owners meeting. Member-owners also accepted a financial report, amended the organizational bylaws, confirmed the actions of the board of directors and conducted other official business. NPAworldwide member-owner Patti Steen of The Pelsten Group automatically
August Leadership Names Partner in Paris
August Leadership has appointed Art Avdeev as partner in Paris. He brings over 25 years of experience managing executive search and leadership development projects for clients across EMEA and beyond. Mr. Avdeev works with corporate and private equity clients on assignments in banking, insurance, consumer finance, and mobile banking, as well as FMCG, retail, agriculture, 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.
DRiWaterstone Human Capital Assists WJCT Public Media with CEO Search
DRiWaterstone Human Capital has assisted in the recruitment of Karen Feagins as president and CEO of WJCT Public Media, the independent, community-owned public media organization serving Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia. “Karen represents exactly what we were looking for as the next leader for WJCT Public Media,” said Bill Hendrich, chair of the WJCT Public Media board
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?
Wilton & Bain Expands Interim Management Business
Global executive search and interim leadership firm Wilton & Bain has named Oliver Bentley as partner within its interim management business. He will focus on senior interim appointments across consumer markets in business transformation, technology and digital. “I am delighted to welcome Oliver to Wilton & Bain,” said James Humphreys, managing partner at Wilton & Bain.
Boards Weigh Internal vs. External CEO Candidates in Succession Planning
Choosing between an internal and external CEO candidate is rarely as simple as favoring continuity or change. For boards and executive search firms, the more important question is whether the succession process is anchored to the company’s future mandate and the leadership capabilities required to deliver it. The internal-versus-external CEO debate often starts with a
Pyramind Places New Leader for The International Institute
Following a national search, Falls Church, VA-based executive search firm Pyramind has placed Chad Leahy as the next director of The International Institute. “Chad came to Madrid on September 1 and has begun meeting with Institute staff, familiarizing himself with his new duties, and following the completion of this summer’s improvement projects in the Institute building,”
NPAG Recruits CEO for Dream.Org
Executive search firm NPAG has assisted in the recruitment of Janos Marton as the new CEO for Dream.Org in Oakland, CA. The search was being led by Phuong Quach and Sharon Gertsman. Mr. Marton joined Dream.Org as CEO after spending the past five years leading advocacy work at the organization, where he helped build coalitions and advance
Stevenson Search Partners Expands
Fort Lee, NJ-based Stevenson Search Partners, a global life science executive search firm and a Hunt Scanlon Top 50 ranked search firm, has expanded with the addition of Jim LoSapio to its on-demand talent solutions team as director, business development. “Jim has developed a strong understanding of the unique talent, consulting, and resource challenges facing life sciences organizations
TriSearch Expands Through Strategic Partnership
TriSearch has entered into a strategic partnership with Northwest Talent Solutions founder Nikita R. Steals, who has joined the firm as vice president, client success. The arrangement combines Northwest Talent Solutions’ workforce transformation expertise and entrepreneurial agility with TriSearch’s national recruiting platform, scalable delivery capabilities and highly customized approach to client partnership. Northwest Talent Solutions
Private Equity Takes a Harder Look at Leadership Assessment
Private equity firms examine every line of the financial model and pressure-test the commercial thesis from multiple angles. However, an assessment of the leadership team is often the least rigorous part of diligence. Deal teams will spend weeks validating a revenue forecast and only a matter of hours forming a view on the CEO expected
The Succession Crisis Extends Beyond Small Business
Succession planning has become one of the most pressing leadership issues facing boards as a growing number of senior executives move closer to retirement. For executive search firms, that is creating increased demand for earlier engagement, deeper assessment of internal talent, and more deliberate planning around critical leadership transitions. The challenge is especially acute when
Academic Career & Executive Search Recruits General Counsel for MassArt
Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) has recruited Jeannie Barrett as general counsel at Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt). Jennifer Muller, managing partner, led the assignment. Ms. Barrett brings more than 25 years of legal experience in higher education, advising institutions and senior leaders on a wide range of complex legal, operational, governance, and
Lock Search Group Fills Senior Position for Emergent BioSolutions
Toronto-headquartered executive recruitment firm Lock Search Group has assisted in the recruitment of Layton Henderson as vice president and general manager of Emergent BioSolutions’ Winnipeg manufacturing facility. “We’re grateful to celebrate a successful executive placement with our valued partner, Emergent BioSolutions,” Lock Search Group said in a LinkedIn post. “Congratulations to Layton Henderson on his appointment. We’re
Options Group Expands Dubai Office
Options Group has expanded in Dubai office with the additions of Eugenio Chiappini and Ben Prickett as vice presidents. Mr. Chiappini specializes in the private equity and family offices sectors. His addition strengthens the firm’s presence in the Middle East and supports its work with alternative investment firms and private capital clients seeking senior talent. Before
Executive Search Evolves, but Relationships and Judgment Still Matter Most
Executive search is evolving as firms face growing pressure to deliver stronger talent outcomes while providing deeper advisory value to clients and candidates. The most effective search organizations are looking beyond individual assignments to build broader networks, strengthen market intelligence, and create relationships that endure across careers and leadership transitions. That shift is placing renewed
Executive Diligence Takes on Greater Role in Senior-Level Hiring
Executive search increasingly extends beyond assessing experience, leadership style, and cultural fit. For boards and investors, understanding a senior candidate’s background, reputation, and potential risk profile has become an important part of evaluating whether that individual is equipped to lead in a high-stakes environment. That has made investigative diligence a more meaningful component of senior-level
BarkerGilmore Recruits General Counsel for Stanford University
Boutique search firm BarkerGilmore, which specializes in building corporate legal and compliance teams, has recruited Timothy G. Lynch as vice president and general counsel of Stanford University. He succeeds Debra Zumwalt, who announced earlier this year that she would retire after 26 years as Stanford’s vice president and general counsel. BarkerGilmore’s Sarah Sullivan, Brittney McDonough, and
Calibre One Recruits CPO and Chief Technology and Information Officer for Production Resource Group
Calibre One has placed Jennifer Caserta as chief people officer and Joe Simon as chief technology and information officer at PRG (Production Resource Group) in New York City. “We are building PRG for a bigger future, and that means investing across every part of this business: our leadership, crews, talent development, and the equipment, technology and
TRANSEARCH International Adds New Member Firm in Singapore
TRANSEARCH International has expanded in Singapore with the addition of The Executive Collective Asia as its newest member firm. Led by managing partner Angela Roche, the addition further strengths the organization’s executive search and leadership consulting capabilities across the Asia-Pacific region. “Singapore is strategically important to TRANSEARCH not only within Asia-Pacific, but to our global business,”
Beyond the Single AI Path: You Can Have It All
Executive search firms are moving beyond early experimentation with artificial intelligence and focusing more closely on how the technology can support different roles, workflows, and levels of adoption across their organizations. Rather than forcing every user into the same model, firms are increasingly looking for flexible approaches that can improve efficiency while preserving the judgment
Six Trends Driving Private Capital Hiring
Executive hiring across private capital is becoming more complex as firms rethink the leadership capabilities needed to compete in a changing investment environment. Search mandates are broadening beyond traditional dealmaking backgrounds as firms place greater value on operating expertise, technology fluency, capital formation, and experience navigating more difficult market cycles. For executive search firms serving
Shelli Herman and Associates Recruits President and CEO of Mystic Aquarium
Following an extensive national search, Los Angeles-based Shelli Herman and Associates has placed Rachel Metz as the new president and CEO of Mystic Aquarium. She will succeed Susette Tibus, who has led Mystic Aquarium since April 2023 and has been a recognized leading champion for the Aquarium for decades. “Rachel is an accomplished, thoughtful and inspiring leader whose experience
Academic Search Seeking Provost for James Madison University
Education-focused executive recruitment firm Academic Search has been selected by James Madison University to lead in its search for a new provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. Senior consultant Ann Die Hasselmo, consultant Christopher Butler, and associate consultant Kate Cusimano are leading the assignment. The school seeks an innovative and responsive leader to serve as its next provost and senior
ForceBrands Appoints Head of Executive Search
ForceBrands, a hiring and talent solutions partner for the consumer industry, has strengthened its executive search practice with the addition of Brian Waivada. He will lead the team and oversee the practice’s continued expansion. “This appointment builds on the strength and momentum of our executive search practice,” said Rob Ganjon, CEO of ForceBrands. “We’ve spent
Potential vs. Performance: Rethinking the Leadership Pipeline
Being a successful business leader has always been associated with a fast-paced management style, but today more than ever, leaders must constantly adapt and be prepared to navigate rapid change. Leadership roles across organizations of all types have become increasingly complex, requiring the ability to balance competing priorities at the same time. In this environment,
DHR Global Grows Sports Practice with Jobplex’s Acquisition of Ascension Sports Partners
Jobplex, the Chicago-based partner company of DHR Global, has acquired Ascension Sports Partners, an executive search and talent advisory firm specializing in sports, entertainment, and collegiate athletics. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Ascension founder and president Dan Rossetti joins Jobplex as a partner, working alongside DHR’s sports practice. “This acquisition marks an important expansion of
Russell Reynolds Associates Tapped by the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization to Lead CEO Search
Global leadership advisory firm Russell Reynolds Associates has been retained by the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) to lead in its search for a new president and chief executive officer. Andrew Kriegler, its inaugural president and CEO, has informed the board of directors that he will not be seeking a further term. The board has commenced the
The Moran Company Recruits CEO for The Arc of New Mexico
The Moran Company, an executive recruitment firm that specializes in the non-profit sector, has placed Tracie Fletcher as the new executive director of The Arc of New Mexico. Senior search consultant Bruce Scott led the assignment. “Tracie brings a 25-year track record of leadership in non-profit, government, and community organizations,” The Arc of New Mexico said in a
The Emergence of the Chief AI Officer: What Leaders Need to Understand
Boards and CEOs are quickly realizing that AI isn’t just another tool—it’s becoming a foundational operating layer. That acceleration is forcing companies to rethink who sets priorities, manages risk, and turns experimentation into measurable value. Out of that pressure, a dedicated C-suite leader for enterprise AI strategy is starting to take shape. Not long ago,
Why Talent is Key to a Post-Pandemic Retail Sector Resurgence
These are revolutionary times for retail with COVID-19 having accelerated some fundamental trends across the sector. This has in turn created a fertile environment for the most able executives to set themselves apart and chart a course for a successful, digitally focused future, according to a new report by Melissa Reed, a consumer and retail
Bespoke Partners Assists Zipari and Aptos Retail in CFO Searches
San Diego, CA-headquartered executive search firm Bespoke Partners recently filled chief financial officer positions for Zipari and Aptos Retail with the placements of Matthew Crumley and David Bertolino, respectively. Vice president Katelyn Quaresma led the Zipari assignment; vice president Nick Donlan spearheaded the Aptos search. Mr. Crumley arrives on the heels of Zipari’s strategic growth investment from leading private
Riviera Partners Names Practice Leaders
Riviera Partners, a recruitment provider specializing in C-level engineering, product and design leader placements, has appointed Eoin O’Toole and Eric Larson, alongside managing partners Ali Behnam and Michael Morell, to lead four newly implemented, specialized practices within the firm. Mr. O’Toole will manage the emerging and early-stage practice; Mr. Behnam will run the mid- to late-stage venture-backed practice; Mr.
Worksome Receives $13 Million in Funding
Investors are pouring money into recruiting solutions businesses. Worksome recently closed a $13 million Series A funding round for its freelance talent platform — after racking up 10x growth in revenue since January 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic sparked a remote working boom. Founded in 2017, Worksome is an enterprise platform that connects companies with freelancers
Women Leaders Driving Corporate Sustainability Forward
Companies adopt more socially and ecologically sustainable practices when their boards include women and environmental experts and when younger members are elected to board leadership, according to a newly released report by Egon Zehnder and the University of Göttingen, Germany. “Corporate sustainability must be anchored more firmly within boards,” said Carsten Wundrack, head of the German industrial practice
CannabizTeam Report Shows Double-Digit Compensation Increases for Cannabis Executives
Cannabis sector salaries are up across the board with increased demand for top flight leaders driving double-digit increases in compensation for experienced managers and C-suite executives, according to a new report by CannabizTeam, a cannabis-focused executive search firm. Salaries, the study said, continue to increase above cost of living index due to competition and a shortage of
Kingsley Gate Partners Places Chief People Officer for J.Crew Group
Kingsley Gate Partners has placed Jose Davila, former vice president of human resources for Levi Strauss & Co., as chief people officer at J.Crew Group. Mike Bergen, senior partner and global HR practice leader led the search. “Jose is a builder that knows how to creatively transform and grow businesses and HR teams and is particularly strong at
Development Guild DDI Tapped by St. Louis Children’s Hospital Foundation to Find Chief Development Officer
Virtually every industry needs top-drawer chief development officers. CDOs play a key role in planning, coordinating and administering capital campaigns, corporate giving and galvanizing new donors while keeping previous funders content. Implementing funding strategies that “keep the lights on,” according to recruiters specializing in the function, is Job 1. Non-profit specialist recruitment firm Development Guild DDI was
Sheffield Haworth Appoints Executive Director in Corporate Officers Practice
Global leadership advisory and executive search firm Sheffield Haworth has named Paul DeCoster as executive director in its corporate officers practice. Based in New York, he will be working closely alongside Sonjay Vishnupad to develop and nurture new and existing relationships with clients across the financial services space. “We are delighted Paul has joined us at Sheffield Haworth,” said
Why a One-Search Diversity Strategy Often Fails
Play to win and when it comes to diversity, winners take all, according to a new report by Karen Alphonse, search solutions leader and executive coach with ExecSearches. “Organizations that manage diversity well will reap many benefits: increased productivity, employee satisfaction and creativity,” she said. “Their messaging and brands will resonate with best practices. Typically, where diversity hiring
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







