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Winning the CFO Talent War in a Competitive PE Market
Competition for experienced chief financial officers in private equity-backed companies has intensified as sponsors pursue growth, exits, and operational transformation on tighter timelines. In today’s candidate-driven environment, firms are finding that traditional recruiting approaches are no longer sufficient to secure high-impact finance leaders. Success increasingly hinges on proactive relationship-building, precise role calibration, and the ability
Korn Ferry Records Seven Percent Q3 Revenue Increase
Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) has posted Q3 fiscal-year 2026 revenues of $717.4 million, an increase of seven percent year-over-year with growth in all solutions. “Our strong quarterly performance continues to reflect the evolution of our firm,” said Gary D. Burnison, CEO, Korn Ferry. “Today the world is enveloped by unprecedented levels of change – shifts in population,
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.
Brettschneider Executive Search Seeking Inaugural SVP of Advancement for Wilmington University
New York City-based Brettschneider Executive Search has been retained by Wilmington University (WilmU) to lead in its search for an inaugural senior vice president of advancement to lead the University’s next phase of philanthropic growth. Reporting to WilmU president LaVerne Harmon, the SVP will partner closely with the president, board and University leaders to advance the University’s strategic
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?
August Leadership Expands in London
August Leadership has expanded with the addition of Honor Pollok as a partner in London. Ms. Pollok brings over 20 years of executive search and leadership experience. She has led numerous high-profile placements in chair, non-executive director, CEO and the full spectrum of C-suite roles. Her search expertise spans key commercial, financial, creative, human resource, functional,
Hunt Scanlon and HSiQ Spotlight New Approach to Recruiter Training
As the executive search industry faces mounting pressure to improve performance and consistency, firms are increasingly reevaluating how recruiters are trained and developed. Hunt Scanlon and its HSiQ talent intelligence advisory unit recently launched a new Recruiter Performance Training Program designed to bring greater structure, commercial rigor, and scalability to recruiter development in an industry long driven by
Building Team Alignment in an Era of Continuous Change
Ask any team to describe its top strategic priorities and you will often get as many answers as there are people in the room. The problem is not that the strategy hasn’t been communicated, according to recent report from AIIR Consulting. “The problem is that it was communicated into an environment that has since shifted
Isaacson, Miller Helps Recruit 28th President for Texas A&M
Boston-based Isaacson, Miller has assisted in the recruitment of Susan Ballabina as the 28th president of Texas A&M. Andy Lee and Julie Filizetti, led search with Raul Bernal and Luciano Zuniga, and Madeline Fitzpatrick. The members of the Board of Regents conducted a national search that produced a strong pool of candidates. Dr. Ballabina emerged through that process based on her experience, her understanding of
BarkerGilmore Recruits General Counsel for American Credit Acceptance
Boutique search firm BarkerGilmore, which specializes in building corporate legal and compliance teams, has placed Debra Noll as general counsel at American Credit Acceptance. The search was led by Stephen Bell and Alison Waters. “Deb is exceptionally well-positioned to support American Credit Acceptance as it continues to grow and adapt in a complex environment,” BarkerGilmore said in a LinkedIn
Kincannon & Reed Appoints VP of Marketing and Business Development
Kincannon & Reed (K&R), which exclusively focuses on food, agribusiness, and the related life sciences, has expanded with the addition of Dan Evans as vice president of marketing and business development. “Dan brings a strong background in building brands, driving growth, and connecting strategy to execution,” said Stephanie Liska, president of Kincannon & Reed. “Throughout his career,
Women Founders Gain Ground in Human Capital M&A
A meaningful shift has been unfolding across the executive search industry. Over the past decade, a growing number of highly specialized boutiques have been founded and led by women, many of whom built successful careers within larger firms before launching businesses of their own. What is becoming increasingly clear is that investors are paying attention.
Private Equity Recruiting – Return on Investment: Creating Value with Talent
Talent has become a defining driver of performance in private equity, shaping how firms manage risk, execute strategy, and deliver sustained returns. As deal cycles tighten and value creation depends increasingly on operational excellence, leadership quality and organizational design are no longer secondary considerations — they are central to how firms source, underwrite, and scale
AGB Search Seeking Chief Information Technology Officer for Slippery Rock University
Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, has been retained by Slippery Rock University to lead in its search for a chief information technology officer (CITO). Kimberly Templeton, Margaret Plympton, and Anne Hoffman are leading the assignment. This leader serves as the University’s senior technology executive, providing strategic vision, leadership, and executive
The Talent Studios Recruits Chief Marketing Officer for Pura Vida Miami
The Talent Studios has recruited Bruno Cardinali as chief marketing officer of Pura Vida Miami, the premium all-day café and lifestyle brand focused on health, wellness and community. The search was led by Katlyn Maloney and Jeremy Cohen. Mr. Cardinali brings more than two decades of marketing leadership across fast casual, foodservice, beverage, and global consumer brands. Most recently, as
JM Search Expands Technology and Financial Services Practices
JM Search, a senior-level talent provider serving private equity investors, portfolio companies, and Fortune 1000s, has expanded with the additions of Wes Chisholm as partner and Laura Bennstrom and Charles Telep as principals within its technology and financial services practices. Mr. Chisholm and Mr. Telep join the firm’s technology practice while Ms. Bennstrom joins both the financial
How The Tolan Group Navigated the Downturn and Remained Focused
For many executive search firms, 2024 and 2025 tested resilience in ways few could have predicted. At The Tolan Group (TTG), they experienced the same pressures felt across the industry. Slower decision cycles, delayed starts, and a noticeable dip in portfolio company hiring activity. Yet through that uncertainty, one thing remained constant: our commitment to
Korn Ferry Reports Seven Percent Q4 and Full-Year Revenue Growth, Led by Double-Digit Gains in Professional Search & Interim
Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) has posted Q4 fiscal-year revenues of $759.8 million, a year-over-year increase of seven percent and five percent at constant currency. This was led by Professional Search & Interim up 14 percent, followed by Executive Search and Consulting, both up seven percent and RPO up five percent. During the fourth quarter, revenues rose by
Lock Search Group Leading CEO Search for Atlas Sign & Awning
Toronto-headquartered executive recruitment firm Lock Search Group is currently seeking a new CEO for Atlas Sign & Awning. For over 30 years, Atlas Sign & Awning has helped businesses across Canada and the United States stand out through custom commercial signage, awnings, and branded architectural elements. Based in Langley, BC, they’ve built a strong reputation for quality
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
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,
Hiring Interim CEOs for PE Portfolio Companies
Private equity firms are increasingly relying on interim CEOs to drive transformation within their portfolio companies. As interim leadership becomes a mainstream solution, the critical question evolves: how can firms deploy it to achieve transformative outcomes? In 2025’s challenging market environment, where value creation depends on operational excellence rather than financial engineering, interim CEOs have become
Heidrick & Struggles Appoints New Leaders
Executive search, leadership consulting and culture shaping services provider Heidrick & Struggles has appointed Kamau Coar to the newly created role of chief inclusion officer and Jenni Hibbert as global managing partner, head of executive search go-to-market. This is part of the Heidrick’s long-term strategic plans to accelerate business growth and strengthen its focus on diversity and the
4 Hiring Shifts Expected in Recruiting New Leaders
The pace of hiring is palpably accelerating. The problem? Longer-term vision and goals are giving way to short-term mayhem, according to a new report by The Bowdoin Group and authored by CEO Dave Melville. “Urgency of action is more important than the right action,” he says. “Because our firm works across so many fast-paced industries and organizations,
Furst Group Recruits Chief Diversity Officer for City of Hope National Medical Center
Following a national search, Furst Group, which serves the healthcare and insurance industries, has assisted City of Hope in the placement of Angela L. Talton as its first chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer. She will provide leadership for the biomedical research and treatment center’s holistic and integrated efforts to continue its efforts to build a diverse and inclusive culture
JM Search Names Consumer Practice Co-Leaders
JM Search, a senior-level talent provider serving private equity investors, portfolio companies and Fortune 1000s, has named MaryJeanne Scott and Phil Menzel as co-leaders of its consumer practice. Additional practice members include Abbee Phillips and Mike Neff, partners; Liza Stokes, vice president; and, Pete Haessig, search consultant. The search executives are supported by a team of research
Salveson Stetson Group Expands Search Staff
Radnor, PA-based executive search firm Salveson Stetson Group has expanded with the addition of Mary Beth McGroarty as vice president. “We are excited to welcome Mary Beth McGroarty to our team,” Salveson Stetson Group said. “Mary Beth brings more than 12 years of executive search experience and a passion for supporting clients in their efforts to attract, develop and
Top HR Leaders Share Transitioning Success Factors
Russell Reynolds Associates recently hosted two virtual panel events with more than 200 HR leaders to discuss the success factors when transitioning into new roles. Below are key insights from nine CHRO panelists who have been in their new roles for 12 to 18 months, along with their advice for HR leaders considering their next
Caliber Associates Recruits Chief Medical Officer for NextCure
Over the past few months, numerous healthcare organizations have turned to executive search firms to find new chief medical officers. In the era of COVID-19 this is likely to be another burgeoning area for executive search firms. San Diego, CA- based Caliber Associates recently placed former NexImmune executive Han Myint as the new chief medical officer
Vantedge Search Opens Doors for Business
Vantedge Search has been recently launched by Rajesh Khanna and Sandeep Mitra. The Hillsborough, NJ-headquartered firm specializes in executive search and talent advisory for firms across industries. Belinda Burson has been hired as managing director to spearhead global operations. “As businesses realign themselves in the post-pandemic world, executive search and talent acquisition sectors are undergoing transformation to meet changing demands,”
Robert Half Posts Big Declines in Staffing Revenues
Robert Half International Inc./(NYSE:RHI) posted full-year revenues of $5.109 billion, down 15.9 percent from $6.074 billion the prior year. The Menlo Park, CA-based recruiting company posted fourth quarter revenues of $1.304 billion, a decrease of 14.3 percent. It reported net income for the year of $306 million, or $2.70 per share. For the year ended Dec. 31, 2019, net income was $454
Looking into the HR Crystal Ball: 2021 Predictions
Human resource leaders occupy a unique role – their job is to size up talent, not just in one department, but across an entire organization. Seeing both reality and possibilities, HR executives help company leaders (and fellow employees) chart the best path forward often at moments of change, transition, or crisis. Blue Rock Search offers nine
KEES Selected by United Way of Will County to Find New CEO
Executive search and non-profit consulting firm KEES (Kistner Eddy Executive Services) has been retained by United Way of Will County, in Illinois, to lead its search for a new president and CEO. Mike Hennessy, after 31 years leading United Way, recently retired. The assignment is being led by Heather Eddy, president and CEO. United Way of Will County is
Parker Executive Search Assists Tennessee Recruit New Head Football Coach
Atlanta-based Parker Executive Search has assisted in the placement of Josh Heupel as the new head football coach at the University of Tennessee (UT). Mr. Heupel is former Oklahoma quarterback who led his team to the national title, and who as an assistant coach and head coach captured conference championships at Oklahoma and UCF. “We looked
Wilton & Bain Appoints Partner
London-based executive search firm Wilton & Bain has named Jay Siddiki a partner. He is responsible for sector specializations including telecoms, media and infrastructure in the firm’s interim practice. “This promotion is deserved by Jay after his intensely hard work to establish himself within the senior interim market as a trusted advisor to board level leaders across his
AIMS International Expands to Dubai
Executive search consortium AIMS International has expanded its reach in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region with the opening of a new office in Dubai. Kyriakos Kofinas has been hired as managing partner to heading the office which serves the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, and Jordan. “We are glad to announce the opening of our
Another 847,000 Americans File for Unemployment
The Labor Department reported this morning that 847,000 more Americans filed new claims for state unemployment benefits last week as President Joseph R. Biden began his first week in the White House. Economists polled by Dow Jones had expected first-time claims to total 875,000. The feds have now reported about 75.6 million initial jobless claims over
Keys to Leading Your Remote Teams
Working remotely is not about being tech-savvy or having the right tools, according to a recent report by executive search and leadership consulting firm Alder Koten. Rather, it is more about being effective as a team when employees are not in the same building. It is about achieving communication and coordination without being in front of
The Hawkins Company Seeks Chief Diversity Officer for Largest City-Owned Utility in Nation
The Hawkins Company, a Los Angeles-based executive recruitment firm, has been chosen to help find a chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), the largest city-owned water and electric utility in the nation. Spearheading the assignment is executive vice president Brett Byers. The chief diversity, equity
Howard Fischer Associates Assists Aria Systems in CFO Search
Philadelphia-headquartered executive search firm Howard Fischer Associates has assisted Aria Systems in recruiting Rick Lund as its new CFO. He will assume responsibility for all financial operations and strategy as the billing and monetization company completes a strong year of growth and prepares to continue its momentum heading into 2021. “Rick brings a combination of leadership, technology experience, and
BarkerGilmore Adds Former Ashland General Counsel to Senior Advisor Roster
Boutique search firm BarkerGilmore, which specializes in building corporate legal and compliance teams, has added Peter Ganz as a senior advisor. He becomes the newest member of a team of Fortune 500 general counsel and chief compliance officers. “Ganz’s depth of experience brings another dimension to clients seeking to bring out the best in their people
How To Build Team Culture, Remotely
When the pandemic hit last year, no one could have foreseen the changes that would happen to the workplace. Recruitment has a reputation for presenteeism and a big reliance on KPIs. Morning meetings are a staple, with day plans, standing team meetings and daily goal setting. When lockdowns came into force, this all changed. Thousands
SPMB Assists Azul Systems in Chief Marketing Officer Search
SPMB, an executive search firm that helps find transformative executives throughout Silicon Valley, has assisted in the placement of Andrew Savitz as the new chief marketing officer of Azul Systems. Dave Mullarkey led the assignment. “Andrew has a tremendous amount of experience across all aspects of marketing, and a proven track record of helping companies effectively message,
Smith & Wilkinson Retained by DRBank for CEO Search
Scarborough, ME-based recruitment firm Smith & Wilkinson has been selected to help find a president and CEO for DRBank in Darien, Conn. Partner and practice director for financial services Cameron Boyd is leading the assignment. According to the search firm, this unique leadership role will provide an environment for an entrepreneurial executive to collaborate with an accomplished
Monarchs Collective Launches to Boost Leadership Diversity
Debra L. Lee, the former CEO of BET Networks, and Rabia de Lande Long, an executive coach and management consultant for top companies, have launched a bi-coastal consulting firm, the Monarchs Collective, centered on elevating black executives and women. “The Monarchs Collective answers the calls for – and clear business value of – diverse leadership,
Hunt Club Appoints Chief Operating Officer
Chicago-headquartered referral recruiting service Hunt Club has expanded with the addition of Stephanie Tysdal as its chief operating officer. “Stephanie is incredibly customer focused. We spent our first conversation talking about all the ways that the recruiting industry (to date) has neglected using technology to change the customer and candidate experience,” said aid Nick Cromydas, co-founder
Talent Trends: Looking Ahead at 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on every business sector, executive search included, costing organizations billions of dollars in lost revenue. For the executive recruiting industry, the world has changed drastically, and search consultants have had to adapt to a whole new way of conducting business. Yet that has not stopped any of them
HARTZ Search Seeks CEO for the Mayfield Clinic
Charlotte, NC-based HARTZ Search has been enlisted to find a new chief executive officer for the Mayfield Clinic in Cincinnati. This follows the resignation of Mark Farrington, who left Mayfield for a professional opportunity in New Jersey. Michael Radomski is serving as interim CEO while an established a search committee will help identify a permanent CEO. The CEO is
Kirby Bates Associates Seeks Chief Nursing Officer for West Penn Hospital
As the healthcare sector continues to expand and reshape itself, vanguard organizations in the field are looking to bolster their leadership ranks. In demand: multi-skilled executives, physician leaders and nurses who can effect change on many levels. Of the four major C-suite roles in the typical hospital, the chief nursing officer has traditionally been the most
CannabizTeam Launches CT Board Placement for Cannabis Companies
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
Leathwaite Launches CMO Executive Search Practice
London-based executive search firm Leathwaite expanded with the addition of Shannon Silsby as a director to launch the firm’s global CMO executive search practice. “We are incredibly excited to welcome Shannon to Leathwaite to facilitate our functional offering expansion into the CMO/marketing space while we also work to continue moving beyond financial services into consumer/retail/CPG,” said
ZRG Acquires Turnkey Search
ZRG has made a major move into the sports, entertainment & media sectors by acquiring Turnkey Search. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Renamed TurnkeyZRG, all Turnkey staff and assets merge into ZRG and the firm will continue to be led by Len Perna, the founder, chairman, and CEO of Turnkey. Turnkey will now
AGB Search Opens 2021 with Slew of Top Recruiting Assignments
A number of colleges and universities across the country are opening searches that, if all goes to plan, will allow high-profile leaders to take them into a new era of fundraising, digitalization, sports and, increasingly the case, globalization – not to mention a pandemic and post-pandemic era. One national recruiting outfit, Washington, D.C.-based AGB Search, has
