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Employment Falls by 92,000 as Unemployment Rate Rises to 4.4 Percent
Employment fell by 92,000 in February as the U.S. unemployment rate rose to 4.4 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. The number of unemployed people, at 7.6 million, changed little in February. Employment in healthcare decreased, reflecting strike activity. Employment in information and federal government continued to trend down. “That jobs weakness coupled
Lochlin Partners Recruits CFO for the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
Lochlin Partners has assisted in the recruitment of John Adams as the new CFO of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, D.C. “John is an exceptional talent who brings deep financial expertise and strategic judgment to CSIS,” said CSIS president and CEO John Hamre. “With a record of innovative leadership and sound management,
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,
Clarity Over Charisma: How Great Leaders Truly Communicate
Effective leadership communication isn’t about eloquence, charisma, or having the loudest voice in the room—it’s about connection. The most impactful leaders understand that words are only a small part of the equation. True influence comes from clarity, empathy, and the ability to listen as much as you speak. When leaders shift their focus from how
Top Executive Habits to Help Get Ahead
Ask any leader about their experience in management and they’ll likely tell you it’s tough at the top, according to a new report by Carmichael Fisher. “Whether it’s mid-management or senior executive-level, being responsible for the success of a team isn’t easy by any stretch of the imagination,” said CEO Justin Hobday, the report’s author.
NorthWind Partners Recruits Chief Growth Officer for Akima
Reston, VA-headquartered executive search firm NorthWind Partners has assisted in the placement of Jean-Francois Blanc as chief growth officer of Akima. He will be charged with leading the company’s corporate development efforts, growing revenue, and expanding market share. Partner Hunter Murray led the assignment. “Jean-Francois is a hands-on leader with experience winning large contracts in both the Department
Noetic Search Assists After School Matters in Finding New CFO
Noetic Search has assisted After School Matters (ASM) in the recruitment of Michael Bradley as its new CFO. Noetic Search was seeking a proven financial and operational strategist who has a successful track record of fiscal integrity and strong management skills. Mr. Bradley checked all the boxes. Previously, he was chief financial officer of ACERO
IMSA Expands Board to Strengthen Presence in North America and Latin America
Executive search network IMSA Search Global Partners has elected Mitchell Berger to its board of directors. He has also been appointed regional director for North America and Latin America. In his new role, Mr. Berger will concentrate on further building IMSA Search’s presence in these regions. “Mitch’s deep knowledge of executive search and his enthusiasm for IMSA
Veteran Recruiter Launches Better Than Found
Veteran search consultant Ben Talbert has launched a new industrial search firm, Better Than Found (BTF), based in Greenville, SC. Specializing in professional and executive recruitment across manufacturing, engineering, and construction, BTF provides nationwide recruitment for companies in the Upstate of South Carolina and throughout the Southeast. BTF is a full-service industrial consultant and talent
Top Executive Jobs in High Demand for 2021
ON Partners’ annual list of the top executive jobs that are expected to be in demand in the coming year takes on a new twist for 2021. With COVID-19 having upended the business landscape, the search firm surveyed its consultants about the positions that will be critical to helping organizations survive and thrive as the nation
True Search Assists Naked Wines with CFO Search
Haddonfield, NJ-based executive recruitment firm True Search has assisted in the placement of Shawn Tabak as the new chief financial officer of wine subscription business Naked Wines in Napa, CA. He replaces James Crawford, who is moving to head the U.K. business as managing director. Rhoda Longhenry, Christina Trinh Nguyen, Sean Pacheco and Alan Cork led
The Ropella Group Assists Itaconix in Finding Chief Commercial Officer
The Ropella Group, an executive search firm specializing in the chemical, consumer products and technology industries, has assisted Itaconix Corp. in the recruitment of Monna Manning as vice president of marketing and sales and chief commercial officer. “I am excited to have Monna join our executive team,” said John R. Shaw, CEO of Itaconix. “Her
The Bowdoin Group Secures Chief Medical Officer for X4 Pharmaceuticals
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. The Bowdoin Group recently placed Diego Cadavid as the new chief medical officer of X4 Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Cadavid will
Korn Ferry Appoints Vice Chairman for CEO and Board Practice
Korn Ferry recently appointed Michael Morcos as vice chairman of the firm’s CEO and board practice in EMEA. He will be based between the firm’s Dubai and London offices. “Michael is a widely respected leader with vast executive search and consulting experience spanning multiple industries,” said Pascal Gibert, co-president, EMEA, Korn Ferry. “He brings strong
Hunt Scanlon’s Top 10 Recruiting Stories of 2020
What a crazy year for executive recruiters! Search consultants were busy but conducting their search work in novel new ways due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Like we do every year, Hunt Scanlon Media took on the challenge of selecting the top 10 stories that shaped the recruiting landscape. Our editorial and social media teams now
Caldwell Acquires IQTalent Partners
Caldwell has signed an agreement to acquire IQTalent Partners. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “For 50 years, Caldwell has been connecting clients with transformational talent. With this merger, we are setting our sights on transforming the world of talent,” said John Wallace, chief executive officer. “IQTalent Partners’ unique service model and innovative
Herbert Mines Associates Recruits CEO for The Container Store
New York-based retail and consumer focused executive search firm Herbert Mines Associates recently partnered with The Container Store Group in the recruitment of experienced retail executive Satish Malhotra as the company’s new president and CEO. He will succeed Melissa Reiff on Feb. 1. The search, led by managing directors Adelle Kirk and Kristin Dennehy, entailed a comprehensive
Frederickson Partners Appoints Leader for Southeast Region
Frederickson Partners has expanded its geographic coverage and focus on the Southeast U.S. and Latin America. The firm has named partner Beth Ann Namey as executive search lead for the Southeast. In the new role, she will open the firm’s Nashville, TN office to serve as the Southeast regional hub for Frederickson Partners and to lead
Hunt Scanlon’s Top 10 Stories on the Global Pandemic and its Impact on Recruiting
For an industry that is all too familiar with the reality of economic downturns, confronting the COVID-19 pandemic has been unlike any other crisis in memory. Executive recruiting leaders say they have no idea this time around how extensive or long lasting the damage will be, never mind when business will return to normal. A
DRi Tapped by The Jed Foundation to Find Chief Medical Officer
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 we can expect this to be another burgeoning area for executive search firms. Arlington, VA-based executive search firm Development Resources inc. (DRi) has been retained by The Jed Foundation (JED) to lead its search
Collegiate Sports Associates Leading Athletic Director Search for Boise State University
Collegiate Sports Associates has been called in by Boise State University to assist in finding its next director of athletics. Curt Apsey recently stepped down from the role he has held since 2015 to transition to a job in university-level fundraising. “I am excited that our search will include Collegiate Sports Associates,” said Marlene Tromp, president of
Hunt Scanlon’s Top 10 Search Assignments for 2020
In 2020 the pandemic resulted in one of the most challenging years on record for executive search firms. But the need for talent continued unimpeded for most companies across dozens of disciplines. Despite fears that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) would get pushed to the backburner by the demands of the COVID-19 crisis, recruitment in
DHR Seeking Chief Diversity Officer for Central Michigan University
Chicago-based search firm DHR International has been chosen to help find a vice president/ chief diversity officer for Central Michigan University (CMU) in Mount Pleasant, in the state’s Great Lakes Bay region. The vice president and chief diversity officer is charged with leading the institutional efforts to create opportunities and implement strategies to define, promote and evaluate
FaithSearch Partners Names Leader of its Mission Enterprise Service Line
Executive search firm FaithSearch Partners (FSP) has named Bryan Fowler as the leader of its mission enterprise service line (including non-profit and private for-profit). Mr. Fowler, who has 25 years of experience in business formation, growth and leadership development, takes the reins from Greg Barnes, who launched the division in 2018 following the firm’s merger with Halftime Talent
What Leadership Looked Like in 2020
Will we need more than just “tough people” to emerge from these tough times? Adam Pekarsky, founding partner of Pekarsky & Co., was recently struck by a Harvard Business Review study on the future of leadership and how we are developing leaders. “Here we are launching all of these ambitious initiatives, initiatives which, at the end the day,
Greenwood / Asher & Associates Recruits 12th President for Western Illinois University
Miramar Beach, FL-based executive recruitment firm Greenwood /Asher & Associates has placed the new president of Western Illinois University (WIU) in Macomb, IL. Guiyou Huang, president of Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, will begin his new role on Jan. 1. Betty Asher, partner and vice president, and Alex Matthews, senior executive search consultant, led the assignment. “We
H C Smith Assists The Wallace Foundation in CHRO Search
Beachwood, OH-based executive search firm H C Smith has assisted in the placement of Melkeya McDuffie as chief human resources officer (CHRO) of The Wallace Foundation. She will succeed Sharon Clark, who will retire at the end of 2020. Herbert C. Smith, founder and president of the firm, led the assignment along with Rebecca R. Smith, principal.
Odgers Interim Expands in the U.S.
Odgers Berndtson has added former HR executives Glen Johnson and Lori Rubin to Odgers Interim in the U.S. as partners. They will both be based in the firm’s Atlanta office. “We are delighted to welcome two extraordinary human resources and recruiting professionals to the Odgers Interim team in the U.S. Lori and Glen’s combined experience recruiting senior executives for both internal and
Herbert Mines Associates Appoints Managing Director
Recruiters in the search industry continue to climb the ladder within their respective firms. Just recently, New York-based retail and consumer focused executive search firm Herbert Mines Associates promoted Caitlin Kenefick to managing director. “We are excited to announce that Caitlin Kenefick has been promoted to managing director,” said chairman and CEO Hal Reiter. “With over 10 years of
Caldwell Unveils Benchmarking Data Behind the CISO Role
In an environment where chief information security officers are increasingly part of the C-suite, and are viewed as business risk executives, time is scarce, and accurate, real-time aggregated benchmarking data is difficult to find, according to a new report by cybersecurity practice leaders at Caldwell and security research firm IANS Research. The CISO study focuses
Americans Continue to File for Unemployment as New COVID-19 Lockdowns Occur
The Labor Department reported this morning that 885,000 more Americans filed new claims for state unemployment benefits last week as the new waved of COVID-19 lockdowns takes effect. The average estimate of economists polled by FactSet had anticipated initial claims falling to 790,000 and seeing 5.7 million continuing claims. This was the highest weekly total since
Caliber Associates Recruits Chief Scientific Officer for GentiBio
Growing pressure to rapidly advance scientific discovery and expand market share in the face of COVID-19 is making the hunt for top talent more fierce than ever before. Recently, Caliber Associates placed Thomas Wickham as chief scientific officer of GentiBio, an emerging biotherapeutics company. The assignment was led by Steven P. Hochberg, the search firm’s
Reffett Associates Assists Air Force Research Laboratory in Filling CMTO Post
Executive recruiting firm Reffett Associates has assisted the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) in placing Yadunath Zambre as chief microelectronics technology officer (CMTO). The nationwide search was led by Eric Reffett, managing director of the firm’s Washington, D.C. office, with assistance from managing director Marshall Reffett in the firm’s Seattle location. Dr. Zambre previously led the new
Horton International UK Expands Global Healthcare Recruiting Practice
Horton International UK has expanded with the addition of Emma Whittle as partner in its global healthcare practice. “I feel privileged to be in a position to help access talent that enables these sectors to cope with the scale and growth that will lead to society being able to return to some future sense of normality,” said
Sci.bio Recruiting: Winning the War for Biopharma Talent
One of the hallmarks of companies that are thriving in these challenging days of not only a pandemic but rapidly shifting talent needs is the ability to meet change with speed and agility. That’s why on-demand services and interim staffing are emerging as forces to be reckoned with in the “new normal” that is taking
