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Daily Newswire
Executive Search as Strategic Risk Management: Five Insights Reshaping C-Suite Hiring
Leadership decisions are becoming more consequential and more exposed. Across markets, industries and ownership structures, organizations are facing structural transformation, leadership succession pressures, geopolitical uncertainty and accelerated capability shifts, according to Kestria’s Global Internal Survey. “In this environment, executive hiring is no longer a transactional process,” the study found. “It is a strategic inflection point.”
Shelli Herman and Associates Recruits CEO for the Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose
Los Angeles-based Shelli Herman and Associates has recruited Linda Tsai as the new president and CEO of the Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose. She was selected following a rigorous national search led by the museum’s board search committee and conducted by Shelli Herman and Associates, Inc., distinguishing herself among a strong field of candidates. Ms.
Executive Recruiters Pull Off Another Remarkable Year, Remain Bullish for 2023
Hunt Scanlon Media has released its annual rankings of leading executive recruiters. In the U.S. and globally, billions of dollars poured into the high-end recruiting sector in 2022, a result of continued pentup demand for senior-level leaders and their key reports.
Anthem Executive Assists the University of Montevallo With President Search
Anthem Executive has assisted in the recruitment of Michelle R. Johnston as the first female president of the University of Montevallo (UM). Michael Ballew, Scott Watson, Mike “JR” Wheless, and Florene Stawowy led the assignment. Dr. Johnston has served as the president of Georgia Southwestern State University since 2024. Prior to her current presidency, she served as president of three other higher education
GDPR – The Perfect Time to Refresh Your Database
As executive search firms grapple with the complexities of GDPR, many are concerned that the new regulation will mean deleting thousands of records built up over many years. Surely there must be an alternative?
Mercuri Urval Appoints Non-Executive Director
Stockholm, Sweden-based executive search firm Mercuri Urval (MU) has announced that Jan Sasse, partner at AlterInvest, was named as non-executive director to the MU group board. He will join the current board members Cecilia Strand, Mieke Weijenberg, Cecilia Beer, Richard Moore, and chairman Roger Hagafors. “We are pleased to welcome Jan Sasse as non-executive director of the MU
M&A Becomes a Capability-Driven Acquisition Strategy
EY-Parthenon is forecasting an eight percent increase in U.S. deal volume for transactions exceeding $100 million in 2026, underscoring how central M&A remains to corporate strategy. Yet beneath the headline numbers sits a more important story. The role of acquisitions is evolving. Companies are no longer pursuing deals primarily for scale or market share. Increasingly,
The Hidden Challenges Every First-Time CEO Faces
The corner office has never been more accessible—or more demanding. As boards increasingly turn to a new generation of leaders to navigate disruption, growth, and transformation, first-time CEOs are stepping into roles that require a fundamentally different set of skills than those that propelled them to the top. While many arrive with impressive track records,
Myers McRae Assists Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology with Provost Search
Following a nationwide search, Macon, GA-based Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting has assisted in the recruitment of Richie Roberts as provost of Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology. Kenny Daugherty and Brianna Douglas led the assignment. Dr. Roberts’ selection was guided by a search committee of OSUIT administrators, faculty, staff and students, which was assisted by national search firm Myers McRae. “The entire
Lancer Group Recruits Chief Technology Officer for Minitab
La Jolla, CA-headquartered search firm Lancer Group has recruited Kevin Gordon as chief technology officer of Minitab. “We’re excited to welcome Kevin Gordon as chief technology officer at Minitab,” the company said. “This is an exciting step forward in the evolution of our technology strategy and will help accelerate innovation across our organization and solutions platform.” “Kevin brings
Friisberg & Partners International Names Managing Partner of its Copenhagen Office
Fribourg, Switzerland-headquartered Friisberg & Partners International has expanded with the addition of Birgitte Olrik as managing partner of its Copenhagen office, strengthening the firm’s presence in the Nordic region and supporting the continued execution of our international growth strategy. “The future of executive search belongs to firms that combine exceptional local expertise with international reach,” said Zoltán Pethő,
Attracting the Right CHRO Starts with the Right Job Description
Hiring a head of HR is one of the most consequential leadership decisions an organization can make, yet many companies struggle to define the role in a way that reflects their actual needs. The most effective job descriptions go beyond qualifications and responsibilities, offering candidates a clear picture of the challenges, priorities, and business objectives
Coulter Partners Recruits Chief Medical Officer for Neumirna Therapeutics
Life sciences recruiting specialist Coulter Partners has placed Ferenc Tracik as chief medical officer of Neumirna Therapeutics. “Neumirna has reached an inflection point: the question is no longer whether the science works, but how quickly we can translate it into an option for patients with urgent unmet need. Ferenc has the experience to get us there,” said Ellen
McCormack + Kristel Seeking CEO for Central New York ON RAMP
McCormack + Kristel is currently seeking a CEO for Central New York ON RAMP. New York State Empire State Development (ESD) recently engaged CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity (CenterState CEO), an business leadership and economic development organization, to lead, incubate, and launch the Central New York One Network for Regional Advanced Manufacturing Projects (ON RAMP). The
Bespoke Partners Appoints Leader of People and HR Practice
San Diego, CA-headquartered Bespoke Partners recently named Dani Pfeiffer as a partner leading the people and human resources leader recruiting practice serving both software and industrials sector companies. She will lead dedicated recruiting teams on searches for talent executives for private equity portfolio companies for the software and SaaS clients served by Bespoke Partners and industrial clients served by Industra Talent Partners,
Wilson Forms New Alliance with Poetry to Advance AI capabilities
Global talent solutions provider Wilson has formed a new partnership with Poetry to strengthen its AI-enabled recruitment capabilities. The collaboration supports Wilson’s continued focus on embedding technology into its RPO delivery model through Wilson Workspace, its technology ecosystem. “We’re excited to announce our new partnership with Poetry,” said Charles Faigle, chief delivery officer at Wilson. This
What Executive Candidates Want From Employers Today
The executive talent market today has fundamentally shifted and senior leaders are evaluating employers through a far more demanding lens. They no longer weigh opportunities primarily on compensation or title; they assess the total leadership experience: governance, culture, organizational stability, purpose, autonomy, flexibility and long-term growth, according to a report from Kestria. “To attract and retain
WittKieffer Retained by Roosevelt University for President Search
Oak Brook, IL-based WittKieffer has been retained by Roosevelt University in Chicago to lead in its search for its seventh president. Ali Malekzadeh is retiring after being with the school since 2015. Senior partner Christine Pendleton, consultant Sandra Chu, senior associate Maya Holt-Brockenbrough, and senior advisor Ray Crossman. Roosevelt University seeks a student-centered president who is committed
Buffkin / Baker Acquires HR-Focused Benson Executive Search
Partner-led executive search firm Buffkin / Baker has acquired Boston, MA-based Benson Executive Search, a boutique firm focused on the human resources sector. Financial terms of deal were not disclosed. The acquisition strengthens Buffkin / Baker’s HR functional capabilities and gives the firm a stronger presence in the Northeast. “We’re thrilled to welcome Benson Executive Search to
SPMB Recruits Fills Senior Finance Position for Uber
Steven Popper of SPMB Executive Search has placed Wendy Drummond Craig as senior director, technical accounting, reporting, and M&A at Uber. In her new role, she will oversee teams responsible for technical accounting matters, SEC reporting, and accounting for mergers and acquisitions. “Wendy brings an extraordinary combination of technical accounting expertise, SEC reporting experience, and strategic advisory leadership
True Launches AI Capability Index for Executive Assessment
Global executive talent platform True has launched the True AI Capability Index, a proprietary framework that predicts executive performance in the AI-transformation age. “We are entering a phase where relationship depth and judgment matter more than ever,” said Brad Stadler, co-founder and CEO of True Platform. “The cost of finding names is decreasing. True’s advantage lies in our ability
AI-Native Talent Won’t Fix AI-Foreign Organizations
As artificial intelligence moves from experimentation to enterprise-wide adoption, organizations are grappling with a fundamental question: what does it actually mean to become AI-native? While the term has quickly entered the business lexicon, many leaders are still struggling to define the capabilities, operating models, and cultural shifts required to make that vision a reality. “Some
ZRG Partners Acquires Fortium
ZRG Partners has acquired Fortium, a Dallas-based search firm that provides fractional, interim, and project-based CIO, CTO, and CISO leadership. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “Companies are making more nuanced decisions about leadership than they did even a few years ago, particularly in technology,” said Mark Viner, leader of interim solutions & project
Lochlin Partners Recruits SVP of HR for the National Association of Corporate Directors
Lochlin Partners has placed Marian Stevens as senior vice president, human resources of the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) in Washington, D.C. “Marian’s deep experience in talent development, organizational effectiveness, and culture will help NACD to continue building the internal capabilities needed to support our growth and deliver on our mission,” said Peter Gleason, president and CEO of
JDG Associates Tapped by Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute to Find New Leader
Rockville, MD-based executive search firm JDG Associates has been retained by the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) to lead its search for a new president and CEO. The Chicago-based institute, the leading technical institute and trade association for the precast, prestressed concrete industry in North America, seeks a visionary and collaborative executive to succeed its long-serving chief executive,
IIC Partners Adds New Member Firm in New Zealand
IIC Partners Executive Search Worldwide has added Auckland, New Zealand-based Infinitas as its newest member firm expanding its capabilities across the Asia-Pacific region. “I am thrilled to welcome Infinitas to IIC Partners,” said Christine Hayward, executive director of IIC Partners. Their people-first philosophy, tech-enabled search processes, and talent advisory capabilities deeply align with our mission to transform
Hiring for the Culture You Don’t Yet Have
For much of the past decade, organizations have invested heavily in strategy, technology and operational efficiency to navigate an increasingly complex business environment. Yet despite these investments, many transformation initiatives continue to fall short of expectations. The differentiator is rarely the strategy itself. More often, success depends on whether leadership teams have the right people
BoardWalk Consulting Leading CEO Search for Downtown Atlanta Inc.
BoardWalk Consulting has been tapped by Downtown Atlanta Inc. (DAI) to lead in its search for a CEO. The search is being led by Sam Pettway, Crystal Stephens, and Patti Kish. The organization is seeking a leader who can help define what the next generation of Downtown Atlanta will become. This is a leadership opportunity of unusual scale and
Peña Search Assists To Be Like Me with the Recruitment of Executive Director
Peña Search recently assisted in the recruitment of Lauren Rowe as the new executive for To Be Like Me (TBLM) in Dallas, TX. Travis Hillier, Carlos González Peña, and Thaise Pereira led the assignment. She replaces To Be Like Me founder Hollis Owens, who has served as executive director since 2018 and initiated the search for her replacement last
BroadView Talent Partners Tapped by Baltimore Community Lending for President/CEO Search
BroadView Talent Partners was recently retained by Baltimore Community Lending, Inc. (BCL) to lead in its search for a new president and CEO. Tracy McMillan, Robyn Quinn, and Donna Young are leading the assignment. The CEO is the strategic, operational, and external leader of Baltimore Community Lending, responsible for driving the organization’s next era of growth and
DHR Global Appoints First Woman, Nonfamily Member as CEO
Talent advisory firm DHR Global has appointed Priya Taneja as CEO, effective September 1, 2025. She will succeed Geoff Hoffmann, who will transition to the role of chairman of the board. This milestone marks a historic moment for the firm, as Ms. Taneja becomes the first nonfamily CEO in DHR’s 36-year history signaling a deliberate step forward
Isaacson, Miller Recruits Provost for Brandeis University
Isaacson, Miller has placed biochemist Carol A. Fierke, provost and executive vice president at Texas A&M University, as the next provost and executive vice president of Brandeis University. Dr. Fierke will begin her tenure on Jan. 1 Partners Katie Rockman and Peter Lange led the assignment. Dr. Fierke will succeed Lisa M. Lynch, a world-renowned
Shelli Herman and Associates Recruits CEO for Fresno Chaffee Zoo
Los Angeles-based Shelli Herman and Associates has assisted in the placement of Jon Forrest Dohlin as the new chief executive officer of Fresno Chaffee Zoo. He becomes the organization’s eighth leader and will succeed retiring CEO Scott Barton with the transition expected to take place in early 2021. The assignment was led Shelli Herman, president, and founder
Erevena Opens Office in Stockholm
London-based executive search firm Erevena has expanded in northern Europe with the opening of a new office in Stockholm, Sweden. Jonas Helgesson has joined as a partner to focus on growing the business in Northern Europe, in response to increasing demand from clients such as Peakon, Puzzel, Unomaly, Pipedrive and Nectarine Health. “We are delighted to welcome
R. William Funk & Associates Retained by Indiana University and Texas A&M to Find New Leaders
R. William Funk & Associates, which specializes in recruitment for roles in higher education, has been enlisted to find new presidents for Indiana University (IU) and Texas A&M University. “We work meticulously to not do similar searches at the same time to avoid conflicts of interest,” said search firm president R. William Funk. “In this case,
Crist|Kolder Associates Retained by Foot Locker for CFO Search
According to recruiters, the pressure on chief financial officers during the pandemic has been significant: Rewriting corporate budgets seemingly daily; bargaining with banks over broken loan covenants; answering constant calls from investors and board directors; and, in extreme cases, figuring out how to make payroll. All while working with no colleagues around. New York-based specialty
20/20 Foresight Executive Search Appoints Washington, D.C. Office Leader
Chicago-headquartered 20/20 Foresight Executive Search has expanded with the addition of Mike Jones as managing director to lead the firm’s Washington, D.C. office. “Since our founding in 1994, we have honed our industry knowledge, experience and expertise by working in real estate before recruiting for it,” said Bob Cavoto, founder and managing principal of 20/20 Foresight. “With the addition of Mike
SmartRecruiters Appoints Chief Diversity Officer
Competitive companies, organizations and government agencies know that diversity matters. Simply put, the demographics of the nation must mirror the workforce. Research shows that organizations that unleash the potential of diverse talent innovate faster and see better business results. According to executive recruiters, it starts by attracting proven talent with diverse perspectives, experiences and contributions,
Novare Executive Search Finds New CEO for Energiföretagen Sverige
Stockholm-headquartered Novare Executive Search has placed Åsa Pettersson as the new CEO of Energiföretagen Sverige, a member association for the Swedish energy industry. She will begin her new role by April 15. Pernilla Winnhed announced her resignation in June. Gunilla Andrée will continue as acting CEO until Ms. Pettersson joins Energiföretagen Sverige. “In recent months, we have
Hunt Scanlon Media Launches M&A Advisory Network for Recruiters
Make no mistake, these have been sobering days for executive recruiting firms around the globe. Most of them, regardless of size, location, or specialization were caught flat-footed by one of the most sweeping economic crises to ever hit the sector. As a result, the nation’s top search consultants have been resetting expectations throughout 2020 –
Koya Partners Recruits CEO for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
Following a rigorous, national search in partnership with Koya Partners, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America has named Artis Stevens, chief marketing officer of National 4-H Council, as its new president and CEO. He becomes the organization’s first black leader. Alison Ranney and Chartise Clark led the assignment. Mr. Stevens succeeds Pam Iorio, who announced early this year
Executive Recruiting in a Post-COVID-19 Era
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a big impact on every business sector, executive recruiting included, costing organizations billions of dollars in lost revenue. Goldman Sachs estimates that economic growth around the world will be zero in 2020 thanks to the virus. For the executive search industry, where recruiters are constantly traveling to have face-to-face meeting with
AGB Search Closing 2020 with Multiple Searches for Top Universities
A number of colleges and universities across the country are opening searches that, if all goes to plan, will provide high-profile leaders to take them into a new era of fundraising, digitalization, sports and, increasingly the case, globalization – not to mention a pandemic. One national recruiting outfit, Washington, D.C.-based AGB Search, has become a magnet
H.I. Executive Consulting Expands in New York
H.I. Executive Consulting (HIEC) has expanded with the additions of Matt Schwartz as a partner and Randi Sperber as a consultant in New York. “We are absolutely thrilled to have Matt and Randi join our growing North America and global team,” said Tim Robson, global managing partner. “They are outstanding talents in their own right and they share
A Recruiter’s Tips for an Executive in Transition
Being on the hunt for a new job or career opportunity can seem overwhelming. Aspects of the process and many of the guidelines have changed. If you haven’t looked for a new job in some time, step carefully recruiters warn. “As an executive in transition it can be unnerving to find yourself out of work, whether
The LGBTQ Center Long Beach Taps McCormack+Kristel to Find New Leader
LGBTQ-focused search firm McCormack+Kristel has been retained by the LGBTQ Center Long Beach to lead its search for a new executive director. Founding partner Joseph McCormack is spearheading the assignment along with senior associate Catie DiFelice. The executive director provides executive leadership, vision, motivation, inspiration and direction to the organization’s staff and volunteers. Reporting to a nine-member board of
HARTZ Search Seeks Chief Diversity, Inclusion and Health Equity Officer for Roper St. Francis Healthcare
Charlotte, NC-based HARTZ Search has been enlisted to find a vice president/ chief diversity, inclusion and health equity officer for Roper St. Francis Healthcare (RSFH) in Charleston, SC. RSFH, a joint venture between Bon Secours Mercy Health and the Medical Society of South Carolina, is a four-hospital integrated health system with over 671-licensed beds and $1 billion
La Fosse Associates Appoints Head of New York Office
U.K.-headquartered executive search firm La Fosse Associates has expanded its North American practice with the addition of Brett Vecchio as head of its New York office. “The team and I are very much looking forward to working with Brett as he joins our North American team at such an exciting time,” said Jack Denison, global head of
NPAworldwide Adds 13 New Member Firms
Thirteen new independent recruitment firms joined member-owned recruitment network NPAworldwide in the U.S., Australia, Canada and Vietnam.. 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 recruitment
Normalcy Delayed: Spike in COVID-19 Cases Brings New Lockdowns
They have spent millions redesigning offices to reduce COVID-19 risk. Special protocols were set by overworked human resources departments. Now, just as staffers were returning and resuming a semblance of normal operations, the world has shifted for corporations once more, according to a new report by Korn Ferry. The shift, of course, is the dramatic
WittKieffer Seeking New President for St. John’s University
Executive search firm WittKieffer has been called in by St. John’s University in Queens, NY, to lead its search for a new president. Conrado Gempesaw, the first lay president in the history of St. John’s University, will be retiring in 2021. Dennis M. Barden, senior partner; Greg Duyck, leader of the firm’s advancement practice; and Sarah Miller,
The Moran Company Seeking CFO for Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium
The Moran Company, an executive recruitment firm that specializes in the non-profit sector, has been enlisted to find the next chief financial officer/associate director of administration for Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON). The organization conducts research and promotes education in the marine sciences and marine technology on the Louisiana Gulf Coast. Senior search consultant Gretchen
Randstad US and Udemy Form Alliance
Randstad US and Udemy have partnered to offer free educational courses to American workers either already placed or currently looking for roles through Randstad’s job network. The alliance focuses on providing access to the skills needed to increase career mobility in primarily technical sectors. “We have partnered with Udemy to ensure that our talent has access to the fresh
CyberSN Expands in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic Regions
Increasingly, organizations of all sizes are awakening to the perils posed by cyber attacks. For years, many groups tried to ignore the problem, dismissing cybersecurity as a concern only for the biggest, most high-profile entities, be they government or corporate. These days, more groups are coming to understand how ruinous such intrusions could be. This
What Companies are Looking for in a CEO During a Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has altered nearly every aspect of how companies view themselves, from their purpose to their workforce, as well as how they perform under pressure and in the face of uncertainty. With the onset of the pandemic in 2020, companies delayed leadership transitions, appointing CEOs with proven track records and deprioritizing diversity of experience
Ventura Partners to Lead Search for South Carolina Head Football Coach
Chad Chatlos of Ventura Partners has been selected by the University of South Carolina to help athletics director Ray Tanner and South Carolina president Bob Caslen find their next head football coach. The school fired Will Muschamp after the team’s third consecutive lopsided loss and a record of 28–30 under his leadership. The Gamecocks named offensive coordinator
TestGorilla Raises $1.2 Million as COVID-19 Fuels a Shift to Remote Hiring
Pre-employment testing software company TestGorilla has raised $1.2 million in pre-series A funding from CapitalT and a group of international angel investors. Founded by serial entrepreneur Wouter Durville and former Bain & Company partner Otto Verhage, TestGorilla is an online skills assessment platform that launched this summer. TestGorilla aims to make hiring more efficient and less biased by allowing organizations to use skills assessments at the
Pedersen & Partners Names Country Manager for Thailand
Dubai-headquartered executive search firm Pedersen & Partners has appointed Nisit Krutkaew as the country manager for Thailand. “We are over the moon with having Nisit join our leadership team in ASEAN,” said Gary Williams, CEO of Pedersen & Partners. “Nisit will add a tremendous amount of value to clients with his depth and breadth of executive search experience working
Korn Ferry Posts 12 Percent Revenue Loss
Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) has posted fiscal second quarter revenues of $435.4 million, a 12 percent decrease from the same period a year ago. The decrease across executive search, consulting, and RPO & professional search, was primarily due to a decline in demand for Korn Ferry’s products and services due to the impact of COVID-19. The decline
Kelly Acquires Greenwood/Asher & Associates
Troy, Michigan-based Kelly, a publicly-held, global leader in workforce management solutions offering staffing services to top companies, has acquired Greenwood/Asher & Associates, an executive search firm specializing in finding leaders across the academic and higher education sector. The search firm, based in Miramar Beach, Florida, will continue to operate under its own brand. “Across the education landscape,
Odgers Berndtson Seeks CEO for Earthshot Prize Organization
Executive search firm Odgers Berndtson has been chosen to find a chief executive officer to develop and lead an organization that will deliver the newly established Earthshot Prizes. Launched globally from the U.K. by Prince William, the £50 million award program will celebrate those who are addressing the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. “The Earthshot Prize
CarterBaldwin Recruits Chief Marketing Officer for Christian Community Credit Union
CarterBaldwin Executive Search has assisted Christian Community Credit Union in the recruitment of Aaron Caid as chief marketing officer of this mission-driven credit union. “We are excited to have Aaron Caid join the Christian Community Credit Union family,” said Blair Korschun, CEO of the financial institution. “Aaron is a man of faith with vast experience in
