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Stevenson Search Partners and HAVEN Unite to Launch New Human Capital Platform: Tidemark Talent Solutions
Fort Lee, NJ-based Stevenson Search Partners, a global life science executive search firm and a Hunt Scanlon Top 50 ranked search firm, and HAVEN, a leadership development advisory firm, have created a strategic partnership under Tidemark Talent Solutions, a newly formed holding company focused on building an integrated human capital platform. Tidemark will seek to acquire and scale high-performing specialist
CHRO Succession Grows More Deliberate as Organizations Prioritize Experience and Transformation
The role of the chief human resources officer continues to evolve as organizations navigate workforce transformation, leadership succession, technological disruption, and shifting employee expectations. Once viewed primarily as a steward of talent and culture, today’s CHRO is increasingly expected to serve as a strategic business partner, helping shape enterprise priorities while ensuring organizations have the
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.
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,
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?
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
Allen Austin Launches Evidence-Based Leadership Assessment VantagePoint
Houston, TX-based search firm Allen Austin launch of VantagePoint, an evidence-based leadership assessment that helps organizations identify and develop high-potential leaders with greater clarity and confidence. VantagePoint is grounded in three decades of leadership advisory work and original research by Allen Austin chairman and CEO Rob Andrews. Over two years, Mr. Andrews interviewed more than 100 CEOs,
The CHRO’s New Mandate
Across industries, the organizational design structure has shifted from a traditional pyramid to an hourglass model. This is not a recent development, explained Slayton Search Partners’ John Doyle in a recent report. “Organizational efficiencies, increased technology and the first wave of Baby Boomer retirements began this transition nearly two decades ago,” he said. “Experienced leaders have been retiring. Internal pipelines have
AGB Search Recruits 11th President for Lewis University
Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, has helped to recruit Christopher Sindt as the 11th president of Lewis University. The Lewis University board of trustees recently announced that president David Livingston, will retire at the conclusion of the 2025–26 academic year. Melissa K. Trotta, Matthew J. Kilcoyne, and John Cech led the assignment. “After
Kincannon & Reed Assists CCI Prime with CFO Search
Kincannon & Reed (K&R), which exclusively focuses on food, agribusiness, and the related life sciences, has assisted in the recruitment of Jamie Broad as CFO of CCI Prime, bringing on a seasoned finance leader to support the company’s next phase of growth. “Jamie’s ability to connect financial insights to operational realities makes her an exceptional
EQU Advisors Seeking Senior Leader for Sarah Lawrence College
Executive search firm EQU Advisors was recently retained by Sarah Lawrence College to lead in its search for an associate vice president of enrollment. This executive will serve as a key member of the senior enrollment leadership team and a collaborative partner across the institution. This role is designed to strengthen coordination, elevate shared strategy, and support
Egon Zehnder Forms Alliance with IMD
Global leadership advisory firm Egon Zehnder and IMD, a leading business school in global executive education, have formed a strategic partnership to facilitate board directors’ personal growth and elevate board performance. The partnership combines IMD’s academic rigor and deep connections to global boards with Egon Zehnder’s expertise in leadership and board effectiveness. Together, they will co-create tailored
Why Boards Are Betting on New CEOs and How to Set Them Up to Win
A growing number of companies are entrusting the corner office to leaders stepping into the CEO role for the first time. As succession strategies evolve and executive talent markets tighten, boards are increasingly prioritizing leadership potential, adaptability, and strategic vision over prior CEO experience. Boards now face a new question: which qualities make a first-time CEO succeed,
The Leadership Reset: What AI is Exposing About Today’s Executives
For decades, leadership success was largely measured by experience, team size, and the ability to manage complex organizations. Today, artificial intelligence is changing that equation, and it is reshaping how boards, investors, and hiring executives evaluate leadership talent. As AI transforms how work gets done, organizations are discovering that competitive advantage is no longer determined
Greenwood Asher & Associates Recruits Provost for the University of Cincinnati
Miramar Beach, FL-based executive recruitment firm Greenwood Asher & Associates has assisted the University of Cincinnati (UC) in the recruitment of Rudolph Buchheit as executive vice president for academic affairs and provost. Andriel Dees and Julie Schrodt led the assignment for the search firm. His selection follows a national search led by a dedicated search committee that was informed by
HARTZ Search Assists Geisinger with Recruitment of CIO
Charlotte, NC-based HARTZ Search has helped to recruit Bill Bellando as executive vice president and chief information officer of Geisinger. He joins Geisinger after serving as senior vice president and chief information officer at Georgia-based Wellstar Health System from 2022 to 2026. In this role, Mr. Bellando oversaw information technology and digital initiatives across the health system.
How to Kick Off an Executive Search the Right Way
As leadership demands grow more complex, organizations are increasingly recognizing that a successful executive search begins long before candidate outreach or interviews take place. Search consultants say the strongest outcomes are driven by early alignment around business strategy, organizational culture, leadership expectations, and the capabilities needed to support future growth. Rather than simply filling an
Executive Search in 2026: Why Human Judgment Still Matters
As AI “agentification” pushes more work into software, the executive search industry is being forced to justify its value beyond simply filling roles. The case for its future rests on something algorithms and internal networks often struggle to protect: independent judgment in high-stakes hiring—especially when speed, alignment, and culture become so dominant that they quietly
WittKieffer Acquires Assets of Ross & Company
Oak Brook, IL-based WittKieffer has acquired the assets of Ross & Company. Financial terms of deal were not disclosed. Founder Larry Ross will join WittKieffer as senior partner and lead partner for private equity. “This combination accelerates WittKieffer’s leadership in building boards and executive teams for healthcare and life sciences investors and their portfolio companies,” the firm said.
The Leadership Multiplier: How One Great Hire Drives Faster Value Creation
Just recently, The Lancer Group was on a call with the CEO of a PE-backed SaaS company. He was reflecting on a placement that The Lancer Group made several years ago. “The hire was a great success, but what stood out wasn’t just the executive’s individual performance,” the firm said. “It was the kind of talent
Slone Partners Recruits Chief Business Officer for Vertero Therapeutics
Life sciences-focused search firm Slone Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Jeffrey S. Kasten as chief business officer of Vertero Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company breaking barriers in neurodegenerative disease treatment. “Jeffrey Kasten brings a deep and diversified business development and strategic management skill set to Vertero as the company expands its portfolio of therapies designed to help physicians better
DRiWaterstone Human Capital Tapped by WJCT Public Media to Lead CEO Search
VA-based DRiWaterstone Human Capital has been retained by WJCT Public Media to lead in its search for a new president and CEO. The president and CEO of WJCT Public Media serves as the organization’s chief executive, responsible for ensuring the effective operation, sustainability, and growth of the organization. This leader guides the strategic vision, champions innovation, and represents WJCT
What Talent Acquisition Will Really Demand in 2026
Talent acquisition looks nothing like it did a couple of years ago. A new Korn Ferry report says AI is the headline—84 percent of talent leaders plan to use it next year—but it’s only one piece of the 2026 puzzle. The bigger challenge is connecting AI, skills, leadership pipelines, and workplace policies into a strategy
Executive Search Faces Shrinking Demand
As a search firm owner, you’ve likely had the call by now. “A larger firm reaches out with interest in acquiring your boutique,” said James Abruzzo, managing partner of JGA Partners. “You take the meeting, curious. They make an offer—lower than you expected, maybe far lower. You politely decline, but the seed is planted.” You wonder, did
Morgan Samuels Company Recruits CFO for PE-Backed Western States Water
Nashville, TN-based executive search firm Morgan Samuels Company has Tanya Toot as the new CFO of Western States Water, a Strength Capital Partners portfolio company. Tom Dunn, Jarrod Gray, Justin Kai Ossola, Benjamin Wolf, Mallory Allen, and Raquel De La Vega led the assignment. “We’re grateful for the trust from the Strength Capital and Western States Water teams,
Harris Search Associates Completes Search for Stony Brook University
Following an extensive national search that included a highly competitive, diverse candidate pool from across the country, Harris Search Associates has placed Melissa Finucane as the inaugural William and Jane Knapp Endowed Infinity chair at Stony Brook University. “Developing and implementing climate change adaptation and response plans must combine sound climate and climate impacts data with social
Greenhouse Appoints Chief People Officer
Hiring platform Greenhouse has Sharawn Tipton as chief people officer. In this role, she will identify new opportunities where people strategy can accelerate Greenhouse’s business and strengthen the employee experience as the company continues to grow. “Getting the right leadership in the role of chief people officer is mission-critical,” said Daniel Chait, co-founder and CEO of Greenhouse. “Throughout the search,
Five Questions with MJ Scott, Incoming CEO of Kirk Palmer Associates
Kirk Palmer Associates (KPA) an independent executive search firm dedicated exclusively to retail and consumer brands, this past July appointed search industry veteran MaryJeanne (MJ) Scott as its new CEO. A seasoned leader with more than 25 years in retail and executive search, Ms. Scott brings expanded capabilities to KPA’s global operations with a focus
Unemployment Rises to Four-Year High
Employment rose by 64,000 in November as the U.S. unemployment rate stands at 4.6 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. Employment rose in healthcare and construction in November, while federal government continued to lose jobs. The delayed employment report for November and a partial update for October published by the Labor Department’s Bureau
Occam Global Recruits CEO for Prolynx
New York City-based executive search firm Occam Global has recruited Chris Boulton as the new CEO of Prolynx. “We engineered this platform to enable medicines that were previously impossible to make,” said Daniel Santi, co-founder of Prolynx. “Having established the viability and versatility of our technology in earlier clinical applications, we have now optimized it to specifically address
AGB Search Fills Senior Position for Western Colorado University
Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, has recently assisted Western Colorado University with the recruitment of Shelley Thompson as vice president of advancement and executive director of the WCU Foundation. Kimberly Templeton and Andrew Bowen led the assignment. “Shelley has extensive experience in the philanthropic sector, both in higher education and beyond,” Western president Brad Baca
Pyramind Expands Search Team
Falls Church, VA-based executive search firm Pyramind has expanded with the appointment of Victoria Geis as principal, complemented by assessment veteran Adam Smith, and research specialist Lane Crawford. “Pyramind connects visionary companies with executives who drive sustainable future growth, using a distinctive three-pronged assessment approach that examines candidates’ complete career trajectories, decision-making patterns, and leadership behaviors—looking beyond
Bain & Co. Says Building A Value Creation Plan Starts With Building An A-Team
In a recent report, Bain & Company highlights a number that immediately changes the temperature in the room: private equity owners replace 50 percent to 70 percent of portfolio company CEOs during the hold period. It is a stark reminder of how demanding the PE ownership model can be for leaders unfamiliar with the speed and discipline
AI Won’t Replace Retained Search; It Will Reveal Who’s Doing It Well
In executive search, the real AI question is no longer if it belongs in the process, but how it can sharpen human judgment instead of diluting it. “Everyone is piloting AI somewhere in the talent stack,” said Mike Caggiano, co-founder and CEO of ExactSearch.AI. He explained that the executive tier is where the question shifts
WittKieffer Seeking CHRO for Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital
Oak Brook, IL-based WittKieffer has been retained by Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital to lead in its search for a new CHRO. Senior partner Mark Andrew is leading the search along with senior associate Molly Solomon. Reporting to the CEO, this leader will be an integral member of the executive leadership team for this independent organization that has a
Cooper Coleman Recruits CFO for East Coast Zoological Foundation
Chicago-based Cooper Coleman LLC has recruited David Lamadrid as the new CFO of East Coast Zoological Foundation (ECZF), home of the Brevard Zoo and the upcoming Bowen Aquarium. This follows a national search led by Johnny Cooper, founder and CEO of Cooper Coleman. “David is a thoughtful, values-driven leader who understands how to build strong financial systems
Nexus Search Partners Names Leader of Private Equity Practice
Nexus Search Partners, an executive search and advisory firm in Charlotte, NC, has appointed Allison Worthington as partner and leader of its private equity practice. “Allison’s background as both a private equity talent leader and retained executive search expert gives her a unique perspective as she works with our existing PE clients and creates new
Five Shifts That Influenced CEO Leadership in 2025
Organizations entered 2025 confronting a level of volatility that demanded more than short-term adjustments—it required a fundamental rethinking of how leaders grow and respond. As the pace of change accelerated, CEOs increasingly recognized that their ability to evolve strategically and personally would define their effectiveness. In 2025, CEOs operated in a world defined by continuous
Heidrick & Struggles Completes Take-Private Transaction
Executive search, leadership consulting and culture shaping services provider Heidrick & Struggles International / (NASDAQ:HSII) has completed its previously announced transaction to become a privately held company through the acquisition by a consortium of investors led by Advent International, and Corvex Private Equity, with support from a global network of prominent strategic investors including Salem Capital Management, Mousse
Greenwood Asher & Associates Retained by Murray State for Provost Search
Miramar Beach, FL-based executive recruitment firm Greenwood Asher & Associates has been selected by Murray State University to lead in its search for a vice president of academic affairs and provost. Jeremy Duff and Lois Stetson are leading the assignment. The provost will play a pivotal role in advancing academic excellence, expanding opportunity, and ensuring that Murray State continues to
Newland Associates Completes Search for Memorial Healthcare System
After an extensive and competitive interview process, Lake Mary, FL-based executive search firm Newland Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Amy Weasel as the new employee health & wellness director for Memorial Healthcare System. Vanessa Abreu, director of recruiting, led the assignment. “It was truly a pleasure collaborating with Amy and the exceptional team at Memorial Healthcare
Lock Search Group Announces Expansion
Toronto-headquartered executive recruitment firm Lock Search Group has expanded with the addition of Nick Kanaan as a consultant in British Columbia. “We are thrilled to welcome Nick Kanaan as the newest member of our team at Lock Search Group,” Lock Search Group said in a LinkedIn post. “His collaborative, client-focused approach and deep understanding of business leadership
The Real Threat Isn’t AI Replacing Work, It’s Companies Not Keeping Up
AI has quietly moved from experimental novelty to competitive baseline, and that shift is happening faster than most orgs are prepared to manage. What separates companies that capture real value from those that accumulate pilots is no longer access to technology, but the ability to make smart choices about where to apply it, how to
Improving Employee Performance — Reviews With Real Impact
As organizations confront a tougher operating climate and rising expectations on leaner teams, many are taking a hard look at how they keep people engaged and performing at their best. According to Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace report, after several years of gains, last year saw global employee engagement fall to 21 percent. When
McCormack+Kristel Seeking President for Resource Center
Executive search firm McCormack+Kristel has been selected by Resource Center to lead in its search for a president. The newly created president position has been developed at a critical period in Resource Center’s evolution. Following exponential revenue and staff growth, as well as unprecedented programmatic expansion, the Center is strategically enhancing its leadership team to prepare
Bauer Harris Recruits Chief Marketing Officer for PREMIER Bankcard
Boston, MA-based executive search firm Bauer Harris has assisted in the recruitment of Jennifer Murillo as the new chief marketing officer for PREMIER Bankcard. Before coming to PREMIER Bankcard, Ms. Murillo worked as the chief marketing officer at Discover Financial Services headquartered in Riverwoods, IL. With decades of award-winning brand, advertising, and communications experience, she began her career at
Coulter Partners Strengthens Senior Leadership Team
Life sciences recruiting specialist Coulter Partners has strengthened its senior leadership team with Ian Coyne joining the managing partners group. In addition, the firm further refined the structure of its senior leadership team, with Joe Coulter assuming a new role as chief business officer and Charlotte James being promoted to chief operating officer. “Ian’s wealth of diverse experience across executive search, technology, and management consulting is perfectly
Leading Through Turbulent Times: 5 Things Every CEO Can Focus On
Volatility has a way of stripping leadership down to its essentials, revealing what actually holds a company steady when the ground shifts. For CEOs, the goal in those moments isn’t to predict every turn, but to create the focus, trust, and flexibility that let teams keep moving through it. Major disruptions don’t arrive politely or
