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Signium Expands in Belgium
Executive search consortium Signium has expanded with the addition of Valérie Schmitt to its Belgium team as leadership consulting partner. “She will support executive leaders and teams at pivotal moments, helping them navigate change and succeed in complex environments,” Signium said. “Drawing on more than 25 years in senior corporate roles, Valérie brings first-hand experience of the challenges
How AI Is Reshaping Executive Assessment and Leadership Development
As organizations look for better ways to evaluate leadership potential, attention is shifting beyond experience and credentials toward how executives actually think, communicate, make decisions, and respond under pressure. AI is creating new ways to analyze those behaviors at scale, giving executive search firms and their clients additional evidence when assessing qualities such as judgment,
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.
Vetted Solutions Recruits CEO for GO2 for Lung Cancer
Washington, D.C.-based Vetted Solutions has placed David Benson as the new CEO of GO2 for Lung Cancer. “David is an exceptional leader with a deep commitment to improving the lives of people affected by cancer,” said GO2 board president Rick Sherlock. “His collaborative leadership style, strategic vision, and ability to build meaningful partnerships make him the right
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?
TalentRise Assists Grassroots Gardens of WNY with Executive Director Search
TalentRise has assisted in the recruitment of Megan Kelly as the new executive director of Grassroots Gardens of WNY. “We’re thrilled to announce Meg Kelly as the new executive director of Grassroots Gardens WNY,” the organization said. “Meg brings experience to our garden network from her work with the region’s business and entrepreneurship community, and enters
Private Equity Firms Rethink Executive Hiring for Future Growth
PE investors routinely underwrite businesses based on their future state. For example, an investment thesis may assume a restaurant company will double its unit count, accelerate franchising, expand geographically, complete acquisitions, improve margins, or become significantly more institutionalized during the hold period. Executive hiring, however, often remains anchored to the present, according to a new
ON Partners Recruits CFO for Fortera
Partners Josh Nathanson and Chris Clements along with principal Alexis Rohe of ON Partners have placed Albert Luu as the new CFO of cement manufacturer Fortera in San Jose, CA. “Fortera is at a stage where the work we’ve done to prove the technology now has to be matched by our ability to finance and execute at scale,”
BoardWalk Consulting Assists Downtown Atlanta with CEO Search
BoardWalk Consulting has recruited Kyle Waide as the new CEO of Downtown Atlanta Inc. (DAI) to lead in its search for a CEO. The search was led by Sam Pettway, Crystal Stephens, and Patti Kish. The search committee began its work in April of 2026 under the leadership of Egbert Perry, CEO, Integral Group; longtime member of CAP and
SearchWide Global Recruits President and CEO for Visit California
SearchWide Global has helped to recruit Julie Coker as the new president and CEO of Visit California. She succeeds longtime leader Caroline Beteta, who announced her retirement earlier this year. The assignment was led by Mike Gamble, chairman, CEO, and co-founder of SearchWide. The appointment is the culmination of a comprehensive global search conducted in partnership
JM Search Expands Search Team
JM Search, a senior-level talent provider serving private equity investors, portfolio companies, and Fortune 1000s, has expanded with the additions of Amber Shockey as partner within its legal practice and Curtis Walker as principal within its media & telecommunications team. “Continued private equity investment across legal services, legal-adjacent businesses, and professional sports is elevating the importance of
Interim or Executive Search? Choosing the Right Leadership Solution
Interim leadership has moved well beyond being a stopgap solution for unexpected vacancies. As organizations face greater complexity, faster strategic shifts, and mounting pressure to deliver results, boards and CEOs are increasingly turning to experienced interim leaders as a flexible way to maintain momentum and address critical business needs. For executive search firms, that shift
Funk Associates Assists the University of North Florida with the Recruitment of Eighth President
Funk Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Michael P. Shannon as the eighth president of the University of North Florida (UNF). Past president Moez Limayem stepped down from his position in early 2026. “Mike Shannon is the leader who can build on UNF’s strong momentum and continue to elevate the University’s incredible impact across our
DHR Global Recruits President of Business Operations for the Pittsburgh Penguins
Talent advisory firm DHR Global has placed Marcel Braithwaite as president of business operations for the Pittsburgh Penguins. This search was led by Mike Gagliardi and Glenn Sugiyama of DHR’s sports practice. “Marcel is going to be a transformational hire for one of the NHL’s premier teams,” said Mr. Sugiyama, managing partner of DHR’s sports practice. “I had the
Mercuri Urval Expands International Public and ESG Expert Practice
Stockholm, Sweden-based executive search firm Mercuri Urval (MU) has expanded with the addition of former Danish government minister Astrid Krag to its international public and ESG expert practice. “With Astrid’s extensive experience in international public affairs, strong commitment to ESG and sustainability, and deep understanding of life sciences, she brings a valuable combination of expertise and
ZRG Partners Acquires N2Growth’s Spain Business
ZRG Partners has entered the Spanish market through the acquisition of the business formerly known as Blacksmith that had been doing business since 2023 under the umbrella of N2Growth. Through this integration, ZRG enters the Spanish market with an established local team and the goal of offering Spanish and international clients agile, high-touch advisory backed by
Family Offices Move Into Human Capital M&A
Altss’ latest ranking, The 50 Largest Family Offices in the World (2026), illustrates the scale family capital has reached. The 50 largest offices collectively manage an estimated $2.4 trillion, with the top 10 controlling more than $1.5 trillion. Twenty-eight of the top 50 are headquartered in North America, while private equity represents their largest average portfolio allocation
The Leadership Pipeline Crisis: AI’s Hidden Cost
Companies everywhere are celebrating leaner teams, faster execution, and higher productivity thanks to AI, according to HIRECLOUT. From a business perspective, the logic is easy to understand, according to Avetis Antaplyan, founder and CEO of HIRECLOUT. “Investors reward efficiency,” Mr. Antaplyan said. “Leaders are under pressure to do more with less. Automation is eliminating repetitive
Klein Hersh Recruits CFO for Sparrow Pharmaceuticals
Klein Hersh, a search firm focused on the life sciences and healthcare industries, has recruited George Eldridge as the new CFO of Sparrow Pharmaceuticals, a targeted cardiometabolic therapeutics company. “We are thrilled to welcome George to Sparrow at such an important time for our company,” said Robert Jacks, president and CEO of Sparrow Pharmaceuticals. “George
McCormack + Kristel Seeking Executive Director for NEXT Harm Reduction
McCormack + Kristel has been retained by NEXT Harm Reduction (NEXT Distro) to lead in its search for an executive director. This is a rare opportunity for a visionary leader and skilled fundraiser to take a nationally recognized organization with an urgent mandate and grow it to the scale the moment demands. Reporting to the board
Riviera Partners Expands Public Practice
San Francisco-based Riviera Partners, a recruitment provider specializing in C-level engineering, product, and design leader placements, has expanded with the addition of Archer McFall as a partner within its public practice serving large, publicly-traded companies and late-stage, pre-IPO companies. “Getting the right CTO, CIO, or chief AI officer in place, building the team structure around AI, making sure the
HelloSky Brings Its Graph of People, Investors, and Companies Into Claude and ChatGPT
Executive search firms are increasingly looking for ways to move beyond traditional databases and static candidate profiles as clients demand deeper market intelligence and faster, more precise insight into leadership talent. Advances in artificial intelligence are giving recruiters new tools to connect people, companies, investors, relationships, and career outcomes in ways that can strengthen candidate
Harris Search Associates Leading Senior Assignment for Carnegie Mellon University
Harris Search Associates has been retained by Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) to lead in its search for newly created role of associate vice president for research computing and data (AVP RCD). Jeffrey Harris and Ed Christ are leading the assignment. This role offers a unique opportunity to elevate and transform CMU’s research computing ecosystem positioning it to better support
Preng & Associates Assists SOGC, LLC with President Search
Following a comprehensive executive search, Houston-based Preng & Associates assisted in the recruitment of David French as the new president of SOGC, LLC. “Preng & Associates is proud to have supported this important leadership appointment and continues to partner with energy companies worldwide in identifying and securing transformative executive talent,” the firm said. Mr. French brings
NPAG Appoints Senior Advisor
Executive search firm NPAG has appointed André Blackman as senior advisor. In this new role, he will build and lead a practice focused on mission-driven innovation — connecting dynamic leadership talent and the development resources to keep that talent in seat, to founders and organizations solving problems that matter. “André brings a rare combination of strategic insight, storytelling
Sheffield Haworth Adds Private Equity & Growth Venture Portfolio Assets Veteran
Global leadership advisory and executive search firm Sheffield Haworth has expanded with the addition of Michael McDonnell as managing director, private equity and growth venture portfolio assets. He is based in the New York office and works within the technology sector practice. “We are thrilled to welcome Michael to the team,” said Paul Gillespie, managing director of the
Leadership Needs Shift in a Changing Federal Market
Executive search across the federal contracting, government services, defense, and technology sectors is entering a new phase as companies look for more sophisticated ways to evaluate leadership beyond résumés, references, and past performance. In markets where specialized experience, relationships, and an understanding of complex government customers can be critical, the challenge is not simply identifying
Private Equity Rollup Wave Reshapes Executive Search
What may once have looked like a series of isolated transactions is increasingly taking on the shape of a broader industry shift. As capital moves into the sector and firms rethink where they have true competitive strength, the pattern is becoming harder to ignore. “A year ago, I would have called this a prediction, today,
HARTZ Search Seeking Chief Revenue Officer for Geisinger
Charlotte, NC-based HARTZ Search was recently retained by Geisinger to lead in its search for a chief revenue officer. This executive will direct, manage, and implement programs to ensure efficient revenue management operations and sufficient cash flow to support Geisinger operations and strategic initiatives. The role is responsible for identifying, analyzing, reducing, and resolving revenue management issues
Kincannon & Reed Places Executive Director for the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association
Kincannon & Reed (K&R), which exclusively focuses on food, agribusiness, and the related life sciences, has assisted in the recruitment of Patrick Carney as the new executive director of the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association. Dave Smith stepped down from his executive role after leading the association for more than 30 years. “Patrick pairs dairy industry knowledge with
Why Succession Planning Is Critical to Reducing Leadership Risk
Most organizations have something they refer to as a succession plan — a spreadsheet, a nine-box grid updated once a year and then put away, or an annual HR review. But very few can answer the question that truly matters: if a critical leader left tomorrow, would the organization be able to keep executing? That’s
Hunt Scanlon Names Kiko Restrepo Chief Revenue Officer to Drive Next-Stage Growth Across Media, M&A, and Talent Intelligence
Hunt Scanlon Media has tapped Kiko Restrepo to serve as chief revenue officer. In this newly created role, he will be responsible for leading all revenue-generating departments at the company, including sales, marketing, customer success, and partnerships to drive, align, and scale revenue growth. Mr. Restrepo joins Hunt Scanlon from Warner Bros. Discovery where he
How to Create Intentional Balance in the Workplace
As leadership teams rethink growth strategies for the next decade, many are confronting a quieter but equally consequential challenge: how to align experience, opportunity, and succession in a rapidly changing talent market. The issue is no longer confined to policy debates or headline-grabbing return-to-office mandates; it sits at the core of governance, culture, and long-term
Spencer Stuart Seeking New Leader for Brunswick School
Brunswick School recently retained Spencer Stuart to lead in its search for a new head of school. Mary Gorman, a partner in the firm’s education and social impact practice, and consultant Michele Haertel, are leading the assignment. Tom Philip has informed the Board of Trustees of his plans to retire in June 2027, at the
HARTZ Search Recruits CFO for Geisinger
After an extensive national search led by Charlotte, NC-based HARTZ Search, Geisinger has selected Matt Huff as executive vice president and CFO. Mr. Huff brings extensive expertise in financial planning, reporting, and analysis; accounting services; revenue cycle management; mergers and acquisitions; strategic planning and business development; and supply chain operations. He joins Geisinger from The Guthrie
Heidrick & Struggles Appoints Leaders of Interim Management Business in Germany
Heidrick & Struggles has appointed Christian Frank and Mike Schwanke as managing directors of its interim management business in Germany, Atreus. They will immediately assume responsibility for Atreus’ in-country operations and strategy. Founders Harald Linné and Rainer Nagel will remain part of the management team through the end 2026 to ensure a smooth leadership transition. “Germany represents a core market for our executive
Why Companies Need to Develop an AI-Ready Workforce
AI has emerged as one of the most valued tools in today’s corporate environment. Across nearly every sector—from finance to healthcare—organizations are embracing AI as a critical driver of innovation, automation, and competitive advantage. And yet, for all its promise, one critical issue holds back progress – a shortage of qualified AI talent, according to
Corsica Partners Fills President Role for Aspen Standard Wealth
Executive search firm Corsica Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Kevin DiSano as the new president of Aspen Standard Wealth in New York City. “When ambitious platforms are matched with the right leadership, the probability of exceptional outcomes rises substantially,” Dan Veitkus, managing partner and CEO of Corsica Partners, said in a LinkedIn post.
Lancer Group Recruits CFO for LifeSpeak
La Jolla, CA-headquartered search firm Lancer Group has recruited Matt Smolko as the new CFO of digital wellbeing platform LifeSpeak. “LifeSpeak is entering an exciting new chapter as organizations demand wellbeing solutions that are reliable, flexible, hyper-personalized, and proven to make a difference,” said Jason Campana, CEO of LifeSpeak. “Our newly expanded leadership team strengthens our ability to
JM Search Assists Eden Brothers with Recruitment of New CEO
JM Search, a senior-level talent provider serving private equity investors, portfolio companies, and Fortune 1000s, has assisted in the recruitment of Mike Hollenstein as CEO of Kian Capital Partners-backed Eden Brothers. JM Search’s consumer practice team members Liza Stokes, partner, and Avery (Loeffler) Jacob, vice president, led the assignment. “Mike brings over 20 years of merchandising
Mercuri Urval Appoints Leader of Construction Practice
Stockholm, Sweden-based executive search firm Mercuri Urval (MU) has named Ulf Hillstedt as global practice lead for the construction practice. “Ulf has been working with clients from the construction industry for so many years, that he is the obvious choice to coordinate our activities in this industry globally,” said Andreas Frische, CRO at MU. “We know his passion
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.
Bryant Group Retained to Find Vice Chancellor for Advancement and Executive Director for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and the University of Chattanooga Foundation
Dallas-based executive search and talent development firm Bryant Group has been retained to recruit the vice chancellor for advancement and executive director for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) and the University of Chattanooga Foundation. Katie Riecke is leading the assignment. “We are seeking a dynamic leader to advance the mission of the University of Tennessee
Bay Street Advisors Strengthens Senior Leadership Team
New York City-based executive search firm Bay Street Advisors has expanded with the addition of Patrick Hurley as a managing director and head of the infrastructure practice, further strengthening the firm’s senior leadership team and expanding its capabilities across middle- and back-office leadership search. “Patrick’s experience across banking, hedge funds, and private markets adds meaningful depth
McDermott + Bull Interim Announces New Appointments
Irvine-based McDermott + Bull Interim Leaders (MBIL) has appointed James Hickey as managing partner and president, Mark McConnell as managing partner, head of client services, and Tamra Solis as managing partner, talent. “This leadership team has been essential to building the foundation that supports where we are today,” said Rod McDermott, co-founder and CEO of McDermott + Bull. “James, Mark, and Tamra
The Evolving CFO: Seven Traits Defining High-Impact Finance Leaders
The chief financial officer has emerged as one of the most pivotal figures in the C-suite, tasked with steering organizations through volatility, digital transformation, and heightened investor scrutiny. No longer confined to stewardship and reporting, today’s finance leaders are expected to influence enterprise strategy, guide capital allocation, and help chart the company’s long-term trajectory. As
Artico Recruits Partner for Radical Ventures
Artico Search has assisted in the placement of Richard Kotite as a partner with Radical Ventures. Mercedes Chatfield-Taylor, CEO and co-founder of Artico Search, led the assignment. “Excited to share that I’ve joined Radical Ventures as a partner in London,” Mr. Kotite said in a LinkedIn post. “Europe has world-class entrepreneurial talent in AI, and I’m
Z3Talent Retained by FreshLo to Lead CEO Search
Denver, CO-based executive search firm Z3Talent was recently retained to lead the search for the founding chief executive officer of FreshLo, a non-profit grocery enterprise expanding in Montbello and other Denver neighborhoods. Steve Ziegler and Paula Stolebarger are leading the assignment. This is a build-from-scratch leadership mandate with meaningful operating complexity and community impact. “This is
Wilton & Bain Names Fractional Chief People Officer
Wilton & Bain has named Donna Kennedy as fractional chief people officer. She will be based at the firm’s London headquarters. “Donna’s appointment as fractional CPO represents a significant investment in our firm and, most importantly, in our people,” said David Heron, group chief executive officer at Wilton & Bain. “Our ambition is to be the
Beyond Expertise: How to Identify and Develop Transformative Legal Leaders
Demand for senior legal executives in both corporate and law firm environments continues to intensify as organizations confront growing regulatory complexity, geopolitical uncertainty, and shifting risk landscapes. Boards and general counsel are placing a premium on leaders who are not just technically adept in areas such as compliance, litigation, and privacy, but who also serve
The Squeezed Middle is Breaking Leadership Pipelines and Boards Are Missing It
Most leadership discussions focus on two ends of the organization. Entry-level hiring pipelines and executive compensation get airtime. The layer in between usually does not, according to a recent article from The Barton Partnership’s Michael Doud. “That blind spot is now one of the biggest risks to leadership continuity,” he said. “Middle management is where succession
ZRG Retained by Virginia Union University to Lead Chief Investment Officer Search
ZRG Partners has been retained by Virginia Union University to lead in its search for a chief investment officer. Dakota Doman, managing director in ZRG’s education practice, and principal Jerel Booker are leading the assignment. The chief investment officer will play a pivotal role in advancing this vision. This senior executive will develop and implement comprehensive
The Tolan Group Recruits CEO for Radsource
The Tolan Group (TTG) has placed Lanson Hyde as CEO of Radsource. He brings extensive experience leading healthcare organizations through organic growth, acquisitions, and multi-site operational scaling. Mr. Hyde is known for building strong physician partnerships, strengthening leadership teams, and creating high-performance cultures that deliver measurable results. Prior to joining Radsource, Mr. Lanson served as CEO
Peña Search Recruits CEO for The SAFE Alliance
Peña Search has assisted in the recruitment of Pierre R. Berastaín as the new CEO of The Safe Alliance. Travis Hillier led the assignment. He succeeds longtime CEO Julia Spann, whose decades of leadership built SAFE into a nationally recognized model for integrated services. “For more than twenty years, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside extraordinary staff, board
Zemantics Ventures Expands Healthcare Workforce Platform with Dual Acquisition
Hunt Scanlon Ventures has served as buy-side M&A advisor to Zemantics Ventures in its acquisition of Consilium360 and MedWell360, strengthening Zemantics’ healthcare services portfolio and expanding its enterprise workforce and operational solutions capabilities nationwide. The deals bring together complementary capabilities across healthcare HR strategy, workforce process optimization, scheduling, and access center operations — forming a more integrated, technology-enabled
Egon Zehnder Opens New Office in Philadelphia
Global leadership advisory firm Egon Zehnder has opened a new office in Philadelphia, marking the firm’s 70th office globally. Ari Roitman will lead the Philadelphia office, bringing experience across leadership development and professional sports organizations, including the Philadelphia Eagles and Major League Baseball. “Building on our ongoing work in the Philadelphia region, it was important to us to
TalentRise Assists ECMC Foundation with Executive Director Search
Following a national professional search process, TalentRise has assisted in the recruitment of Julie R. Berrigan as executive director of ECMC Foundation in Buffalo, NY. The foundation received strong interest from a broad range of highly experienced candidates. Ms. Berrigan emerged from that process as the consensus individual to serve as the foundation’s new executive
Coulter Partners Recruits CEO for BOOST Pharma
Life sciences recruiting specialist Coulter Partners has recruited seasoned biotech entrepreneur Hans T. Schambye as the new CEO of BOOST Pharma in Stockholm, Sweden. “Hans joined BOOST Pharma at a pivotal time for the company,” said Ingelise Saunders, chair of BOOST Pharma. “Having already made an impact as a member of our board with his deep scientific
ECA Partners Strengthens PE-Focused Talent Solutions
Santa Monica, CA-based search firm ECA Partners has appointed Damon Reynolds and Tim Fetzer as senior directors. These strategic hires further strengthen ECA’s capabilities across finance, digital transformation, and industrial manufacturing sectors. “Damon and Tim represent the caliber of specialized talent we’re strategically adding to serve our clients’ evolving needs,” said Ken Kanara, CEO of ECA
How Boards and CEOs Can Close the First-Year Learning Gap
Placing a chief executive is not the finish line for an executive search firm — it is the beginning of a new phase of accountability. The most effective firms understand that long-term success depends not only on selecting the right leader, but also on ensuring that individual transitions into the role with clarity, alignment, and
Klein Hersh Recruits Chief Medical Officer for Zag Bio
Horsham, PA-based Klein Hersh, a search firm focused on the life sciences and healthcare industries, has recruited Jan Hillson as chief medical officer of Zag Bio, Inc., a biotechnology company pioneering thymus-targeted medicines in Cambridge, MA. “Jan joins Zag at a pivotal moment as we transition from research into clinical development,” said Jason Cole, CEO of
