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Daily Newswire
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
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
The Power of Peer Groups: Why Every Leader Needs One
Success can be isolating. As entrepreneurs, executives, and business owners, we are expected to have all the answers, make the tough calls, and push forward—even when the weight of leadership feels overwhelming. However, here is the truth: no one succeeds alone, according to a recent article from Steve Ziegler, founder of the Denver-based executive search
Miller Black Associates Recruits CHRO for CITY Furniture
Chief human resources officers have become critical stakeholders in defining the strategy of a company. Their job description calls for them to tackle the HR challenges and evolving expectations of a dynamic workplace environment that will consist of constant change, calculated risk taking and evolving expectations from top stakeholders. Those well-equipped to achieve the greatest
Kincannon & Reed Recruits CEO for California Agricultural Leadership Foundation
Executive search firm Kincannon & Reed has placed Dwight Ferguson as the new president and chief executive officer of the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation (CALF), a non-profit public benefit corporation committed to leadership training and transformational learning experiences. The foundation operates the California Agricultural Leadership Program (CALP), a major leadership development program. Spearheading the assignment for
RM Nephew and Associates Assists Aspen Technology with Chief Accounting Officer Search
Executive recruitment firm RM Nephew and Associates has placed Christopher Stagno as senior vice president and chief accounting officer of Aspen Technology in Bedford, MA. From 2018 to June of this year, Mr. Stagno served as treasurer of Cognex Corp. a provider of machine vision products that capture and analyze visual information to help automate manufacturing and
ON Partners Assists Papa John’s with CFO Search
Executive search firm ON Partners has assisted in the placement of Ann Gugino as the new chief financial officer of Papa John’s International. Managing partner Tim Conti, co-founder and partner Josh Nathanson and partner Bryan Buck led the assignment. “After a careful search for a candidate whose values, passion and expertise align with Papa John’s core values
Hopeful, but Hurting; Americans Continue to File for Unemployment
The Labor Department reported this morning that 898,000 more Americans filed new claims for state unemployment benefits last week. Economists polled by Dow Jones expected first-time claims to come in at 830,000. The latest figures portend an unstable and volatile job market. The Labor Department changed its methodology from one that used seasonal adjustments to account
Coulter Partners Assists Sequana Medical with Chief Medical Officer Search
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. Life sciences-focused search firm Coulter Partners recently assisted Sequana Medical in the recruitment of Oliver Gödje as its new
The Mercer Group Seeking Fire Chief for City of Milton, GA
Executive search firm The Mercer Group has been enlisted to find the next fire chief for the City of Milton, GA. Senior vice presidents Alan Reddish and Lisa Ward are spearheading the assignment. Robert Edgar, who has been with the department for 12 years, is retiring from the job next month. The department’s only chief
NPAworldwide Adds Seven New Member Firms
Seven new independent recruitment firms joined member-owned recruitment network NPAworldwide in recent months. 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 firms have the ability
Hanold Associates Recruits Global Head of People Experience for Zoom
Chicago-based Hanold Associates HR & Diversity Executive Search has assisted in the placement of Kim Blue Terrell as global head of people experience partners at Zoom. Mayank Parikh, Keri Gavin, Ashley Schiele and Jason Hanold led the assignment. “Zoom has become the ubiquitous solution to allow us to safely attend class, go to work, meet our friends and
AGB Search Selected by University of North Dakota to Find Provost
A number of colleges and universities across the country are opening searches that, if all goes to plan, will provide high-profile leaders to steer them through 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, was recently selected by
BoardWalk Consulting Seeks President and CEO for Public Broadcasting Atlanta
Executive recruitment firm BoardWalk Consulting was recently enlisted by Public Broadcasting Atlanta (PBA) to lead its search for a new president and CEO. Kathy Bremer, managing director, and Patti Kish, director of research, are spearheading the assignment. “The CEO will lead PBA into its next era of growth and impact, building from a position of strength,” said
WittKieffer Names Leader of Advancement Practice
Executive search firm WittKieffer has appointed Greg Duyck as leader of the firm’s advancement practice. “Greg’s extensive executive search experience in the field of higher education, as well as his notable expertise in the realm of fundraising, make him well-suited for this key role within our firm,” said Zachary Smith, managing partner and leader of WittKieffer’s education
Vaco Acquires Prodigy Bank of Toronto
In an effort to fuel growth across the Northeast and Canada, Brentwood, TN-headquartered recruiting firm Vaco has acquired technology-focused recruiting firm Prodigy Bank of Toronto. The acquisition complements Vaco’s recent expansions in Canada, following its Lannick acquisition in 2017 and expansion into Montreal last year. “We felt a kindred chemistry with the Prodigy Bank team from the first meeting, and our bond
BarkerGilmore Recruits General Counsel for TopBuild Corp. As Demand for Role Intensifies
Legal recruiting generally has been booming this year. According to Hunt Scanlon Media, lawyers employed by government agencies in particular have been on the move as a result of changes in government administrations. Employment of lawyers is projected to grow 10 percent through 2022. Demand for legal work is expected to be robust as individuals, businesses, and all levels of
The Bowdoin Group Forms Alliance with QPS to Further DE&I Initiatives
Search firms continue to step up their diversity and inclusion efforts. The latest: The Bowdoin Group, a Boston-based executive recruitment firm, formed a strategic partnership with the diversity, equity and inclusion service provider Quantum Power Skills (QPS). “This has been and continues to be a business imperative for us, both internally and external for our
Reffett Associates Recruits CFO for Core Scientific
Seattle, WA-based Reffett Associates has assisted with the selection of Michael Trzupek as the new chief financial officer of Core Scientific. The assignment was led by William Reffett, managing partner and founder, with assistance from Marshall Reffett, managing director of the firm’s Seattle office. Mr. Trzupek will report to Core Scientific CEO Kevin Turner and oversee
Korn Ferry Assists Houston Texans in Head Coach and General Manager Search
The Houston Texan have brought in Jed Hughes of Korn Ferry to help the franchise hire its next general manager and head coach, according to NFL sources. Mr. Hughes helped the Texans’ 2014 search to identify and bring in Penn State’s Bill O’Brien as their coach and GM. The Texans fired Mr. O’Brien last week following an 0-4
Boyden Expands Into Greece and Cyprus
Boyden is expanding into Greece and Cyprus, hiring Anny S. Chatzikonstantinou to lead the firm’s new location. “We know these are challenging times for people in Greece and Cyprus and Boyden does not shy away from countries experiencing adversity,” said Trina Gordon, president and CEO of Boyden. “Greece has attracted significant foreign investment in recent years.
Koya Leadership Partners Recruits First Black Woman CEO for Museum of Science and Industry
Koya Leadership Partners, which recruits leaders for the non-profit sector, has assisted in the placement of Chevy Humphrey as president and CEO of the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago (MSI), one of the largest science museums in the world. She becomes the first woman and black American to lead the organization succeeding David Mosena,
Egmont Associates Recruits Executive Director for Children’s Study Home
Non-profit-focused executive search firm Egmont Associates has placed William Dávila as the new executive director for the Children’s Study Home (CSH), a Springfield, MA-based organization that provides educational programs for at-risk children. “We are thrilled that Dr. Dávila decided to return to the Children’s Study Home, where he previously served as deputy executive director, to
Korn Ferry Names Global Private Equity and Industrial Practices Senior Leader
Korn Ferry has appointed Henrik Maartensson as a senior leader in the firm’s global private equity and industrial practices. “Henrik brings rich experience leading complex engagements while working with a broad scope of private equity and industrial organizations,” said Pascal Gibert, co-president, EMEA, Korn Ferry. “He is a natural leader and trusted partner, whose regional
20/20 Foresight Executive Search Expands Recruiting Expertise
Chicago-headquartered 20/20 Foresight Executive Search has expanded with the addition of Merritt Canfield as managing director. She will help to expand the firm’s service specialties, bringing a focus on searches in the healthcare and rail industries. “As recruitment continues to evolve in today’s rapidly transforming marketplace, 20/20 Foresight is staying true to our mission of hiring knowledgeable,
Kuder Launches a Service to Assist Furloughed Workers
Kuder Inc., a global provider of evidenced-based career assessment and advisement tools and resources for all ages, has launched Hope Central, an online resource and support system designed to help companies, communities and workforce development organizations support furloughed and unemployed individuals during this time of unprecedented job losses due to the coronavirus pandemic. “While an
Americans Continue to File for Unemployment at Record Rate
The Labor Department reported this morning that 840,000 more Americans filed new claims for state unemployment benefits last week. Economists polled by Dow Jones expected first-time claims to come in at 825,000, down slightly from the 870,000 claims reported for the previous week. The latest figures portend an unstable and volatile job market. The Labor Department changed
Lindauer Tapped by the Jewish Theological Seminary to Find Major Gifts Officer
For not-for-profit organizations, these are particularly challenging days. Declining support from government sources, increased demand for their services and competition for donor dollars are just a few of the issues that charitable groups must overcome to stay afloat each year. With COVID-19, donations are down even further. So it is that roles like the major
The Koblentz Group Assists St. Vincent de Paul of Georgia in CEO Search
The Koblentz Group has assisted St. Vincent de Paul of Georgia (SVdP Georgia) in the recruitment of Patrick McNulty as its new CEO. John Berry recently stepped down after 13 years in the role. Partner Jeffrey Neppl led the assignment for the executive recruitment firm. “The SVdP Georgia board of directors is confident that Mr. McNulty is
Jensen Partners Makes Two Senior Appointments
New York City-based Jensen Partners has made two senior appointments, naming Peter Sipsas as managing director and global head of private equity and credit, and Meredith Flynn as head of market intelligence. Mr. Sipsas and Ms. Flynn, who will both be based in New York, will expand the firm’s alternative investments recruiting platform to 17 and
Slayton Search Partners Adds Veteran Private Equity Recruiter
Chicago-based executive search firm Slayton Search Partners has expanded with the addition of Dan Dunn as executive vice president. He will be focused on driving value for industrial manufacturers, including private equity-backed mid-market portfolio companies and Fortune 500 organizations. “Dan’s impressive skill-set, deep background and positive attitude make him a perfect fit for this company,” said Richard Slayton,
Recruiting Sector is Weathering the Pandemic Storm
The impact of COVID-19 on staffing and recruitment companies has been profound but optimism and opportunity remains within the industry, according to a new survey of global staffing and recruitment professionals by Bullhorn. The Boston-based company provides cloud-based customer relationship management and operations solutions for the staffing industry. “We’re cautiously optimistic that we are observing
The Bowdoin Group Makes Strategic New Hires
The Bowdoin Group, a Boston-based executive recruitment firm, has expanded its core team with two new strategic hires, including the expansion of its research team and finance department in the last quarter. Tracie-Jo (TJ) Crowthers joins the firm as a consultant, bringing with her several years of experience leading client engagements and managing candidates through the recruitment
WittKieffer Recruits CHRO for Des Moines University
Executive search firm WittKieffer has placed Marc Wachtfogel as the new chief human resources officer (CHRO) for Des Moines University in Iowa. He succeeds Becky Lade, who held the post since 2014. Consultants Melissa Fincher and Sarah Miller led the assignment for the search firm. “Marc brings a wealth of experience to his new role of providing
