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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
Executive Recruiters Pull Off Another Remarkable Year, Remain Bullish for 2023
Hunt Scanlon Media has released its annual rankings of leading executive recruiters. In the U.S. and globally, billions of dollars poured into the high-end recruiting sector in 2022, a result of continued pentup demand for senior-level leaders and their key reports.
Brettschneider Executive Search Seeking Inaugural SVP of Advancement for Wilmington University
New York City-based Brettschneider Executive Search has been retained by Wilmington University (WilmU) to lead in its search for an inaugural senior vice president of advancement to lead the University’s next phase of philanthropic growth. Reporting to WilmU president LaVerne Harmon, the SVP will partner closely with the president, board and University leaders to advance the University’s strategic
GDPR – The Perfect Time to Refresh Your Database
As executive search firms grapple with the complexities of GDPR, many are concerned that the new regulation will mean deleting thousands of records built up over many years. Surely there must be an alternative?
August Leadership Expands in London
August Leadership has expanded with the addition of Honor Pollok as a partner in London. Ms. Pollok brings over 20 years of executive search and leadership experience. She has led numerous high-profile placements in chair, non-executive director, CEO and the full spectrum of C-suite roles. Her search expertise spans key commercial, financial, creative, human resource, functional,
Hunt Scanlon and HSiQ Spotlight New Approach to Recruiter Training
As the executive search industry faces mounting pressure to improve performance and consistency, firms are increasingly reevaluating how recruiters are trained and developed. Hunt Scanlon and its HSiQ talent intelligence advisory unit recently launched a new Recruiter Performance Training Program designed to bring greater structure, commercial rigor, and scalability to recruiter development in an industry long driven by
Building Team Alignment in an Era of Continuous Change
Ask any team to describe its top strategic priorities and you will often get as many answers as there are people in the room. The problem is not that the strategy hasn’t been communicated, according to recent report from AIIR Consulting. “The problem is that it was communicated into an environment that has since shifted
Isaacson, Miller Helps Recruit 28th President for Texas A&M
Boston-based Isaacson, Miller has assisted in the recruitment of Susan Ballabina as the 28th president of Texas A&M. Andy Lee and Julie Filizetti, led search with Raul Bernal and Luciano Zuniga, and Madeline Fitzpatrick. The members of the Board of Regents conducted a national search that produced a strong pool of candidates. Dr. Ballabina emerged through that process based on her experience, her understanding of
BarkerGilmore Recruits General Counsel for American Credit Acceptance
Boutique search firm BarkerGilmore, which specializes in building corporate legal and compliance teams, has placed Debra Noll as general counsel at American Credit Acceptance. The search was led by Stephen Bell and Alison Waters. “Deb is exceptionally well-positioned to support American Credit Acceptance as it continues to grow and adapt in a complex environment,” BarkerGilmore said in a LinkedIn
Kincannon & Reed Appoints VP of Marketing and Business Development
Kincannon & Reed (K&R), which exclusively focuses on food, agribusiness, and the related life sciences, has expanded with the addition of Dan Evans as vice president of marketing and business development. “Dan brings a strong background in building brands, driving growth, and connecting strategy to execution,” said Stephanie Liska, president of Kincannon & Reed. “Throughout his career,
Women Founders Gain Ground in Human Capital M&A
A meaningful shift has been unfolding across the executive search industry. Over the past decade, a growing number of highly specialized boutiques have been founded and led by women, many of whom built successful careers within larger firms before launching businesses of their own. What is becoming increasingly clear is that investors are paying attention.
Private Equity Recruiting – Return on Investment: Creating Value with Talent
Talent has become a defining driver of performance in private equity, shaping how firms manage risk, execute strategy, and deliver sustained returns. As deal cycles tighten and value creation depends increasingly on operational excellence, leadership quality and organizational design are no longer secondary considerations — they are central to how firms source, underwrite, and scale
AGB Search Seeking Chief Information Technology Officer for Slippery Rock University
Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, has been retained by Slippery Rock University to lead in its search for a chief information technology officer (CITO). Kimberly Templeton, Margaret Plympton, and Anne Hoffman are leading the assignment. This leader serves as the University’s senior technology executive, providing strategic vision, leadership, and executive
The Talent Studios Recruits Chief Marketing Officer for Pura Vida Miami
The Talent Studios has recruited Bruno Cardinali as chief marketing officer of Pura Vida Miami, the premium all-day café and lifestyle brand focused on health, wellness and community. The search was led by Katlyn Maloney and Jeremy Cohen. Mr. Cardinali brings more than two decades of marketing leadership across fast casual, foodservice, beverage, and global consumer brands. Most recently, as
JM Search Expands Technology and Financial Services Practices
JM Search, a senior-level talent provider serving private equity investors, portfolio companies, and Fortune 1000s, has expanded with the additions of Wes Chisholm as partner and Laura Bennstrom and Charles Telep as principals within its technology and financial services practices. Mr. Chisholm and Mr. Telep join the firm’s technology practice while Ms. Bennstrom joins both the financial
How The Tolan Group Navigated the Downturn and Remained Focused
For many executive search firms, 2024 and 2025 tested resilience in ways few could have predicted. At The Tolan Group (TTG), they experienced the same pressures felt across the industry. Slower decision cycles, delayed starts, and a noticeable dip in portfolio company hiring activity. Yet through that uncertainty, one thing remained constant: our commitment to
Korn Ferry Reports Seven Percent Q4 and Full-Year Revenue Growth, Led by Double-Digit Gains in Professional Search & Interim
Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) has posted Q4 fiscal-year revenues of $759.8 million, a year-over-year increase of seven percent and five percent at constant currency. This was led by Professional Search & Interim up 14 percent, followed by Executive Search and Consulting, both up seven percent and RPO up five percent. During the fourth quarter, revenues rose by
Lock Search Group Leading CEO Search for Atlas Sign & Awning
Toronto-headquartered executive recruitment firm Lock Search Group is currently seeking a new CEO for Atlas Sign & Awning. For over 30 years, Atlas Sign & Awning has helped businesses across Canada and the United States stand out through custom commercial signage, awnings, and branded architectural elements. Based in Langley, BC, they’ve built a strong reputation for quality
Anthem Executive Assists the University of Montevallo With President Search
Anthem Executive has assisted in the recruitment of Michelle R. Johnston as the first female president of the University of Montevallo (UM). Michael Ballew, Scott Watson, Mike “JR” Wheless, and Florene Stawowy led the assignment. Dr. Johnston has served as the president of Georgia Southwestern State University since 2024. Prior to her current presidency, she served as president of three other higher education
Mercuri Urval Appoints Non-Executive Director
Stockholm, Sweden-based executive search firm Mercuri Urval (MU) has announced that Jan Sasse, partner at AlterInvest, was named as non-executive director to the MU group board. He will join the current board members Cecilia Strand, Mieke Weijenberg, Cecilia Beer, Richard Moore, and chairman Roger Hagafors. “We are pleased to welcome Jan Sasse as non-executive director of the MU
M&A Becomes a Capability-Driven Acquisition Strategy
EY-Parthenon is forecasting an eight percent increase in U.S. deal volume for transactions exceeding $100 million in 2026, underscoring how central M&A remains to corporate strategy. Yet beneath the headline numbers sits a more important story. The role of acquisitions is evolving. Companies are no longer pursuing deals primarily for scale or market share. Increasingly,
The Hidden Challenges Every First-Time CEO Faces
The corner office has never been more accessible—or more demanding. As boards increasingly turn to a new generation of leaders to navigate disruption, growth, and transformation, first-time CEOs are stepping into roles that require a fundamentally different set of skills than those that propelled them to the top. While many arrive with impressive track records,
Myers McRae Assists Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology with Provost Search
Following a nationwide search, Macon, GA-based Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting has assisted in the recruitment of Richie Roberts as provost of Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology. Kenny Daugherty and Brianna Douglas led the assignment. Dr. Roberts’ selection was guided by a search committee of OSUIT administrators, faculty, staff and students, which was assisted by national search firm Myers McRae. “The entire
Lancer Group Recruits Chief Technology Officer for Minitab
La Jolla, CA-headquartered search firm Lancer Group has recruited Kevin Gordon as chief technology officer of Minitab. “We’re excited to welcome Kevin Gordon as chief technology officer at Minitab,” the company said. “This is an exciting step forward in the evolution of our technology strategy and will help accelerate innovation across our organization and solutions platform.” “Kevin brings
Friisberg & Partners International Names Managing Partner of its Copenhagen Office
Fribourg, Switzerland-headquartered Friisberg & Partners International has expanded with the addition of Birgitte Olrik as managing partner of its Copenhagen office, strengthening the firm’s presence in the Nordic region and supporting the continued execution of our international growth strategy. “The future of executive search belongs to firms that combine exceptional local expertise with international reach,” said Zoltán Pethő,
Attracting the Right CHRO Starts with the Right Job Description
Hiring a head of HR is one of the most consequential leadership decisions an organization can make, yet many companies struggle to define the role in a way that reflects their actual needs. The most effective job descriptions go beyond qualifications and responsibilities, offering candidates a clear picture of the challenges, priorities, and business objectives
Coulter Partners Recruits Chief Medical Officer for Neumirna Therapeutics
Life sciences recruiting specialist Coulter Partners has placed Ferenc Tracik as chief medical officer of Neumirna Therapeutics. “Neumirna has reached an inflection point: the question is no longer whether the science works, but how quickly we can translate it into an option for patients with urgent unmet need. Ferenc has the experience to get us there,” said Ellen
McCormack + Kristel Seeking CEO for Central New York ON RAMP
McCormack + Kristel is currently seeking a CEO for Central New York ON RAMP. New York State Empire State Development (ESD) recently engaged CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity (CenterState CEO), an business leadership and economic development organization, to lead, incubate, and launch the Central New York One Network for Regional Advanced Manufacturing Projects (ON RAMP). The
Bespoke Partners Appoints Leader of People and HR Practice
San Diego, CA-headquartered Bespoke Partners recently named Dani Pfeiffer as a partner leading the people and human resources leader recruiting practice serving both software and industrials sector companies. She will lead dedicated recruiting teams on searches for talent executives for private equity portfolio companies for the software and SaaS clients served by Bespoke Partners and industrial clients served by Industra Talent Partners,
How to Embrace AI Before It’s Too Late
While artificial intelligence is exciting, its rapid growth is also raising concerns. Recently, the CEO of Anthropic, Dario Amodei, warned that “AI could wipe out half of all entry-level white-collar jobs – and spike unemployment to 10-20 percent in the next one to five years.” Likewise, Fiverr CEO Micha Kaufmann recently cautioned the company’s employees and freelancers: “AI is
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
Lucas Group Names Chief People Officer
Atlanta, GA-headquartered executive search firm Lucas Group has appointed Heath Henson as its chief people officer. He brings to the firm a track record of driving positive business outcomes, cost savings and performance improvements through his deep expertise in human capital solutions and commitment to strategic partnership. “As a collaborative leader and consensus builder, Heath excels at advising key stakeholders
Eton Bridge Partners Names Head of People
Executive search and interim management firm Eton Bridge Partners has named former human resources executive Claire Vidal as head of people. “We are fortunate to have someone of Claire’s caliber join the business to drive our human capital agenda and help us to maintain our unique values-led culture as the business continues to grow,” said Ashton Ward, managing
Leading Teams Through Times of Crisis
Leading teams through times of crisis can be a catalyst to incredible results. Like athletes in the last few seconds of a nail-biting game, stress can be a positive force that leads to remarkable breakthroughs. “But often, teams freeze in a crisis and miss this opportunity,” Phil Harkins, chairman and co-founder of Prossimo Global Partners,
Merc Partners | Spencer Stuart Retained by Ireland Strategic Investment Fund to Find Next Leader
The Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF), controlled and managed by the National Treasury Management Agency (MTMA), has called in John Glenny and Ruth Curran of Merc Partners | Spencer Stuart to lead its search for a new director. Reporting to the chief executive of the NTMA, the director role requires a high caliber candidate, capable of leading a complex
Solomon Page Expands Financial Services Division
Executive search firm Solomon Page has expanded its financial services division with additions of Jacob Navon as global head of asset management and David Trevena as director of asset management. Reporting to founding partner and managing director Scott Page, the team will be based in the New York office and will help expand the financial services practice
ChampionScott Partners Assists CertifiedSafety in Recruitment of New Board Member
Although boards of directors are considered the backbones of organizations, director recruiting has grown markedly more challenging say recruiters who conduct searches in that area. As a result, companies continue to turn to executive search firms to help find new board members. Recently, ChampionScott Partners, which specializes in senior-level appointments for technology and technology-enabled companies, recently assisted in
Ward Howell International Expands to Cleveland
Ward Howell International has expanded to Cleveland with the addition of Matt Clemens as managing partner to lead the new location. Mr. Clemens has more than 25 years of executive search, recruiting and operational experience. Specifically, he has conducted assignments for chief executive officers, chief financial officers, chief operating officers, division presidents, general managers and
Bob Reed, Options Group Co-Founder, Dies at 51
Bob Reed, a founding partner and president of New York-based Options Group, has died at the age of 51. “Today, we have lost someone who is irreplaceable to all of us,” said the executive search firm in a statement, adding that his “legacy will be remembered and celebrated.” Mr. Reed suffered from glioblastoma for the past 15
Why Smart CEOs are Hiring Executives During COVID-19
Over the past six months, The Bowdoin Group has completed several executive searches with venture- and private equity-backed companies. Although the majority of the firm’s clients and their investors expressed some degree of concern kicking off the assignments, according to the firm’s Sean Walker, “as we moved through each successful placement, it became clear that COVID-19 has not
CarterBaldwin Executive Search Taps President for Warner Pacific University
CarterBaldwin Executive Search recently placed Brian L. Johnson as the new president of Warner Pacific University (WPU), a private Christian university in Portland, OR. Leading the assignment was founding partner Price Harding. Dr. Johnson was previously vice president and campus administrator for Mercy College in New York City for two years. He succeeds Dr. Andrea
Westmont Search Recruits Chief Nursing Officer for Essentia Health
As the healthcare sector continues to expand and reshape itself, vanguard organizations in the field are looking to bolster their leadership ranks. In demand: multi-skilled executives, physician leaders and nurses who can effect change on many levels. Of the four major C-suite roles in the typical hospital, the chief nursing officer has traditionally been the most
Comhar Partners Appoints Professional Services Practice Managing Director
Chicago-based executive recruitment firm Comhar Partners has named Marc Detampel a managing director in its Chicago office. He will join co-founder and managing director J. James O’Malley in supporting the firm’s professional services practice as well as other industry segments. “We are excited that Marc brings a career in serving top organizations across multiple industries in the
Permanent Job Losers Top 3.8 Million as President Tests Positive for COVID-19
Employment rose by 661,000 in September as the U.S. unemployment rate fell to 7.9 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report released this morning. That’s down from a peak of 14.7 percent in April, but still far above the 3.5 percent rate in February before the coronavirus pandemic led to mass economic
ON Partners Recruits Chief People Officer for Segra
Executive search firm ON Partners has placed a new chief people officer, Tanya Clark Robinson, for Segra, one of the largest fiber infrastructure network companies in the eastern U.S. Ms. Clark Robinson previously worked at Aetna, where she was vice president of human resources. This is a new position for the Charlotte, NC-based company. Leading
McCormack+Kristel Seeks Executive Director for the Attic Youth Center
LGBTQ focused search firm McCormack+Kristel has been retained by the Attic Youth Center in Philadelphia to lead its search for a new executive director. The executive director will provide strategic leadership to advance the agency’s vision, mission, goals and objectives. Reporting to a nine-member board of directors, comprised of prominent Philadelphia business and community leaders, this executive is responsible
Thrive Adds Ken Vancini as Industry Solutions Director
Recruiting software provider Thrive TRM has expanded with the addition of executive search veteran Ken Vancini as director of industry solutions. “As a subject matter expert, Ken will be an incredible asset to Thrive and our customers,” said J. Reed Flesher, Thrive co-founder and chief product officer. “He has a passion for technology and understands the
