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Daily Newswire
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.”
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,
J.P. Morgan M&A Forecast Points to Continued Momentum
Global M&A deal activity is moving forward with renewed intensity, even as markets absorb inflation, trade friction, and geopolitical instability. J.P. Morgan’s 2025 Global M&A Mid-Year Outlook points to a landscape shaped less by caution and more by creativity. Volume is up, megadeals are back, and cross-border transactions are accelerating. “M&A and capital markets have been
Diversified Search Adds Finance Veteran in New York
Diversified Search has expanded with the addition of Elizabeth Ewing as managing director. Ms. Ewing, who will serve in the firm’s financial officers, CEO and board of directors’ practices, will be based out of Diversified’s New York office. “Liz Ewing has everything you look for in a search executive: intelligence, strategic thinking and the ability to
Americans Continue to File for Unemployment as Economic Uncertainty and Hiring Hesitancy Persist
The Labor Department reported this morning that 837,000 more Americans filed new claims for state unemployment benefits last week. Economists polled by Dow Jones expected first-time claims to come in at 850,000, down slightly from the 860,000 claims reported for the previous week. The latest figures portend an unstable and volatile job market. The Labor Department changed
Glocap Search Creates Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Practice, Names Practice Head
With research proving that companies with more ethnically and culturally diverse teams increase their productivity, reduce turnover and inch up profits, Glocap Search has, in response, created a diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practice. The firm has hired HR industry veteran Elisa Leary as managing director and head of the new practice. “We are extremely
Spencer Stuart Seeks New CEO for the Boston Foundation
Spencer Stuart is currently leading the search for a new president and CEO for the Boston Foundation. Paul Grogan recently announced that he will be stepping down after nearly 20 years of transformative leadership with the organization. Mary Gorman, John Harpole, David Wick and Diane Carlyle are spearheading the assignment. “The COVID-19 pandemic has illustrated and exacerbated
Leathwaite Adds Commercial and Digital Practice Leader
London-based executive search firm Leathwaite continues to expand with the recent addition of Kevin Parker, from Heidrick & Struggles, as partner in its New York and Dallas offices. He will lead the firm’s commercial and digital practice and is expected to strengthen its technology and operations expertise. “Mr. Parker has an impeccable track record as a
Cornerstone Resources Tapped by Border Federal Credit Union to Find CFO
These are critical days for credit unions. The U.S. has nearly 6,000 of them, with more than $1.2 trillion in assets, according to the National Credit Union Administration. But with the steady retirement of Baby Boomers, among other factors, the cooperatives are facing the loss of more than 4,000 CEOs and senior managers over the
As Women Gain Seats on Boards, Minorities Fall Back
This past year, boards around the world were facing a range of competing expectations for the new members they would add in order to meet their ever-growing remit. According to Heidrick & Struggles’ 2020 Board Monitor, modern boards are expected to possess significant expertise in areas as specialized and diverse as digital transformation, cybersecurity, corporate
Odgers Berndtson Secures New Leader for The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory
Global search firm Odgers Berndtson has placed William A. LaPlante as the new president and CEO of The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory in Cambridge, MA. The assignment was led by Clarke Havener, vice chairman, and Jon Barney, head of the firm’s aerospace, defense and national security practice. “Thanks to Clarke and Jon’s leadership of this search, we successfully recruited
Greenwood /Asher & Associates Seeks Next President for Western Illinois University
Greenwood /Asher & Associates, a Miramar Beach, FL-based executive recruitment firm, has been selected to find the next president for Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL. Betty Asher, partner and vice president, and Alex Matthews, senior executive search consultant, are spearheading the assignment. Western Illinois University’s previous president, Jack Thomas, stepped down in June 2019.
Slone Partners Recruits Chief Medical Officer at Lumen Bio
Over the past few months, numerous healthcare organizations have turned to executive search firms to find new chief medical officers. And in the era of COVID-19 we can expect this to be another burgeoning area for executive search firms. Recently, life sciences-focused search firm Slone Partners placed Mike Spigarelli as chief medical officer of Lumen Bioscience in Seattle,
Moloney Search Appoints Digital Assessment Business Leader
London-based executive recruiting firm Moloney Search has named veteran HR executive Ian Iceton as the new managing director to lead the launch of its digital assessment business The Cambridge Code. “Ian Iceton was one of the most impressive HR directors I had the privilege of working with and he was always interested in new digital
Armstrong Craven Moves to Employee-Owned Business Platform
Executive search firm Armstrong Craven, headquartered in Manchester, U.K., has become a majority employee-owned business. The firm will continue to be led by joint managing directors Rachel Davis and Peter Howarth. “We have long believed that the well-known benefits of employee ownership, when combined with our extremely dedicated team, will be a recipe for success,
Helbling & Associates Assists STO Building Group in CHRO Search
Wexford, PA-based Helbling & Associates has assisted in the placement of Claudia Healy as chief human resources officer (CHRO) at STO Building Group, a family of construction management companies headquartered in New York City. The search firm launched the assignment at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Through constant contact, innovative screening and presentation methods
Online Job Ads Seldom Reach Top Candidates
Some organizations in the employment marketplace advertise their job openings through online advertisements. There is a limit, however, to their effectiveness and the degree to which they can help you find the best candidates, according to a report by Stacy Pursell, CEO of The Pursell Group. “I’ve talked at length before about the fact that not all potential candidates
Myers McRae Seeks Provost for Middle Georgia State University
Macon, GA-based Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting has been enlisted by Middle Georgia State University to lead in its search for a provost and vice president of academic affairs. Emily Parker Myers, CEO, and Kenny Daugherty, president, are leading the assignment along with senior vice president Jennifer Barfield. As the chief academic officer, the provost provides strategic
FaithSearch Partners Launches New Athletics Recruiting Division
Executive search firm FaithSearch Partners (FSP) has launched an athletics recruiting platform, which will be led by senior vice president Bryan Fowler. FSP’s athletics service line will guide faith-based executive searches for high school, college and professional associations, organizations, programs and teams seeking athletic directors, business leaders, chaplains, and the right leadership to guide their internal teams.
Bridging Social Distancing to Make Key Hires
Senior executives and business leaders are navigating through contingency plans, employee safety measures and remote work set-ups all while making key recruitments without face-to-face interviews. A new report from Catalyst Advisors’ Amy Bottoms and Borjana Fermaud says that this is all far from what we previously considered ideal. Yet, the current environment brings an important question to the
Isaacson, Miller Tapped by Texas A&M to Assist With President Search
The search for Texas A&M University’s next president recently shifted into high gear after chancellor John Sharp signed a recruiting contract with Isaacson, Miller. Current president Michael K. Young announced earlier this month he will be retiring at the end of May. Founder John Isaacson and David Bellshaw are leading the assignment with Lindsay Gold. Isaacson, Miller was one of
Solomon Page Fashion & Beauty Recruits CEO for mDesign Home Décor
Solomon Page Fashion & Beauty has placed seasoned retail executive Stacey Renfro as the new CEO of mDesign Home Décor, a multi-million-dollar marketplace seller and digitally native brand. “We are confident that Stacey’s leadership will be pivotal and essential to the tremendous growth we are projecting,” said Robert Immerman, founder and chief innovation officer at mDesign. “Stacey’s wealth of experience
Major, Lindsey & Africa Names Executive Director
Major, Lindsey & Africa (MLA) has appointed Carlos Pauling as executive director within the partner practice group. He will oversee the performance of partner recruiters in the firm’s East Coast offices, including New York, Boston and Washington, D.C. In addition, he will be responsible for developing a strategy to grow lateral recruiting at a time when law firms are
NPAworldwide Adds Seven New Member Firms in the U.S.
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
Big Ten Conference Retains Hanold Associates to Find Chief People & Culture Officer
Chicago-based Hanold Associates HR & Diversity Executive Search has been enlisted to recruit a chief people and culture officer for the Big Ten Conference. The firm also recently placed the chief talent officer for Ford Motor Co. “Kevin Warren (commissioner of the Big Ten) is a true leader in that he is so authentic, humble and willing
Riviera Partners Assists Life360 with Chief Product Officer Search
Riviera Partners, a recruitment provider specializing in C-level engineering, product and design leader placements, has assisted in the recruitment of Jonathan Benassaya as the chief product officer of Life360, a safety and coordination service for families across the globe. Andrew Abramson, Austin Douglas and Michael A. Morell led the assignment. “Jonathan has a true passion for building
Academic Career & Executive Search Finds Dean for William Paterson University’s Business College
West Hartford, Conn-based Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) has placed the new dean of the Cotsakos College of Business at William Paterson University in Wayne, NJ. Anthony Bowrin, a highly respected scholar and administrator with senior leadership experience at three internationally recognized business schools, joined the university this summer. “Search committee co-chairs Jonathan Lincoln and
WittKieffer Names Education Practice Leader for International Operations
Executive search firm WittKieffer has appointed Natalie Derry to the role of managing partner and practice leader, education, for its WittKieffer International operations. Based in London and Edinburgh, Ms. Derry has been instrumental in WittKieffer’s growth outside the U.S. and in fulfilling its ability to operate seamlessly on a global scale. “Natalie has been essential to our firm’s
Raines International Appoints Chief Marketing Officer
New York-based Raines International has expanded with the addition of Lisa Mann as managing director and chief marketing officer. “We are confident that Raines is the definitive difference maker and leader in executive talent management, and we are incredibly proud to welcome Lisa to our team,” said Dan Smith, CEO of Raines. “Her experience is unparalleled, and
Global Pandemic Still Stalling Recovery Efforts
The Labor Department reported this morning that 870,000 more Americans filed new claims for state unemployment benefits last week. Economists polled by Dow Jones expected first-time claims to come in at 850,000, down slightly from the 860,000 claims reported for the previous week. The latest figures portend an unstable and volatile job market. The Labor Department changed
Renovata & Company Assists in COO Search for Single Digits
Global executive search and private equity advisory firm Renovata & Company has assisted in the placement of Bill Wilshire as chief operating officer of Single Digits, a provider of high-speed internet access (HSIA) management and support solutions. “Bill is a leader with a strong track record of project installation and delivery—with networking experience across multiple
Storbeck Search & Associates Launches Search to Find President for Colorado College
Higher education-focused search firm Storbeck Search & Associates is seeking a new president on behalf of Colorado College (CC). Leading the assignment are managing partner Shelly Weiss Storbeck and senior associate Anne Koellhoffer. “Colorado College’s 14th president must both maintain and advance CC’s trajectory towards sustained academic rigor and an outside-the-box approach to education; broad
Rich Talent Group and Chief to Assist Women Navigate Careers and Boardroom Opportunities
San Francisco, CA-based executive search firm Rich Talent Group has formed a partnership with Chief, the private network for women executives. Together they will provide women with the necessary resources and opportunities to navigate career transitions and pursue board placements. “Chief’s membership pool has some of the most successful and capable women leaders in business,”
Wealth Management Search Firm Super Recruiters Elects Chair
Wealth management-focused executive search firm Super Recruiters has named Cathy Doyle as chair. She was brought in to advise Super Recruiters’ knowledge and consulting work that assisted human resources leaders of wealth managers and super funds refine their recruiting and people management. “Cathy Doyle brought a wealth of HR department knowledge, insights and contacts to the
