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Daily Newswire
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
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
ZRG Acquires NextCap Search
ZRG has acquired NextCap Search, a boutique executive search firm with deep experience placing senior talent in investment banking and financial services. Financial details of the deal were not released. The move adds further depth to ZRG’s financial services practice at a time when firms are under increasing pressure to compete for proven leadership and revenue generators
Kittleman & Associates Assists Columbia Land Conservancy in President Search
Chicago-based search firm Kittleman & Associates has placed Troy Weldy as the new president of Columbia Land Conservancy (CLC). He will succeed Peter Paden, who is retiring after 14 years leading the organization. “We are delighted that Troy will be joining us,” said Mark A. Levy, chair of CLC’s board of trustees. “With his extensive background in conservation
Young Mayden Seeks General Counsel for the American Bar Association
Legal executive recruitment firm Young Mayden has been enlisted to find a senior associate executive director/ general counsel for the American Bar Association (ABA). Principal Barbara Mendel Mayden is leading the assignment. The new hire, who will report directly to ABA executive director Jack Rives, will be expected to provide leadership in two distinct areas:
Bespoke Partners Continues Expansion
San Diego, CA-headquartered executive search firm Bespoke Partners has strengthened its search staff with the addition of Brian Waivada as a partner. He will be based in the firm’s New York City office. “Brian is an experienced search leader and client manager, and we are excited to bring his knowledge and expertise to the Bespoke team,”
Alexander Hughes Appoints Managing Partner
Paris-headquartered search firm Alexander Hughes has appointed Jean-Charles Nantier as manager partner of Managers by Alexander Hughes, which is dedicated to supporting companies and organizations in their recruitment of experienced executives, managers, experts, for succession-plan programs and the discovery of high potential profiles. “I’m delighted to welcome Jean-Charles Nantier as new managing partner of Managers by Alexander
Refocusing Leadership and Communication During the Ongoing Coronavirus Crisis
While the scientific community had hoped the heat and humidity of the summer months might limit the spread and severity of the coronavirus, we are seeing that community spread continues to be a problem in many states and dense urban landscapes. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said recently
AGB Search Enters Final Stretch of 2020 With Wide Range of Assignments Underway
A number of colleges and universities across the country are opening searches that, if all goes to plan, will provide high-profile leaders to take them into 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, has become a
Heidrick & Struggles Retained by InfuSystem Holdings to Find New CFO
Executive search, leadership consulting and culture shaping services provider Heidrick & Struggles has been selected by InfuSystem Holdings to lead a national search for its next chief financial officer. Past CFO Gregory Schulte and InfuSystem have agreed to a mutual separation. InfuSystem said that Mr. Schulte’s departure is not the result of any disagreement with the company
Sainty, Hird & Partners Names HR Practice Leader
U.K.-headquartered executive search firm Sainty, Hird & Partners has appointed JP Hibbert to lead its new human resources practice. Mr. Hibbert has 15 years’ experience in search and recruitment as a specialist in placing senior HR professionals into financial services. He has assisted a wide range of clients from small firms and start-ups looking for
ZRG Partners Appoints Global Supply Chain & Operations Practice Leader
ZRG Partners has expanded with the addition of Simon Revere to its London office as managing director and leader of the firm’s global supply chain and operations practice. “Knowing that Simon has collaborated with many of ZRG’s search experts in the past, I’m certain he will be a worthy addition to our team,” said Larry Hartmann, CEO
Employers Adapting to New Work Models as Hiring Plans Remain Unsteady
Employers in the U.S report improved hiring plans for the fourth quarter following the 10 year low reported in Q3, according to the latest “Employment Outlook Survey” released today by ManpowerGroup. Overall hiring intentions improved in 37 of 43 countries since last quarter, though 41 declined year-over-year. Within the U.S., 20 percent expect to add to
Good Karma Brands Selects Christopher Group for Head of HR Search
Good Karma Brands has selected The Christopher Group to lead its search for a head of human resources. The assignment is being spearheaded by managing director Nathaniel Schiffer, recruiting director Jeff Wilbanks and senior operations manager Matthew Duda. “The Christopher Group’s recruiting services division is proud to partner with Good Karma Brands, ESPN’s best-in-class local operator,” said Mr. Schiffer. “Being from Cleveland
Higher Education Leadership Search Seeks Dean for Auburn University at Montgomery
Higher Education Leadership Search has been selected by Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM) in Alabama to lead the search for a dean for its college of sciences. Consultant Alan Medders is heading the assignment. The dean serves as the chief academic and administrative officer of the college and reports directly to AUM’s provost and senior vice
Macrae Names Chief Operating Officer
Global legal executive search firm Macrae, formerly known as Mlegal, has appointed Laurie Caplane as chief operating officer. She will be based in New York. “Laurie, whom I’ve known and greatly respected in a professional capacity for many years, is a natural fit to take on this vital role as Macrae continues to execute on an ambitious growth
EMA Partners International Opens Bangkok Office
EMA Partners International, a global partnership of executive search professionals, has expanded its presence in the Asia-Pacific region with the addition of a new office in Bangkok, Thailand. The Thai office is led by managing partner Santi Campanella. Mr. Campanella and his team have extensive experience in executive search, leadership and organizational assessment across several industries, such as
Unemployment Rate Falls to 8.4 Percent
Employment rose by 1.4 million in August as the U.S. unemployment rate fell to 8.4 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
Academic Search Assists California Lutheran University in President Search
Education-focused executive recruiter Academic Search has placed Lori E. Varlotta as the first woman president of California Lutheran University. Last fall, Chris Kimball, who held the job for 12 years, announced that he would be stepping down at the end of the academic year. Jay Lemons, president and senior consultant; Stuart Dorsey, senior consultant; and Jennifer Kooken, associate consultant, led
Jorgensen Consulting Recruits CEO for Chamber of Commerce
Greensboro, NC-based Jorgenson Consulting has helped place Jerald Mitchell as the first black president and CEO of the Greater Columbus, Georgia Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Mitchell was previously vice president for economic development for the Atlanta BeltLine, a development corporation for a $4.5 billion redevelopment project in Atlanta, one of the largest in the country. “Jerald has
DHR International Opens Miami Office
Chicago-based search firm DHR International has opened a new office in Miami with the addition of Lizette Ibarra as managing partner. She becomes a member of the industrial, consumer and retail practice groups and will help strengthen the firm’s presence in Latin America. “Lizette brings a deep understanding of the geography, executives and needs of the Latin
AltoPartners Adds Colombian Search Firm to Network
AltoPartners, the international alliance of boutique executive search and leadership consulting firms, has expanded its global footprint with the addition of Colombian search firm Executive Connection. Founded in 2011, Executive Connection is a professional services firm with offices in both Bogota and Cali. The founding partners have experience working in global organizations and are able to
Americans Continue to File for Unemployment In Big Numbers
The Labor Department reported this morning that 881,000 more Americans filed new claims for state unemployment benefits last week. This exceeds analyst expectations and marks the lowest weekly total since the pandemic began. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones had been looking for a total of 950,000. Nevertheless, the latest figures portend an unstable and volatile job market The
Korn Ferry Posts 29 Percent Revenue Drop; Recruiting Revenues Dive 36 Percent
Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) has posted fiscal first quarter revenues of $344.1 million, a 29 percent decline. The results missed Wall Street expectations. Three analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $357.4 million. For the quarter, professional search was down 36 percent (35 percent at constant currency) and RPO was down 23 percent (22 percent at constant currency), both
Higher Talent Executive Search Recruits CEO for American Society of Landscape Architects
Washington, D.C.-based Higher Talent Executive Search has placed Torey Carter-Conneen as the new chief executive officer for the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA). Mr. Carter-Conneen had been chief operating officer of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). “On behalf of the executive committee of the American Society of Landscape Architects, we are thrilled to
Odgers Berndtson Opens Office in Bogotá, Colombia
Odgers Berndtson has opened a new office Bogotá, Colombia to help meet a growing demand from organizations in the Andean region for executive search expertise. In conjunction, Odgers Berndtson will also launch its interim executive arm, Odgers Interim, in Colombia. Odgers Berndtson Colombia will be led by managing partner Roberto Hall, a veteran of the Colombian executive
Recruiting Firm Vetted Opens Doors
Recruitment industry veteran Tim Walsh has launched Vetted, a boutique recruitment and outplacement firm focused on supporting Greater Boston’s innovation ecosystem. “We want to help companies navigate this new world of talent acquisition, where remote hiring and the renewed importance of diversity hiring have come to the forefront,” said Mr. Walsh. “With all that’s happened
Seven Steps to Successful Family Office Hiring
With all of the unique challenges that running a family office pose, it is imperative that families attract and retain the right executives for key leadership roles in the organization. Doing so enables them to achieve their long-term goals and objectives and to support family sustainability. Without a proven process, however, many such searches fail, says
Creating a Company Culture to Boosts Creativity
High pressure work environments are the norm in many professions, especially in today’s times, as organizations push their employees to perform and produce. Although this strategy might be an effective short-term approach, it usually leads to a negative work culture and burnout among employees, according to a new report by Christopher Rios of Blue Rock Search.
RH Perry & Associates Seeking President for National Catholic Educational Association
The National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) has retained Asheville, NC-based RH Perry & Associates to lead its search for a new president and CEO. Managing partner Matthew Kilcoyne and senior consultant Sue Dewine are leading the assignment. The president/CEO reports to the board of directors and is responsible for fulfillment of NCEA’s mission to enhance the vitality and
Reilly Partners Recruits Two Board Members for Cresco Labs
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, Chicago-based executive search firm Reilly Partners placed Carol Vallone and Michele Roberts as new members of
August Leadership Adds Partner
Executive recruitment firm August Leadership, which changed its name from Ward Howell USA earlier this year, is expanding with the addition of Jerry McGrath as a partner. He manages searches for human resources leaders across a vast array of industries and organizations, and his clients benefit from his three decades of global experience in both corporate
Transforming Corporate Culture and Driving Performance in the New Workplace
As organizations begin to look at the matter of if, when and how they will transition back to traditional workplaces, leaders are fielding a number of questions: What will the office look like? Will it be safe? Will it ever be the same again? Can we have a high-performance culture with so many people working
Vetted Solutions Seeks CEO for Financial Planning Association
Vetted Solutions, which specializes in executive recruitment for the non-profit and association sector, has been enlisted to find the next chief executive officer for the Denver, CO-based Financial Planning Association (FPA), the premier membership organization for financial planning practitioners. “The next CEO will ideally have helped transform organizations to increase the value proposition for those they serve,” said the Washington,
