DAILY NEWSWIRE - TOP STORIES
Daily Newswire
SPMB Recruits CFO for AbsenceSoft
SPMB Executive Search has recruited Megan Wood as CFO of AbsenceSoft, a Denver, CO-based employee leave management and accommodations platform. Jon Landau and Laura Ayre led the assignment. “The market opportunity in front of AbsenceSoft is significant, and Megan brings the right financial and operational depth to meet it,” said Chris Murphy, CEO of AbsenceSoft. “Her proven track record at fast-growth, innovative companies on
AGB Search Helps Recruit 20th President for the University of Montana
Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, has assisted in the recruitment of Jeremiah Shinn as the 20th president of the University of Montana. His selection follows a national search that drew more than 70 accomplished applicants from across the country. Roderick McDavis, James H. McCormick and Janice S. Fitzgerald led the assignment. “Dr. Shinn’s on-campus visit
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.
Caldwell Expands in London and Madrid
Toronto-based Caldwell has expanded with the addition of Alex Langridge as a partner in the firm’s financial services practice. Based in London, Mr. Langridge advises clients across financial services and fintech on senior executive and board appointments, succession planning, organizational design, and transformational leadership hiring. “Alex’s appointment reflects our continued investment in expanding Caldwell’s financial
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?
Fama Technologies Granted U.S. Patent on Foundational AI-Powered Social Media Screening Technology
Fama Technologies, providers of AI-powered online screening, has announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has allowed all claims in its patent application covering the foundational technology behind social media background screening. The patent, titled “System for Searching and Correlating Online Activity with Individual Classification Factors,” has a priority date of November
Updating How You Work So AI Can Actually Deliver
AI adoption is no longer a technology challenge, it is an operational one. Companies that generate lasting value from AI will be the ones willing to redesign workflows, redefine leadership responsibilities, and embed AI directly into how work gets done every day. Most companies will not fail at AI because they chose the wrong model,
Vetted Solutions Assists CoreNet Global with CEO Search
Following an extensive search process, Washington, D.C.-based Vetted Solutions has assisted in the recruitment of Vicki Worden as the new CEO of CoreNet Global. “Vicki Worden demonstrates exemplary leadership through her collaborative approach,” said Jamie Leary-Erickson, CoreNet Global board chair. “Vicki’s extensive experience in the architecture, engineering, and commercial real estate sectors, combined with her global perspective
BarkerGilmore Places Head of Legal at Vantage Elevator Solutions
Boutique search firm BarkerGilmore, which specializes in building corporate legal and compliance teams, has placed Keinan Meginniss as VP, head of legal at Vantage Elevator Solutions. The search was led by Stephen Bell and Alison Waters. “Keinan joins the organization at an exciting time as the company continues to expand its operations and strengthen its leadership team
NGS Global Adds TalentXera
Wilmington, DE-headquartered executive search firm NGS Global has added Saúl Almendárez and his team at TalentXera. This expands the firm’s capabilities across Mexico and the broader Latin America region. Mr. Almendárez is based in Mexico City, where he has spent more than 20 years building an exceptional team and a highly regarded brand in the executive search industry. Along
IMD International Search Group Elects New Board Members
Global executive search consortium IMD International Search Group recently had delegates from member firms meet in Helsinki, Finland, and announced the election of several board members. Ben Tucker (Minerva, IMD U.K.) transitions from director to VP finance and legal. Eva Nielsen (Lisberg, IMD Sweden) is reelected for a second mandate as director while Terhi Heikkinen (IMS Talent,
Hunt Scanlon and HSiQ Launch Recruiter Performance Training Program
The executive search industry has a training challenge. For years, recruiting firms have depended on apprenticeship-style development, learning through observation, informal mentoring, and varying management approaches. That model works for some, but it does not scale effectively. In a market increasingly shaped by AI, speed, precision, and commercial demands, inconsistent recruiter performance is no longer
Executive Search Firms Confront the AI Transformation
As AI rapidly reshapes the executive search landscape, recruiting firms are facing growing pressure to modernize how they identify, assess, and engage leadership talent. Industry experts say AI-driven sourcing, predictive analytics, and automation tools are helping firms accelerate search timelines and expand candidate reach, while also forcing recruiters to rethink where their true value lies.
Cooper Coleman Recruits CFO the Center for Child Protection
Cooper Coleman LLC has placed William Wade as chief financial officer of the Center for Child Protection (CCP) in Austin, TX. The national search was led by Johnny Cooper, founder and CEO of Cooper Coleman. “Dion brings the kind of strategic thinking and mission alignment CCP needs in its CFO,” said Mr. Cooper. “They are doing remarkable work,
Boyden Assists Kerry’s Place Autism Services with CEO Search
Boyden has recruited Normandie Wragg as the new president and CEO of Kerry’s Place Autism Services in Ontario. The appointment follows the previously announced retirement of CEO Susan VanDeVelde-Coke at the end of June. The search was led by partners Jim Stonehouse and Pamela Colquhoun, and Kathy Luu, senior associate. “Normandie is a highly accomplished, values-driven
Modern Executive Solutions Expands Technology Practice
Atlanta-based talent consultancy Modern Executive Solutions has expanded with the addition of Moises Velilla as managing director in its technology practice. He brings deep experience advising organizations on senior leadership hiring and talent strategy across technology and transformation. Mr. Velilla specializes in advising clients on executive talent strategy and recruiting transformative technology and professional services leaders. He
AI’s Next Test: Can It Actually Drive Growth?
A massive opportunity, and a critical trust gap, is emerging among corporate leaders. According to EY-Parthenon’s Growth Survey of 271 U.S. executives, 78 percent believe AI will accelerate growth, even as nearly 80 percent say the growth environment has become more challenging over the past year. Yet only about a third trust AI inputs for high-stakes decisions such
Retained vs. Contingent Search: Choosing the Right Executive Search Model
As companies navigate increasingly complex leadership challenges, the pressure to make the right executive hiring decision has never been greater. Boards and leadership teams are looking beyond resumes and credentials, placing greater emphasis on cultural alignment, long-term business impact, and a candidate’s ability to guide organizations through growth, transformation, and uncertainty. At the same time,
Brettschneider Executive Search Completes Search for Western Colorado University
New York City-based Brettschneider Executive Search recently assisted in the recruitment of Sharoni Little as dean of Western Colorado University’s School of Business. “Dr. Little’s forward-thinking approach will help shape the future of business education at Western, creating opportunities for students to thrive in today’s competitive economy,” said Brad Baca, president. With a career spanning academia, corporate leadership,
Ren Systems Appoints Head of Product
Ren Systems, an AI-powered relationship intelligence platform used by sales, business development, and professional services leaders, recently expanded with the addition of Nick Wynja as head of product. “As we’ve scaled Ren to 70+ enterprise customers and accelerated our feature release cycle, it became clear that we needed focused product leadership,” the company said in
How to Kick Off an Executive Search the Right Way
As leadership demands grow more complex, organizations are increasingly recognizing that a successful executive search begins long before candidate outreach or interviews take place. Search consultants say the strongest outcomes are driven by early alignment around business strategy, organizational culture, leadership expectations, and the capabilities needed to support future growth. Rather than simply filling an
Why Structured Interviews Lead to Better Hiring
As organizations compete for leadership talent, many are reexamining how executive interviews are conducted and whether traditional hiring instincts are leading to the best decisions. Increasingly, research is showing that structured interviews built around standardized questions and evaluation criteria deliver more reliable hiring outcomes than conversational, free-flowing assessments. Talent experts say the approach not only
Rethinking Career Loyalty in the Age of Gen Z and Millennials
As leadership priorities continue to evolve, executive search firms are seeing a growing shift in how candidates evaluate long-term career opportunities. Today’s professionals are placing greater emphasis on purpose, culture, mentorship, flexibility, and personal growth alongside compensation and title. Recruiters say organizations that can clearly communicate vision, invest in employee development, and foster strong leadership
Coulter Partners Recruits Chief Scientific Officer for Laigo Bio
Life sciences recruiting specialist Coulter Partners has recruited Richard C.A. Sainson as the new chief scientific officer of Laigo Bio. “It was a privilege to partner with Matthew and the Laigo board,” said Kay Wardle, managing partner at Coulter Partners. “Targeted protein degradation is one of the most exciting frontier areas of drug discovery, and finding a chief
Blue Rock Human Capital Recruits Chief People Officer for Michelli Weighing & Measurement
Talent acquisition strategies at many large companies have become as complex as their balance sheets. And while chief human resource officers play a vital role in overseeing an organization’s broad-based workforce, the chief people officer typically goes beyond overseeing its people policies. The focus instead is on building talent as a key competitive advantage, with more
Raising the Bar for Interim and Fractional Leadership
As companies face mounting pressure to move faster and adapt to constant change, interim and fractional executives are increasingly being brought in not simply to maintain stability, but to drive transformation from day one. Organizations today are seeking experienced leaders who can step into critical roles, solve immediate business challenges, and create momentum while long-term
BoardWalk Consulting Selected by Atlanta Ballet for Executive Director Search
BoardWalk Consulting has was recently tapped by Atlanta Ballet to lead in its search for an executive director. The search is being led by Sam Pettway, Demeika Wheaton, and Patti Kish. The executive director will lead Atlanta Ballet’s administrative and business functions in alignment with the organization’s mission and values, while partnering closely with the artistic
When Search Fatigue Leads to Costly Hiring Mistakes
In executive search, the biggest hiring mistakes are not always caused by weak candidate pools or poor sourcing strategies. More often, breakdowns occur near the finish line, when prolonged interview cycles, competing stakeholder opinions, and mounting business pressures begin to wear down decision-making discipline. What starts as a rigorous evaluation process can gradually shift toward
Preng & Associates Recruits SVP of Government Services for American Bureau of Shipping
Houston-based Preng & Associates has placed Rear Admiral Ronald J. Rábago as senior vice president of government services at American Bureau of Shipping (ABS). “Admiral Rábago brings exceptional government and industry experience that will further enhance the support we provide to our government clients in the U.S. and around the world,” said John McDonald, ABS chairman and CEO. “His
McDermott + Bull Expands in Amsterdam
Irvine, CA-based McDermott + Bull has expanded in Amsterdam with the addition of Gerben van den Hout as managing director. “This strategic hire comes as McDermott + Bull continues to expand its executive search presence across Europe, further strengthening the firm’s ability to support organizations in identifying and placing high-impact leadership talent,” the firm said. “Gerben’s appointment represents an
Companies Don’t Have a Talent Problem—They Have a Judgment Problem
As organizations scale, the difference between success and failure often comes down to the quality of decisions made around people, not just strategy. Leaders who consistently outperform tend to approach hiring, team development, and execution with greater discipline, clarity, and adaptability. After 15 years as a founder and CEO of venture-backed companies, John Levisay of
Solomon Page Assists Presbyterian Health Plan with President Search
New York City headquartered executive search firm Solomon Page has recruited Heather Thiltgen as the new of president of Presbyterian Health Plan at Presbyterian Healthcare Services. The national search was led by Marc Gouran, the managing director and global practice leader at Solomon Page Healthcare. She will replace Tony Hernandez as president of Presbyterian’s insurance division. “This search reinforces our deep
Acertitude Recruits Chief Revenue Officer for The Vomela Companies
Acertitude has placed John Biscanti as the new chief revenue officer of The Vomela Companies. The search was led by co-founder and managing partner, Kevin O’Neill with support from Lauren Boone, and Katie Martin. In his role, Mr. Biscanti is responsible for driving revenue growth by aligning the company’s sales, marketing, and pricing strategies. Before joining Vomela, he
Bay Street Advisors Expands Hedge Fund Practice
Executive recruitment firm Bay Street Advisors has expanded with the addition of Dominique Lawrence as a director in the hedge fund practice. “Dominique joins us from Jackson Lucas, where he specialized in senior leadership placements across hedge funds and alternative investment firms,” Bay Street Advisors said in a LinkedIn post. “His expertise in aligning investment talent, business
BCG Sees Strategic Acceleration Defining The Next Chapter Of M&A
BCG’s latest M&A report – The Brave New World of Dealmaking in the Global Market – finds that despite upheaval in the market, dealmakers are proving more strategic, and more versatile, than ever. “After navigating significant turbulence earlier this year, the market has shown its resilience, driven by strategic adaptability among experienced dealmakers,” noted BCG. The firm’s M&A
Your Resume vs. The Robot
Your resume is no longer for a human, it’s for a machine which is an applicant tracking system. It has one job: to screen you out, according to a new report from ExecSearches.com’s F. Jay Hall. A report by StandOut CV shows that, on average, 75 percent of resumes submitted to large companies are rejected by an applicant
Greenwood Asher & Associates Assists Hampshire College Recruit 9th President
Miramar Beach, FL-based executive recruitment firm Greenwood Asher & Associates has placed Jennifer Chrisler as the 9th president of Hampshire College. The search was led by Jim Johnsen and Lauren McCaghren. “Jennifer Chrisler’s exemplary leadership has already proven essential for the college, with a combination of vision and resilience that makes her a perfect fit for us as an
Nexus Search Partners Adds New Partner
Nexus Search Partners, an executive search and advisory firm in Charlotte, NC, has expanded with the addition of Alison Summerville as partner, financial services. “Alison’s ability to navigate complexity, build consensus, and anchor business success in purpose-driven leadership makes her an incredible addition to our team,” said Thaddeus Jones, founder and managing partner of Nexus
The Structure of an Organization’s Culture: Building a Foundation for Performance
Building a strong, values-driven culture begins with understanding the underlying structures that shape how people think, behave, and interact within an organization. By identifying the core beliefs, unwritten norms, and systems that influence daily actions, leaders can intentionally align employee behavior with the company’s purpose and values. This alignment fosters clarity in expectations, accountability in
Funk Associates Appoints President
Funk Associates has made a leadership transition with the appointment of Willie Funk as president of the firm. Bill Funk will continue as the firm’s chief executive officer. In this role, he will continue to guide the strategic direction of the firm and will continue his engagement with clients and continue his consultancy on senior leadership
Krauthamer & Associates Recruits CFO for Zippy Shell
Krauthamer & Associates has helped to recruit Michael Duffy as chief financial officer of Zippy Shell, Inc. He will succeed Mark Linville, who is retiring. “As we enter the next chapter of growth and prepare the company for REIT election, Mike brings a unique perspective, strong operational and REIT financial expertise, M&A, and a strategic mindset
Blue Rock Human Capital Recruits Chief People Officer for Mark III Construction
Talent acquisition strategies at many large companies have become as complex as their balance sheets. And while chief human resource officers play a vital role in overseeing an organization’s broad-based workforce, the chief people officer typically goes beyond overseeing its people policies. The focus instead is on building talent as a key competitive advantage, with more
Rudish Health Seeking Chief Investment Officer for MedStar Health
Boca Raton, FL-headquartered healthcare advisory and talent leadership firm Rudish Health has been selected by MedStar Health to lead in its search for a treasurer and chief investment officer. Charlotte Beck, Asmita Shah, and Jessica Cousino are leading the assignment. Reporting directly to the CFO as a member of the senior executive team, this leader will hold a
The Millard Group Announces Promotion
The Millard Group, which focuses on building executive teams for venture capital and private equity backed growth stage technology companies, has appointed Haley Lomax as senior search consultant. She is co-leader the firm’s solution provider practice, which focuses on executive search and go-to-market team builds for high-growth solution and services providers (including MSP/MSSP, telecom, ISP, network
The University of Alabama System Taps ZRG for President Search
Academic institutions continue to pump big fees into executive search firms nationwide. Many academic recruiting specialists say business, in fact, has never been better despite some sectors of executive search slowing over the past year. Even smaller recruiting outfits have multiple assignments running concurrently, all at the senior levels, and if there’s any slowdown coming
Building a Culture of Collaboration Between HR and Talent Acquisition
Hiring the right people requires more than just filling open positions—it demands a strategic partnership across the organization. When HR aligns closely with department leaders, the result is a hiring process that not only meets immediate needs but also drives long-term success. By integrating insight from every corner of the company, HR can identify candidates
Russell Reynolds Associates Names First Chief Science Officer
Global leadership advisory firm Russell Reynolds Associates (RRA) has appointed Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic as its first chief science officer. In this new global role, Dr. Chamorro-Premuzic will lead RRA’s research and development (R&D) and innovation initiatives, driving the firm’s data strategy and the development of proprietary insights to further enhance RRA’s advisory capabilities. “The integration of cutting-edge
Spencer Stuart Forms Long-Term Alliance with ONYX
Spencer Stuart has inked a new long-term strategic partnership with ONYX, an invitation-only membership network of recently retired and longer-tenured CEOs, two-thirds of whom have led Fortune 500 companies and who collectively sit on over 400 corporate boards. Spencer Stuart made a minority investment in ONYX and will become its exclusive partner for leadership, talent and human capital
Anthem Executive Seeking CEO for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson
Executive recruitment firm Anthem Executive was recently retained by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson (BGCT) to lead in its search for a new CEO. Michael Ballew, Scott Watson, Mike “JR” Wheless, and Florene Stawowy are leading the assignment. The non-profit seeks a transformational and decisive CEO to lead the organization through a critical period of change and renewal. Reporting directly
The Dark Side of Leadership
When the dark side of leadership emerges, organizational catastrophe is just a step away. Financial news proves this year after year, according to a recent report from Hogan Assessments. For instance, former CEO Adam Neumann contributed to devaluing the commercial real estate company WeWork by approximately $37 billion in mere months. “Now, we all know that
DHR Global Recruits Chief Marketing and Brand Officer for the Atlantic Coast Conference
Talent advisory firm DHR Global has recruited Marques E. Zak as the first chief marketing and brand officer of the Atlantic Coast Conference. This marks a significant step in the conference’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its brand and expand fan engagement. “Marques is a proven marketing innovator whose leadership has consistently brought brands closer to their audiences in
JDG Completes VP Searches for The MIL Corporation
Rockville, MD-based executive search firm JDG Associates recently assisted in the recruitment of Yolanda Reid and Mike Marshall as vice presidents of cybersecurity at The MIL Corporation. With over 25 years of experience at the forefront of national security and emerging technology, Ms. Reid has led some of the most advanced cyber and intelligence programs supporting the U.S. government
Pacific International Partners with LSG Sky Chefs Americas
London-headquartered executive search firm Pacific International has inked an exclusive 12-month retained search partner agreement with LSG Sky Chefs Americas (Sky Chefs), the market leader in airline catering and hospitality services across North and Latin America. Under the agreement, Pacific International will leverage its expertise to identify and attract senior talent that aligns with Sky Chefs’ culture
The Barton Partnership Appoints Vice President, North America
The Barton Partnership, a U.K.-based executive search firm, has named Melissa Chester as vice president, North America. The firm said she will partner with leaders across the firm to accelerate growth in independent consulting while complementing The Barton Partnership’s established executive search capabilities in strategy & transformation. “Melissa’s extensive experience supporting private equity firms and their
Hunt Scanlon Media Taps ZRG to Recruit New Sales Chief
Hunt Scanlon Media, the long-time trade publisher and media concern serving the global executive search and human capital sectors, has retained ZRG to recruit the company’s new head of sales. ZRG is ranked as the seventh-largest search firm in the U.S. according to Hunt Scanlon. “Given ZRG’s outstanding media and entertainment search practice, we could not
AI and HR: Partners in Building Smarter, More Human Workplaces
The world of work is evolving faster than ever, and HR sits squarely at the center of that transformation. As organizations navigate new technologies, shifting employee expectations, and an increasingly data-driven landscape, HR’s role has expanded from administrative function to strategic powerhouse. The adoption of artificial intelligence marks not just a technological leap, but a
The Talent Studios Places CEO at PE-Backed Foundry Brands
The Talent Studios has recruited Christian Chopra as CEO of Foundry Brands, a growing portfolio of digitally native personal-care and lifestyle brands backed by Monogram Capital Partners and Lightbay Capital. The search was led by The Talent Studios’ Jeremy Cohen and Katlyn Maloney. Mr. Chopra brings two decades of experience building and repositioning consumer brands across
NU Advisory Partners Recruits Chief Experience Officer for Chief
NU Advisory Partners has placed Roshanie Ross as chief experience officer at Chief, the most powerful membership community and platform for senior women leaders. Meredith Rosenberg, Libby Naumes, and Kelsey Kelly led the assignment. “Our members engage with Chief in myriad ways—through coaching, our programming and events, across our five clubhouses and across our digital
McDermott + Bull Expands in Toronto
Irvine, CA-based McDermott + Bull has expanded with the addition of Sachin Sama as partner in its Toronto office. He will spearhead the expansion of the firm’s energy and industrials practice across North America, leveraging more than 15 years of experience advising organizations through transformation, growth, and leadership transitions. “Energy and industrial organizations are entering a pivotal
Talent and Technology: A New Generation of Leadership Enters the C-Suite
Riviera Partners recently surveyed more than 1,000 technology executives for its latest report, revealing a major shift in how leadership is structured. According to Riviera, AI, data, and cross-functional collaboration are pushing technology roles to the forefront of enterprise strategy. The report identifies five key positions now demanding space in the C-suite: Chief AI officer (CAIO), chief
Kingsley Gate Assists J. Crew Group with CHRO Search
Private equity-backed Kingsley Gate has assisted in the recruitment of Gena Smith as the new chief human resources officer of J. Crew Group. “I was honored to work with J. Crew Group, CEO Libby Wadle and team to place Gena Smith as the company’s new chief human resources officer,” Mike Bergen, senior partner, global markets at Kingsley Gate,
Coulter Partners Recruits CFO for Tristel
Life sciences recruiting specialist Coulter Partners has placed Anna Wasyl as the new CFO of Tristel plc. “Anna’s appointment comes at an exciting and important time for Tristel,” said Matt Sassone, CEO of Tristel. “Her broad international background, commercial mindset, and hands-on approach to both strategy and execution are exactly what we need as we enter







