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Baird Global Investment Banking Integrates Ren Systems
Baird Global Investment Banking recently integrated Ren Systems, an AI-powered relationship intelligence platform used by sales, business development, and professional services leaders. “It’s not every day a century-old financial institution changes how their investment bankers work,” said Canay Deniz, co-founder and CEO of Ren Systems. “It says a lot about Baird’s culture that they’re leaning
6 Executive Search Trends Shaping Leadership in 2026
Executive search is no longer just a hiring function — it’s becoming a strategic response to how fast organizations are being forced to evolve. Boards and CEOs are facing a leadership environment defined by volatility, accelerated technology shifts, changing workforce expectations, and increasing pressure to deliver results with fewer resources and tighter timelines. In that
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.
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
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?
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
Allen Austin Launches Evidence-Based Leadership Assessment VantagePoint
Houston, TX-based search firm Allen Austin launch of VantagePoint, an evidence-based leadership assessment that helps organizations identify and develop high-potential leaders with greater clarity and confidence. VantagePoint is grounded in three decades of leadership advisory work and original research by Allen Austin chairman and CEO Rob Andrews. Over two years, Mr. Andrews interviewed more than 100 CEOs,
The CHRO’s New Mandate
Across industries, the organizational design structure has shifted from a traditional pyramid to an hourglass model. This is not a recent development, explained Slayton Search Partners’ John Doyle in a recent report. “Organizational efficiencies, increased technology and the first wave of Baby Boomer retirements began this transition nearly two decades ago,” he said. “Experienced leaders have been retiring. Internal pipelines have
Kincannon & Reed Assists CCI Prime with CFO Search
Kincannon & Reed (K&R), which exclusively focuses on food, agribusiness, and the related life sciences, has assisted in the recruitment of Jamie Broad as CFO of CCI Prime, bringing on a seasoned finance leader to support the company’s next phase of growth. “Jamie’s ability to connect financial insights to operational realities makes her an exceptional
EQU Advisors Seeking Senior Leader for Sarah Lawrence College
Executive search firm EQU Advisors was recently retained by Sarah Lawrence College to lead in its search for an associate vice president of enrollment. This executive will serve as a key member of the senior enrollment leadership team and a collaborative partner across the institution. This role is designed to strengthen coordination, elevate shared strategy, and support
Egon Zehnder Forms Alliance with IMD
Global leadership advisory firm Egon Zehnder and IMD, a leading business school in global executive education, have formed a strategic partnership to facilitate board directors’ personal growth and elevate board performance. The partnership combines IMD’s academic rigor and deep connections to global boards with Egon Zehnder’s expertise in leadership and board effectiveness. Together, they will co-create tailored
Shaping Leadership, One Search at a Time
The executive search sector draws professionals from a wide array of backgrounds, each with unique motivations for entering the field. For some, it’s the intellectual challenge and strategic nature of identifying transformative leadership that captivates them. Others are inspired by the opportunity to collaborate with a variety of organizations, ranging from nimble startups to global
Bespoke Partners Adds CEO of Sales Benchmark Index as Board Member
Board service can be one of the most rewarding career experiences: It’s an opportunity to see firsthand how another company operates at the highest levels and to work with – and learn from – accomplished, articulate and intelligent people. Its why many leaders decide to start down the path to the boardroom. It is also
Cognitive Talent Partners Appoints Head of U.S. Operations
Gurgaon, Haryana-headquartered executive search firm Cognitive Talent Partners has named Abba Manchanda as a partner and head of U.S. operations. “Abba’s entrepreneurial background and global sales experience will be a tremendous asset to our business globally,” said Anuj Dhawan, founder and managing partner of Cognitive Talent Partners. “Her breadth of experience – not only having built a recruiting practice from
LinkedIn Cuts Nearly a Thousand Jobs as Demand for Recruiting Products Wanes
If you haven’t seen concrete, visible signs yet of the turbulence COVID-19 is having on the recruitment market, here’s one: LinkedIn is laying off approximately 960 jobs, or six percent of its workforce, noting that the pandemic is beginning to have a material effect on the demand for its recruitment products. The online employment service
DHR International Tapped by Central Michigan University to Find Next Director of Athletics
Universities continue to turn to executive search firms to find new athletic directors. Glenn Sugiyama, managing partner and global sports practice leader at DHR International, has been called in by Central Michigan University (CMU) to lead in its search for its next Zyzelewski Family associate vice president/director of athletics. After three years at the helm of Central
Kittleman & Associates Selected by Seattle Parks Foundation to Find New President and CEO
The economic strength of the non-profit field has increased in recent years and it is now the third largest employer in the U.S. This has certainly kept search firms busy. Chicago-based search firm Kittleman & Associates has been enlisted to find a new president and CEO for Seattle Parks Foundation (SPF). Reporting to the board chair on
Bay Street Advisors Open Office in London
Executive recruitment firm Bay Street Advisors has opened a new office in London, marking its first location outside the U.S. The office will be led by industry veteran John Rumsey, who will serve as managing director. The move comes at a time when Bay Street is strategically growing its business and looking to better serve
Mlegal Rebrands Macrae to Reflect Growing Global Footprint
Global legal executive search firm Mlegal recently announced that going forward it will be known as Macrae. The firm’s complete rebrand to Macrae, which includes a new website and positioning, reflects its growth from a two-recruiter team in Northern California in 2001 to a transatlantic boutique with a strong and growing footprint in four of the world’s top
Why Selecting a Search Firm is ‘Mission Critical’ During Challenging Times
As COVID-19 cases continue to climb across the U.S., the Labor Department reported this morning that 1.4 million more Americans filed new claims for state unemployment benefits last week, the 18th week in a row that the figure has topped one million. Economists polled by Dow Jones expected initial claims to rise by 1.3 million. The
Bubenik Partners Recruits Global CEO for PFNonwovens Holding
Central European executive search firm Bubenik Partners has assisted the owners of PFNonwovens Holding s.r.o. (PFN) in recruiting Cedric Ballay as the company’s new group chief executive officer. The leadership change is the result of a long-planned succession for the Prague-headquartered PFN Group, the global hygiene nonwovens textile producer owned by the R2G family office.
Global Talent Solutions Seeks Chief Growth Officer for MassageLuXe
Laguna Hills, CA-based executive search firm Global Talent Solutions (GTS) has been selected to find the first-ever chief growth officer for MassageLuXe, a 68-unit luxury massage, wax and facial franchise retailer. The placement is expected to accelerate the brand’s mission to expand to more than 250 units within five years and is the first of
Slone Partners Adds Branding Leadership Expert to Advisory Board
Sumitovant Biopharma executive Mary Stutts has joined the advisory board of executive search firm Slone Partners. Ms. Stutts is a renowned C-level global branding and growth expert who has provided strategic counsel in the biotechnology, healthcare, technology, and media industries at Fortune 200 companies including Genentech, Bayer, Bristol Myers Squibb, Kaiser Permanente, UnitedHealth Group, and Comcast
ManpowerGroup Revenue Down 30 Percent as COVID-19 Impacts Results
ManpowerGroup / (NYSE:MAN) posted third quarter revenues of $3.7 billion, a decrease of 30 percent from the same period a year ago. The hardest hit region in its portfolio was France, where revenue fell 47.5 percent in constant currency. The Milwaukee-based recruiting company recorded net earnings of $64.4 million, or $1.10 per diluted share, compared to
Coronavirus and the People Pandemic: Should You Stop Hiring?
Coronavirus has been top of mind with every CEO and chief people officer. As the virus has taken hold, news has been dominated by headlines of redundancies, lost workforces and companies closing. “In these trying times, every action is under scrutiny as we seek to both contain the virus and continue our everyday practice,” 360Leaders’
The Moran Company Seeks New CEO for Open Excellence
The Moran Company, an executive recruitment firm that specializes in the non-profit sector, has been tapped by Open Excellence (Foundation for Excellence in Mental Health Care) to lead its search for a new CEO. Steven Byers is leading the assignment. Open Excellence is seeking a CEO to lead and grow its U.S. and international programs. The successful
Waldron Seeks Executive Director for Christensen Fund
Social sector focused executive search firm Waldron has been enlisted to find the next executive director for the Christensen Fund, a San Francisco-based private foundation. The non-profit supports the Global Indigenous Peoples’ Movement in its efforts to advance the rights and opportunities of stewards of biocultural diversity. Leading the assignment for the recruitment firm are search director
Reffett Associates Adds Supply Chain Veteran
Reffett Associates has added veteran supply chain executive Sam Mayberry as a principal. He will focus on the supply chain sector of the consumer industry. Additionally, Mr. Mayberry will use his background and experience working with non-profits to help Reffett Associates to continue to build its non-profit practice. “Sam’s deep experience in all areas of the
Strategic Solutions Partners, SearchWide Global and SalesBoost Form Partnership to Provide Talent Solutions for Hospitality Sector
After taking a massive hit during the Great Recession, employment and hiring within the hotel and hospitality industry has begun to rebound. In the last year, according to one set of survey metrics, the industry added 527,000 jobs (2.6 million since 2004). That number was expected to increase in 2020, as global tourism and traveling
Why Delaying Succession Plans in Times of Crisis Can be Risky
Many boards put leadership succession on hold during turbulent times, even if the subject was high on the agenda before the crisis hit. That’s a common reflex. Facing ambiguity, people often select known options over unfamiliar ones. New research from Spencer Stuart and Bain & Company suggests that directors confronted with uncertainty act the same way.
NorthWind Partners Recruits Chief Growth Officer for NT Concepts
Reston, VA-headquartered executive search firm NorthWind Partners has recruited Brandon Ginsburg as senior vice president and chief growth officer at NT Concepts, a leading national security solutions provider. Brian Thomas, partner and practice leader for industrials/aerospace and defense, government services, led the search. “Brandon brings a strong track record of positioning companies for market expansion in
Tyler & Company Seeks CMO for Whitney M. Young, Jr. Health Center
Atlanta-based executive recruitment firm Tyler & Company has been selected to find the next chief medical officer for the Whitney M. Young, Jr. Health Center (WYH), a comprehensive healthcare provider and federally qualified health center based in Albany, NY. Leading the assignment are Dennis J. Kain, senior vice president, and Charlotte Tinsley, assistant vice president. “The health
Frederickson Partners Expands Diversity Practice
Frederickson Partners has announced the formation of an expanded diversity and inclusion (D&I) recruiting practice. The service will be led by chief of staff Ben Taylor, a five-year veteran of the firm, and CEO Valerie Frederickson. The firm reports that in June it saw a threefold increase in companies requesting D&I searches. Fueled by Black Lives Matter
CyberSN and CyberForward by CISOSHARE Form Alliance to Address Cybersecurity Talent Shortage
Increasingly, organizations of all sizes are awakening to the perils posed by cyber attacks. For years, many groups tried to ignore the problem, dismissing cybersecurity as a concern only for the biggest, most high-profile entities, be they government or corporate. These days, more groups are coming to understand how ruinous such intrusions could be. This
New Ways to Retain and Hire Talent in the Midst of a Crisis
Many of you are gathering around your management table (virtually), grappling with how to get through these next few months and trying to imagine what is ahead. As you do, your organization may be faced with difficult decisions about cutting budgets, hiring freezes, furloughs and potentially letting people go. A new report by Aspen Leadership
Shelli Herman and Associates to Conduct CEO Search for Fresno Chaffee Zoo
Fresno Chaffee Zoo in California has enlisted Los Angeles-based Shelli Herman and Associates to find its next chief executive officer. Leading the assignment is Shelli Herman, president and founder of the recruitment firm. The opening comes at a time of evolution and promise for the zoo. The next CEO will be expected to guide the
Comhar Partners Names Sports, Higher Education, & Non-Profit Practice Leader
Chicago-based executive recruitment firm Comhar Partners has appointed former Chicago Bear defensive tackle Chris Zorich as leader of its newly launched sports management, higher education and non-profit recruiting practice. “Any Chicago area professional sports fan or Notre Dame alum will recognize Chris from his litany of accomplishments on and off the gridiron,” said Bernard Layton, a co-founder and
Brooke Chase Associates Fills Key Post for Cast Iron Soil Pipe Institute
Joseph McElmeel, chairman and CEO of Sarasota, FL-based executive recruiter Brooke Chase Associates, has announced that his firm helped place Grant Dow as vice president of field services for Cast Iron Soil Pipe Institute. Executive recruiter Richard Miller led the assignment. With an extensive background in management and operations, Mr. Dow most recently held the position of
AltoPartners Adds New Member Firm in Hong Kong
AltoPartners, the international alliance of boutique executive search and leadership consulting firms, has expanded its global footprint through the addition of Hong Kong-based Fowler Fox & Co, advisors to some of the world’s most respected private banks, wealth managers and family offices. Headed by Simeon Fowler and supported by Katie Brunt, managing director and head of APAC,
10 Penetrating Questions to Ask Your Search Firm
How do you size up an executive search firm’s true capabilities? In the age of COVID-19 it is an important consideration. To get you started, Odgers Berndtson has offered up 10 questions to help judge if you have the right recruiter on your side or if it’s time to start a search of your own.
TritonExec Names Leader for U.S. Expansion
Global executive search firm TritonExec has appointed Justin Cottrell as partner and leader of its U.S. expansion. Based in New York, Mr. Cottrell brings a wealth of experience in human capital, retained and project-based recruitment strategy as well as a track record in building and scaling a high-growth boutique technology recruitment firm. He has functional expertise
Wild Search Recruits CEO for Gresham College
Wild Search has placed Wendy Piatt as the first chief executive officer of Gresham College. Dr. Piatt has been an adviser at University College London since 2017 and was inaugural CEO of the Russell Group of Universities. “I am passionate about Gresham College’s time-honored mission to bring knowledge and understanding to as wide an audience
Economic Strain Continues as 1.3 Million Americans File for Unemployment
As COVID-19 cases continue to climb across the U.S., the Labor Department reported this morning that 1.3 million more Americans filed new claims for state unemployment benefits last week, the 16th week in a row that the figure has topped one million. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg had been expecting 1.5 million claims. The latest numbers reflect
