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Reinforcing Leadership at Historically Black Colleges
Presidential turnover has become an increasingly urgent issue across higher education, but the stakes are especially high at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). As HBCUs navigate rising enrollment demand, heightened fundraising expectations, and growing public visibility, leadership continuity is emerging as a critical factor in long-term institutional strength. Yet many campuses continue to face
Industra Talent Partners Launched by Bespoke Partners for Private Equity-Backed Industrial Companies
San Diego, CA-headquartered Bespoke Partners has launched Industra Talent Partners to use AI and a best-in-class search methodology to recruit senior leaders for U.S. middle-market industrial companies backed by private equity. “Industrial companies are perfect candidates for private equity to produce outsized returns. But portfolio company leadership is the critical factor in executing on value creation plans,” said Eric
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.
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
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?
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,
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
The Secret Ingredient for Transformational Leadership in a PE backed Environment
Private equity firms are under more pressure than ever to deliver returns in an increasingly crowded and high-stakes market. Amid this intensity, leadership quality has emerged as a critical lever for driving growth, mitigating risk, and maximizing value creation. In today’s competitive private equity landscape, where achieving a return on investment is challenging and the
Recruitment Firms Land Big West Conference Commissioner Using Virtual Technology
As the coronavirus pandemic alters the way executive recruiters conduct business, collegiate athletics consultants College Sports Solutions (CSS) and Buffkin / Baker have teamed up to place Dan Butterly as commissioner of the Big West Conference. He will start on June 1 to transition alongside Dennis Farrell, who will officially step down one month later. Mr. Farrell is retiring after
As Global Sage Expands in London, New Hire Offers Update on COVID-19 Recruiting Climate
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to strain the financial services industry, one search firm that focuses on the sector sees an opportunity. Hong Kong-headquartered executive search firm Global Sage has hired financial services recruiter Simon Barzilay as managing director in London. Mr. Barzilay has over 30 years of capital markets and executive search experience and
HARTZ Search Chosen to Find CHRO for JPS Health Network
Charlotte, NC-based HARTZ Search has been enlisted to find a chief human resources officer (CHRO) for the JPS Health Network in Fort Worth, TX. President and CEO Michael Hartz is leading the assignment for the recruitment firm. The senior vice president and CHRO will report to the senior executive vice president and chief operating officer, said
U.S. Labor Dept. Delivers Springtime Gut Punch
Employment fell by 20.5 million last month as the U.S. unemployment rate rose to 14.7 percent low, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report released this morning. The changes in these measures reflect the effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and efforts to contain it. The number of unemployed currently stands at 23.1 million.
Kaplan Partners Recruits CHRO for Provident Bank
Kaplan Partners, which specializes in conducting searches for C-level executives primarily in the financial services, corporate financial, private investor and technology sectors, has placed Carolyn Powell as chief human resources officer (CHRO) for Provident Bank. Ms. Powell, who will also hold the title of executive vice president, will be based in the bank’s Iselin, N.J.
Hudson Global Posts 49 Percent Revenue Gain; Adverse COVID-19 Impact Expected in Q2
Hudson Global Inc. / (NASDAQ:HSON) posted first quarter revenues of $24.1 million, up 49.1 percent from a year ago. By region, Hudson Asia Pacific led the charge, recording a revenue gain of 109 percent. Revenue growth in Asia-Pacific was driven by the start of a significant contract in Australia to manage a portion of the contingent workforce for a
Surge in Unemployment Filings Continues
Americans displaced by the coronavirus crisis again filed for unemployment benefits in historic numbers within the last seven days, with the Labor Department reporting this morning another surge of 3.2 million claims. More than 33 million people have now filed for unemployment benefits over the past seven weeks, representing nearly 20 percent of the U.S.
Quick Leonard Kieffer Recruits Chief Talent Officer for Atrium Health
Healthcare is among the most rapidly growing employment fields and even in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic many within the sector continue to hire, according to analysts at Hunt Scanlon Media, which tracks trends in the executive search and leadership solutions space. What’s more, human resource professionals and particularly heads of talent – the very leaders
Slone Partners Secures Chief Medical Officer of OmniSeg
Executive search firm Slone Partners has placed Roger D. Klein as chief medical officer of OmniSeq. Dr. Klein will support OmniSeq in its continued development of innovative products that help oncologists identify the best precision medicine options for their patients. “Dr. Klein is a highly accomplished leader in the innovative fields of molecular pathology, oncology and precision medicine,” said
When the Mask Comes Off: Job Hunting in a Post Pandemic World
Search professionals continue to adjust to new ways of doing business as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite growing unemployment numbers, recruiters are finding new pathways to work through the crisis. From the jobseeker standpoint, however, many mid- to senior-level professionals are unsure how to proceed with their job searches. A new report by
TowerHunter Tapped by UMOM New Day Centers to Find New CEO
Economic and community development organizations continue to turn to executive search firms to find new leaders. Recently, Phoenix, AZ-headquartered executive search firm TowerHunter was selected by UMOM New Day Centers to lead a national search for a new chief executive officer. UMOM New Day Centers is Arizona’s largest provider of services for individuals and families experiencing
Integrated People Solutions Partners with High Potential Inc. to Offer Outplacement Services
Over the years, executive search firms have expanded into an array of new business offerings, from leadership development and training to executive coaching and management assessment. Now, one search firm is offering career transition services to the tens of millions of employees suddenly laid off or furloughed as a result the economic devastation brought on
Conducting a Job Search During a Global Pandemic
Americans displaced by the coronavirus crisis continue to file for unemployment benefits in historic numbers sending millions of people looking for new jobs. With many organizations under hiring freezes, these are tough times to be seeking a new position. “As we find ourselves in unprecedented times, many mid- to senior-level professionals are unsure how to
Phillips Oppenheim Seeking President for Bennington College
New York City-based executive search firm Phillips Oppenheim has been enlisted to find the next president of Bennington College. Mariko Silver, who held the job for six years, stepped down last summer to become president and chief executive officer of the Henry Luce Foundation. Isabel Roche, who had been provost and dean of the Vermont college, is
Benchmark Executive Search Expands Cybersecurity Advisory Board
Benchmark Executive Search, a boutique provider of cybersecurity talent, has expanded its advisory board with the addition of former CIA executives Sue Gordon and Constantine M. Saab as new members. To address the growing need for a full spectrum of enterprise risks in corporate boardrooms, Benchmark is expanding its network of experts ranging from cybersecurity,
The Future of Work and the Workforce in the Post-Pandemic Era
COVID-19 is only the latest example of a seismic global event upending sophisticated organizations. For no one does this matter more than for talent managers, who find their every process now up for grabs, according to a new report, “The Future of Work and the Workforce in the Post-Pandemic Era,” authored by Richard Stein, chief
Museum of Modern Art Picks Major, Lindsey & Africa to Find Next General Counsel
Legal recruiting continues to be a hot area for search firms. Lawyers employed by government agencies in particular have been on the move in recent months, according to Hunt Scanlon Media. Employment of lawyers is projected to grow 10 percent through 2022. Demand for legal work is expected to be robust as individuals, businesses and all levels of
Heidrick & Struggles Launches New Diversity & Inclusion Practice
Competitive companies, organizations and government agencies know that diversity matters. Why? The demographics of the nation must mirror the workforce. Why diversity? It’s the customer; it’s the worker; thus, it must be the executives. Research shows that organizations that unleash the potential of diverse talent innovate faster and see better business results. It starts by
Leading Through Uncertainty and Fear
We are living in unprecedented times in which fear and uncertainty caused by the coronavirus pandemic are having a tremendous impact on our lives. Matters are further complicated by having to live in isolation, all the while hearing from 24/7 news outlets about the rising numbers of infections and deaths. As the global economy all
CFA Society New York Taps Vetted Solutions to Find CEO
Washington, D.C. based executive recruitment firm Vetted Solutions has been enlisted to find a chief executive officer for CFA Society New York (CFANY), a financial services forum and provider of professional education and career development to Wall Street. The group’s previous CEO, Daniel Dagen, stepped down at the end of March. Peter Rush of Kellen,
Raines International Opens Office in Washington, D.C.
New York-based Raines International has opened a new office in Washington, D.C., and named Patrick Gray to oversee it as a managing director. He will also serve as head of the firm’s diversified industrials practice. “Patrick is an extremely impressive professional with excellent credentials and a unique background that will be invaluable to our clients, now and in
Jobless Claims Reach 30 Million in Six Weeks
Americans displaced by the coronavirus crisis again filed for unemployment benefits in historic numbers within the last seven days, with the Labor Department reporting this morning another surge of 3.839 million claims. More than 30 million people have now filed for unemployment benefits over the past six weeks, representing roughly 18.6 percent of the U.S.
BrainWorks Assists Hollander Sleep Products in COO and CFO Searches
New Providence, NJ-based executive search firm BrainWorks recently assisted in the placements of James Hill and Kim Mattoon as chief operating officer and chief financial officer of Hollander Sleep Products, a Centre Lane Partners backed company. Eric Frickel, leader of the recruitment firm’s private equity search practice, led the assignment. “The engagement started in August
Beaumont Bailey Appoints Head of Leadership Development
London-based specialist executive search firm Beaumont Bailey has expanded with the addition of Robin Landsman as head of leadership development. “We are delighted to have Robin join our team at Beaumont Bailey,” said director George Dobbins. “She has outstanding experience which will be invaluable to our clients and strengthens our wider leadership offering. Her presence amongst our
Conducting Executive Searches During a Pandemic
Steve Caliger opened The Loring Group earlier this year and since then times have changed dramatically for all businesses, including executive search firms. “The reason we started The Loring Group was to deliver higher quality work,” Mr. Caliger said. “Our partners were leaders for technology, banking, healthcare and professional services companies before becoming recruiters. We
Hanold Associates Recruits Head of People Analytics for Capital Group
Sandra Peña and Ashley Schiele of Chicago-based Hanold Associates have teamed up to place Erin Urwin as people analytics senior manager for Capital Group, a private financial services company headquartered in Los Angeles. “Erin is an influential leader who will be a transformative addition to Capital Group’s People Analytics team,” said Ms. Peña, a partner with the search firm. “She is
Comhar Partners Recruits CEO for Embrace Living Communities
Chicago-based executive recruitment firm Comhar Partners has placed Ralph Gaines as the new chief executive officer of Embrace Living Communities, an Oak Brook, IL-based non-profit which owns and operates housing communities for seniors and people with special housing needs in Illinois, Missouri and Florida. Managing director James O’Malley along with Bernard Layton and Nick Layton led the assignment
Heidrick & Struggles Posts Flat Revenues as COVID-19 Impact Continues
Executive search, leadership consulting and culture shaping services provider Heidrick & Struggles (NASDAQ:HSII) posted first quarter revenues of $171.5 million, flat from revenues during the same period a year ago surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.32 percent. The firm has topped consensus revenue estimates three times over the last four quarters. “We generated revenue in the upper
Greenwich Harbor Partners Recruits CFO for Warburg Pincus-Backed Petplan
Chief financial officers continue to be in high demand. Finding them is keeping many of the nation’s top recruitment operations busier than ever. In recent months, search firms of all varieties have placed CFOs at various companies, especially private equity-backed outfits. Recently, Greenwich Harbor Partners placed David Zollenberg as the new CFO for Petplan, a Warburg Pincus portfolio
Robert Half Posts Three Percent Revenue Gain Citing COVID-19 Impact on Results
Robert Half International Inc./(NYSE:RHI) posted first quarter revenues of $1.507 billion, up three percent from the same period a year ago beating Wall Street’s expectations. This compares to year-ago revenues of $1.47 billion. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates three times over the last four quarters. The Menlo Park, CA-based recruiting company recorded net income
The COVID-19 Impact on Executive Search
The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on every business sector, executive recruiting included, costing organizations billions of dollars in lost revenue. Goldman Sachs estimates that economic growth around the world will be zero in 2020 thanks to the virus. To many, even that seems grossly underestimated. But the coronavirus is causing far more than just
