DAILY NEWSWIRE - TOP STORIES
Daily Newswire
AI Hiring in 2026: Talent, Pay & Readiness
Artificial intelligence is no longer a side initiative championed by innovation teams executive search consultants continue to tell Hunt Scanlon Media. It has become a strategic lever that shapes competitive positioning, operating models, and enterprise value. As adoption deepens, the conversation is shifting from experimentation to execution — from what AI can do to how
Vetted Solutions Acquires BlochReed Association Advisors
Washington, D.C.-based Vetted Solutions has acquired BlochReed Association Advisors, an association management company (AMC) selection firm. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. This acquisition strengthens Vetted’s capacity to assist association boards and mission-driven organizations nationwide by bringing both deeper expertise and a more seamless experience as clients navigate change and growth. The combined team will
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.
EMA Partners India Acquires Recruitment Process Outsourcing Services Provider Taggd
Executive search and leadership recruitment platform EMA Partners India has acquired recruitment process outsourcing services provider Taggd in an all-cash deal valued at Rs 113 crore. The all-cash acquisition aims to create an integrated talent recruitment platform offering executive search, professional search and AI-powered recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) solutions at scale. Taggd will continue to
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?
NGS Global Expands in London
Wilmington, DE-headquartered executive search firm NGS Global has expanded with the additions of Daniel Yeates and George Balfour as managing directors in London. “Daniel and George are accomplished executive search professionals with deep expertise in the technology and digital sectors,” said David Nosal, chairman and managing partner. “They each bring outstanding client and candidate relationships built over decades
Leadership Challenges Intensify as Organizations Confront AI, Talent, and Economic Uncertainty
Organizations are operating in an increasingly complex environment where economic uncertainty, workforce challenges, AI adoption, and digital transformation are converging to reshape leadership priorities. Kestria’s second annual global leadership survey builds on the themes that emerged in last year’s research; highlighting how rapidly the leadership landscape continues to evolve. Based on responses from more than
Riviera Partners Acquires Lateral Labs
San Francisco-based Riviera Partners, a recruitment provider specializing in C-level engineering, product, and design leader placements, has acquired Lateral Labs, a specialized recruiting firm serving top AI startups. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “The acquisition comes as companies remain challenged to meet the demand of organizational AI readiness,” the firm said. “Adding Lateral Labs positions Riviera Partners
Marovi Assists Congruex with CFO Search
Working in partnership with Atlanta-GA-based Marovi, Congruex, a provider of digital infrastructure engineering and construction services, appointed Jim Stanley as CFO. He reports to Congruex’s co-founder, president, and CEO, Kevin O’Hara. The appointment comes amid strong and sustained growth at Congruex as it plans to continue to capitalize on macro tailwinds, including AI and data center
Brettschneider Executive Search Seeking Inaugural SVP of Advancement for Wilmington University
New York City-based Brettschneider Executive Search has been retained by Wilmington University (WilmU) to lead in its search for an inaugural senior vice president of advancement to lead the University’s next phase of philanthropic growth. Reporting to WilmU president LaVerne Harmon, the SVP will partner closely with the president, board and University leaders to advance the University’s strategic
August Leadership Expands in London
August Leadership has expanded with the addition of Honor Pollok as a partner in London. Ms. Pollok brings over 20 years of executive search and leadership experience. She has led numerous high-profile placements in chair, non-executive director, CEO and the full spectrum of C-suite roles. Her search expertise spans key commercial, financial, creative, human resource, functional,
Hunt Scanlon and HSiQ Spotlight New Approach to Recruiter Training
As the executive search industry faces mounting pressure to improve performance and consistency, firms are increasingly reevaluating how recruiters are trained and developed. Hunt Scanlon and its HSiQ talent intelligence advisory unit recently launched a new Recruiter Performance Training Program designed to bring greater structure, commercial rigor, and scalability to recruiter development in an industry long driven by
Building Team Alignment in an Era of Continuous Change
Ask any team to describe its top strategic priorities and you will often get as many answers as there are people in the room. The problem is not that the strategy hasn’t been communicated, according to recent report from AIIR Consulting. “The problem is that it was communicated into an environment that has since shifted
Isaacson, Miller Helps Recruit 28th President for Texas A&M
Boston-based Isaacson, Miller has assisted in the recruitment of Susan Ballabina as the 28th president of Texas A&M. Andy Lee and Julie Filizetti, led search with Raul Bernal and Luciano Zuniga, and Madeline Fitzpatrick. The members of the Board of Regents conducted a national search that produced a strong pool of candidates. Dr. Ballabina emerged through that process based on her experience, her understanding of
BarkerGilmore Recruits General Counsel for American Credit Acceptance
Boutique search firm BarkerGilmore, which specializes in building corporate legal and compliance teams, has placed Debra Noll as general counsel at American Credit Acceptance. The search was led by Stephen Bell and Alison Waters. “Deb is exceptionally well-positioned to support American Credit Acceptance as it continues to grow and adapt in a complex environment,” BarkerGilmore said in a LinkedIn
Kincannon & Reed Appoints VP of Marketing and Business Development
Kincannon & Reed (K&R), which exclusively focuses on food, agribusiness, and the related life sciences, has expanded with the addition of Dan Evans as vice president of marketing and business development. “Dan brings a strong background in building brands, driving growth, and connecting strategy to execution,” said Stephanie Liska, president of Kincannon & Reed. “Throughout his career,
Women Founders Gain Ground in Human Capital M&A
A meaningful shift has been unfolding across the executive search industry. Over the past decade, a growing number of highly specialized boutiques have been founded and led by women, many of whom built successful careers within larger firms before launching businesses of their own. What is becoming increasingly clear is that investors are paying attention.
Private Equity Recruiting – Return on Investment: Creating Value with Talent
Talent has become a defining driver of performance in private equity, shaping how firms manage risk, execute strategy, and deliver sustained returns. As deal cycles tighten and value creation depends increasingly on operational excellence, leadership quality and organizational design are no longer secondary considerations — they are central to how firms source, underwrite, and scale
AGB Search Seeking Chief Information Technology Officer for Slippery Rock University
Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, has been retained by Slippery Rock University to lead in its search for a chief information technology officer (CITO). Kimberly Templeton, Margaret Plympton, and Anne Hoffman are leading the assignment. This leader serves as the University’s senior technology executive, providing strategic vision, leadership, and executive
The Talent Studios Recruits Chief Marketing Officer for Pura Vida Miami
The Talent Studios has recruited Bruno Cardinali as chief marketing officer of Pura Vida Miami, the premium all-day café and lifestyle brand focused on health, wellness and community. The search was led by Katlyn Maloney and Jeremy Cohen. Mr. Cardinali brings more than two decades of marketing leadership across fast casual, foodservice, beverage, and global consumer brands. Most recently, as
JM Search Expands Technology and Financial Services Practices
JM Search, a senior-level talent provider serving private equity investors, portfolio companies, and Fortune 1000s, has expanded with the additions of Wes Chisholm as partner and Laura Bennstrom and Charles Telep as principals within its technology and financial services practices. Mr. Chisholm and Mr. Telep join the firm’s technology practice while Ms. Bennstrom joins both the financial
How The Tolan Group Navigated the Downturn and Remained Focused
For many executive search firms, 2024 and 2025 tested resilience in ways few could have predicted. At The Tolan Group (TTG), they experienced the same pressures felt across the industry. Slower decision cycles, delayed starts, and a noticeable dip in portfolio company hiring activity. Yet through that uncertainty, one thing remained constant: our commitment to
Korn Ferry Reports Seven Percent Q4 and Full-Year Revenue Growth, Led by Double-Digit Gains in Professional Search & Interim
Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) has posted Q4 fiscal-year revenues of $759.8 million, a year-over-year increase of seven percent and five percent at constant currency. This was led by Professional Search & Interim up 14 percent, followed by Executive Search and Consulting, both up seven percent and RPO up five percent. During the fourth quarter, revenues rose by
Lock Search Group Leading CEO Search for Atlas Sign & Awning
Toronto-headquartered executive recruitment firm Lock Search Group is currently seeking a new CEO for Atlas Sign & Awning. For over 30 years, Atlas Sign & Awning has helped businesses across Canada and the United States stand out through custom commercial signage, awnings, and branded architectural elements. Based in Langley, BC, they’ve built a strong reputation for quality
Anthem Executive Assists the University of Montevallo With President Search
Anthem Executive has assisted in the recruitment of Michelle R. Johnston as the first female president of the University of Montevallo (UM). Michael Ballew, Scott Watson, Mike “JR” Wheless, and Florene Stawowy led the assignment. Dr. Johnston has served as the president of Georgia Southwestern State University since 2024. Prior to her current presidency, she served as president of three other higher education
Mercuri Urval Appoints Non-Executive Director
Stockholm, Sweden-based executive search firm Mercuri Urval (MU) has announced that Jan Sasse, partner at AlterInvest, was named as non-executive director to the MU group board. He will join the current board members Cecilia Strand, Mieke Weijenberg, Cecilia Beer, Richard Moore, and chairman Roger Hagafors. “We are pleased to welcome Jan Sasse as non-executive director of the MU
M&A Becomes a Capability-Driven Acquisition Strategy
EY-Parthenon is forecasting an eight percent increase in U.S. deal volume for transactions exceeding $100 million in 2026, underscoring how central M&A remains to corporate strategy. Yet beneath the headline numbers sits a more important story. The role of acquisitions is evolving. Companies are no longer pursuing deals primarily for scale or market share. Increasingly,
The Hidden Challenges Every First-Time CEO Faces
The corner office has never been more accessible—or more demanding. As boards increasingly turn to a new generation of leaders to navigate disruption, growth, and transformation, first-time CEOs are stepping into roles that require a fundamentally different set of skills than those that propelled them to the top. While many arrive with impressive track records,
Myers McRae Assists Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology with Provost Search
Following a nationwide search, Macon, GA-based Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting has assisted in the recruitment of Richie Roberts as provost of Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology. Kenny Daugherty and Brianna Douglas led the assignment. Dr. Roberts’ selection was guided by a search committee of OSUIT administrators, faculty, staff and students, which was assisted by national search firm Myers McRae. “The entire
Lancer Group Recruits Chief Technology Officer for Minitab
La Jolla, CA-headquartered search firm Lancer Group has recruited Kevin Gordon as chief technology officer of Minitab. “We’re excited to welcome Kevin Gordon as chief technology officer at Minitab,” the company said. “This is an exciting step forward in the evolution of our technology strategy and will help accelerate innovation across our organization and solutions platform.” “Kevin brings
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
PFM Executive Search Finds President for B.C. Marine Terminal Operators Association
Vancouver, British Columbia-based PFM Executive Search has placed Stephanie Jones as president of the B.C. Marine Terminal Operators Association (BCMTOA). Partner Shaun Carpenter and consultant Matthew Bell led the assignment. Ms. Jones will work on behalf of the BCMTOA board of directors and members as the voice of marine terminals operating at British Columbia Ports and Canada’s
P. Jason King Associates Appoints EVP, Preparing for Industry Rebound
Travel and hospitality unemployment fell by 459,000 in March. This employment decline nearly offset gains over the previous two years. While many companies within these sectors are not hiring as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds, one search firm that focuses on these industries sees an opportunity. Skyland, NC-headquartered executive search firm P. Jason King Associates recently
CEO Confidence Falls to Lowest Levels Since 2008 Great Recession
Amid the fallout from COVID-19, confidence among U.S. CEOs has declined sharply. The Conference Board Measure of CEO Confidence decreased from 43 in the fourth quarter of 2019 to 36 in the first quarter of 2020. In addition, a follow-up survey from late March to early April showed a further decline to 34. (A reading of
Acertitude Places CIO for Enlivant
Executive search firm Acertitude has recruited Justin Sheppard as chief information officer for Enlivant, one of the nation’s largest senior living owners and operators with a presence in 27 states across the U.S. Co-founder and managing partner Rick DeRose spearheaded the assignment. As CIO, Mr. Sheppard has strategic oversight for all aspects of technology and is responsible
Naughtin Group Expands Senior Leadership Team
Naughtin Group, a woman-owned national executive search firm based in Minneapolis, MN, has expanded its senior leadership team with the addition of Heidi Dodd as partner. While some firms continue to focus solely on hiring revenue generators to drive the top line, CEO Terri Naughtin saw the importance of making a strategic investment in operations
On the Talent Front Line: COVID-19 and the Consumer Industry
Herbert Mines Associates is a veteran search firm serving retail and consumer clients, and that expertise is giving them a unique vantage point in seeing the impact that COVID-19 is having across a wide range of industries, including: grocery; home, apparel and other retail; restaurants, hotels and other hospitality; digital pureplay; fitness and other consumer
Bridge Partners Seeks CFO for Accion Opportunity Fund
New York City-based Bridge Partners has been enlisted to find an EVP and chief financial officer for Accion Opportunity Fund in the San Francisco Bay area. The non-profit organization spearheads the development of a national microlending strategy to meet the credit needs of small businesses. Bridge Partners’ founders Tory Clarke and Larry Griffin are leading
Bedford Consulting Group Extends Talent Offerings
Toronto-based executive search and talent management solutions provider Bedford Consulting Group has added Val Cambre of Teal & Co. as the firm’s newest partner. Ms. Cambre will lead the design of competitive strategies on talent identification, talent development and establishing a talent culture for optimizing education processes within the academy movement. “Val has a deep knowledge and expertise
Turnkey Search Seeking CFO for the Pittsburgh Penguins
CFOs continue to be in high demand, especially with a global pandemic at hand. Finding these essential C-suite leaders is helping to keep many of the nation’s top recruitment operations active during these challenging days. Turnkey Search, a subsidiary of Turnkey Sports & Entertainment, has been enlisted to help the Pittsburgh Penguins find a new CFO.
SkyWater Search Partners Names HR Practice Leader
Minneapolis, MN-headquartered executive search firm SkyWater Search Partners has added Andrea Anderson to lead its newly expanded human resources placement practice area. With 16 years of experience in human resources and recruiting leadership roles, “Ms. Anderson is uniquely qualified to join and lead SkyWater’s rapidly expanding HR practice area,” the firm said. “The HR practice at SkyWater has
Heidrick & Struggles Appoints CEO & Board Practice Leader in Germany and Switzerland
Executive search, leadership consulting and culture shaping services provider Heidrick & Struggles has appointed Nicolas Von Rosty to lead its CEO and board practice in Germany and Switzerland. He also will join and become a key member of Heidrick’s European industrial practice. “Nicolas brings a wealth of experience to our global CEO and board practice, and we look forward to having
Wilton & Bain CEO Reflects on Deeper Meaning of COVID-19
On March 5, COVID-19 was declared a notifiable disease. Fast moving from China, its impact had taken hold of Italy, but at the time, the U.K. and the U.S. were relatively unmoved. The government posture in both nations was calm, and people and businesses were going about their day-to-day lives as normal. “It is hard
Tyler & Company Tapped by Boone Hospital Center for CEO Search
Atlanta-based executive recruitment firm Tyler & Company has been retained by Boone Hospital Center in Columbia, MO, to lead its search for a new chief executive officer. Assistant vice president Charlotte Tinsley is heading the assignment. Jim Sinek, who has headed the hospital since 2013, recently announced that he will retire at the end of the year. “We
Allegis Partners Recruits VP of Talent and Culture for Mynd Property Management
New York City-based executive search firm Allegis Partners has placed Maria Lovi as vice president of talent and culture at Mynd Property Management in Oakland, CA. The search was conducted by John K. Anderson, managing director in San Francisco, and Rebecca Herbster-Chen, director in Los Angeles. “Maria brings an impressive background in M&A and learning
Pandemic Crisis Sends Another 6.6 Million Americans Into Unemployment
Americans displaced by the coronavirus crisis again filed unemployment claims in historic numbers with the last seven days, with the Labor Department reporting Thursday a new surge of 6.6 million workers. Over 17 million people have now filed for unemployment benefits in three weeks. Economists were predicting 5.5 million jobless claims for the week. The prior
Caliber Associates Recruits VP of Engineering for Ra Medical Systems
Executive recruitment firm Caliber Associates has placed Chris Folk as vice president of engineering for Carlsbad, CA-based Ra Medical Systems, a medical device company which commercializes excimer lasers and catheters for the treatment of vascular and dermatological diseases. The assignment was spearheaded by Steven P. Hochberg, the search firm’s founder and CEO. With more than
DMC Partners Names Global Head of Fixed Income
DMC Partners, a New York City-headquartered advisory and executive search firm specializing in financial services, has expanded with the addition of Jane Thomas as partner and global head of fixed income. With this addition, DMC Partners will further expand its coverage across fixed income markets. “Having Jane on board is a game changer for our
Shelli Herman and Associates Recruits CHRO for the Whitney Museum of American Art
Recruiting HR talent continues to be an expanding priority for companies, even with the pandemic upon us. The thinking goes that once social distancing is lifted, and the virus lethality subsides, some semblance of normalcy will return to businesses. With that in mind, many organizations continue to plan through the crisis and beyond. To that
Having a COVID-19 Contingency Leadership Plan is Essential
It started with at a conference in Zurich, where the company’s top sales executive felt a dry cough coming on. He took a red-eye flight to New York, and since he didn’t feel that badly, went straight to work to have a long-awaited sit-down with the company’s CEO. The next day, the feeling-fine CEO took
Boyden Expands in Hong Kong, China and Singapore
Boyden has added executive search and leadership advisory firm Stones International to the organization expanding the firm’s presence in Hong Kong, China and Singapore. The new 17-member team includes 12 partners and principals with expertise that aligns with Boyden’s global practices in financial services, consumer and retail, industrial, technology, professional services and healthcare and life sciences, further ramping up the firm’s regional leadership
Major Paradigm Shifts Coming Out of the Coronavirus Crisis
Bound to reshape society in lasting ways, the current pandemic is shining a bright light across countless industries, unearthing both vulnerabilities and opportunities. Manufacturing, particularly in pharma, will come closer to home. Infrastructure needs more fiber and wireless access. E-commerce becomes an even more sizeable force. Telemedicine stands to see major gains. And on it
College of Mount Saint Vincent Taps RH Perry & Associates for President Search
Asheville, NC-based RH Perry & Associates has been chosen to find the next president for the College of Mount Saint Vincent in Riverdale, NY. Managing partner Matthew Kilcoyne and senior consultant Kathy Krendl are spearheading the assignment. Last summer, Charles L. Flynn Jr. announced that he would be stepping down after 20 years in the
NPAworldwide Adds 11 New Member Firms in the U.S.
Member-owned recruitment network NPAworldwide has added 11 new member locations as it continues to expand its global roster. NPA now has 530 member offices across six continents. Membership in the network allows independent recruiters to serve their clients and candidates by partnering with other member firms. Get Our Latest Report! Find Out How Top Talent Enriches Returns For
Interviewing in Times of COVID-19
With the coronavirus spreading around the world, it is essential to start applying alternative solutions to carry on with our daily routines. Government might have restricted our physical and social interactions, but people remain constantly connected through technology. Even locked in their houses, many individuals continue to actively look for a job opportunity or seek
Hanold Associates Recruits CHRO for Tailored Brands, Seeks HR Leaders for Moderna Therapeutics
Hanold Associates’ Keri Gavin, Mayank Parikh, Lisa Butkus and Jason Hanold have placed former Coca-Cola Co. executive Shane Smith as the new chief human resources officer of Tailored Brands. Moderna Therapeutics, a company racing to develop a vaccine for COVID-19, is also partnering with the Chicago-based search firm for multiple HR leadership searches. Mr. Smith
Caldwell Sees COVID-19 Pandemic Impacting Search Business
Toronto-based Caldwell posted Q2 revenues of $16.8 million (Canadian), a 15.8 percent jump from a year ago. But an impact from the pandemic is expected in coming quarters. “Our team had a fantastic quarter but given the rapidly changing state of the world and the markets, our attention is solidly on the here and now,” said John
Unemployment Rate Rises, Expected to Surge 16 Percent
Employment fell by 701,000 last month as the U.S. unemployment rate rose to 4.4 percent low, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report released this morning. The number of unemployed currently stands at 7.1 million. Over the last two weeks, 10 million Americans have filed for temporary unemployment benefits. That’s two percent of the
Keep Calm and Recruit: Why Now is the Best Time to Assess Your Talent Assets
With all the drama around the coronavirus crisis, it can be easy to lose sight of the fact that it might – just might, and with luck – be short-lived. When that happens, the world can start to get back to normal. “Many companies took advantage of the recent easy, good times to build their businesses,”
The Jacobson Group Recruits CEO for American Farmers & Ranchers Mutual Insurance Company
Major global organizations in all sectors are seeking a record number of insurance leaders with the combination of both digital and industry or “domain” experience, report executive recruiters familiar with the space. Companies looking for these C-suite executives require both insurance expertise and high levels of “digital proficiency,” they say – a combination that is
Pandemic Crisis Forces 10 Million Americans into Unemployment
Americans displaced by the coronavirus crisis again filed unemployment claims in historic numbers, with the Labor Department reporting Thursday a surge to 6.6 million. Nearly 10 million people have filed for unemployment benefits in two weeks. Economists now expect the U.S. economy to fall into a recession in the second quarter, before staging a comeback
Is Hiring on Hold? Not According to Some Recruiters
Market uncertainty and disruption is going to create uncertainty and disruption in your workforce. This is especially true if you are in an industry that is being heavily impacted by coronavirus disease (COVID-19), like the airline industry, energy sector and hospitality market, where the impact is most volatile. Conversely, in healthcare, life sciences, private equity,
