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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
Artico Search Recruits Chief Sales Officer for Versapay
Artico Search has assisted in the recruitment of Emily Roccheggiani as chief sales officer of Versapay in San Francisco. Mercedes Chatfield-Taylor, CEO and co-founder of Artico Search, led the assignment. “Emily has spent her career inside some of the most important growth stories in modern fintech,” said Carey Kolaja, CEO of Versapay. “She knows what it takes to
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
EY Signals M&A Momentum Is Rebuilding
The June 2025 edition of EY’s Merger Monthly report presents a cautiously optimistic picture of the U.S. deal environment. According to Mitch Berlin, EY Americas vice chair, “M&A in the U.S. bounced back in May, buoyed by easing trade tensions that boosted deal momentum, including several large transactions.” While overall deal volume saw a 6.2 percent year-over-year decrease,
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,
Hudson Global Posts 40 Percent Revenue Gain; Pandemic Creating Uncertainty Ahead
Hudson Global Inc. / (NASDAQ:HSON) posted 2019 full-year revenues of $93.8 million, a 40.2 percent from a year earlier. The firm’s Americas revenue of $13.6 million decreased two percent, Asia Pacific revenue of $61.4 million increased 77 percent, and Europe revenue of $18.8 million increased 22 percent. The Old Greenwich, Conn-based recruiting firm posted a net loss of $1 million,
Executive Search Firms Adapt Services to COVID-19 Pandemic
A search assignment that was reported on last December has taken an unusual turn due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic sweeping across the U.S. The search for a new president of Wisconsin’s public university system, led by Storbeck Search & Associates, is making progress, even amid the current health crisis. Spearheading the assignment
McDermott + Bull Places CHRO for Williston Financial Group
Irvine, CA-based search firm McDermott + Bull has placed Heather Krablin as senior vice president and chief human resources officer (CHRO) for Williston Financial Group (WFG), a leading provider of homeowner title insurance and related lender services for residential and commercial real estate transactions. Chris Bull, managing partner and co-founder of the search firm, led
AltoPartners Canada Offering No Cost Services to Help Organizations During Pandemic Crisis
Due to the current international COVID-19 crisis, AltoPartners Canada – which includes managing partner Keith Labbett along with his Canadian partners Kevin Hall, Shauna Louie, Oliver Baezner – has started an initiative of offering network and resource services at no cost to assist any organization developing products or services to help the fight against the virus.
Pandemic Crisis Leads Saenger Associates to Cut Recruiting Cycle Time to 30 Days
As the COVID-19 pandemic sweeps the nation, executive search experts at Saenger Associates have created a special program for clients who have an immediate need to fill executive or senior management positions. The firm’s new “Virtual Fast-Tracked 30-Day Retained Executive Search” offer, which is focused on the aerospace & defense and industrial products industries, essentially
James & Co. Recruits Worldwide ERC Chief Executive
New York City-based executive search firm James & Co. has assisted in the placement of Lynn Shotwell as the new president and chief executive officer of Worldwide ERC, a trade association for talent management and global mobility knowledge and innovation. “The leadership team, board of directors and I are thrilled to work with an executive
Momenta Partners Appoints Start-Up Advisory Practice Leader
Zurich-based executive search firm Momenta Partners has expanded with the addition of Blaine Mathieu as partner in advising and leader of its start-up advisory practice. Momenta Partners was founded as digital industry growth partners, investing in, advising and placing executive-level talent for leading and emerging companies focused on the digitization and transformation of industry. With the addition
Managing Through the COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic is causing worldwide public health concerns and widespread disruptions across the global economy, including for businesses and schools. It has caused society to put a pause on public gatherings, sporting events, the arts, restaurants and nightlife, which otherwise would have provided relief during difficult times. As the crisis unfolded last week, the
N2Growth Adjusts Search Fees to Help Clients During Pandemic Crisis
N2Growth, a Philadelphia-based management consulting and executive search firm, will be deferring 50 percent of all search fees for new engagements until after the COVID-19 pandemic has been contained. “This is a rather unprecedented time, and it’s during times like this that we need to come together and find opportunities to serve each other,” said
Koblentz Group Tapped to Find CEO for St. Vincent de Paul of Georgia
The Koblentz Group has been selected to find the next chief executive officer for St. Vincent de Paul of Georgia (SVdP Georgia), an Atlanta area social service group. The organization’s current CEO, John Berry, will retire in September after 13 years in the role. Partner Jeffrey Neppl is leading the assignment for the executive recruitment
