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Integration-Ready C-Suite Leaders Growing In Demand, and Influence
After two years of subdued activity, global M&A surged last year, with deal value climbing 40 percent to roughly $4.9 trillion, marking one of the strongest years on record. According to Bain & Company Global M&A Report 2026, the rebound was broad-based across sectors and geographies and driven by a renewed urgency among companies to reinvent
WittKieffer Tapped by the University of Tulsa for President Search
Oak Brook, IL-based WittKieffer has been retained by the University of Tulsa (UTulsa) to lead in its search for a new president. Zachary Smith, Robin Mamlet, and Julia Bradley are leading the assignment. The school seeks a visionary and dynamic leader to serve as its next president and to guide the private research institution to the next phase of success.
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.
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
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?
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
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,
Rethinking The Leadership Pipeline
In a recent LinkedIn post that gained wide attention across the executive search community, Shawn Cole laid out his forecast for the decade ahead: intense demand for talent, shrinking candidate slates, partner retirements, industry consolidation, and surging compensation. His message was clear – the model is shifting, and search firms that don’t evolve risk being left behind.Mr. Cole brings
Acertitude Recruits Former GE CIO to Lead Global IT Strategy at DXC Technology
Executive search firm Acertitude has recruited Chris Drumgoole as executive vice president and chief information officer for Tysons, VA-based DXC Technology. The search was led by Kevin O’Neill, founder and managing partner, supported by partner Geoffrey Votta. The assignment was completed in just 88 days. “Chris Drumgoole is an extraordinary technology executive and the DXC ecosystem is
Coulter Partners Recruits CFO for Stilla Technologies
Life sciences-focused executive search firm Coulter Partners placed Khaled Bahi as the new CFO of Paris-based Stilla Technologies. Client partner Eskil Westh led the assignment. Mr. Bahi’s appointment comes at a time of rapid growth for the company, with the recent opening of a U.S. subsidiary headquartered in Beverly, MA, providing American customers with direct sales and
DRG Search Seeks CEO, CFO for Non-Profit Citizen Advocates
DRG Search, which finds executives for the non-profit sector, has been enlisted to find both the next chief executive officer and chief financial officer for Citizen Advocates in Malone, NY. The client organization provides mental health, substance abuse, housing and vocational services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Ami Abramson, DRG’s chief strategy officer,
Jensen Partners Appoints Head of Europe
New York City-based Jensen Partners has expanded its global footprint with the addition of Peter Mayer as head of Europe. He will lead European efforts out of the firm’s London office and spearhead recruiting and assets under management growth advisory. “Peter is a veteran of the alternative investment industry, with a deep understanding of different strategies and asset
Navigating the Insular World of Academic Recruiting
Confusion abounds in the marketplace regarding academic executive recruiting vs. corporate search work. Every search is unique, and each finds its own path. It’s possible, however, to draw some generalizations about the differences and similarities in search work, says Shawn M. Hartman, vice president and chief operating officer of Washington, D.C.-based Academic Search. “If you
Herbert Mines Associates Assists CEC Entertainment in CEO Search
Retail and consumer focused executive search firm Herbert Mines Associates has placed David McKillips as the new CEO of CEC Entertainment Inc., operators of Chuck E. Cheese. He replaces Tom Leverton, who recently resigned. “David is a proven executive with a lifetime of experience and success in the family entertainment industry, both domestically and around the world,” said
Spencer Stuart Tapped by the National Council on Aging to Find CEO
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) has retained Spencer Stuart to lead a national search for its next president and CEO. Current president and CEO James Firman announced late last year his plans to retire from the organization after 25 years of service. He will continue to lead NCOA until a successor has been appointed. Consultants Jennifer Heenan
Human Resource Solutions Recruits CTO for Great Plains Communications
Golden, CO-based executive search firm Human Resource Solutions has placed Tony Thakur as chief technology officer for Great Plains Communications, Nebraska’s largest independent telecommunications company and a Grain Management portfolio company. The search was led by R. Woody Daroca. “It was important for me to understand and honor Tony’s respect and concern for his then current employer,” said
Kingsley Gate Partners Adds Former Telecomm Executive to Lima Office
Kingsley Gate Partners has continued its recent expansion with Jose Revilla joining as a partner in its Lima, Peru office. Mr. Revilla brings to Kingsley Gate Partners over 20 years of experience in executive roles in multiple countries in Latin America and the U.S. in the information technology and telecommunications industry. His strong leadership and
10 Leadership Qualities to Look for In Your Next Executive Search
Executive-level talent can have a huge impact on the success of an organization. These individuals affect the culture, performance and perception of every business. So it is that finding the right people to lead and represent your brand is the most significant decision any top leader, board or head of talent will make. Employers typically use
Waldron Recruits CEO for Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation
Social sector focused executive search firm Waldron has placed Randall Kempner as the new chief executive officer of the Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation in Austin, TX. Principal Jeff Waldron is leading the assignment along with engagement manager Heather Mohler and administrative assistant Renée Sellers. Katherine Lorenz, granddaughter of the charity’s founders, has led the organization since 2011. She stepped
m/Oppenheim Associates Seeks Leader for Youth UpRising
Non-profit executive search firm m/Oppenheim Associates has been enlisted to find the next president and chief executive officer for Youth UpRising, a community group that provides education, employment and wellness programs for at-risk youngsters in Oakland, CA. Founder Mark Oppenheim and principal Kevin Redick are leading the assignment for the San Francisco-based search firm. Youth
The Loring Group Opens Doors
The executive search industry is being disrupted by the entrance of a multitude of new players offering advanced business models and new technologies. The latest: Veteran executive recruiter Steve Caliger has launched The Loring Group. Mr. Caliger has had a distinguished career as a sales leader and executive search consultant in the technology industry. He
AIMS International Opens Office in Estonia
Executive search consultants are seeing an increase in hiring mandates from around the world. To meet demand, they continue to develop new practices, hire new recruiters and open new locations. Global recruiting consortiums, meanwhile, are taking advantage of a resurgence in certain geographic areas. Executive search consortium AIMS International has expanded with the addition of a new office
Search Firm Leverages Life Sciences Platform to Recruit Pot Sector Talent
Legal marijuana is now a more than $10 billion business in the U.S. Investors poured billions into cannabis in North America last year, twice what was invested in the last three years combined. In addition, the overall North American market exceeded $16 billion in 2019. While talent deficits are a problem in every industry, the marijuana
DHR International Assists Michigan State in Head Football Coach Search
Glenn Sugiyama, managing partner and global sports practice leader at DHR International, has placed Mel Tucker as the head football coach for Michigan State University. Mr. Tucker is a 23-year coaching veteran with championship experience. He replaces Mark Dantonio who recently stepped down after 13 seasons with the Spartans. The school paid DHR $100,000 for its
Reffett Associates Places General Counsel for Northwest Seaport Alliance
Executive search firm Reffett Associates has placed the first-ever general counsel of the Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA), one of the largest container gateways in North America. William Reffett, founder and managing partner, and Tom Young, director of operations, led the assignment for the search firm. The new general counsel, Dana Henderson, will be responsible for providing legal
ON Partners Recruits CEO for Worksoft
Jeff Hocking of ON Partners has placed former Data Intensity executive Tony Sumpster as the new CEO of Worksoft. Jerry Dolinsky will step down from his role as interim CEO and maintain his position as chairman of the board for Worksoft. “I am delighted to welcome Tony to Worksoft,” said Mr. Dolinsky. “He brings deep experience in technology,
Talengo Names Digital Business and Technology Practice Leader
Madrid-headquartered search firm Talengo has appointed Pedro Irujo as new director of the digital business and technology practice. “With its incorporation, the firm wants to reinforce a critical practice that is experiencing a strong demand and in which it accompanies its clients to successfully translate its digital transformation processes into a leadership key, both in consulting projects and in
The Recruiting Sector is Creating Durable Revenue Streams, with Higher Margins
Korn Ferry will begin reporting a “KF Digital” segment that consolidates its compensation databases, leadership development platforms and sales training modules into one reporting disclosure, according to a new report by investment firm Kerrisdale Capital. By the next fiscal year, KF Digital should generate $400 million in revenue as a stand-alone unit. Other search firms are following suit
College Sports Solutions and Buffkin / Baker Tapped to Find Commissioner for Big West Conference
The Big West Conference has begun its search for a new commissioner to replace Dennis Farrell, who recently announced his retirement after leading the conference for 27 years. Collegiate athletics consultants College Sports Solutions (CSS) and Buffkin / Baker are managing the search process, with Jeff Schemmel, president of CSS, acting as lead consultant, with assistance from Dan
AGB Search Names Leader of Interim Division
Across the board, in every industry, today’s market is fueled by growing demand for top talent against a landscape of short supply. This has led to nearly three million people taking temporary jobs, a number that is expected to grow at a healthy pace over the next few years as companies strive to stay agile in
Pekarsky & Co. Recruits New Leader for the Calgary Hotel Association
Calgary-based executive search firm Pekarsky & Co. has placed Sol Zia as the new executive director of the Calgary Hotel Association. Principal Erin Dand led the assignment. “We have loved working with a caring, efficient and giving company as Pekarsky & Co. that brought us our new executive director Sol Zia,” said Arjun Channa, director and chair
ingeniam Executive Search & Human Capital Consulting Opens Office in Berlin
ingeniam Executive Search & Human Capital Consulting, an IIC Partners member firm, has opened a new office in Berlin. The new location will work closely alongside existing IIC Partners offices in Frankfurt, Hamburg and Dusseldorf. “We are experiencing increased demand across all sectors, especially in professional services, and our new office in Berlin will help us
University of Alaska Anchorage and UConn Tap WittKieffer to Find Chief Diversity Officers
The role of chief diversity officer is expanding at universities. It has become one of the most important positions for shaping the vision, culture and very face of institutions of higher learning from coast to coast. It is also increasingly becoming a cabinet-level job, with a broad range of responsibilities beyond that of most administrators.
Diversified Search Acquires Storbeck Search & Associates
Acquisitions continue to make news in the recruiting industry, with a number of notable purchases in recent months. Recently, Diversified Search acquired education-focused Storbeck Search & Associates. Financial terms of the deal were undisclosed. Founded by Shelly Storbeck in 2007, Storbeck is based in Media, PA, with 50 employees across six other states and Washington, D.C.
The Insight Group Recruits CIO for the Royal Children’s Hospital
The chief information officer is considered one of the most strategic roles in any organization. Still, head-hunting within the function remains challenging, as skilled C-suite IT professionals are among the toughest to find. Recently, Sydney-headquartered executive search firm the Insight Group placed Michelle Rennie as the new CIO of the Royal Children’s Hospital. Ms. Rennie is a
Vanderbloemen Search Group Seeks Pastors for Texas and Michigan Churches
Vanderbloemen Search Group, which finds leaders for churches and ministries, has been selected to find lead pastors for Christian churches in Texas and Michigan. CROSSROADS Church, in Odessa, TX, is seeking a lead pastor who will first and foremost be a highly gifted teacher. “Communicating God’s Word in a compelling and relevant fashion while maintaining
Slayton Search Partners Announces Promotion
Chicago-based executive search firm Slayton Search Partners has promoted Charles Southwick to the position of senior vice president and principal. He will be expanding his efforts, continuing to develop impactful client relationships and recruit key leaders in sectors such as food and beverage, manufacturing, retail, technology and more. “Through his ability to achieve tangible results for clients and
Here’s the Key to Making your Diversity & Inclusion Efforts Work
Some companies invest in diversity and inclusion but fail to gain traction with it. Others invest in D&I and make it an integral part of their culture. What makes the difference? To learn more, Russell Reynolds Associates recently explored what distinguishes organizations that have successfully capitalized on their D&I efforts from others. The firm found
Quick Leonard Kieffer Seeks Chief Nursing Officer for Silver Cross Hospital
As the life sciences sector continues to expand and reshape itself, vanguard organizations in the field are looking to bolster their leadership ranks. In demand: multi-skilled executives, physician leaders and nurses who can effect change on many levels. Of the four major C-suite roles in the typical hospital, the chief nursing officer has traditionally been the
