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Daily Newswire
Why Most Boards Underperform and Why 2026 is the Year to Fix It
Even the most capable boards can struggle to translate individual expertise into collective performance. If you spend enough time in boardrooms of any flavor, whether public, private, PE-backed, family-owned, or non-profit, you eventually notice a strange phenomenon, explained a recent report from Rob Andrews, founder and CEO of Houston, TX-based search firm Allen Austin. “Everyone is
VC and PE Talent Partners Should Be Pursuing the Same Marketing Leader — Here’s Why
For much of the last decade, talent partners could draw a clean line between marketing leadership profiles in venture-backed and private-equity-backed companies. Venture portfolios hired for invention, narrative, and early demand discovery while private equity portfolios hired for discipline, efficiency, and EBITDA stewardship, according to a recent report from RevelOne’s John Levisay. “That distinction has eroded,”
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.
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,
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?
Wilson Forms New Alliance with Poetry to Advance AI capabilities
Global talent solutions provider Wilson has formed a new partnership with Poetry to strengthen its AI-enabled recruitment capabilities. The collaboration supports Wilson’s continued focus on embedding technology into its RPO delivery model through Wilson Workspace, its technology ecosystem. “We’re excited to announce our new partnership with Poetry,” said Charles Faigle, chief delivery officer at Wilson. This
What Executive Candidates Want From Employers Today
The executive talent market today has fundamentally shifted and senior leaders are evaluating employers through a far more demanding lens. They no longer weigh opportunities primarily on compensation or title; they assess the total leadership experience: governance, culture, organizational stability, purpose, autonomy, flexibility and long-term growth, according to a report from Kestria. “To attract and retain
WittKieffer Retained by Roosevelt University for President Search
Oak Brook, IL-based WittKieffer has been retained by Roosevelt University in Chicago to lead in its search for its seventh president. Ali Malekzadeh is retiring after being with the school since 2015. Senior partner Christine Pendleton, consultant Sandra Chu, senior associate Maya Holt-Brockenbrough, and senior advisor Ray Crossman. Roosevelt University seeks a student-centered president who is committed
Buffkin / Baker Acquires HR-Focused Benson Executive Search
Partner-led executive search firm Buffkin / Baker has acquired Boston, MA-based Benson Executive Search, a boutique firm focused on the human resources sector. Financial terms of deal were not disclosed. The acquisition strengthens Buffkin / Baker’s HR functional capabilities and gives the firm a stronger presence in the Northeast. “We’re thrilled to welcome Benson Executive Search to
SPMB Recruits Fills Senior Finance Position for Uber
Steven Popper of SPMB Executive Search has placed Wendy Drummond Craig as senior director, technical accounting, reporting, and M&A at Uber. In her new role, she will oversee teams responsible for technical accounting matters, SEC reporting, and accounting for mergers and acquisitions. “Wendy brings an extraordinary combination of technical accounting expertise, SEC reporting experience, and strategic advisory leadership
True Launches AI Capability Index for Executive Assessment
Global executive talent platform True has launched the True AI Capability Index, a proprietary framework that predicts executive performance in the AI-transformation age. “We are entering a phase where relationship depth and judgment matter more than ever,” said Brad Stadler, co-founder and CEO of True Platform. “The cost of finding names is decreasing. True’s advantage lies in our ability
AI-Native Talent Won’t Fix AI-Foreign Organizations
As artificial intelligence moves from experimentation to enterprise-wide adoption, organizations are grappling with a fundamental question: what does it actually mean to become AI-native? While the term has quickly entered the business lexicon, many leaders are still struggling to define the capabilities, operating models, and cultural shifts required to make that vision a reality. “Some
ZRG Partners Acquires Fortium
ZRG Partners has acquired Fortium, a Dallas-based search firm that provides fractional, interim, and project-based CIO, CTO, and CISO leadership. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “Companies are making more nuanced decisions about leadership than they did even a few years ago, particularly in technology,” said Mark Viner, leader of interim solutions & project
Lochlin Partners Recruits SVP of HR for the National Association of Corporate Directors
Lochlin Partners has placed Marian Stevens as senior vice president, human resources of the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) in Washington, D.C. “Marian’s deep experience in talent development, organizational effectiveness, and culture will help NACD to continue building the internal capabilities needed to support our growth and deliver on our mission,” said Peter Gleason, president and CEO of
JDG Associates Tapped by Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute to Find New Leader
Rockville, MD-based executive search firm JDG Associates has been retained by the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) to lead its search for a new president and CEO. The Chicago-based institute, the leading technical institute and trade association for the precast, prestressed concrete industry in North America, seeks a visionary and collaborative executive to succeed its long-serving chief executive,
IIC Partners Adds New Member Firm in New Zealand
IIC Partners Executive Search Worldwide has added Auckland, New Zealand-based Infinitas as its newest member firm expanding its capabilities across the Asia-Pacific region. “I am thrilled to welcome Infinitas to IIC Partners,” said Christine Hayward, executive director of IIC Partners. Their people-first philosophy, tech-enabled search processes, and talent advisory capabilities deeply align with our mission to transform
Hiring for the Culture You Don’t Yet Have
For much of the past decade, organizations have invested heavily in strategy, technology and operational efficiency to navigate an increasingly complex business environment. Yet despite these investments, many transformation initiatives continue to fall short of expectations. The differentiator is rarely the strategy itself. More often, success depends on whether leadership teams have the right people
BoardWalk Consulting Leading CEO Search for Downtown Atlanta Inc.
BoardWalk Consulting has been tapped by Downtown Atlanta Inc. (DAI) to lead in its search for a CEO. The search is being led by Sam Pettway, Crystal Stephens, and Patti Kish. The organization is seeking a leader who can help define what the next generation of Downtown Atlanta will become. This is a leadership opportunity of unusual scale and
Peña Search Assists To Be Like Me with the Recruitment of Executive Director
Peña Search recently assisted in the recruitment of Lauren Rowe as the new executive for To Be Like Me (TBLM) in Dallas, TX. Travis Hillier, Carlos González Peña, and Thaise Pereira led the assignment. She replaces To Be Like Me founder Hollis Owens, who has served as executive director since 2018 and initiated the search for her replacement last
BroadView Talent Partners Tapped by Baltimore Community Lending for President/CEO Search
BroadView Talent Partners was recently retained by Baltimore Community Lending, Inc. (BCL) to lead in its search for a new president and CEO. Tracy McMillan, Robyn Quinn, and Donna Young are leading the assignment. The CEO is the strategic, operational, and external leader of Baltimore Community Lending, responsible for driving the organization’s next era of growth and
Allen Austin Launches Evidence-Based Leadership Assessment VantagePoint
Houston, TX-based search firm Allen Austin launch of VantagePoint, an evidence-based leadership assessment that helps organizations identify and develop high-potential leaders with greater clarity and confidence. VantagePoint is grounded in three decades of leadership advisory work and original research by Allen Austin chairman and CEO Rob Andrews. Over two years, Mr. Andrews interviewed more than 100 CEOs,
The CHRO’s New Mandate
Across industries, the organizational design structure has shifted from a traditional pyramid to an hourglass model. This is not a recent development, explained Slayton Search Partners’ John Doyle in a recent report. “Organizational efficiencies, increased technology and the first wave of Baby Boomer retirements began this transition nearly two decades ago,” he said. “Experienced leaders have been retiring. Internal pipelines have
AGB Search Recruits 11th President for Lewis University
Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, has helped to recruit Christopher Sindt as the 11th president of Lewis University. The Lewis University board of trustees recently announced that president David Livingston, will retire at the conclusion of the 2025–26 academic year. Melissa K. Trotta, Matthew J. Kilcoyne, and John Cech led the assignment. “After
Kincannon & Reed Assists CCI Prime with CFO Search
Kincannon & Reed (K&R), which exclusively focuses on food, agribusiness, and the related life sciences, has assisted in the recruitment of Jamie Broad as CFO of CCI Prime, bringing on a seasoned finance leader to support the company’s next phase of growth. “Jamie’s ability to connect financial insights to operational realities makes her an exceptional
EQU Advisors Seeking Senior Leader for Sarah Lawrence College
Executive search firm EQU Advisors was recently retained by Sarah Lawrence College to lead in its search for an associate vice president of enrollment. This executive will serve as a key member of the senior enrollment leadership team and a collaborative partner across the institution. This role is designed to strengthen coordination, elevate shared strategy, and support
Egon Zehnder Forms Alliance with IMD
Global leadership advisory firm Egon Zehnder and IMD, a leading business school in global executive education, have formed a strategic partnership to facilitate board directors’ personal growth and elevate board performance. The partnership combines IMD’s academic rigor and deep connections to global boards with Egon Zehnder’s expertise in leadership and board effectiveness. Together, they will co-create tailored
Why Boards Are Betting on New CEOs and How to Set Them Up to Win
A growing number of companies are entrusting the corner office to leaders stepping into the CEO role for the first time. As succession strategies evolve and executive talent markets tighten, boards are increasingly prioritizing leadership potential, adaptability, and strategic vision over prior CEO experience. Boards now face a new question: which qualities make a first-time CEO succeed,
The Leadership Reset: What AI is Exposing About Today’s Executives
For decades, leadership success was largely measured by experience, team size, and the ability to manage complex organizations. Today, artificial intelligence is changing that equation, and it is reshaping how boards, investors, and hiring executives evaluate leadership talent. As AI transforms how work gets done, organizations are discovering that competitive advantage is no longer determined
Greenwood Asher & Associates Recruits Provost for the University of Cincinnati
Miramar Beach, FL-based executive recruitment firm Greenwood Asher & Associates has assisted the University of Cincinnati (UC) in the recruitment of Rudolph Buchheit as executive vice president for academic affairs and provost. Andriel Dees and Julie Schrodt led the assignment for the search firm. His selection follows a national search led by a dedicated search committee that was informed by
HARTZ Search Assists Geisinger with Recruitment of CIO
Charlotte, NC-based HARTZ Search has helped to recruit Bill Bellando as executive vice president and chief information officer of Geisinger. He joins Geisinger after serving as senior vice president and chief information officer at Georgia-based Wellstar Health System from 2022 to 2026. In this role, Mr. Bellando oversaw information technology and digital initiatives across the health system.
Skills-Based Hiring: Where We Stand Today
In recent years, much attention has been given to the concept of skills-based hiring. At first glance, the premise seems almost self-evident: employers should focus on whether a candidate possesses the skills needed to perform a job. It sounds so straightforward that it might feel unnecessary to scrutinize further. Yet, taking skills seriously requires deprioritizing
Cannabis Search Firm Hunter + Esquire Expands
Legal marijuana is now an over $10 billion business in the U.S. Investors poured over $10 billion into cannabis in North America last year, twice what was invested in the last three years combined. In addition, the North American market exceeded $16 billion in 2019. While talent deficits are a problem in every industry, the
Building a Talent Function for the Future
Today, organizations are contending with increasingly complex pressures caused by shifting societal trends and rapidly evolving business models as digitalization disrupts industries old and new. An increasingly digital world, 2020 marking the year Millennials are set to account for 50 percent of the workforce, as well as a heightened focus on social good and diversity and
Hobbs & Towne Recruits Chief Marketing Officer for HomeWorks Energy
As business becomes more global and complex, and power shifts from producers of goods and services to consumers, the chief marketing officer’s job of planning and coordinating marketing activities has become more challenging — and much more influential. Recently, executive search firm Hobbs & Towne placed Bill Graham as the new chief marketing officer of HomeWorks Energy
Ralph Andersen and Associates Seeks Chief of Police for Boise, ID
The public sector is in the midst of major transformation. It faces an array of challenges that range from shifting public expectations to budgetary pressures and a growing demand for operational efficiency. To successfully navigate these issues, government organizations need leaders who are focused, tenacious and adaptable, with the capacity to deal with significant scale,
LifeSci Search Expands Efforts in Two Key Areas
LifeSci Search, a life sciences-focused executive search firm, is expanding on multiple fronts. The New York City-based search firm recently announced that it was moving into the healthcare investment and advisory industries with the addition of two key recruiters, Elena Liapounova and Rahil Haneef. Late last year, the firm added a veteran leader, Cristiano Musso,
Doyen Search Group Opens to Serve Hospitality and Real Estate Recruiting Sectors
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: Doyen Search Group (DSG), an executive search firm specialized in hospitality and real estate development, has been launched by Darrell Maxwell. Serving clients across the U.S., Doyen Search Group said
Frederickson Partners Appoints Chief Growth Officer in Chicago
Frederickson Partners, an executive search firm that recruits high impact human resources and people leaders for innovative, high-growth and transformational companies, has named Brian Brinkley as chief growth officer. He will be based in the firm’s Chicago office. “With the increasing utilization of artificial intelligence in strategic HR and the focus on building companies based
Odgers Berndtson Awarded Epilepsy Foundation CEO Search
Odgers Berndtson has been enlisted to conduct a national search for the president and CEO for the Epilepsy Foundation. The assignment will be led by partners Maureen Ryan and Derek Wilkinson. Philip M. Gattone stepped down from the Epilepsy Foundation’s top job at the end of last year. He leaves the organization with a strong leadership team and board of directors
Spencer Stuart Acquires Cambia Consulting
Spencer Stuart has acquired Cambria Consulting, which specializes in individual and team development. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Cambria Consulting’s offerings complement Spencer Stuart’s growing set of leadership advisory services, which include executive assessment and development, coaching, CEO succession, team effectiveness, culture shaping, board effectiveness and the people side of merger integration,
AETHOS Consulting Group Tapped by Red Lion Hotels to Lead CEO Search
After taking a massive hit during the Great Recession, employment and hiring within the hotel and hospitality industry has begun to rebound. In the last year, according to one set of survey metrics, the industry added 527,000 jobs (2.6 million since 2004). That number is expected to increase in 2020, as global tourism and traveling
Sheffield Haworth Expands Global Markets Team
Global leadership advisory and executive search firm Sheffield Haworth has expanded with the addition of Deborah Way to its New York office as a managing director within the firm’s global markets team. Ms. Way brings to the firm a wealth of experience in fixed income sales across the New York and Asia markets, having spent over 21
AGB Search Embarks On Prodigious Start to New Year
A number of colleges and universities across the country are opening searches that, if all goes to plan, will provide high-profile leaders to take them into a new era of fundraising, digitalization, sports and, increasingly the case, globalization. One national recruiting outfit, Washington, D.C.-based AGB Search, has become a magnet for such assignments — recently
Options Group Opens Los Angeles Office; Adds Financial Services Expert to West Coast Team
Options Group has opened a new office in Los Angeles, which will be led by Amit Kapoor. Mr. Kapoor has transferred from the firm’s New York office to oversee Options Group’s ambitious growth plans for the region. The firm also hired Lara DeVito to help spearhead the buildout. As head of the Los Angeles office, Mr. Kapoor will be
ON Partners Lands CEO for Bazaarvoice
Executive search firm ON Partners has placed Keith Nealon as chief executive officer of Bazaarvoice Inc., a digital marketing company based in Austin, TX. Joe Davis of Marlin Equity Partners has served as CEO since it acquired Bazaarvoice in 2018. The company said he will transition out of the CEO role and return to his original role
Caldwell Posts 14 Percent Increase in Revenues
Toronto-based executive search firm Caldwell has posted first quarter revenues of $18.8 million (Canadian), a 14 percent increase from a year ago. “This was another excellent quarter and a strong start to our fiscal year,” said John Wallace, chief executive officer of Caldwell. “We said we were well-positioned heading into fiscal 2020, and we are pleased to be
Kennedy Executive Search Appoints New President and VP
Kennedy Executive Search, a network of independent executive search firms, has elected Caroline Frisenberg as new president and Markus Unterberger as vice president. Founder of the network Jorg Stegemann and Carl Lens will step down as president and vice president, respectively. The election is the result of the network’s recent transformation into an economic interest
As Job Growth Continues, ‘Robust Hiring Year’ Expected
Employers added 145,000 jobs last month as the U.S. unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.5 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. The increase was below the 164,000 forecast by economists. The December gain is the 111th consecutive month of job growth. The number of unemployed currently stands at 6.3 million. In 2019, the
Turnkey Search Places Commissioner for Major League Rugby
Following a comprehensive search across North America and internationally, Turnkey Search, a subsidiary of Turnkey Sports & Entertainment, has assisted in placing George Killebrew as the new commissioner of Major League Rugby (MLR). “George Killebrew has the right experience, temperament and tenacity to be successful as commissioner for Major League Rugby,” said Rick Alessandri, managing director
Heidrick & Struggles Leads CEO Search for Westpac
Executive search, leadership consulting and culture shaping services provider Heidrick & Struggles has been selected by Westpac, Australia’s oldest bank, to lead its search for a new CEO. Brian Hartzer stepped down in December. Chairman Lindsay Maxsted said he will be retiring in the first half of 2020. This will enable an incoming chairman and the board to
Bullhorn Acquires Staffing Automation Company Herefish
Bullhorn Inc., which provides cloud-based customer relationship management and operations solutions for the staffing industry, has acquired Herefish, a provider of automation solutions for staffing firms. Terms of the deal were undisclosed. Herefish, a longtime Bullhorn Marketplace partner, is one of the leading providers of staffing business process automation, and its solutions are expected to
Berwick Partners Opens Offices in Dallas and Singapore
Birmingham, England-based Berwick Partners, a division of Odgers Berndtson, has expanded with the openings of new offices in Dallas, TX and Singapore. The firm already operates from key locations across the U.K. in Birmingham, London, Manchester, Leeds and Glasgow, with its international network also including offices in Amsterdam and Dubai. “We have a clear plan to further internationalize
Major League Baseball Selects Hanold Associates to Find Chief HR and Diversity Officer
With spring training just over a month away, Major League Baseball has turned to Chicago-based Hanold Associates to assist in recruiting a chief human resources and diversity officer. Jason Hanold, CEO and co-managing partner of the search firm, is leading the assignment along with partner Keri Gavin. “The MLB has had a significant focus on diversity, most
Wilton & Bain Adds New Partners in New York and Boston
Executive recruitment firm Wilton & Bain, which is headquartered in London but undergoing an important rollout in the U.S., has added two key professionals to its operations in America. Katie Vande Water, who will be working out of the Boston office, and Fred Davis, based in New York, have joined the firm as partners. “After
Kingsley Gate Partners Acquires Israeli-Based Everest Search Partners
Acquisitions continue to make news in the recruiting industry, with a number of notable purchases in recent months. Recently, Kingsley Gate Partners acquired Everest Search Partners, an Israeli-based boutique executive search firm. Financial terms of the deal were undisclosed. Jeff Shapiro and Noam Eisenberg have joined Kingsley Gate Partners as senior partners based in Tel
accelHRate Launches Board Services and CFO Practices
HR executive search and management consulting firm accelHRate has recently launched new board services and CFO practices. The firm also expanded with the additions of experienced executive search veterans Mark Mulvanerty and Melissa Schmidt as managing partner and principal, respectively. Kimberly Shanahan, founding president and CEO, will co-lead the firm’s board of directors practice and continue to
SearchWide Global Brings on Executive to Lead International Expansion
Executive recruiting firm SearchWide Global has added Annie Kristi Korsmo as vice president, taking the lead role in managing the company’s international expansion. She will open an international office for SearchWide Global in Norway and locations in Europe and the U.K. in the near future. “As a company, we’ve been moving into the international market and
The Difference Between Talent Acquisition and Recruitment
Talent acquisition and recruitment are two related concepts that are tremendously significant for any organization targeting sustainable growth and success. At first glance, it might seem that these terms have the same meaning, but in fact there are significant differences, according to a new report by Randstad. “To ensure your HR function is operating as effectively
ZRG Partners Launches Sports and Entertainment Practice
ZRG Partners, one of the fastest growing executive search firms, has launched a new sports and entertainment practice with the addition of Jamie Crittenberger. He joins the firm as managing director and head of the practice based in Washington, D.C. Mr. Crittenberger will also serve as a senior member of ZRG’s consumer and private equity practice
Isaacson, Miller Seeks New Leader for Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law
Executive search firm Isaacson, Miller has been enlisted to find the next president and chief executive officer for the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law in Chicago. Partner Tim McFeeley is leading the assignment along with managing associate Jeff Kessner. “Recently celebrating its 50th anniversary, the Shriver Center has consistently enjoyed an impressive set
Korn Ferry Retained by Municipal Credit Union to Lead CHRO Search
These are critical days for credit unions. The U.S. has about 5,300 federally insured credit unions, with more than $1.5 trillion in assets and 118.3 million members, according to the National Credit Union Administration. But with the steady retirement of Baby Boomers, among other factors, the cooperatives are facing the loss of more than 4,000
Savannah Group Appoints Head of Industrial Practice
U.K.-headquartered executive search and interim management specialist Savannah Group has appointed Chris Donkin as a partner and head of the firm’s industrial practice. “I am delighted that Chris has joined the Savannah team,” said John Ellis, CEO of Savannah Group. “His deep sector knowledge and impressive record with leading industrial clients will add further strength to this
