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Daily Newswire
CEOs and CHROs: Strategic Alignment or Differing Priorities?
Like the broader business landscape, the roles of the CEO and CHRO have evolved significantly in recent years. CEOs remain focused on driving competitiveness and performance, while CHROs are increasingly prioritizing employee well-being and mental health. But are these visions completely irreconcilable? To answer this question, a recent report from Radar HH, IMD International Search
January Hiring Tops Expectations, But Sharp Revisions Reveal Weakest Growth in Years
Employment rose by 130,000 in January as the U.S. unemployment rate was at 4.3 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. Job gains occurred in healthcare, social assistance, and construction, while federal government and financial activities lost jobs. The number of unemployed people, at 7.4 million, changed little in January. However, the bullish
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,
Build or Buy? Executive Insights into Strategic Talent Planning
As organizations strive to maintain competitive advantage and agility, how they source and develop talent has become a critical differentiator. In today’s dynamic business environment, the debate between “buying” versus “building” talent remains central to strategic workforce planning, according to a recent report from global executive search provider SpenglerFox’s Malgorzata Kosior. “For executives, particularly those leading within
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Taps ChapmanCG for CHRO
Executive recruiters are in hot pursuit of chief human resources officers and other senior-level HR leaders across the nation, and around the world. Just recently, Singapore-headquartered ChapmanCG was enlisted by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to lead its search for a new CHRO. Steven Rice recently left the non-profit’s CHRO role to take on the same position at Vir Biotechnology. Director
Bridge Partners Recruits CFO for the San Francisco Symphony
Chief financial officers continue to be in high demand. Finding them is keeping many of the nation’s top recruitment operations busier than ever. In recent months, search firms of all varieties have placed CFOs at various companies. Recently, executive recruitment firm Bridge Partners placed Liz Pesch as the new chief financial officer of the San Francisco Symphony
Russell Reynolds Associates Selected by ACI Worldwide to Find New CEO
Russell Reynolds Associates has been called in by ACI Worldwide, a global provider of real-time electronic payment and banking solutions, to lead in its search for a new CEO. Philip Heasley recently notified the company’s board of directors that he will retire at the end of the year. As part of its ongoing succession planning activities
Berwick Partners Launches Life Sciences Practice
Birmingham, England-based Berwick Partners, a division of Odgers Berndtson, has launched a life sciences practice dedicated to recruiting senior executives into pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical devices and service provider companies, nationally and internationally. Recruited to support the new practice are senior consultants Caroline Hunt and Katy Wallace. “Sustainable success for life sciences organizations is highly dependent
IIC Partners Elects Three New Board Members
IIC Partners Executive Search Worldwide has elected Sam Dinte, Agnieszka Jablonska and Thayanie Ujino to its board of directors. “It is an honor to work with a board comprised of such talented and dedicated professionals,” said Christine Hayward, executive director of IIC Partners. “Our new board directors bring much enthusiasm to serving, and I look forward to
Turnkey Search Recruits Director of Athletics for USC
Turnkey Search, a subsidiary of Turnkey Sports & Entertainment, has placed Mike Bohn as the new director of athletics for the University of Southern California. He replaces NFL Hall of Famer Lynn Swann who resigned in September amid investigations targeting the athletic department. In 2016, the school used Neumann Associates (now part of Koya Leadership Partners) to recruit
680 Partners Recruits Chief Marketing Officer for SecurityScorecard
New York City-based executive search firm 680 Partners has placed Mike Maziarz as chief marketing officer of SecurityScorecard. Ross Freeman, founder and CEO of the search firm, led the assignment. Mr. Maziarz has 25 years of experience in senior roles at Coupa / Exari, Safelight Security, Novell and CSC. Beginning his career as a software engineer, then
Vantage West Credit Union Picks D. Hilton Associates for CEO 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
Robert Half Appoints New CEO, Announces Management Changes
Robert Half International Inc. has appointed longtime company executive M. Keith Waddell as its new CEO, effective Dec. 15. He succeeds Harold M. Messmer Jr., who held the position for 33 years. Mr. Messmer, one of the longest serving recruitment chief executives, will continue as executive chairman. Mr. Waddell is currently vice chairman, president and CFO, leading Robert
Saxton Bampfylde Forms Alliance with Executive Coaching Firm Praesta
U.K.-based executive recruiter Saxton Bampfylde has formed a new partnership with executive coaching firm Praesta Partners. “The innovative partnership is part of continuing work by Saxton Bampfylde and our global partners across Panorama Search to expand our leadership services offering, which includes board review, executive assessment, team development and talent mapping,” the search firm said. Praesta Partners coach senior
Florida State University Taps DHR International for Head Football Coach
Glenn Sugiyama, managing partner and global sports practice leader at DHR International, has been selected by Florida State University to assist in the search for a new head football coach. Florida State athletic director David Coburn made the decision to fire coach Willie Taggart last week after going 9-12 during his tenure with the team. Veteran assistant Odell
Caldwell Places Chief Experience Officer at Caliber Collisions
Mercedes Chatfield-Taylor, managing partner of the private equity and venture capital practice at Caldwell, recently placed former Jamba Juice chief marketing officer Claudia Schaefer as chief experience officer of Caliber Collisions. “Ms. Schaefer will be responsible for furthering the Caliber brand and delivering a powerful and emotional internal and external customer experience,” said Steve Grimshaw,
Polachi Recruits Chief Marketing Officer for Veracode
Recently, executive search firm Polachi Inc. placed Elana Anderson as chief marketing officer of Veracode, a provider of application security testing solutions. Charley Polachi spearheaded the assignment. Reporting to CEO Sam King, Ms. Anderson will head Veracode’s global marketing, branding and communications programs to help the company achieve its growth strategy. “Elana’s success building global brands in established
N2Growth Names Senior Advisor for Board, C-level Searches
N2Growth, a Philadelphia-based management consulting and executive search firm, has appointed Leslie Goldhill as a principal and senior advisor specializing in board and C-level search assignments. Ms. Goldhill will report directly to Tim Dunn, chief commercial officer at the firm. “Leslie brings a wealth of executive search experience to N2Growth,” said Mike Myatt, founder and chairman of
Momenta Partners Names Leader of Insights and Intelligence Team
Zurich-based executive search firm Momenta Partners has strengthened its staff with the addition of Leif Eriksen as partner. He will lead the firm’s insights and intelligence practice. “We are delighted to welcome Leif to lead our expanded Insights and Intelligence practice,” said Ken Forster, founder and managing director of Momenta Partners. “We’ve been recognized for our thought-leadership in digital industry and are now expanding this with deep industry intelligence and insights. This will complement our practitioner-led, industry-leading advisory, talent and venture investment
Why Mastering Interview Skills Matters More Now Than Ever
Read any strategic plan, corporate mission statement, agenda for a corporate sales and marketing meeting, new product rollout, leadership conference or retreat — and what’s missing? A training session or discussion about the critical skills of interviewing required for business. “The lack of interview training for hiring managers in America has been the No. 1
Acertitude Recruits CFO and Chief Revenue Officer for Coriell Life Sciences
Executive search firm Acertitude recently recruited Bill Testa as chief financial officer and Jennifer Ferrang as chief revenue officer for the leadership team of Coriell Life Sciences, a leading provider of cost-effective healthcare solutions including genetic interpretation and reporting services. Co-founder and managing partner Rick DeRose and principal Jessica Tvelia spearheaded the searches. “Coriell Life Sciences is doing
Isaacson, Miller Seeking New President for the University of Maryland
A number of top colleges around the country are looking for high-profile leaders to take them into the future. In most cases, executive recruiting firms have had a hand in some aspect of the search and selection process. Recently, the University System of Maryland Board of Regents retained Isaacson, Miller to find its next president
CCI Consulting Opens New Office in McLean, VA
Continuing its ongoing growth, CCI Consulting, a Career Partners International firm, has expanded in the Washington, D.C. area, establishing a new office in McLean, VA. The firm will also be opening offices in Baltimore and Harrisburg, PA, in coming weeks. “We’ve been working in D.C. since 2004, supporting various government agencies as a women-owned business enterprise,” said
Positive Moves Adds Former CHRO to Staff
The executive search field continues to be a welcoming landing pad for HR executives looking for a career change. Recently, executive search firm Positive Moves, based in Gurgaon, in India, expanded with the addition of former CHRO Gautam Anand as a partner. He joins a growing list of HR executives who have turned to the executive
Talent Chiefs Emerge Among Fastest-Growing Roles in Private Equity
U.S. private equity firms are becoming more sophisticated and generating record demand for operating specialists with the skills and experience to actively manage their portfolio companies, according to a new study by Heidrick & Struggles. As measured by deal activity in 2018, the U.S. private equity market closed a record 4,828 deals worth a combined $713
Wheless Partners Finds 14th President for Wichita State
Executive recruitment firm Wheless Partners has placed Jay Golden as the 14th president of Wichita State University (WSU). John Bardo, the school’s past president, passed away earlier this spring. Dr. Golden will assume the presidency full time by the beginning of spring semester. “Dr. Golden has an extremely impressive record of accomplishments in research and higher
Action Management Services Launches Sports Franchise Division
The sports and entertainment field is among the most active and fast-growing sectors for executive search businesses, with many C-suite-focused recruiting firms having been drawn to it. Recently, Cleveland, OH-headquartered executive search firm Action Management Services launched its professional sports franchise division. It will provide executive searches for the NFL, NASCAR, MLB, NHL, NBA, Soccer,
Secured Signing Integrates with Bullhorn to Provide Digital Signature Capability
Secured Signing recently announced a new integration to allow digital signature capabilities from within Bullhorn’s applicant tracking and customer relationship management system. With this incorporation, recruiters can now send documents to candidates or clients for digital signatures. “We’re excited to launch our integration with Bullhorn,” said Gal Thompson, regional manager for Secured Signing. “For close
Sports, Media & Entertainment Convergence Puts Premium on Talent Acquisition
Hunt Scanlon Media is convening 500+ business leaders and HR professionals from across the sports, media, entertainment & digital sectors to discuss a wide range of issues impacting hiring, recruiting, developing and retaining talent. CEOs, chief talent officers, HR execs, heads of brand & digital, sponsorship directors, chief revenue & marketing officers, chief business & advancement
Hanold Associates Seeks CHROs for PE-Backed Company and Non-Profit
Executive recruitment firm Hanold Associates has been enlisted to find chief human resources officers for two organizations: InMoment, a customer feedback company owned by private equity firm Madison Dearborn, and JCFS Chicago, a non-profit social service group. For InMoment, the CHRO will be the key leader of all HR processes throughout the Salt Lake City, UT-based
Arts Consulting Group Finds Leader for Boise State University’s Velma V. Morrison Center for the Performing Arts
Boston-based executive search firm Arts Consulting Group (ACG) has placed Laura Kendall as executive director of Boise State University’s Velma V. Morrison Center for the Performing Arts. “Laura Kendall is an inspired choice for both the Velma V. Morrison Center for the Performing Arts and for Boise State University,” said Martin Bragg, senior vice president of Arts Consulting Group. “Her
Gig Recruiting Platform Fountain Secures $23 Million in Funding
Fountain, the recruiting platform for gig and hourly workers, has closed on a $23 million Series B funding round led by venture capital firm DCM, with participation from 51job and existing investors Origin Ventures, Uncork Capital and others. This brings the company’s total fundraising to $34 million. As part of the financing, DCM co-founder David Chao will join Fountain’s board of
Hudson Global Posts 50.4 Percent Revenue Gain
Hudson Global Inc. / (NASDAQ:HSON) posted third quarter revenues of $25.8 million, up 50.4 percent from a year ago. By region, Hudson Asia Pacific led the charge, recording a revenue gain of 97 percent. Revenue growth in Asia Pacific was driven by the start of a significant contract in Australia to manage a portion of the contingent workforce for
The Expanding Role of Chief Learning Officers
The profile of a contemporary chief learning officer is both emerging and evolving. But one thing is for sure: the role is expanding, rapidly, as organizations fight to retain their best employees. Why? It seems that no other C-suite position is better positioned, better equipped, or better suited to foster a strong learning culture –
Hartman Group Consulting Launches, Places Leader for PENSCO Trust
Carol Hartman, former managing partner and global financial services practice leader for DHR International has founded a new search firm, Hartman Group Consulting, based in the San Francisco Bay area. The firm recently completed its first search, placing the new president of PENSCO Trust, a non-depository trust company and subsidiary of Opus Bank. Hartman Group
