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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.
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
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?
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
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,
DHR Global Assists Miami City Ballet with Artistic Director Search
Talent advisory firm DHR Global has assisted in the recruitment of Gonzalo Garcia as the new artistic director of the Miami City Ballet. The search was led by Philip DeBoer, partner. “As to be expected for a company with the illustrious artistic reputation of Miami City Ballet, we received tremendous interest in the opportunity from around the
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
DRG Search Retained by Bronx Charter School to Find New Leader
The economic strength of the non-profit field has increased in recent years and it is now the third largest employer in the U.S. Nearly two million non-profit organizations employ 10.7 million people and produce revenue in excess of $1.9 trillion. This has certainly kept search firms busy. Recently, DRG Search was selected to find the next executive
Stanton Chase Appoints Supply Chain Sector Leader
Baltimore, MD-headquartered Stanton Chase has named Lindsay A. Lautz as global supply chain sector leader for the supply chain, logistics and transportation practice group. He is currently a director in the firm’s Los Angeles office. “As an experienced search professional in a wide range of disciplines, Lindsay is perfectly suited for this role in the supply chain, logistics and
Frazer Jones Names Global Partnerships Leader
Executive search firm Frazer Jones, part of The SR Group, has appointed Denis Tumer as head of global partnerships. He will be responsible for further nurturing the firm’s existing clients and building relationships with new businesses with a view further enhancing its global partnerships. “This is an exciting opportunity for us as a business, created with the purpose
Can the U.S. Economy Continue to Expand?
Employers added 128,000 jobs last month as the U.S. unemployment rate was little changed at 3.6 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. The increase was above the 95,000 forecast by economists. The September gain is the 109th consecutive month of job growth. The number of unemployed currently stands at 5.9 million. The key
TillmanPartners Finds CFO for Evolv Technology
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, TillmanPartners placed Peter Faubert as the new CFO for Evolv Technology. Backed by an impressive group of investors
The Moran Company Tapped by Amethyst Place to Find New Leader
The Moran Company, an executive recruitment firm that specializes in the non-profit sector, has been selected to find an executive director for Amethyst Place in Kansas City, MO. Bruce Scott is leading the assignment. The executive director of Amethyst Place is CEO of the organization and leads with dedication to its mission, guiding principles and
Calibre One Names Life Sciences Practice Leader
Executive search firm Calibre One has appointed Noah Parekh as a partner and leader of its newly created life sciences practice. He will be based in the firm’s new Boston office. “We are thrilled to welcome Noah to the team,” said Dan Grosh, managing partner in the U.S. “We have been conducting several key searches for clients in
Veteran Recruiter Opens The Good Board
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 search consultant Louise Gatenby has launched The Good Board to support the development of boards and leaders “who believe that sustainable success tomorrow must start with the way we
Expanding its Footprint, Wilton & Bain Opens Boston Office
Tomorrow, London-based Wilton & Bain takes another big step in its ongoing growth and expansion push, launching a new office in Boston. The location will complement the executive search and leadership advisory firm’s existing U.S. offices in New York and San Francisco, helping to better serve existing clients and providing greater entree to both new business
Reffett Associates Forms Search Agreement with Air Force Research Laboratory
Executive search firm Reffett Associates has been awarded an executive search contract as part of an experimental pilot program by the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to conduct a national effort to recruit senior-level scientific, technical and professional personnel in critical hard-to-fill disciplines. “We are honored to have been selected by the Air Force Research Laboratory
