DAILY NEWSWIRE - TOP STORIES
Daily Newswire
McDermott + Bull Expands in Amsterdam
Irvine, CA-based McDermott + Bull has expanded in Amsterdam with the addition of Gerben van den Hout as managing director. “This strategic hire comes as McDermott + Bull continues to expand its executive search presence across Europe, further strengthening the firm’s ability to support organizations in identifying and placing high-impact leadership talent,” the firm said. “Gerben’s appointment represents an
The CHRO’s Leadership Imperative in the AI Era
As organizations accelerate their adoption of artificial intelligence, business leaders are increasingly recognizing that successful transformation depends as much on people and leadership as it does on technology itself. HR executives, in particular, are finding themselves at the center of conversations around workforce readiness, employee trust, skills development, and organizational change management. Industry observers note
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.
Reffett Associates Fills Deputy General Counsel Role for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Reffett Associates has completed the search for a deputy general counsel at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Mark Buresh will join the FDIC as deputy general counsel, legal division, regulation and policy branch, in Washington, D.C. Reffett Associates conducted a nationwide, confidential search, reaching more than 90 bank regulatory attorneys across law firms with significant
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?
Solomon Page Appoints Leader of Legal Services Practice in Washington, D.C.
New York City-based Solomon Page has named Julian Brown as managing director, leading the firm’s legal services efforts in Washington, D.C. He will focus on delivering legal talent solutions, including contract staffing and direct hire, building on the national practice led by managing director Julie Favetta on the East Coast and managing director Wendy Sullivan on the
How Interim Leadership is Reshaping Succession Planning
Succession planning has traditionally centered on identifying the next generation of leaders. While that remains essential, it does not address every leadership transition. A critical role may evolve as the business transforms, a preferred successor may require additional time to develop, or leaders capable of providing temporary coverage may already be managing significant responsibilities. In
Slone Partners Recruits CEO for Mirvie
Life sciences-focused search firm Slone Partners has placed David Stern as CEO of Mirvie in South San Francisco, CA. “Maternal health is at an inflection point, and Mirvie is positioned to lead it,” said Leslie Loveless, managing partner and CEO of Slone Partners. “David pairs three decades of women’s health leadership with hands-on experience building commercial businesses, from
EQU Advisors Fills Senior Position for Sarah Lawrence College
Executive search firm EQU Advisors has assisted in the recruitment of Michelle Lacoss as associate vice president of enrollment of Sarah Lawrence College. Ms. Lacoss is an enrollment professional with demonstrated experience working in a broad range of areas within higher education, from admissions and advisement to strategy, marketing and operations. Ms. Lacoss previously served as senior
Taurean Launches Portfolio Transformation Practice
Taurean recently launched its portfolio transformation practice with the addition of Nik Das as a principal. “The portfolio transformation practice helps private equity firms recruit chiefs of staff, strategy, transformation and turnaround leaders into their portfolio companies, expanding the capacity of deal and management teams to deliver the value creation plan,” John Zink, co-founder of Taurean,
Alexander Hughes Names Co-Head of Global Financial Services Practice
Alexander Hughes has appointed Jean-François Monteil as co-head of its global financial services practice, alongside Michael Swinsburg. He will focus on the EMEA region. Together, they will lead the development of the practice, combining their experience and international networks to support clients across banking, asset and wealth management, insurance, private equity and fintech. “We are delighted
Preparing for the Presidency is About More Than Credentials
Preparing for a university presidency requires a deliberate approach to leadership development, one that extends well beyond academic achievement and experience to encompass the broader demands of institutional leadership. The question Funk Associates hears most often in our work is a simple one: “What can I do to best prepare myself to be a serious candidate
How Secondaries Hiring is Evolving Alongside the Industry
The secondaries market has evolved at a remarkable pace. Higher-for-longer rates and economic uncertainty have pushed investors toward opportunities with proven performance and clearer underwriting outcomes, advancing the asset class into a new stage of maturity, according to a recent article from Jackson Lucas and the Bachrach Group’s EMM Research. “Once a relatively contained corner
Lochlin Partners Recruits Chief Product and Innovation Officer for the Electronic Transactions Association
Lochlin Partners has recruited Aimee Gabel as chief product and innovation officer at the Electronic Transactions Association (ETA). “Aimee brings a proven ability to build and transform products, programs, and experiences around the needs of an industry,” said Jodie Kelley, CEO of ETA. Ms. Gabel brings extensive experience in association leadership, product development, education and member
Myers McRae Leading CFO Search for Florida A&M
Macon, GA-based Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting is currently leading the senior vice president and vice president for finance and administration and CFO search for Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. CEO J. Barry Hasenkopf is leading the assignment. This executive position will serve as a key strategic advisor to the president and board of trustees
Wilton & Bain Names Co-Leaders of North America
Global executive search and interim leadership firm Wilton & Bain has appointed partners Sam Wallace and Hannah Robb as co-leads of North America as the firm increases its focus and investment in the region. “Success in North America is the key strategic pillar in Wilton & Bain’s growth ambitions,” said David Heron, CEO. “I am delighted
The Talent Gap Behind the Next Organizational Shift
McKinsey’s The State of Organizations 2026 identifies three “tectonic forces” reshaping companies: technology disruption, economic and geopolitical uncertainty, and fundamental workforce shifts. Drawing on more than 10,000 leaders across 16 countries and 17 industries, including more than 3,000 U.S. respondents, the report finds organizational priorities shifting from short-term resilience toward sustained productivity, performance, and long-term value creation.
ON Partners Recruits CFO for Kairos Power
Partners Chris Clements and Cher Murphy of ON Partners have recruited Ignacio (Nacho) Redondo as chief financial officer of Kairos Power, marking an important step as the company builds the financial infrastructure to support its continued growth and expansion. “Nacho Redondo brings the experience, leadership, and financial expertise that Kairos Power needs as we enter this next phase of
The Rise of the Chief Growth Officer
The chief growth officer is rapidly emerging as one of the most discussed executive roles in today’s C-suite, yet adoption of the position remains surprisingly limited. This paradox highlights a critical shift in how modern organizations approach revenue generation and leadership accountability, according to a recent report from Keith Johnstone, vice president of marketing at
Cooper Coleman Recruits CEO for the National Association for Interpretation
Cooper Coleman LLC has assisted in the recruitment of Karon Moody Harden as chief executive officer of the National Association for Interpretation (NAI). She officially began her tenure on November 2, following a national search conducted by Cooper Coleman in partnership with NAI’s board of directors. “Throughout the search, we were looking for a leader who
Odgers Strengthens Global Financial Services Practice
Odgers has announced two strategic leadership appointments that further strengthen its global financial services practice. Charles F. Preusse, managing partner and chair of U.S. financial services, has been named executive director on the board of Odgers USA, while Kevin C. McKeon, managing partner and head of U.S. financial services, has been named co-head of the global
Local Vs. Global Leadership: Trends Shaping Executive Hiring
Executive hiring continues to evolve as organizations respond to increasingly interconnected markets, changing workforce expectations and rapid technological advancements. Building effective leadership teams requires a careful balance between global perspective and local understanding, ensuring that senior executives can respond to complexity, support sustainable growth and lead confidently across diverse business environments. The Kestria Global Leadership Barometer
U.S. Economy Adds 165,000 Jobs in October as Unemployment Rate Edges Down to 4.1 Percent
Employment increased by 165,000 in October as the U.S. unemployment rate edged down to at 4.1 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. Employment increased in professional and business services, in healthcare, and in transportation and warehousing. Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rates showed little or no change in October
Russell Reynolds Associates Assists the University at Buffalo in Recruiting 16th President
Following an international search, global leadership advisory firm Russell Reynolds Associates recently assisted in the recruitment of Caroline Attardo Genco as the 16th president of the University at Buffalo (UB). She succeeds Satish K. Tripathi, who is stepped down after 15 years of distinguished service as UB’s president. Jett Pihakis, Steve Newton, and Joi Hayes-Scott led
BoardWalk Consulting Leading Chief Philanthropy Officer Search for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul
BoardWalk Consulting was recently selected by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) to lead in its search for a chief philanthropy officer. The search is being led by Terri Kohan and Patti Kish. Philanthropy is central to that ambition. SVdP USA’s leadership aims to grow national fundraising substantially over the next three to
Bespoke Partners Launches AI Leadership Benchmarks for PE-Backed Software and SaaS
Bespoke Partners has released its AI Leadership Benchmarking Guide for measuring AI deployment progress in software and SaaS company leadership for the private equity industry. “Panic drove the SaaSpocalypse fear that AI will kill software, but the transformation of software and SaaS using AI has been under way for years,” said Eric Walczykowski, CEO of
Search Leaders Have Mastered Prompting. Now They Want AI that Works for Them
As artificial intelligence becomes more deeply embedded in executive search, firms are moving beyond basic adoption to determine how the technology can deliver measurable business value. The focus is increasingly shifting toward improving productivity, strengthening client relationships, and giving recruiters more time to concentrate on high-value activities. But realizing those benefits will require more than
TurnkeyZRG Leading Athletic Director Search for the University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is launching a national search for its next athletic director, with president-elect C. Cybele Raver leading the process in partnership with current president Domenico Grasso. The school has retained TurnkeyZRG to lead the assignment. The university is seeking a leader of unquestioned integrity who will take a fresh, comprehensive look at Michigan
Lock Search Group Leading Efforts to Recruit CEO for Atlas Sign & Awning
Toronto-headquartered executive recruitment firm Lock Search Group was retained by Atlas Sign & Awning to find its next CEO. Recruitment consultant, partner Cameron Lappin is leading the assignment. Reporting directly to the CEO of the holding company, the appointed CEO for Atlas Sign & Awning will provide strategic and operational leadership across all facets of the business,
Slayton Search Partners Grows Consumer Practice
Slayton Search Partners has expanded with the addition of Karen Ouchterloney as vice president and managing principal in the firm’s consumer practice. “We are pleased to welcome Karen to Slayton Search Partners,” said Richard Slayton, CEO and managing partner. “Her combination of firsthand operating experience with leading consumer brands and more than 13 years advising clients
Five Steps to Future-Proof Your Workforce
The U.S. has managed to navigate its recent economic instability surprisingly well. Despite fluctuating tariff policies, stricter immigration measures, the cancellation of numerous government contracts, and rising inflation, the nation has so far avoided a recession. Still, businesses are showing heightened caution, and the labor market has slowed considerably. While the country has not seen
Ernst & Young Acquires PeopleFirm
Ernst & Young (EY) has further enhanced and expanded its capabilities in its People Advisory Services (PAS) business with the acquisition of strategic people consultancy PeopleFirm, a leader in delivering workforce and organization strategy, performance management, diversity and inclusion, leadership and culture work. Financial terms of the deal were undisclosed. PeopleFirm is a leader in delivering
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







