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Why First-Time Chief People Officers Are Becoming Mission-Critical Business Leaders
Amid ongoing economic, social, geopolitical, and technological disruption, placing the right leaders in the right roles—and ensuring they lead in the right way—has become critical. Yet the greatest obstacle to achieving organizational ambitions remains a lack of leadership talent equipped to navigate unprecedented complexity and change. Chief people officers are uniquely placed to overcome this
Why Executive Hiring Is Shifting to Skills-First Leadership
For decades, executive hiring was guided by a familiar formula. Boards and CEOs focused largely on job titles, employer pedigrees, and years in senior roles when evaluating candidates. A polished résumé was commonly treated as a dependable signal of future performance. Today, that assumption is increasingly questioned, according to a new report from the International Executive Search
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.
EMA Partners India Acquires Recruitment Process Outsourcing Services Provider Taggd
Executive search and leadership recruitment platform EMA Partners India has acquired recruitment process outsourcing services provider Taggd in an all-cash deal valued at Rs 113 crore. The all-cash acquisition aims to create an integrated talent recruitment platform offering executive search, professional search and AI-powered recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) solutions at scale. Taggd will continue to
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?
NGS Global Expands in London
Wilmington, DE-headquartered executive search firm NGS Global has expanded with the additions of Daniel Yeates and George Balfour as managing directors in London. “Daniel and George are accomplished executive search professionals with deep expertise in the technology and digital sectors,” said David Nosal, chairman and managing partner. “They each bring outstanding client and candidate relationships built over decades
Leadership Challenges Intensify as Organizations Confront AI, Talent, and Economic Uncertainty
Organizations are operating in an increasingly complex environment where economic uncertainty, workforce challenges, AI adoption, and digital transformation are converging to reshape leadership priorities. Kestria’s second annual global leadership survey builds on the themes that emerged in last year’s research; highlighting how rapidly the leadership landscape continues to evolve. Based on responses from more than
Riviera Partners Acquires Lateral Labs
San Francisco-based Riviera Partners, a recruitment provider specializing in C-level engineering, product, and design leader placements, has acquired Lateral Labs, a specialized recruiting firm serving top AI startups. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “The acquisition comes as companies remain challenged to meet the demand of organizational AI readiness,” the firm said. “Adding Lateral Labs positions Riviera Partners
Marovi Assists Congruex with CFO Search
Working in partnership with Atlanta-GA-based Marovi, Congruex, a provider of digital infrastructure engineering and construction services, appointed Jim Stanley as CFO. He reports to Congruex’s co-founder, president, and CEO, Kevin O’Hara. The appointment comes amid strong and sustained growth at Congruex as it plans to continue to capitalize on macro tailwinds, including AI and data center
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
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
How AlixPartners and Endava Are Redefining Transformation
AlixPartners and Endava have announced a global strategic partnership that will combine operational consulting expertise with next-generation technology delivery. The alliance positions the two firms to tackle complex transformation challenges across industries like private equity, financial services, energy, and telecom, where clients increasingly demand faster, integrated solutions. “Digital innovation, AI and automation are the biggest disruptive
Diversified Search Recruits CHRO for Population Services International
Philadelphia-based Diversified Search has placed Brandon Guzzone as the new CHRO of Population Services International (PSI) in Washington, D.C. Judy Boreham, co-leader of the firm’s human resources practice, led the assignment. Mr. Guzzone has a track record in translating business strategies into effective communications plans that engage and influence employees. Previously, he was chief human capital officer of Millennium
Onstott Group Promotes Cullen Onstott to Managing Director
The Onstott Group, a Wellesley, MA-based executive search firm, has named Cullen Onstott as managing director. Mr. Onstott, the son of founder and CEO Joe Onstott, will continue his search practice, primarily in the energy, financial services and technology industries, and will now assume expanded operational responsibilities. He has been with the firm for three
Osprey Executive Search Joins AltoPartners
Executive search consultants are seeing an increase in hiring mandates from around the world. To meet demand, they continue to develop new practices, hire new recruiters and open new locations. Global recruiting consortiums, meanwhile, are taking advantage of a resurgence in certain geographic areas. AltoPartners, an international partnership of independent executive search firms and leadership consultants,
10 Compelling Reasons to Hire an Executive Search Firm
It’s far from easy to find talent with the right skills, experience and values to fill vital senior executive positions. Some roles are simply so important that you have to invest time, money and resources in identifying and recruiting the absolute best individual. That means bringing in an executive search firm. Using a new report
Phillips Oppenheim Recruits CEO for World Monuments Fund
Following an international search, executive search firm Phillips Oppenheim has placed Bénédicte de Montlaur as the new CEO of the World Monuments Fund (WMF) in New York City. Joshua David stepped down from the role to pursue other opportunities. Principal Sarah James and partner Becky Klein led the assignment for the recruitment firm. “The board is delighted to
SearchWide Global Tapped by VisitDallas to Find New CEO
After suffering a massive hit during the Great Recession, employment and hiring within the travel, hotel and hospitality industry continues to rebound. Last year, according to one set of survey metrics, the industry added more than 527,000 jobs (2.6 million since 2004). That number is likely to increase this year as global tourism and traveling in
NGS Global Adds Zavala Civitas in Brazil
Executive search firm NGS Global has continued its recent expansion by adding executive search firm, Zavala Civitas. This bring offices in Spain, Mexico and Brazil to NGS. Established in 2002, Zavala Civitas, led by director and owner Lorenzo Zavala, offers professional advisory and executive search services. The firm has completed more than 800 searches for Spanish and
SolomonEdwardsGroup Acquires QUAD656
Professional services firm SolomonEdwardsGroup has acquired QUAD656, a certified women-owned executive search firm in the Delaware Valley with offices in Wayne, PA and Mount Laurel, NJ. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Since 2001, QUAD656 has been recruiting and placing senior talent across multiple disciplines, adding recruiting strength and a robust client base
Transitioning from Recruiting Automation to AI
A large barrier to AI acceptance in the talent acquisition world is the confusion between the capabilities of automation and AI. The benefits of AI sound like extreme hype if it is understood as mere automation. “Automation tools, which are widely used in the industry today, allow talent acquisition teams to do more of what
Lindauer Seeking Advancement Officer for the Hotchkiss School
Boston-based recruitment firm Lois L. Lindauer Searches has been enlisted to find a chief advancement officer (CAO) by the Hotchkiss School, a college preparatory boarding school in Connecticut. Senior consultant Gretchen Dwyer is leading the assignment. The next chief advancement officer will be expected to provide strategic vision, innovative leadership, and clear direction for all
Hanold Associates Strengthens Human Resources Recruiting Team
Hanold Associates has expanded with the addition of Lisa Butkus as a partner based in Chicago. She specializes in recruiting executive level HR leaders across industries, and with a core focus on fashion, luxury brands, retail merchandise and the broader consumer industry. “Lisa Butkus is an outstanding addition to our firm,” said Jason Hanold, CEO and
Koya Leadership Partners Seeks Chief Impact Officer for Amnesty International
Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) has enlisted Molly Brennan and Turner Delano of Koya Leadership Partners to find a chief impact officer to lead several external-facing teams of staff focused on achieving significant human rights impact. The teams will include AIUSA’s campaigns, public affairs (media, social media, arts and entertainment engagement, and events), advocacy/government relations and
IIC Partners Adds Farber’s Interim Management and Executive Search Practice
IIC Partners Executive Search Worldwide has expanded with the addition of Farber’s Interim Management and Executive Search practice. Farber’s search practice, with professionals based in Toronto and Vancouver, specializes in carrying out interim management and executive search assignments across a broad variety of industry sectors for all senior leadership and C-suite functions. “Joining a leading global
Landing a Board Role Promises Rewards, Challenges
Board service can be one of the most rewarding career experiences: It’s the opportunity to see first-hand how another company operates at the highest levels and to work with – and learn from – accomplished, articulate, and intelligent people. It’s why many leaders decide to start down the path to the boardroom. It’s also why
Spencer Stuart Tapped to Find President for Macalester College
Spencer Stuart has been selected to find a new president for Macalester College in St. Paul, MN. Brian Rosenberg, who has led the 145-year-old liberal arts school since 2003, will be stepping down next May. Spencer Stuart has the search narrowed down to between 12 to 24 candidates, according to the Macalester student newspaper, the
BoardWalk Consulting Recruits CEO for Kids in Need Foundation
Executive recruitment firm BoardWalk Consulting has placed Corey Gordon as the new chief executive officer for the Kids in Need Foundation (KINF), a national leader in helping children in need gain access to school supplies. Senior director John Sparrow led the assignment. Mr. Gordon will take over responsibilities from Dave Smith, whose leadership at the organization saw a milestone of $1 billion of
Checkr Raises $160 Million in Funding
Checkr has announced a $160 million round of funding at a valuation of $2.2 billion. The equity round was led by funds and accounts advised by T. Rowe Price Associates, joined by Bond, Coatue, and long-time investors Accel, Y Combinator and IVP. This round is in addition to the $150 million previously raised. “We first invested
AIMS International Expands Into Ireland
Executive search consortium AIMS International has added Search Excellence as its newest member firm. This has led to the formation of AIMS International Ireland, which will be Ken McIntyre-Barn. Mr. McIntyre-Barn has been working in the executive search industry since 2010 and has expertise finding executives for organizations in the consumer goods, media & technology, pharmaceutical, connected entertainment, fuels, bio-energy and consulting industries. Before founding
CEO Plans Stalling on Geopolitical and Trade Uncertainty
Growing geopolitical uncertainty, including U.S. trade policy and foreign retaliation, and slowing global economic growth, are among the reasons that CEO plans have waned, according to the newly released Business Roundtable “CEO Economic Outlook Survey.” The study is a composite of CEO plans for capital spending and hiring and expectations for sales over the next six months.
Korn Ferry Tapped by Bank of Marin
Financial services organizations, generally, are facing a new competitive landscape, regulatory challenges and a constant struggle to manage cost and efficiency. This requires strategic leaders – male and female – with a multidimensional skill-set. But there’s a big problem: In most countries, while women represent about half of the financial services industry, few of them reach
m/Oppenheim Associates Seeks CEO for River LA
Non-profit executive search firm m/Oppenheim Associates has been enlisted to find a chief executive officer for River LA, which is dedicated to revitalizing the Los Angeles River. Principals Mark Oppenheim and Patrick Salazar are leading the assignment for the San Francisco-based firm. The River LA board of directors is seeking a politically astute fundraising executive
Wilton & Bain Adds Expertise to Global Technology Officers Practice
London-based executive search firm Wilton & Bain has expanded with the addition of Colin Baker as a partner in its global technology officers’ practice. He will be located in London but will have oversight across the firm’s expanding U.S. business. Wilton & Bain’s global technology officers’ practice focuses on hiring senior executives in technology, data, digital, AI, and
Virdis Group Opens New Swiss Office
Virdis Group, U.K.-based executive search specialists in the life science and healthcare sectors, has expanded with the opening of a new office in Epalinges-Lausanne, Switzerland in the prominent Biopôle campus, where more than 100 of the most innovative companies in life science and research are headquartered. Maggie Goudy has been hired to lead the new office. She
5 Ways to Set Up a C-Suite Search for Success
The obvious measure of a successful search is hiring an exceptional candidate who makes a meaningful contribution to a company’s performance, culture and its future. “Having been involved in hundreds of C-level searches,” said Adelle Kirk in a new report from Herbert Mines Associates, “I have learned that how a company and its external search
Heidrick & Struggles and Isaacson, Miller Assist USC in Finding First Female President
In the wake of multiple scandals, the University of Southern California has appointed Carol L. Folt as its first woman president. Heidrick & Struggles and Isaacson, Miller conducted the search in an unusual pairing of rival recruiting outfits. Former president C. L. Max Nikias stepped down last year after a former campus gynecologist was accused of
Acertitude Recruits Chief Marketing Officer for Ping Identity
Executive search firm Acertitude recently recruited Kevin Sellers as global chief marketing officer of Ping Identity, a provider of identity defined security. Co-founder and managing partner Rick DeRose led the search. Mr. Sellers will lead all aspects of the company’s marketing function, focusing on accelerating expansion in the enterprise market and growing Ping’s brand globally. “Kevin Sellers is a
Female Executive Search Appoints New Leader
Despite the evidence that equality at the senior level improves the bottom line, a disparity remains in representation at the C-suite level, across all sectors. Female Executive Search, a recruitment platform that matches the world’s top female leadership talent with progressive businesses and organizations that value gender diversity, recently named France Dequilbec as its new managing
IRC Global Adds Hunt Executive Search as Newest Member Firm
IRC Global Executive Search Partners has added Charlotte, NC-headquartered Hunt Executive Search as its sixth member firm in the U.S. “The U.S. is such a key market for IRC, and it is great to have another leading search firm join the IRC family,” said Rohan Carr, president of IRC. “We further strengthen our capacity to
London Search Firms Merge, Supported by PE Investment
Dartmouth Partners, a recruitment business in London specializing in corporate finance, investment banking, private equity and wealth management, has forged a new partnership with Pure Search, backed by Literacy Capital plc. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. Pure, a search firm focused on finding talent in the tax, legal, risk & compliance space,
Coulter Partners Fills Board Position for Nanotechnology Company Nanoform
Although boards of directors are considered the backbones of organizations, director recruiting has grown markedly more challenging, say recruiters who conduct searches in that area. As a result, companies continue to turn to executive search firms to help find new board members. Recently, life sciences-focused executive search firm Coulter Partners placed Mads Laustsen as a non-executive board member for Helsinki-based
QTI Group Seeks President for Unity Point Health-Meriter Foundation in Wisconsin
QTI Group, a human resources and recruiting organization based in Madison, WI, has been enlisted to find the next president for the Unity Point Health-Meriter Foundation, which supports Madison’s only non-profit community hospital and health service. Executive search director Jennifer Winding is leading the assignment. The Meriter Foundation president will be expected to work with
