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Vardis Finds PE CEOs Under Pressure, But Optimistic
The Private Equity CEO Report from Vardis, based on a survey of 1,200 chief executives of PE-backed companies, paints a picture of resilience paired with constraint. Seventy percent of CEOs say company performance is “as expected” or better, yet exit activity remains muted, with 2025 tracking as the slowest year for PE exits since 2017, despite a
Why Executive Hiring in 2026 Must Be More Strategic Than Ever
As the calendar turned to 2026, one question looms large: how will you ensure your next leadership team and your next leadership hire drives strategy, culture, and growth rather than simply filling a gap? With complexity, transformation, and succession pressures mounting, relying on who happens to be looking to join your team is no longer
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.
Coulter Partners Recruits Chief Scientific Officer for Laigo Bio
Life sciences recruiting specialist Coulter Partners has recruited Richard C.A. Sainson as the new chief scientific officer of Laigo Bio. “It was a privilege to partner with Matthew and the Laigo board,” said Kay Wardle, managing partner at Coulter Partners. “Targeted protein degradation is one of the most exciting frontier areas of drug discovery, and finding a chief
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?
Blue Rock Human Capital Recruits Chief People Officer for Michelli Weighing & Measurement
Talent acquisition strategies at many large companies have become as complex as their balance sheets. And while chief human resource officers play a vital role in overseeing an organization’s broad-based workforce, the chief people officer typically goes beyond overseeing its people policies. The focus instead is on building talent as a key competitive advantage, with more
Raising the Bar for Interim and Fractional Leadership
As companies face mounting pressure to move faster and adapt to constant change, interim and fractional executives are increasingly being brought in not simply to maintain stability, but to drive transformation from day one. Organizations today are seeking experienced leaders who can step into critical roles, solve immediate business challenges, and create momentum while long-term
BoardWalk Consulting Selected by Atlanta Ballet for Executive Director Search
BoardWalk Consulting has was recently tapped by Atlanta Ballet to lead in its search for an executive director. The search is being led by Sam Pettway, Demeika Wheaton, and Patti Kish. The executive director will lead Atlanta Ballet’s administrative and business functions in alignment with the organization’s mission and values, while partnering closely with the artistic
When Search Fatigue Leads to Costly Hiring Mistakes
In executive search, the biggest hiring mistakes are not always caused by weak candidate pools or poor sourcing strategies. More often, breakdowns occur near the finish line, when prolonged interview cycles, competing stakeholder opinions, and mounting business pressures begin to wear down decision-making discipline. What starts as a rigorous evaluation process can gradually shift toward
Preng & Associates Recruits SVP of Government Services for American Bureau of Shipping
Houston-based Preng & Associates has placed Rear Admiral Ronald J. Rábago as senior vice president of government services at American Bureau of Shipping (ABS). “Admiral Rábago brings exceptional government and industry experience that will further enhance the support we provide to our government clients in the U.S. and around the world,” said John McDonald, ABS chairman and CEO. “His
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
Cluen Invites Executive Search Firms to Participate in Upcoming 2026 Technology Trends Survey
For more than three decades, Cluen has partnered with leading executive search firms around the world to understand how top-performing recruiters use technology to gain a competitive advantage. Each year, the company’s Top Trends in Executive Search Technology survey uncovers the strategies, priorities, and innovations shaping the future of the profession. How are executive search firms balancing the rapid adoption of AI
Lindauer Retained by C-SPAN for Chief Development Officer Search
Virtually every industry needs top-drawer chief development officers. CDOs play a key role in planning, coordinating, and administering capital campaigns, corporate giving, and galvanizing new donors while keeping previous funders content. Implementing funding strategies that “keep the lights on,” according to recruiters specializing in the function, is job No. 1. Lindauer has been retained by C-SPAN to
NPAG Seeking Executive Director for the California Youth Defender Center
Executive search firm NPAG has been selected by the California Youth Defender Center (CYDC) to lead in its search for a new executive director. This search is being led by Ellen LaPointe and Phuong Quach. This is a unique opportunity to lead a respected and influential organization at a pivotal moment, shaping the future of youth justice
Lochlin Partners Helps Fill Senior Position for Business Roundtable
Lochlin Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Stefani Jones as senior director of policy at Business Roundtable (BRT). Ms. Jones is an accomplished technology policy leader with deep expertise at the intersection of cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and national security. Her experience spans the White House, the private sector, and senior federal policy roles. She
Why Executives Should Think Carefully Before Accepting Counteroffers
Few moments in an executive’s career carry as much complexity as the decision to resign from a leadership role and pursue a new opportunity. What often begins as a strategic career move can quickly become emotionally charged once a current employer responds with incentives aimed at reversing that decision. Recruiters and leadership advisors note that
Funk Associates Tapped by the University of North Florida to Lead Search for Eighth President
Funk Associates was recently retained by the University of North Florida (UNF) to lead a national search for its eighth president. Past president Moez Limayem stepped down from his position in early 2026. The presidential search committee, chaired by UNF board of trustees member Jack Boyle, plays a critical role in this process, focusing on
Acertitude Recruits CEO for PE-Backed Zep Inc.
Acertitude has placed Tim Feast as the new CEO of Zep Inc., a Truelink Capital portfolio company. The search was led by partner, Geoff Votta and principal, Rod Vaughan with support from Matthew Marasco and Maryanne Santospirito. Mr. Feast steps into the role with a mandate to accelerate growth, sharpen execution, and lead Zep into its
SearchWide Global Seeking CEO for Visit California
SearchWide Global is currently seeking a new CEO for Visit California. The assignment is being led by Mike Gamble, chairman, CEO, and co-founder of SearchWide. Visit California is seeking a collaborative, visionary, and politically astute leader to serve as the next CEO. As the organization’s chief strategist, brand steward, and operational head, the CEO works
Intersearch Worldwide Elects Chairwoman and New Board Members
InterSearch Worldwide, a global alliance of executive search companies, has announce the newly elected board following and the appointment of Vanessa Delacourt as chairwoman, marking an exciting new chapter and reinforcing the organization’s commitment to innovation and sustainable growth. The board has welcomed: Leslie Cooper A. (Chile); Vanessa Delacourt (Benelux); Frank Schelstraete (Belgium); Henri Vidalinc
The Platform Shift Reshaping Human Capital M&A
Hunt Scanlon Ventures’ 2026 Human Capital Markets Update: Q1 M&A Report points to a market undergoing rapid institutionalization. Human capital M&A is no longer centered around standalone recruiting firms or opportunistic acquisitions. Instead, buyers are consolidating around integrated platforms that combine executive search, leadership advisory, workforce analytics, succession planning, and AI-enabled infrastructure. The shift reflects a broader
WittKieffer Recruits 22nd President for the University of Tulsa
Oak Brook, IL-based WittKieffer has placed Stacy Leeds as the 22nd president of the University of Tulsa (UTulsa). Zachary Smith, Robin Mamlet, and Julia Bradley led the assignment. Ms. Leeds was selected following a competitive and comprehensive national search. Members of the search committee and full board were drawn to her unique portfolio of executive management, philanthropic success and unimpeachable academic credibility. “Stacy
SPMB Recruits CFO for AbsenceSoft
SPMB Executive Search has recruited Megan Wood as CFO of AbsenceSoft, a Denver, CO-based employee leave management and accommodations platform. Jon Landau and Laura Ayre led the assignment. “The market opportunity in front of AbsenceSoft is significant, and Megan brings the right financial and operational depth to meet it,” said Chris Murphy, CEO of AbsenceSoft. “Her proven track record at fast-growth, innovative companies on
AGB Search Helps Recruit 20th President for the University of Montana
Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, has assisted in the recruitment of Jeremiah Shinn as the 20th president of the University of Montana. His selection follows a national search that drew more than 70 accomplished applicants from across the country. Roderick McDavis, James H. McCormick and Janice S. Fitzgerald led the assignment. “Dr. Shinn’s on-campus visit
TurnkeyZRG Appoints Vice President
TurnkeyZRG has expanded with the addition of Sean Magee as vice president. “College and professional football are being reshaped in real time — by revenue sharing, NIL, the transfer portal, and unprecedented financial and operational complexity,” said Chad Chatlos, managing partner, ZRG Turnkey. “Sean lived inside that disruption as a senior operator. He understands what it
Rethinking the Factors Behind Employee Loyalty and Retention
Two widely repeated assumptions continue to shape discussions around today’s workforce, despite oversimplifying a far more nuanced reality. Claims that employee loyalty has disappeared, or that departures are driven almost entirely by poor management, often overlook the broader mix of organizational, economic, leadership, and career factors influencing retention. While such narratives persist because they are
Anthem Executive Assists the University of West Alabama with Provost Search
Anthem Executive has assisted in the recruitment of Amy H. Jones as provost of the University of West Alabama, the role that oversees all aspects of academics at the institution. “Dr. Jones has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a deep commitment to the mission of UWA,” said Todd G. Fritch, president of the University of West Alabama.
ON Partners Recruits Chief Supply Chain Officer for Atmus Filtration Technologies
ON Partners has helped to recruited Kevin Carpenter as senior vice president and chief supply chain officer of NYSE-traded Atmus Filtration Technologies Inc. in Nashville, TN. Partner Heidi Hoffman led the assignment. “Kevin is a proven operations leader with a strong track record of building resilient, customer focused supply chains at scale,” said Steph Disher, president and
ZRG Partners Acquires Sterling Martin Associates
ZRG Partners has acquired Sterling Martin Associates, a Washington, D.C.–based executive search firm specializing in professional associations, trade organizations, and mission‑driven non-profit organizations. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Larry Hartmann, CEO of ZRG, said the acquisition reflects ZRG’s disciplined approach to growth. “This is not about scale for scale’s sake,” he explained.
Harnessing Leadership Assessment to Select and Onboard High-Performing Executives
Choosing the right senior leaders is among the most critical responsibilities for boards of directors and their organizations. These executives define the organization’s direction, shape its culture, drive strategic decision-making, and have a direct impact on overall performance. Despite this, many organizations continue to rely on outdated selection processes, informal ‘interviews’, and gut instincts to
Koya Leadership Partners Leading CHRO Search for the University of New England
Executive recruiters continue to be in hot pursuit of chief human resource officers and other senior-level HR leaders across the nation. Just recently, Tom Phillips and Charlotte Harris of Koya Leadership Partners were retained by the University of New England (UNE) to assist in its search for a new CHRO. The university, located in Biddeford, ME, seeks a collaborative
Heidrick & Struggles Adds 18 Consultants to Executive Search and Consulting Units
Executive search, leadership consulting and culture shaping services provider Heidrick & Struggles has added 18 new partners and principals to its executive search and Heidrick Consulting businesses in the Americas, Asia Pacific and Europe. “We continue to expand our executive search and Heidrick Consulting businesses globally with consultants who bring diverse industry expertise and strong client relationships to the
5 Lies That Recruiters Hear Everyday and How to Avoid Them
A top recruiter should be a trusted advisor in your job search. But this only works well when you, as the candidate, are honest about the facts concerning your career. A new report by Elizabeth Webster Felix of WinterWyman gives five of the most popular lies recruiters commonly hear — and why it’s important to
Bridge Partners Lands CEO for the Denver Foundation
Janet Albert and Larry Griffin of Bridge Partners have recruited Javier Soto as the sixth president and CEO for the Denver Foundation, Colorado’s largest community foundation. The organization’s previous leader, Christine Marquez-Hudson, abruptly stepped down last summer. Former board chair and trustee Virginia Bayless had been serving as interim president. Mr. Soto is the president and CEO of the Miami
Fisher Leadership Announces New Services
Australia-based executive search firm Fisher Leadership has announced that its founder and director Jo Fisher is joining forces with HR advisory and leadership specialist Michelle Loader of Advancity to expand the reach and services of the firm. Joining the well-established managing partners Liz Jones and Andrew Norton, are Gabriel Edwards of Engaging People to lead
Spencer Stuart Recruits First Woman Leader for RBS
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 – precious few
AGB Search Seeking President for University of Nebraska
Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search has been enlisted to find the next president for the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. Managing principal Roderick J. McDavis and consultants Sally Mason and Garry W. Owens are leading the assignment. President Hank Bounds, who has been president for four years, announced in March that he would be
Standish Executive Search Opens Office to Serve Cannabis Sector Talent Needs
Legal marijuana is now a near $10 billion business in the U.S., which means it is only natural that recruiting firms will begin focusing on bringing talent to this booming sector. Providence, RI-headquartered Standish Executive Search recently opened a new office in Worcester, MA, and has started working with the growing cannabis industry to find senior leaders. Principals
3 Ways AI Will Make Hiring Human Again
The future of talent acquisition has never been brighter. People are what makes every organization tick, and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions are poised to make hiring the most people-centric it’s ever been. And truth be told, today the talent acquisition function in organizations is reactive. Talent professionals are not at fault. “Post and pray, go
Cejka Executive Search Recruits CEO for KidsPeace
Healthcare is among the most rapidly growing employment fields, according to analysts at Hunt Scanlon Media, which tracks trends in the executive search and leadership solutions space. So it is that the need for recruiting firms to deliver top-drawer leaders throughout the sector has only grown. After an extensive nationwide hunt, Cejka Executive Search recently assisted in the search
Talengo Launches Venture Capital Service; Elects President of Advisory Board
Madrid-headquartered executive search firm Talengo has launched a line of services specializing in venture capital funds whose objective is “to help this sector to face the challenges posed by the need to focus on the talent of the management teams of your companies,” the firm notes. Talengo’s offer includes services that cover the three fundamental phases of the
Moving Up in the Boardroom — Lessons From Female Board Chairs
The share of women appointed to public-company boards of directors has risen markedly in recent years, but in the U.S. and Europe, female chairs are still rare. At the end of 2018, only 30 female chairs were listed among the Fortune 500 and the FTSE 100 combined, though the overall shares of board seats held
Benchmark Executive Search Finds CEO for CynergisTek
Benchmark Executive Search, a boutique provider of cybersecurity talent, has placed Caleb Barlow as chief executive officer of Austin, TX-based CynergisTek Inc. He succeeds retiring founder Mac McMillan, who will support Mr. Barlow in the execution of CynergisTek’s strategy through the remainder of 2019 and will remain a member of the board of directors. “I
Signal Partners Names Retail and Consumer Practice Leader
Signal Partners, a Santa Monica, CA-based search firm serving private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies, has appointed Patricia Muise as a partner and leader of its retail and consumer practice. “Pat’s superpower is helping PE sponsors and CEOs navigate the rapid innovation taking place in the consumer and retail sectors,” said Tim Smith, co-founder at Signal
What You Need to Know About Hiring Millennials
There are roughly 73 million Millennials in the U.S. Born between 1980 and 1996, Millennials are the largest generation in the workforce, yet many employers struggle to attract and retain them. The U.S. now has more open jobs than job seekers, and the quit rate recently reached a 17-year high. In today’s tight labor market,
Buffkin / Baker Seeks Chancellor for University of Mississippi
Executive recruitment firm Buffkin / Baker has been enlisted to find the next chancellor for the University of Mississippi. Managing partner Martin Baker is leading the assignment. The chancellor, who serves at the university’s chief executive officer, reports through the commissioner of higher education to the Mississippi board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning, the
Jobble Raises $11 Million in Funding
Jobble, an on-demand marketplace and management platform that connects companies to the 60 million U.S. gig economy workers, has raised $11 million in new Series A funding, led by Vestigo Ventures and AXA Venture Partners with participation from Guardian Strategic Ventures and Harlem Capital Partners. Founded by Zack Smith and Corey Bober, Jobble connects gig workers in the U.S. seeking
Hanold Associates Recruits CHRO for Domino’s Pizza
Executive recruiters continue to be in hot pursuit of chief human resource officers and other senior-level HR leaders across the nation. Recently, Hanold Associates placed Lisa V. Price as the executive vice president and CHRO of Domino’s Pizza. Jason Hanold, CEO and co-managing partner of the search firm, led the assignment. He was joined by partners Keri Gavin,
DRI Names Sports Practice Leader
The sports industry is thriving. With an estimated size of $539.7 billion in the U.S. alone, sports business jobs surrounding college athletic departments, professional sports leagues or other athletic franchises are in demand. Recently, Solon, OH-based Direct Recruiters Inc. (DRI) appointed Brett Wallace as director of its sports and entertainment practice. Mr. Wallace brings to Direct Recruiters 10
Alexander Mann Solutions Acquires Karen HR, Adds Leaders for North America
Alexander Mann Solutions, a London-based talent acquisition and management services firm, is continuing its expansion, acquiring an HR technology company, Karen HR Inc., and bringing new talent to its North American leadership team. The acquisition of Karen HR is a strategic move which will accelerate the launch of new digital products, said Alexander Mann Solutions.
Wanted: An HR Executive on Company Boards
Boards of directors are, in theory, supposed to be able to offer advice and guidance to a CEO on any aspect of an organization. One can look at any board in the Fortune 1000 and find current or retired experts in finance, strategy and marketing. That’s why boards are typically filled with current or former
Ventura Partners Places Leaders for Two Equity38 Portfolio Companies
Executive search firm Ventura Partners has recruited top executives for two portfolio companies owned by private equity firm Equity38. John Hutchison becomes president of TRX, a leader in functional training equipment, education and technology, and Clay Sanger steps into the chief executive officer role for Superfood Holdings, which is in the plant-based, clean food restaurant space.
Job Growth Continues in July; Unemployment Rate Stands at 3.7 Percent
Employers added 164,000 jobs last month as the U.S. unemployment rate stands at 3.7 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. The increase was below the 165,000 forecast by economists, but close enough. The July gain is the 106th consecutive month of job growth. The number of unemployed currently stands at 6.1 million. “While
Wilton & Bain Recruits CEO for Community Fibre
London-based executive search firm Wilton & Bain has placed Graeme Oxby as the new chief executive officer of U.K.-based gigabit broadband provider Community Fibre. Jay Siddiki, a principal within the global TMT function at Wilton & Bain, led the search. “Community Fibre required a commercially astute executive who could drive the major scale-up of the business but, more so, it
Envision Consulting Opens Office in New York City
The non-profit sector has gained economic strength in recent years, making it the third largest employer in the country. Nearly two million not-for-profits employ 10.7 million people and produce $1.9 trillion in revenue. In the past decade, employment in the sector grew by 17 percent. With demand for non-profit talent at an all-time high, search firms have
Your Next Great Job is Hiding in Plain Sight
How bad to you want to find a new job or new career? Really, how serious, committed, and driven are you to fully engage in this exercise? How many hours per week will you commit to making this happen? On a scale of one to 10, 10 being as committed as can be, where are
Hanold Associates Recruits Head of Diversity for Gucci
To meet the needs of an increasingly diverse society, many organizations have developed executive positions to guide their diversity agendas. Chief diversity officers have responsibility for guiding efforts to conceptualize, define, assess, nurture and cultivate diversity. Duties may include affirmative action and equal employment opportunity, or the constituent needs of minorities, women and other social
Stanton Chase Names Aerospace and Defense Practice Leader
Baltimore, MD-headquartered Stanton Chase has named Kristi Moe Hope, a director in its Atlanta office, as global sector leader for aerospace and defense. “It is a great pleasure to announce that Kristi will be leading this important global sector for the firm,” said Flemming Riber, global practice leader of industrial at Stanton Chase. “Her search experience and expertise in aerospace and
Productivity Wanes for Executives During the Summer Months
Summer. It’s the season millions of Americans look forward to each year. But a recent survey of professionals by Korn Ferry shows that work productivity may suffer at the expense of summer fun. In fact, nearly half say their personal productivity at work slumps in the summer. One quarter (25 percent) of professionals admitted to playing hooky
Hobson Leavy Recruits CEO for the Cancer Society of New Zealand
New Zealand executive search firm Hobson Leavy recently placed former Well Foundation executive Andrew Young as chief executive officer of the Cancer Society of New Zealand (Auckland and Northland). Mr. Young is a highly experienced not-for-profit CEO with particular strengths in the fundraising area. He was CEO of the Well Foundation, where he helped combine two entities to
SGA Talent Names Senior Management Team and New President
Sheila Greco, founder of SGA Talent, has announced several new additions to the firm’s senior management team as it successfully concludes a transformation process. “I am extremely pleased to make this announcement, and I’m confident that the new management team has the talent, experience, and expertise not only to deal effectively with the complex challenges we face today,
