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Integration-Ready C-Suite Leaders Growing In Demand, and Influence
After two years of subdued activity, global M&A surged last year, with deal value climbing 40 percent to roughly $4.9 trillion, marking one of the strongest years on record. According to Bain & Company Global M&A Report 2026, the rebound was broad-based across sectors and geographies and driven by a renewed urgency among companies to reinvent
WittKieffer Tapped by the University of Tulsa for President Search
Oak Brook, IL-based WittKieffer has been retained by the University of Tulsa (UTulsa) to lead in its search for a new president. Zachary Smith, Robin Mamlet, and Julia Bradley are leading the assignment. The school seeks a visionary and dynamic leader to serve as its next president and to guide the private research institution to the next phase of success.
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 Evolution of the CHRO: From Personnel to Enterprise Leadership
The responsibilities of today’s chief human resources officer extend far beyond talent management, reflecting a broader shift in how organizations view leadership and business performance. As workforce transformation, artificial intelligence, and organizational change reshape corporate priorities, the CHRO has become an increasingly influential voice in helping CEOs and boards navigate strategic decisions. Not long ago,
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?
GHP Search Assists Christel House with the Recruitment of New Board Members
GHP Search, formerly known as Greenwich Harbor Partners, has helped Christel House Intl. to recruit John Gomes, partner, global telecom and technology at Bain & Co, and former partner, software at Kearney, Mani Iyer, chief AI and technology officer at Vanguard and former SVP – global head of infrastructure, data and technology at Paypal. Mr. Gomes is a globally recognized transformation and strategy leader in
TOC Arts Partners Assists Union Arts Center with the Recruitment of First Artistic Director
Following an extensive national search, New York City-based TOC Arts Partners has assisted Union Arts Center in Seattle, WA, with the recruitment of Yuvika Tolani as the first permanent artistic director. The search was led by vice president of executive search, Cynthia Fuhrman. “As a former resident of Seattle myself, I have enjoyed many performances
Why PE Organizations Need to Apply Their Own Playbook to Themselves
Private equity firms have long applied rigorous operating frameworks to the companies they acquire, but many have yet to bring that same discipline to their own organizations. As market conditions demand stronger operational execution and more consistent value creation, leading firms are rethinking how they structure teams, define leadership roles, and integrate operating expertise across
ZRG Aspen Leadership Group Seeking Chief of Development for the American LGBTQ+ Museum
ZRG Aspen Leadership Group was recently retained by the American LGBTQ+ Museum to lead in its search for chief of development. Jeanette Rivera-Watts is leading the assignment. Reporting to the executive director, the chief of development will provide the leadership, direction, and coordination of fundraising strategies and activities to advance the mission of the American
Lochlin Partners Recruits CFO for the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association
Lochlin Partners has recruited Janelle Padgett as VP and CFO of the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association in Glen Allen, VA. Ms. Padgett has more than 25 years of progressive executive leadership experience across complex healthcare systems, including multiple CFO, controller, and senior finance leadership roles within both for-profit and non-profit healthcare organizations. Most recently,
Why PE Firms Need Operational CFOs as Executive Growth Planners
Consider a private equity deal team forced to hold a portfolio company well beyond its planned exit timeline—not because the business underperformed, but because the IPO market stalled and potential buyers disappeared. Today, that scenario is more common than exceptional, a recent report from Odgers explained. “In an era where capital is abundant but exits
Executive Hiring Without Borders: Navigating the Opportunities and Risks
Remote work has transformed how we do business. When it comes to hiring, there are no borders. Companies can choose leaders from around the globe to guide their organizations. While beneficial, this can also present issues, according to a new report from Stahl Recruiting Executive Search, an executive search firm specializing in the railway industry. “When
Academic Search Recruits 10th President for the University of Saint Mary
Following a nationwide search, education-focused executive recruiter Academic Search has assisted in the recruitment of Ann Marie Fallon as the 10th president of the University of Saint Mary (USM) in Leavenworth, KS. Senior consultants Suzanne Mellon and Disa Mason led the assignment. She will succeed Sister Diane Steele, who has led USM for 25 years and last summer announced her
Why Human Judgment Will Matter More in the Age of AI
AI will accomplish extraordinary things—but it will also tempt us to mistake output for humanity. It has the potential to boost productivity, reduce costs, accelerate insight and innovation, and, when used thoughtfully, even deepen our self-awareness. As AI agents and systems become increasingly capable of showing reasoning, empathy, and elements of judgment, many people will
The Tolan Group Recruits VP of Payor Strategy at CCRM Fertility
The Tolan Group (TTG) has placed Marianne Fanning as vice president of payor strategy at CCRM Fertility, bringing extensive experience in managed care strategy, payor relations, and reimbursement optimization. Ms. Fanning’s appointment reflects CCRM Fertility’s continued investment in expanding patient access, strengthening payor partnerships, and supporting the organization’s long-term growth strategy. Prior to joining CCRM Fertility,
Kaye/Bassman Names Leader of North Division, Construction and Real Estate Practice
Plano, TX-based executive search firm Kaye/Bassman International (KBIC), a Starfish Partners company, has named Lee Martin as managing director and practice leader of the north division within its construction and real estate practice. In this expanded leadership role, he will lead the continued growth of the firm’s commercial real estate, building construction, and construction technology practices across the northern United States, further advancing KBIC’s integrated
How Executive Search Is Evolving Alongside Private Equity
With private equity firms placing greater emphasis on operational execution and long-term value creation, expectations around leadership strategy are rapidly evolving. Search firms are increasingly being asked to move beyond traditional recruiting models and serve as broader talent advisors aligned with investment outcomes. In this environment, the distinction between transactional hiring and strategic partnership is
DSG | Koya Retained by Gilda’s Club Chicago for CEO Search
DSG | Koya has been tapped by Gilda’s Club Chicago to lead in its search for a new CEO. The search is being led by Cheryl Stevens and Claire Hunt. The next CEO will have the chance to build on Gilda’s Club Chicago’s strong foundation while leaving a lasting mark—expanding its reach, deepening community and healthcare
June Hiring Cools While Unemployment Holds at 4.2 Percent
Employment increased by 57,000 in June as the U.S. unemployment rate stood at 4.2 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. The number of unemployed people, at 7.1 million, changed little in June. Employment continued to trend up in professional and business services, social assistance, and healthcare. Leisure and hospitality lost jobs. The
Bell Oaks Executive Search Seeking Chief Finance and Administrative Officer for the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation
Atlanta-based Bell Oaks Executive Search is currently seeking a chief finance and administrative officer (CFAO) for the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation (WRF). The assignment is being led by partner Cynthia J. Moreland and senior search consultant Abi Gamino. The CFAO will serve as a strategic partner to the CEO and a key member of the executive
Leadership Advisory Enters a New Capital Cycle
Private capital is making one of its strongest moves yet into the leadership advisory sector. Recent investments by KKR in ghSMART and Advent International in Heidrick & Struggles represent more than headline transactions. Together, they signal a growing conviction among investors that leadership advisory firms occupy a unique position within the modern enterprise, helping organizations navigate leadership succession, organizational effectiveness, talent assessment, and
Crist|Kolder Places CFO at Mondelēz International
Crist|Kolder Associates has placed Amit Banati as executive vice president and chief financial officer of NASDAQ-traded Mondelēz International in Chicago. He will report directly to Dirk Van de Put, chair and CEO, and will be a member of the Mondelēz International leadership team. “Amit is a highly experienced CFO who brings a strong blend of financial leadership
Why Searches Lose Discipline Late and How to Prevent It
Even well-run executive searches can lose focus as the process unfolds and pressure to reach a decision begins to mount. Without consistent alignment around the original mandate, organizations risk making compromises that can undermine long-term leadership success. Most executive searches start with real clarity, a recent report from Nashville, TN-based executive search firm Morgan Samuels Company’s
NPAG Assists Proteus Fund with CEO Search
Executive search firm NPAG has assisted in the recruitment of Amardeep Singh the new president and CEO of Proteus Fund and Proteus Action League. He will officially assume the role in September. The Proteus Fund board of directors selected Mr. Singh following a rigorous national search supported by NPAG. The search was led by Ellen LaPointe, Ebony Breaux-Liang, and Andres Marcuse-Gonzalez. “On
Bullhorn Names Chief Innovation and Labs Officer and Chief Corporate Development Officer
Recruiting software provider Bullhorn recently appointed Jason Heilman as chief innovation and labs officer and Ryan Murphy as chief corporate development officer. As members of the executive leadership team, they will help drive the company’s next wave of growth and innovation. Mr. Heilman joined Bullhorn in 2020 when the company acquired Herefish, the automation platform he led
5 Ways to Evaluate a Job Offer in 2026
In today’s hiring market, the strongest job offer isn’t always the one with the biggest paycheck. Candidates who treat their next move as a base-salary math problem usually leave real money behind, according to a recent report from Lyneer Search Group, an executive talent acquisition firm specializing in finance and executive roles. The smarter approach, and the
McDermott + Bull Recruits Chief Technology Officer for JenaValve Technology
Irvine, CA-based McDermott + Bull has placed Edward Sarnowski as chief technology officer of JenaValve Technology, Inc. in Irvine, CA. The search was completed by partner Ken Dropiewski, and executive recruiter Michael Matranga. “Ed’s appointment marks an important step in the evolution of JenaValve as a company,” said John Kilcoyne, CEO of JenaValve. “With FDA approval now behind us and
JDG Associates Retained by the Institute for Defense Analyses for General Counsel Search
Rockville, MD-based executive search firm JDG Associates has been retained by the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) to lead its search for a general counsel based in Alexandria, VA. Reporting directly to the president and CEO, the general counsel serves as IDA’s chief legal officer and secretary of the Corporation, with responsibility spanning legal counsel and
Korn Ferry to Acquire AMS in $1.1 Billion Talent Solutions Deal
Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) has entered into a definitive agreement with OMERS Private Equity to acquire U.K.-headquartered AMS. The transaction will combine Korn Ferry’s expertise across search, talent & organizational solutions, and workforce solutions with AMS’s expertise in recruitment process outsourcing (RPO), early careers and campus recruiting, contingent workforce solutions, consulting, and skills creation. The combination will
CarterBaldwin Assists Ideal Tridon Group with Chief Information Officer Search
CarterBaldwin Executive Search has helped to recruit Shane Dacus as chief information officer of Ideal Tridon Group, a portfolio company of Nautic Partners and global provider of engineered clamps, brackets, fittings, and metal framing systems. Mr. Dacus brings more than 25 years of technology leadership across industrial, manufacturing, and PE-backed platforms, with a consistent record of elevating IT
Skills-Based Hiring: Where We Stand Today
In recent years, much attention has been given to the concept of skills-based hiring. At first glance, the premise seems almost self-evident: employers should focus on whether a candidate possesses the skills needed to perform a job. It sounds so straightforward that it might feel unnecessary to scrutinize further. Yet, taking skills seriously requires deprioritizing
Jorgenson Consulting Recruits CEO for ChamberRVA
Greensboro, NC-based Jorgenson Consulting has placed Brian Anderson as the new president and CEO for the ChamberRVA. He will replace Kim Scheeler, who has led the organization since 2008. Mr. Anderson was selected through a national search process spearheaded by Mark Hourigan, founder and CEO of Hourigan Group and vice chair of the ChamberRVA board of directors.
Bridge Partners Finds Chief Talent & Culture Officer for Wikimedia Foundation
Executive recruitment firm Bridge Partners has placed Robyn Arville as the new chief talent and culture officer of Wikimedia Foundation, the non-profit organization that hosts and operates Wikipedia and the other Wikimedia free knowledge projects. Partner and co-founder Tory Clarke is leading the search along with partner Janet Albert. “Robyn brings to Wikimedia a passion for building
Vanderbloemen Search Group Partners with the 4Sight Group
Houston-based Vanderbloemen Search Group, which finds leaders for churches and ministries, has formed a partnership with the 4Sight Group, a consulting group focused on developing healthy leaders and thriving organizations through coaching, consulting and culture workshops. Jenni Catron is the founder of 4Sight Group, a consulting group focused on developing healthy leaders and thriving organizations through coaching, consulting,
Signal Partners Appoints Leader of Boston Office
Signal Partners, a Santa Monica, CA-based search firm serving private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies, has appointed Andrew Goodman as partner to lead its Boston office. In this role, Mr. Goodman will assist investors and their portfolio companies to recruit “force-multiplying leadership.” Mr. Goodman brings experience as both an operator and a talent advisor. Before joining Signal, he
HR Leaders Report Readiness Gap When it comes to AI
Each day brings new headlines about artificial intelligence, from an AI system passing an eighth-grade science test to fears of the technology replacing human workers. According to Gartner, enterprise use of AI has grown by 270 percent over the last four years. Despite this acceleration toward AI, many HR leaders feel unprepared. Spencer Stuart recently surveyed
Riviera Partners Receives Grant to Bridge Gender & Diversity Career Gap
The data science team at Riviera Partners has been given the prestigious Convergence Accelerator (C-Accel) award by the National Science Foundation (NSF) in which the firm will receive nearly $1 million to help put women and first generation college grads into STEM careers. Riviera, partnering with the University of Virginia economics department, received the grant to
Premier League Enlists Russell Reynolds Associates to Lead CEO Search
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, the Premier League brought in Russell Reynolds Associates to continue its search for a new CEO. Earlier this year, Spencer Stuart had recruited Susanna Dinnage to assume the role.
Spelman Johnson Recruits Athletic Director for Connecticut College
Universities continue to turn to executive search firms to find new athletic directors. Following a competitive national search, Spelman Johnson has placed Maureen White as the next director of athletics and chair of physical education at Connecticut College. As the first woman to serve as director of athletics at the school, Ms. White will take the
Tyzack Partners Expands Search Staff
U.K.-headquartered executive search firm Tyzack Partners has expanded with the additions of Andy Austin, James Wheeler and Zany Anton-Smith as partners. “I am delighted that we have been able to strengthen the Tyzack team with three experienced individuals who we have known and respected for a long time and who share our vision of providing
Facebook, Apple and Netflix Have a Secret Hiring Weapon
The companies that many of us take for granted and make use of day-to-day are tech giants like Facebook, Apple and Netflix. These businesses have scaled quickly, innovated and beat their competition to become the gold standard for what they do. “This growth and success didn’t happen in a vacuum — it happened because they
Heidrick & Struggles Recruits CEO for San Diego Zoo Global
Heidrick & Struggles has recruited Disney executive Paul Baribault as the new president and CEO of San Diego Zoo Global. Current president and CEO Douglas Myers announced his retirement earlier this year after 34 years in the organization’s top post. “Working closely with the premier executive search firm Heidrick & Struggles on an international search, we looked for
Aspen Leadership Group Seeking CEO for Tucson Symphony Orchestra
Aspen Leadership Group, an executive search firm that specializes in recruiting top talent for philanthropic organizations, has been selected to find the next president and chief executive officer for the Tucson Symphony Orchestra in Arizona. Senior consultant Anne Johnson is conducting the assignment. “The president and chief executive officer of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra (TSO)
Holden Richardson Expands Reach With New Addition
Holden Richardson, an executive search firm based in Chicago, IL, has expanded with the addition of Patrick Andress who will advise clients across the consumer products and services, durables, retail and omni-channel, and industrial goods verticals. Based in Chicago, Mr. Andress brings to the search firm deep experience in the consumer and financial officers sectors.
Vaco Opens Office in Montreal
Brentwood, TN-headquartered recruiting firm Vaco has opened new office in Montréal, which will be led by managing partner, Sean Bartunek along with partners, Eloi Poudrier, Sebastien Lamarche and Olivier Moureaux. They have been leading the Montréal market in the field of technology recruitment for the past 15 years. “Vaco endeavors to be the most consultative, relationship driven
Changing the World, One HR Leader at a Time
Since civil rights activist Cezar Chavez came to speak to her second-grade class about the plight of the farm workers, Valerie Frederickson has worked to help others improve their lives and in the process make for a better world. As the teenage daughter of parents devoted to desegregation and diversity, she spent her summers volunteering
Academic Search Tapped by Coppin State University to Find Eighth President
With the new academic year underway, 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. Recently, education-focused executive recruiter Academic Search was selected by Coppin State University in
Wilton & Bain Expands Professional and Technology Services Practice
London-based executive search firm Wilton & Bain has expanded with the addition of Jonathan Guest as a partner in its professional and technology services practice. “We are delighted to welcome Jonathan to the team,” said David Heron, CEO of The Wilton & Bain Group. “He is someone we have known for some time, and we are thrilled that he has
Harris Rand Lusk Recruits CEO for Stupid Cancer
New York City-based executive search firm Harris Rand Lusk has placed Alison Silberman as the new CEO of Stupid Cancer, a non-profit that serves young adults with cancer. Matthew Zachary, the cancer group’s founder and CEO for 12 years, recently transitioned out of the role. Managing partner and CEO Jack Lusk led the assignment, along with Elly
Quick Leonard Kieffer Adds Former IlliniCare Health Plan CEO
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. Executive recruitment firm Quick Leonard Kieffer recently expanded with the addition of longtime
Move Over Millennials, There’s a New Workforce in Town
Generation Z. It is the first generation to know only a digital world. Its members grew up playing on their parents’ mobile devices, and many had their own smartphone as early as elementary school. Now that they’re on the brink of entering the job market, older workers are wondering how these “digital natives” will impact the
Odgers Berndtson Recruits CEO for the Positive Coaching Alliance
Greg Santore and Jennifer Biehn of Odgers Berndtson have placed Chris Moore as the new CEO of the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA). Jim Thompson, the group’s founder and CEO, is stepping down after 20 years. “I’m proud of all we’ve achieved in the past 20 years, but we have only scratched the surface of youth
Tyler & Company Seeks CIO for Penn State Health
Atlanta-based executive recruitment firm Tyler & Company has been enlisted to find a senior vice president and chief information officer for Penn State Health, a multi-hospital health system based in Hershey, PA. Search firm president Preston W. Smith, assistant vice president Charlotte Tinsley and consultant René Dodd are spearheading the assignment. “This is an exciting opportunity
CyberSN Names President
Increasingly, organizations of all sizes are awakening to the perils posed by cyber attacks. For years, many groups tried to ignore the problem, dismissing cybersecurity as a concern only for the biggest, most high-profile entities, be they government or corporate. These days, more groups are coming to understand how ruinous such intrusions could be. This
Carlyle Group Takes Majority Stake in HireVue
Investors are pouring money into recruiting solutions businesses, especially those with an AI component. The latest: South Jordan, UT-based HireVue, which develops and provides AI-driven assessment and video interviewing solutions, has announced that global investment firm Carlyle Group has signed an agreement to invest in HireVue as its majority investor. Existing shareholders, including TCV, Granite Ventures and
Performance Drivers That Create Value and Deliver Growth
As most investment theses for PE investors rely on a significant growth equation, talent and organization capabilities are often the greatest constraint to delivering on a value creation plan. While most PE firms aspire for an in-depth organization due diligence before an investment is made, it is rare that they actually succeed, according to Summit Leadership
TriVista Launches IT & Operations Technology Practice
TriVista, a global operations consulting firm focused on private equity firms and middle-market manufacturing, distribution and consumer goods companies, has launched an IT and operations technology practice. The new service combines TriVista’s broad technology expertise and deep operational experience to provide clients with a business-specific view of opportunities and risks, while optimizing investments related to
Slone Partners Enters Partnership with Wolf Hill Group
Demand for top cybersecurity professionals is accelerating in the face of increasingly volatile global data security conditions. But the talent pool remains limited and difficult to access. With cybercrime draining more than $445 billion from the global economy, International Data Corp. has forecast that this market will present a $101 billion opportunity by 2020. To
Diversified Search Tapped by Oglethorpe University to Find President
With the new academic year underway, 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. This has made searching for academic leadership comparable to searching for
Scion Executive Search Recruits CEO for the Historic Trust
Scion Executive Search, which specializes in the non-profit sector, has placed David Pearson as president and CEO of the Historic Trust, a Vancouver, WA preservation group. Gregory Goode, who served in the role less than four months, abruptly stepped down and board member Mike Williams had been serving as interim president and CEO. The Historic Trust
Making the Conscious Hire
We’ll never really know how many millions and millions are spent every year on data and intelligence by companies in positioning their talent ahead of their competitors. What we know for sure is that, even after they’ve spent all that money, many once-great companies fade and die all the same and many promising start-ups never
McDermott + Bull Recruits CEO for Bonchon
Irvine, CA-based search firm McDermott + Bull has placed Flynn Dekker as the new CEO of Bonchon Franchise LLC, a holding company of VIG Partners, Korea’s leading buyout fund. He will take over day-to-day leadership of Bonchon from Jinduk Seo, who will continue to serve on the restaurant chain’s board. The assignment was led by managing partner Chris Bull, executive
