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Daily Newswire
Laid Off by AI? What’s Really Driving the Latest Job Cuts
Companies are firing workers and saying AI made them do it. But new research from MIT and Oxford reveals the truth: 95 percent of companies investing in AI are getting zero return, yet they’re still using artificial intelligence as a convenient excuse for layoffs. This matters for anyone worried about job security in today’s market,
Employment Falls by 92,000 as Unemployment Rate Rises to 4.4 Percent
Employment fell by 92,000 in February as the U.S. unemployment rate rose to 4.4 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. The number of unemployed people, at 7.6 million, changed little in February. Employment in healthcare decreased, reflecting strike activity. Employment in information and federal government continued to trend down. “That jobs weakness coupled
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.
Why Succession Planning Is Critical to Reducing Leadership Risk
Most organizations have something they refer to as a succession plan — a spreadsheet, a nine-box grid updated once a year and then put away, or an annual HR review. But very few can answer the question that truly matters: if a critical leader left tomorrow, would the organization be able to keep executing? That’s
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?
Rokos Group Seeking Chief Medical Officer for Center for Elders’ Independence
Newport Beach, CA-based executive search firm Rokos Group has been selected by Center for Elders’ Independence (CEI) to lead in its search for a chief medical officer. Reporting to the president and CEO, the chief medical officer will serve as CEI’s senior physician executive and a full member of the executive leadership team. This is a strategic
ADK Consulting & Executive Search Assists the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority with CEO Search
ADK Consulting & Executive Search recently assisted in the recruitment of Cris Jensen as the new president and CEO of the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority (RTAA). Rod Dinger led the assignment. “It is my honor to announce the board has chosen Cris Jensen to serve as the next president and CEO, and his contract negotiations are currently underway,” said Shaun Carey, chair of
How CEOs Can Overcome Setbacks and Emerge Stronger
Executive search firms are increasingly being called upon to assess more than a candidate’s track record of growth, transformation, and financial performance. As boards search for CEOs capable of leading through persistent uncertainty, resilience has become a critical component of the leadership profile. Search consultants are placing greater emphasis on how executives have responded to
Occam Global Recruits CFO for eGenesis
New York City-based executive search firm Occam Global has placed Glenn Vraniak as CFO of eGenesis, a biotechnology company developing human-compatible engineered organs for transplantation. “eGenesis is entering a pivotal stage in our evolution as we prepare to advance our programs through clinical development and lay the foundation for future commercialization,” said Mike Curtis, CEO of eGenesis.
Maven Partnership Names Partner and Consultants
Global talent advisory firm Maven Partnership has recently promoted Tom Chambers to partner, Seb Coughlin as consultant, and George Roberts to consultant. “We are delighted to announce the well-deserved promotions of several exceptional individuals here at Maven Partnership, Will Hannaford, chief executive officer. “We’re committed to the growth and development of our people, and it’s fantastic to
The Execution Era: How Transformation Is Reshaping Private Equity
Most PE value creation plans don’t fail on strategy. They fail between the plan and the doing. With longer holds and less forgiving exit windows, delivery discipline is carrying more of the return, according to a new report from Wilton & Bain’s Jack Syred and James Royall. The report reflects patterns Wilton & Bain has
JDG Associates Retained by the Institute for Defense Analyses to Lead VP of Corporate Operations Search
Rockville, MD-based executive search firm JDG Associates has been tapped by the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) to lead its search for their vice president of corporate operations, based in Alexandria, VA. IDA seeks a seasoned operational and business transformation leader to modernize systems, processes, and service delivery across the organization. Serving as a corporate officer and
Modern Executive Solutions adds Partner to Lead Growth of M1 Talent Community
Atlanta-based talent consultancy Modern Executive Solutions has appointed Bria Bass as as partner, where she will lead the continued growth and expansion of the M1 Talent Community across North America and Europe. “Bria brings a rare combination of executive advisory, deep community-building experience, and an exceptional ability to connect leaders in meaningful ways,” said Mark Oppenheimer, CEO
AI Is Rewriting the Executive Hiring Playbook
Insight Partners’ latest research suggests the AI era is creating a new executive hiring playbook. Based on more than 400 executive searches and interviews with over 1,400 leadership candidates, the firm’s talent team argues that many of the characteristics defining today’s strongest product and engineering leaders would have been viewed as weaknesses only a few years
FMG Leading Acquires Market Intelligence And Strategic Advisory Firm BroadBranch Advisors
Human capital advisory firm FMG Leading has acquired market intelligence and strategic advisory firm BroadBranch Advisors. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “In today’s high-pressure landscape, translating forward-looking intelligence into action faster and more effectively is critical for our clients, especially in the investor-backed healthcare space,” said Matt Brubaker, chairman and CEO of FMG Leading. “By
PARC Street Group Places Chief Operating Officer for Mission Valley Bank
PARC Street Group has assisted in the recruitment Amanda Connell as chief operating officer at Mission Valley Bank. This search was completed by PARC Street Group senior executive search consultant Michelle Davis, executive recruiter Tabassum Nagpurwala, and executive search associate Priscilla Chacon. Ms. Connell brings more than 15 years of progressive leadership experience across community
Hunt Scanlon and HSiQ Build a New Performance Model for Executive Recruiters
As the executive search industry faces growing pressure to deliver stronger and more consistent results, firms are reassessing how recruiters are trained, developed, and prepared to meet changing client demands. A few months ago, Hunt Scanlon and its HSiQ Talent Intelligence advisory unit introduced the Recruiter Performance Training Program, a practical, execution-focused system designed to
U.S. Payrolls Fall by 23,000 in July as Unemployment Rate Dips to 4.1 Percent
Employment fell by 23,000 in July as the U.S. unemployment rate stood at 4.1 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. The number of unemployed people, at 6.9 million, changed little in July. Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rates for teenagers (12.1 percent) and people who are Hispanic (4.6 percent) declined
Parker Remick Expands with New Partner
Seattle, WA-based Parker Remick has appointed Adam Szepkouski as partner of consulting excellence. The firm explained that this hire reflects a broader push to refine execution and scale delivery as demand for senior technology leaders accelerates. The appointment comes at a time of structural change in technology leadership. AI is reshaping how technology organizations are built and
The Data Migration Paralysis Problem: Why Firms Stay on Old Platforms Too Long
Technology has become a defining competitive advantage for executive search firms, yet many organizations continue to rely on aging platforms that no longer innovate. While artificial intelligence, automation, and data-driven workflows are reshaping the industry, the hesitation to replace legacy systems often leaves firms struggling with inefficiencies that quietly accumulate over time. The greatest obstacle
Recruiterflow Offers Four-Step Playbook for Building an AI-Native Search Firm
Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how executive search firms identify talent, manage information, engage candidates, and serve clients. But adopting an AI-powered platform alone does not make a recruiting organization AI-native. The larger challenge is integrating technology across the search lifecycle in ways that improve decision-making, strengthen execution, and allow consultants to devote more attention
Kirk Palmer Associates Recruits Chief Merchandising Officer for Belk
Retail-focused executive search firm Kirk Palmer Associates has helped to recruit Molly Taylor as chief merchandising officer at retailer Belk, where she will lead merchandising strategy and vision across all product categories. Melissa Sussberg and Alexa Liebman led the assignment. Ms. Taylor is a merchandising executive with over 30 years of experience connecting topline vision to bottom-line performance
The Forces Reshaping Executive Search
As organizations face accelerating business transformation, leadership succession, and rapid advances in artificial intelligence, the demands placed on executive search firms continue to evolve. Clients are looking for more than candidate identification—they increasingly expect strategic guidance, deeper market intelligence, and advisors capable of helping them navigate an increasingly complex leadership landscape. Those themes emerged consistently
Bryant Group Fills Senior Position for the University of Washington
Dallas-based executive search and talent development firm Bryant Group has assisted in the recruitment of Justin Michalka as vice president for university development at the University of Washington (UW). The search was led by firm president Chris Bingley. “I’m delighted to welcome Justin to the University of Washington,” said Mary Gresch, senior vice president for university advancement. “He is a
SPMB Expands Financial Officer and Private Equity Practices
SPMB Executive Search has appointed Christy Mihos as a partner in the firm’s financial officer and private equity practices. “Christy is one of the most accomplished CFO search practitioners in the market, and we are thrilled to welcome him to SPMB,” said Dave Mullarkey, managing partner at SPMB. “His track record of advising PE firms and technology companies on
Executive Talent Market Faces New Pressures as AI and Private Equity Reshape Leadership Demand
The executive talent market continues to tighten as private investment accelerates, experienced leaders retire, and organizations compete for executives capable of driving growth and transformation. At the same time, artificial intelligence is changing the capabilities companies expect from senior leaders, while consulting and private equity firms rethink how they build leadership teams and evaluate potential.
Carpenter Legal Search Recruits General Counsel for Park Corporation
Legal recruiting remains an active area for executive search firms as corporations, law firms, government agencies, and other organizations compete for experienced legal talent. Employment of lawyers is projected to grow four percent from 2024 to 2034, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, with approximately 31,500 openings expected each year as employers add
Signium Opens New Office in Hamburg, Germany
Executive search consortium Signium has opened a new office in Hamburg, Germany. The new office is led by Moritz Drerup, managing partner, who joined Signium with more than a decade of executive search experience and a highly focused practice in technology and AI leadership. The Hamburg office represents a natural evolution for Mr. Drerup’s established executive search practice, combining his specialist expertise with the reach,
Executive Search Strategies for Leadership Success
As organizations navigate rapid change, leadership decisions have become increasingly consequential, placing greater pressure on executive search firms to identify candidates who can deliver both immediate impact and long-term value. Success at the highest levels depends on far more than filling a vacancy—it requires a disciplined search strategy that combines market intelligence, rigorous assessment, and
Leverage AI in Your Job Search: When to Use It and When Not To
Artificial intelligence has been changing the way people search for jobs. From optimizing resumes to preparing for interviews, AI has become a valuable resource for candidates looking to streamline the process. The key is knowing how to use it effectively, according to a recent report from New York City headquartered executive search firm Solomon Page. “AI
Transforming the Recruiter’s Role From Volume to Value
According to the Wall Street Journal, U.S. public companies have reduced their white-collar workforces by a collective 3.5 percent over the past three years, all while corporate profits have surged to record highs. One in five companies in the S&P 500 now operate with fewer employees than a decade ago, despite having significantly higher revenues. Executives
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
Stanton Chase Appoints U.K. Financial Services Leader
Baltimore, MD-headquartered Stanton Chase has named Eva Kingston as leader of financial services for its U.K. team. “We are very pleased to have Eva join our firm,” said Nicholas Wylde, managing director in the London office. “Her decades of experience in executive search and leadership consulting, particularly in the financial sector, will undoubtedly be an added value to our
What Workers Want: Career Development Tops the List
Amid fast-paced innovation and global competitiveness, employees are facing more professional choices than ever. Attracting talented people to grow businesses remains extremely difficult for employers. Holding on to people proves to be an increasing challenge for organizations worldwide as well. So what do today’s workers want? Developing one’s career seems to be an important factor
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







