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Daily Newswire
The CFO Rewired: From Leading Finance to Driving Strategic Value
Today’s CFO plays an active role in shaping corporate strategy, managing risk, and driving long-term enterprise value. They navigate complexity, challenge the status quo, and act as the CEO’s co-pilot in an ever-changing environment. CFO influence now spans capital allocation, M&A, operational efficiency, and digital transformation, according to a recent report from True. “Today’s CFO
Blue Rock Human Capital Recruits VP of People and Culture for Unlimited Systems
Blue Rock Human Capital has assisted in the recruitment of Blair Arcaini as vice president of people and culture at Unlimited Systems. Ruben Moreno and Brad Grieco led the assignment. “Blue Rock Human Capital is excited to share the successful placement of Blair Arcaini as vice president, people and culture at unlimited technology,” Blue Rock said
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.
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
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?
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
Friisberg & Partners International Names Managing Partner of its Copenhagen Office
Fribourg, Switzerland-headquartered Friisberg & Partners International has expanded with the addition of Birgitte Olrik as managing partner of its Copenhagen office, strengthening the firm’s presence in the Nordic region and supporting the continued execution of our international growth strategy. “The future of executive search belongs to firms that combine exceptional local expertise with international reach,” said Zoltán Pethő,
Attracting the Right CHRO Starts with the Right Job Description
Hiring a head of HR is one of the most consequential leadership decisions an organization can make, yet many companies struggle to define the role in a way that reflects their actual needs. The most effective job descriptions go beyond qualifications and responsibilities, offering candidates a clear picture of the challenges, priorities, and business objectives
Coulter Partners Recruits Chief Medical Officer for Neumirna Therapeutics
Life sciences recruiting specialist Coulter Partners has placed Ferenc Tracik as chief medical officer of Neumirna Therapeutics. “Neumirna has reached an inflection point: the question is no longer whether the science works, but how quickly we can translate it into an option for patients with urgent unmet need. Ferenc has the experience to get us there,” said Ellen
McCormack + Kristel Seeking CEO for Central New York ON RAMP
McCormack + Kristel is currently seeking a CEO for Central New York ON RAMP. New York State Empire State Development (ESD) recently engaged CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity (CenterState CEO), an business leadership and economic development organization, to lead, incubate, and launch the Central New York One Network for Regional Advanced Manufacturing Projects (ON RAMP). The
Bespoke Partners Appoints Leader of People and HR Practice
San Diego, CA-headquartered Bespoke Partners recently named Dani Pfeiffer as a partner leading the people and human resources leader recruiting practice serving both software and industrials sector companies. She will lead dedicated recruiting teams on searches for talent executives for private equity portfolio companies for the software and SaaS clients served by Bespoke Partners and industrial clients served by Industra Talent Partners,
Wilson Forms New Alliance with Poetry to Advance AI capabilities
Global talent solutions provider Wilson has formed a new partnership with Poetry to strengthen its AI-enabled recruitment capabilities. The collaboration supports Wilson’s continued focus on embedding technology into its RPO delivery model through Wilson Workspace, its technology ecosystem. “We’re excited to announce our new partnership with Poetry,” said Charles Faigle, chief delivery officer at Wilson. This
What Executive Candidates Want From Employers Today
The executive talent market today has fundamentally shifted and senior leaders are evaluating employers through a far more demanding lens. They no longer weigh opportunities primarily on compensation or title; they assess the total leadership experience: governance, culture, organizational stability, purpose, autonomy, flexibility and long-term growth, according to a report from Kestria. “To attract and retain
WittKieffer Retained by Roosevelt University for President Search
Oak Brook, IL-based WittKieffer has been retained by Roosevelt University in Chicago to lead in its search for its seventh president. Ali Malekzadeh is retiring after being with the school since 2015. Senior partner Christine Pendleton, consultant Sandra Chu, senior associate Maya Holt-Brockenbrough, and senior advisor Ray Crossman. Roosevelt University seeks a student-centered president who is committed
Buffkin / Baker Acquires HR-Focused Benson Executive Search
Partner-led executive search firm Buffkin / Baker has acquired Boston, MA-based Benson Executive Search, a boutique firm focused on the human resources sector. Financial terms of deal were not disclosed. The acquisition strengthens Buffkin / Baker’s HR functional capabilities and gives the firm a stronger presence in the Northeast. “We’re thrilled to welcome Benson Executive Search to
SPMB Recruits Fills Senior Finance Position for Uber
Steven Popper of SPMB Executive Search has placed Wendy Drummond Craig as senior director, technical accounting, reporting, and M&A at Uber. In her new role, she will oversee teams responsible for technical accounting matters, SEC reporting, and accounting for mergers and acquisitions. “Wendy brings an extraordinary combination of technical accounting expertise, SEC reporting experience, and strategic advisory leadership
True Launches AI Capability Index for Executive Assessment
Global executive talent platform True has launched the True AI Capability Index, a proprietary framework that predicts executive performance in the AI-transformation age. “We are entering a phase where relationship depth and judgment matter more than ever,” said Brad Stadler, co-founder and CEO of True Platform. “The cost of finding names is decreasing. True’s advantage lies in our ability
AI-Native Talent Won’t Fix AI-Foreign Organizations
As artificial intelligence moves from experimentation to enterprise-wide adoption, organizations are grappling with a fundamental question: what does it actually mean to become AI-native? While the term has quickly entered the business lexicon, many leaders are still struggling to define the capabilities, operating models, and cultural shifts required to make that vision a reality. “Some
ZRG Partners Acquires Fortium
ZRG Partners has acquired Fortium, a Dallas-based search firm that provides fractional, interim, and project-based CIO, CTO, and CISO leadership. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “Companies are making more nuanced decisions about leadership than they did even a few years ago, particularly in technology,” said Mark Viner, leader of interim solutions & project
Lochlin Partners Recruits SVP of HR for the National Association of Corporate Directors
Lochlin Partners has placed Marian Stevens as senior vice president, human resources of the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) in Washington, D.C. “Marian’s deep experience in talent development, organizational effectiveness, and culture will help NACD to continue building the internal capabilities needed to support our growth and deliver on our mission,” said Peter Gleason, president and CEO of
JDG Associates Tapped by Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute to Find New Leader
Rockville, MD-based executive search firm JDG Associates has been retained by the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) to lead its search for a new president and CEO. The Chicago-based institute, the leading technical institute and trade association for the precast, prestressed concrete industry in North America, seeks a visionary and collaborative executive to succeed its long-serving chief executive,
IIC Partners Adds New Member Firm in New Zealand
IIC Partners Executive Search Worldwide has added Auckland, New Zealand-based Infinitas as its newest member firm expanding its capabilities across the Asia-Pacific region. “I am thrilled to welcome Infinitas to IIC Partners,” said Christine Hayward, executive director of IIC Partners. Their people-first philosophy, tech-enabled search processes, and talent advisory capabilities deeply align with our mission to transform
Hiring for the Culture You Don’t Yet Have
For much of the past decade, organizations have invested heavily in strategy, technology and operational efficiency to navigate an increasingly complex business environment. Yet despite these investments, many transformation initiatives continue to fall short of expectations. The differentiator is rarely the strategy itself. More often, success depends on whether leadership teams have the right people
BoardWalk Consulting Leading CEO Search for Downtown Atlanta Inc.
BoardWalk Consulting has been tapped by Downtown Atlanta Inc. (DAI) to lead in its search for a CEO. The search is being led by Sam Pettway, Crystal Stephens, and Patti Kish. The organization is seeking a leader who can help define what the next generation of Downtown Atlanta will become. This is a leadership opportunity of unusual scale and
Peña Search Assists To Be Like Me with the Recruitment of Executive Director
Peña Search recently assisted in the recruitment of Lauren Rowe as the new executive for To Be Like Me (TBLM) in Dallas, TX. Travis Hillier, Carlos González Peña, and Thaise Pereira led the assignment. She replaces To Be Like Me founder Hollis Owens, who has served as executive director since 2018 and initiated the search for her replacement last
BroadView Talent Partners Tapped by Baltimore Community Lending for President/CEO Search
BroadView Talent Partners was recently retained by Baltimore Community Lending, Inc. (BCL) to lead in its search for a new president and CEO. Tracy McMillan, Robyn Quinn, and Donna Young are leading the assignment. The CEO is the strategic, operational, and external leader of Baltimore Community Lending, responsible for driving the organization’s next era of growth and
The Future of Healthcare Leadership: AI, Innovation & Talent
The healthcare and life sciences industries are undergoing a major transformation, driven by advancements in AI, machine learning, and digital innovation. These technologies are reshaping drug discovery, patient care, and operational efficiency, requiring leaders who can harness innovation while optimizing complex systems. As competition for top talent intensifies, organizations are prioritizing executives with strong business
Spencer Stuart Launches Kincentric From Newly Acquired Aon Businesses
Executive search firm Spencer Stuart has launched a new business unit formed from the culture and engagement, leadership assessment and development, and HR and talent advisory businesses it acquired from global professional services firm Aon in a transaction that closed July 1. Collectively, these businesses form a distinct entity now known as Kincentric: A Spencer
Greenwich Harbor Partners Recruits Chief Revenue Officer for SQAD
The role of chief revenue officer has changed dramatically over the last several years. CROs are quickly becoming mission-critical innovators for companies that look to dominate a market first and fastest, according to recruiters. The demand for these financial leaders is growing and executive search firms have been busy filling these roles. Recently, Greenwich Harbor
How to Avoid Hiring the Wrong Leader
With pressure on search firms to fill senior posts in a timely manner, it can be easier than you think to fill a critical position with the wrong candidate. Maybe you’re bleeding revenue or your turnover is through the roof. Maybe you’re the one filling in until a role is filled. Whatever the reason, it’s
CohenTaylor Finds New Leader for Minneapolis Social Services Group
CohenTaylor Executive Search has placed Chastity Lord as the next president and CEO of Jeremiah Program, a Minneapolis, MN-based non-profit that helps single mothers and their children break the cycle of poverty. Ms. Lord will start in her new role in mid-September. “Ms. Lord is a dynamic leader who has dedicated her career to disrupting systems of
Pedersen & Partners Appoints New CEO
Executive recruitment firms have made a number of top leadership appointments in the past year, many focused on strategy, growth, branding efforts and operations. The latest: Dubai-headquartered executive search firm Pedersen & Partners named Gary Williams as its new CEO replacing founder Poul Pedersen who will assume the role of executive chairman. As CEO, Mr. Williams will have
Humane Society Taps accelHRate to Find Chief People Officer
Executive search firms have been stepping up their efforts to assist companies across the nation to find new chief people officers. The latest: accelHRate was selected by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) to lead its search for a new chief people officer. Kimberly Shanahan, founding president and chief executive officer, led the
Cross Country Healthcare Creates New Brand for Search Divisions
Cross Country Healthcare, a provider of healthcare workforce solutions and staffing services, has merged its signature permanent search brands – Cejka Physician Search, AP Healthcare, StarMed and Cross Country Staffing’s RPO division – under a new Cross Country Search brand. The consolidation leverages the strength of each brand to offer the widest range of permanent search
Signium Expands in the U.S. With New Member Firm
Executive search consortium Signium has increased its presence in the U.S. with the addition of Discovery Search Partners in Atlanta as its newest member firm. Located in Atlanta, Boston, the Philadelphia area and Virginia, Discovery Search Partners boosts Signium’s executive search and leadership presence in the life sciences sector. Discovery Search Partners was formed in 2009 by a
CEO Confidence Remains Moderately Optimistic
Although chief executives continue to be upbeat about the economy, their confidence levels have waned in recent months. In its most recent report, the Conference Board’s “Measure of CEO Confidence” was unchanged at 43 in the second quarter (a reading of more than 50 points reflects more positive than negative responses). “CEO confidence was unchanged
Spencer Stuart Acquires Ireland-Based MERC Partners
Executive search firm Spencer Stuart has acquired MERC Partners, a leading executive search and leadership consulting firm based in Ireland. Financial terms of deal were not disclosed. The addition of MERC Partners marks Spencer Stuart’s first client-facing team in Ireland and represents an important addition for its EMEA and global business. Spencer Stuart has had
Caldwell Posts Revenue Gain; Elects Private Equity Veteran as Chairman
Toronto-based executive search firm Caldwell has posted third quarter revenues of $19.9 million (Canadian), a 4.6 percent increase from a year ago. The search firm also announced that its chairman, G. Edmund King, is retiring and that new board member and private equity veteran Elias Vamvakas has been elected as chairman. Caldwell noted that third quarter revenues
How Today’s CHRO is Managing Disruption
Successive waves of global disruption — political, social, demographic, technological — are compelling today’s CHROs to consider how they may safely bring their organizations, and specifically their people, through the turbulence. But that disruption also presents an opportunity for them to examine how, and how swiftly, their own roles must change. A new report from
Development Guild DDI Seeks New Leader for Senior Community
Executive recruitment firm Development Guild DDI, which focuses on the non-profit sector, has been retained to find the next president and CEO for Sophia Snow Place, a senior living community in West Roxbury, MA. President William Weber is leading the assignment. The next leader of Sophia Snow Place will be expected to partner with the board
IRC Global Adds New Member Firm in Denmark
Global search consortiums continue to add new members across the globe. The latest: IRC Global Executive Search Partners (IRC) just added People Executive in Denmark as its newest member firm. “We are very excited to welcome People Executive into the IRC family. Based on our past experience we know that the partners will contribute much to our
7 Reasons to Partner with a Recruitment Firm
Hiring talent is something that affects every business and every level of management. The ability to recruit great talent is key to the ultimate success, or failure, of a business. Certain roles, however, can be particularly difficult to fill. In those situations, it can be extremely valuable for an organization to partner with an outside
Krauthamer & Associates Recruits CEO for the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority
Over the past year, a growing number of transportation companies have enlisted executive search firms to help them find senior talent. After a nationwide search, executive recruiting firm Krauthamer & Associates recently placed India Birdsong as general manager and CEO of the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority. She will succeed Joseph A. Calabrese, who stepped down from
Kennedy Executive Search Names Financial Services Practice Leader
Kennedy Executive Search, a network of independent executive search firms, has named Markus Unterberger as practice leader of financial services. In this role, he will structure and guide Kennedy’s services in recruitment for leadership roles in the financial services industry across North America, South America and Europe. Mr. Unterberger is a veteran in the financial
Driving Greater Diversity in Recruitment
Diversity and inclusion is firmly on the boardroom agenda and companies are actively looking to improve equality in their recruiting practices. This is a trend that is not going away and which many companies are tackling head on, both internally and through their suppliers. As a result, executive search firms are addressing their role in
Search Solution Executive Recruits CHRO for itelligence North America
Anyone with ties to the human resources function knows how much it has evolved in recent years – and with it the role of the chief human resources officer. The biggest shift has been in the CHRO’s progression from fighting for a seat at the table to playing a key role on the executive team. According
Cowen Partners Launches New Office in Vancouver, WA
With demand for executive recruitment growing across the Pacific Northwest, executive search firm Cowen Partners recently opened an office in Vancouver, WA. Leading the new location is Ash Wendt, founding partner. “I’ve been a long-time resident of Vancouver and watching the tremendous growth in recent years has been exciting,” said Mr. Wendt. “We can’t wait
The Best Ways to Foster a CEO / CHRO Relationship
The relationship between a CEO and CHRO is possibly the most unique in the corporate world. When fostered strategically, the dynamic between the person at the helm of the company and the head of HR can drive a business to greater heights. But a new report by John Doyle of Slayton Search Partners finds that
ZRG Partners Acquires London-Based Holker Watkin
ZRG Partners, a fast growing executive search firm, has continued its expansion with the acquisition of London-headquartered search firm Holker Watkin. The deal’s financial terms were undisclosed. The firm will operate as a ZRG company, focused on supporting client needs for senior-level strategy professionals on a retained and interim project basis. The transaction is expected
AEGEUS Executive Search Tapped by Queensland Theatre to Find Next Executive Director
Sydney-headquartered AEGEUS Executive Search has been selected by Queensland Theatre to find its next artistic director. Sam Strong, who has held the role for four years, recently announced that he will be leaving the organization later this year. Managing director Tony Grierson is leading the assignment. “Queensland Theatre has been and will continue to be a
4 Emerging Trends to Watch as 2019 Heads Into High Gear
If the second half of 2019 is anything like the first, business leaders are in for a wild ride. The geopolitical landscape remains as volatile as the stock market. Signs of an economic slowdown are emerging, making consumers and investors equally skittish. Organizations are still looking for ways to cut costs while ramping up investment
Carrington & Carrington Seeks CFO for UPMC Community HealthChoices
Chicago-based executive recruitment firm Carrington & Carrington is seeking the next chief financial officer for UPMC Community HealthChoices (CHC). Principal Marian H. Carrington is leading the assignment. In 2017, the search firm started a multi-year partnership with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) to help boost the healthcare giant’s diversity hiring at its most senior levels.
Job Growth Rebounds in June; Unemployment Rate Sits at 3.7 Percent
Employers added 224,000 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, the largest since January, topped the 162,000 forecast by economists. The June gain is the 105th consecutive month of job growth. The number of unemployed currently stands at 6.0
10 Benefits of Retaining an Executive Search Firm
Organizations typically use an executive search firm when a top job opening is important enough, senior enough and when discretion is at a premium. These three factors warrant the investment of bringing in a search firm. Executive search firms are in the business of finding high impact thought leaders who share the same principles, goals,
Diversified Search Places Two Women Directors at Jacobs
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. At the same time, many boards find that the supply of independent-minded “board experienced” directors – especially those who can add vital forms of specialized skills and expertise – is limited. Such candidates are
Witt/Kieffer Tapped by Oregon State University to Find 15th President
Executive recruitment firm Witt/Kieffer has been selected by Oregon State University (OSU) to lead in its search for its 15th president. Edward Ray, who has served as the school’s president since 2003, recently announced he is stepping down when his current five-year contract ends in 2020. Zachary Smith, senior partner and deputy managing partner for the firm’s
ZRG Partners Acquires Fiore Global Search
ZRG Partners, a fast growing executive search firm, has continued its expansion with the acquisition of certain assets of executive search firm Fiore Global Search. The deal’s financial terms were undisclosed. As part of the asset acquisition agreement, Adam Fiore, formerly the managing partner and CEO of Fiore Global Search, will be joining ZRG as a
N2Growth Names Chief Marketing Officer
N2Growth, a Philadelphia, PA-based management consulting and executive search firm, has added Dan Evans as chief marketing officer. A respected media and marketing professional, Mr. Evans has more than a decade of experience in helping strong brands create outstanding user experience. “Dan is an incredible marketing executive who understands how to engage the market across
