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Baird Global Investment Banking Integrates Ren Systems
Baird Global Investment Banking recently integrated Ren Systems, an AI-powered relationship intelligence platform used by sales, business development, and professional services leaders. “It’s not every day a century-old financial institution changes how their investment bankers work,” said Canay Deniz, co-founder and CEO of Ren Systems. “It says a lot about Baird’s culture that they’re leaning
6 Executive Search Trends Shaping Leadership in 2026
Executive search is no longer just a hiring function — it’s becoming a strategic response to how fast organizations are being forced to evolve. Boards and CEOs are facing a leadership environment defined by volatility, accelerated technology shifts, changing workforce expectations, and increasing pressure to deliver results with fewer resources and tighter timelines. In that
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 Slow Hiring Processes Cost Companies Their Best Candidates
You’ve heard it countless times: “Hire slow, fire fast.” It’s sound advice in principle. Taking the time to thoroughly evaluate candidates before making an important hiring decision simply makes good sense. However, facilitating a comprehensive selection process and moving quickly are not mutually exclusive, according to a recent report from Noto Group’s Roy Notowitz. “It is a good thing
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?
Bauer Harris Fills Senior Marketing Position for PREMIER Bankcard
Boston, MA-based executive search firm Bauer Harris has assisted in the recruitment of Mark Halpern as the vice president of marketing operations for PREMIER Bankcard. “Congratulations to Mark Halpern on his new role as VP, marketing operations at PREMIER Bankcard,” Bauer Harris said in a LinkedIn post. “We’re excited for Mark as he steps into this new
Sheffield Haworth Names Managing Director of the Real Estate Practice in the U.S.
Global leadership advisory and executive search firm Sheffield Haworth has named Sun-Sun de Swaan as managing director of the real estate practice in the U.S. She will work closely with Sheffield Haworth’s international real estate teams to build and strengthen the firm’s global search and advisory practice. “We are delighted to welcome Sun-Sun to Sheffield Haworth,” said
Why PE-Backed Companies Need a Talent Operating System
PE-backed companies rarely underperform because they lack urgency. They underperform because they fail to translate strategy into talent with enough precision, according to a recent report from Keith Johnstone, vice president of marketing at Talentfoot Executive Search. “In our experience leading executive searches for PE-backed businesses, the real breakdown usually happens before a search begins,
Acertitude Recruits Head of Cybersecurity/CISO for Adevinta Spain
Acertitude has assisted in the recruitment of Xavi Bertomeu as head of cybersecurity and chief information security officer for Adevinta Spain, an EQT portfolio company. The search was led by partners, Eliza Baker and Tim Cook with support from Finty Hunter and Hannah Elwiss. Mr. Bertomeu brings more than a decade of experience in cybersecurity,
Anthem Executive | Anthem Academics Seeking Director of Athletics Texas A&M International University
Athletic directors are playing an increasingly vital role at colleges and universities across the country. With the expansion of athletic departments and, for the larger schools, the infusion of big dollars for sports, more schools have turned to search firms when such positions become open. Too much is at stake, they feel, to go at
Reducing Risk Through Informed Executive Search
As organizations face increasing pressure to make the right leadership decisions, executive search is becoming less about simply filling senior roles and more about reducing risk of a bad hire through better information, stronger alignment, and a deeper understanding of the leadership market. Companies are increasingly seeking search partners that can provide strategic insight before
Rokos Group Seeking CHRO for Keck Medicine of USC
Newport Beach, CA-based executive search firm Rokos Group has been retained by Keck Medicine of USC to lead in its search for a new chief human resources officer. The CHRO will serve as a strategic executive leader responsible for recommending, developing, implementing, administering, interpreting, coordinating, and evaluating human resources strategies, policies, programs, laws, and procedures pertaining to
Academic Career & Executive Search Retained by Briar Cliff University to Find New CFO
Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) has been selected by Briar Cliff University to lead in its search for a vice president of finance and chief financial officer. Jennifer Muller, managing partner, is leading the assignment. Briar Cliff University seeks a strategic and entrepreneurial financial leader. Reporting directly to the president and serving as a member of the
How Adaptive Governance Is Reshaping Leadership in Private Equity
Private equity firms have transformed how they create value, placing greater emphasis on operational execution, leadership effectiveness, and strategic oversight throughout the investment lifecycle. As a result, executive search firms are increasingly being called upon not only to recruit high-impact leaders and board directors, but also to identify executives capable of operating within governance models
Why the Chief AI Officer Is Becoming a C-Suite Essential
Artificial intelligence is reshaping executive leadership, prompting organizations to rethink who should guide enterprise-wide AI strategy and oversee its responsible adoption. As companies move beyond experimentation to large-scale implementation, executive search firms are seeing growing demand for leaders who can combine technical expertise with business acumen, regulatory awareness, and the ability to drive transformation across
Yale University Taps Lindauer to Lead Vice President for Alumni Affairs and Development
Lindauer has been retained by Yale University to lead in its search for a vice president for alumni affairs and development. The search is being led by Lindauer CEO Deb Taft, executive vice president Faith Montgomery and senior consultant Andrew Machado. Yale University seeks an accomplished, visionary, and collaborative leader. Reporting directly to president Maurie McInnis and serving
What a Great Executive Onboarding Plan Actually Looks Like
Executive search firms devote significant time and expertise to identifying leaders capable of driving organizational success, yet the work of ensuring those executives thrive often begins only after the search concludes. As organizations face mounting pressure to maximize leadership investments and accelerate executive impact, onboarding is emerging as a critical extension of the search process
Slone Partners Recruits Chief Scientific Officer for Prolynx
Life sciences-focused search firm Slone Partners has recruited Amer Mirza as chief scientific officer at Prolynx, a biotechnology company developing a next-generation portfolio of ultra-long-acting medicines for obesity and related metabolic conditions. “Dr. Amer Mirza is an accomplished scientific leader whose deep expertise in drug discovery and development and passion for innovation make him exceptionally well suited to serve as
Wilson Appoints New CEO
Global talent solutions provider Wilson has announced a planned leadership transition as founder and CEO John Wilson moves into a role on the board after nearly 24 years leading the company. Jean-Francois Vezina has been appointed CEO and will lead the next phase of Wilson’s growth and innovation. “It was important to me that the company be
ATS vs. CRM: Why Both Matter in Executive Search
An ATS is designed to move candidates through a single search, not to maintain relationships over the years between searches. In executive search, however, those long-term relationships are where most of the revenue is actually generated. A new report from Recruiterflow breaks down the difference between an ATS and an executive search CRM, why relationship-driven
Potrero Group Leads Search for the Leader of Bay Area’s Largest Trail Network
San Francisco-based leadership consulting and search firm Potrero Group has assisted in the recruitment of Kirsten Saenz Tobey as the executive director of the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council. This follows a national search. “Kirsten brings exactly the combination of strategic vision, entrepreneurial leadership, and genuine passion for conservation that this moment calls for,” said Taylor
Caldwell Appoints COO; Announces New Regional Managing Partner Structure
Toronto-based Caldwell has named John Blank as chief operating officer. The firm has also established a new regional managing partner structure designed to support the firm’s continued growth, strengthen operational effectiveness, and enhance coordination across its global platform. In his new role, Mr. Blank will oversee Caldwell’s business and people operations, including regional leadership, talent and people
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,
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
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
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
Herbert Mines Associates Recruits CEO for Sprouts Farmers Market
Following a nationwide search, New York-based executive recruiter Herbert Mines Associates recently placed Jack L. Sinclair as the new chief executive officer of Sprouts Farmers Market which is based in Phoenix, AZ. Amin Maredia stepped down last December to pursue other interests. President and COO Jim Nielsen and CFO Brad Lukow had been serving as interim co-CEOs while
Odgers Berndtson Recruits CEO for American Association of Port Authorities
Global search firm Odgers Berndtson has placed Christopher Connor as the new CEO of the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA). Long-time leader Kurt Nagle recently retired. Vice chairman and partner Tim McNamara is leading the assignment along with partner and practice leader Conrad Woody. “The association’s executive committee is pleased to have found an outstanding individual to
Ventura Partners Places Tennis Head Coaches for Auburn and Yale
Executive recruitment firm Ventura Partners has recently placed head coaches for women’s tennis at Auburn University and men’s tennis at Yale University. Leading the respective assignments were Chad Chatlos, partner, and Katy Young Staudt, managing director, in the firm’s sports and entertainment practice. Caroline Lilley, assistant head coach at the University of Kansas (KU), was
Charles Aris Appoints Practice Leader
Greensboro, NC-based executive search firm Charles Aris Inc. recently expanded with the addition of Luis Tejada as its newest practice leader. Mr. Tejada will focus on recruiting A-level sales and marketing leaders on behalf of clients in the food and beverage industry. He brings an extensive background in shaping sales and marketing programs for a variety of organizations
NPAworldwide Adds 10 New Member Firms
Executive search consultants are seeing an increase in hiring mandates from around the world. To meet demand, they continue to develop new practices, hire new recruiters and open new locations. Global recruiting consortiums, meanwhile, are taking advantage of a resurgence in certain geographic areas. Member-owned recruitment network NPAworldwide has added 10 new member locations as it continues to
Finding Transformative Leaders Fueling Growth & Innovation at Wilton & Bain
In the early years after its founding in 2001, London-based Wilton & Bain was content to be a respected, tightly focused professional services executive search firm. With technology as its niche, it was a good business, everyone agreed, and profitable. Yet it was relatively small and geographically limited. Fast forward 18 years and behold a
Top Gun Ventures Recruits President for Lindenwood University
Plano, TX-based executive search firm Top Gun Ventures has recruited John Porter as the 23rd president of Lindenwood University in St. Charles, MO. Mr. Porter, who begins his tenure next Monday, replaces Michael Shonrock who was dismissed for reasons not provided by the school. Managing partner Don Tuttle led the assignment. “Higher education is facing a declining market
True Search Recruits CFO for Starry Inc.
CFOs continue to be in high demand. Finding them is keeping many of the nation’s top recruitment operations busier than ever. Recently, executive recruiter True Search placed former Assurant executive Gregg D. Bien as the new CFO of wireless technology company Starry Inc. Partners Rick Bank and Rick Faubert led the assignment. “Starry is in a period of explosive growth,”
HR Technology Company Enboarder Secures $8 Million in Funding
Enboarder, the cloud-based HR technology company that helps employers create employee onboarding experiences, has closed $8 million in Series A financing. Greycroft, who participated in Enboarder’s previous funding round of $4 million, is the lead investor in the new Series A investment, which brings Enboarder’s total funding to $12 million. New investors, Next Coast Ventures and Stage 2 Capital
Grace Blue APAC Partners with Cavalry Freelancing
Grace Blue APAC has formed a partnership with Cavalry Freelancing in an effort to help organizations hire effective contingent workforce and skilled contractors who would be ready to take up mid- and senior-level marketing roles. About one in four CXOs in the APAC region have said that a contingent workers make up about 30 percent
Creating a Great Recruiter-Candidate Relationship
Creating a good candidate-recruiter relationship should be a top priority for the best candidate recruitment possible. Having an open, honest and trustworthy relationship with one’s recruiter is important, especially as they help make big decisions in career moves. Being a committed recruiter ensures the candidate will end up happy and content at their next job,
Arts Consulting Group Recruits Artistic Director for New York City Gay Men’s Chorus
Boston-based executive search firm Arts Consulting Group (ACG) has placed Gavin Thrasher as the new artistic director of the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus (NYCGMC). He succeeds Charles Beale who will step down later this summer after 12 seasons to pursue other artistic endeavors. President Bruce D. Thibodeau led the assignment. “We are thrilled to welcome Gavin to Big Apple
Bridge Partners Seeks New Leader for the Denver Foundation
Executive recruitment firm Bridge Partners has been enlisted to find the next president and chief executive officer for the Denver Foundation, Colorado’s largest community foundation. Partners Janet Albert and Larry Griffin are leading the assignment. The Denver Foundation hopes to have a new leader in place this summer. The group’s previous leader, Christine Marquez-Hudson, abruptly
Pearson Partners International Names President
Women gaining top roles at executive search firms seems to be an increasingly refreshing phenomenon. Dallas-headquartered Pearson Partners International recently appointed Renee Baker Arrington to the position of president and the newly created post of chief operating officer. She has been with the firm for 13 years, is a member of the board of directors and
Johnson Appoints Two New Practice Leaders
Sydney-based executive search firm Johnson appointed Claude Ringuet as partner and leader of the firm’s consumer & retail, healthcare & life sciences and sports practices as well as Dianne Cassen as partner and leader of its real estate and construction practice. Mr. Ringuet is a seasoned executive who brings over two decades of C-suite level commercial
A Look at the Age-Agnostic Workplace
Multinational corporations are already aware of the importance of attracting and retaining a gender- and ethnically-diverse workforce to improve innovation and financial performance. Many have implemented policies to encourage this. What is less well-established as a competitive advantage is the idea of an age-diverse workforce, says Jackie Bernard of U.K.-based talent specialist Armstrong Craven. “This low
Korn Ferry Records Nine Percent Revenue Gain
Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) has posted 2019 fiscal year-end revenues of $1.92 billion, a nine percent increase from $1.767 billion a year ago. The Los Angeles-headquartered executive recruiter and leadership consultant – the largest globally and in the Americas as ranked by Hunt Scanlon Media – also reported fourth quarter revenue of $490.8 million, an increase of three percent. All three of its business lines were up. The results
Spencer Stuart Places CEO at Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams
Following an extensive national search, Spencer Stuart has recruited veteran retail and omnichannel executive Allison O’Connor as the new CEO of home furnishings brand Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams. “We are thrilled to have Allison coming aboard,” said Mitchell Gold, co-founder and chairman. “She has a proven track record in building an omnichannel business with excellence. I know she will be
Pauly Group Enlisted to Find President for Northwestern Michigan College
Pauly Group, an academic search firm, has been chosen to find the next president for Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) in Traverse City, MI. Senior consultant Marsi Liddell is leading the assignment. NMC wants a president who can lead a complex, regulated organization to meet the changes of the future, while respecting the college’s history and
IMD International Search Group Adds New Member Firm in Singapore
Global executive search consortium IMD International Search Group has expanded in the Asia-Pacific region with the addition of I Search Worldwide in Singapore. Singapore sits at the crossroads of the world’s largest and fastest growing region straddling China, India and the ASEAN countries. A modern cosmopolitan city with a strong reputation as a major player in the
Workers Remain Optimistic, but CEO Confidence Falls
American worker confidence is at its highest level in four years. Following a slight dip at the end of the last quarter, the national Worker Confidence Index (WCI) rose 3.6 points to 110.7 in its most recent quarter, reaching its highest level since the study’s inception. The Worker Confidence Index is a survey of U.S.
Heidrick & Struggles Selected by Washington State Investment Board to Find Chief Investment Officer
Executive search, leadership consulting and culture shaping services provider Heidrick & Struggles has been retained by the $135 billion Washington State Investment Board (WSIB) to lead its search for a new chief investment officer. Gary Bruebaker is retiring at the end of the year after 40 years in the investment business. Lyndon Taylor, partner in charge of
Leaders International Executive Search Lands President for Deer Park College
Leaders International Executive Search has placed the new president of Red Deer College (RDC) in Alberta, Canada. Peter Nunoda, president of Vancouver Community College, will start in his new role on Sept. 3. He succeeds Joel Ward, who is retiring after 10 years at the helm. During an extensive search that lasted more than 15
Ward Howell Expands Global Travel & Hospitality Practice
Global recruiter Ward Howell International has continued its recent expansion with the addition of Jim Theodore as a partner in its global travel and hospitality practice. Based in Boston, Mr. Theodore joins Ward Howell with more than 30 years of experience in retained search. He has worked in the hospitality and leisure industries serving clients of all
Amrop Names 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: Global recruiting organization Amrop has appointed Federico Cuneo as CEO and chairman of its executive board. He replaces José I. Leyún as CEO. “The organization extends its gratitude to José for his
The Benefits of Strategic CEO Succession Planning
About five years before the chief executive officer of a major European insurance company planned to retire, the board began considering potential candidates to fill his role. Eight internal executives rose to the top, and subsequently went through in-depth assessments of their strengths, weaknesses and psychometric profiles. A year before the end of this process,
