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Powering an AI-Driven Workforce
As artificial intelligence moves from experimentation to enterprise infrastructure, organizations are fundamentally rethinking how talent is identified, assessed, developed, and led. AI is no longer confined to isolated recruiting tools — it is reshaping leadership requirements, workforce planning, internal mobility, and how human judgment operates alongside intelligent systems. The challenge today is not whether to
Cooper Coleman Seeking Executive Director for Friends of International Friendship Park
Cooper Coleman LLC was recently retained by Friends of International Friendship Park (FOIFP) to lead in its search for a new executive director. The national search is being led by J. Michael Durnil, director of executive search at Cooper Coleman. The organization seeks a strategic, culturally fluent, and politically savvy executive director to lead the organization into
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.
Boyden Assists Kerry’s Place Autism Services with CEO Search
Boyden has recruited Normandie Wragg as the new president and CEO of Kerry’s Place Autism Services in Ontario. The appointment follows the previously announced retirement of CEO Susan VanDeVelde-Coke at the end of June. The search was led by partners Jim Stonehouse and Pamela Colquhoun, and Kathy Luu, senior associate. “Normandie is a highly accomplished, values-driven
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?
Modern Executive Solutions Expands Technology Practice
Atlanta-based talent consultancy Modern Executive Solutions has expanded with the addition of Moises Velilla as managing director in its technology practice. He brings deep experience advising organizations on senior leadership hiring and talent strategy across technology and transformation. Mr. Velilla specializes in advising clients on executive talent strategy and recruiting transformative technology and professional services leaders. He
AI’s Next Test: Can It Actually Drive Growth?
A massive opportunity, and a critical trust gap, is emerging among corporate leaders. According to EY-Parthenon’s Growth Survey of 271 U.S. executives, 78 percent believe AI will accelerate growth, even as nearly 80 percent say the growth environment has become more challenging over the past year. Yet only about a third trust AI inputs for high-stakes decisions such
Retained vs. Contingent Search: Choosing the Right Executive Search Model
As companies navigate increasingly complex leadership challenges, the pressure to make the right executive hiring decision has never been greater. Boards and leadership teams are looking beyond resumes and credentials, placing greater emphasis on cultural alignment, long-term business impact, and a candidate’s ability to guide organizations through growth, transformation, and uncertainty. At the same time,
Brettschneider Executive Search Completes Search for Western Colorado University
New York City-based Brettschneider Executive Search recently assisted in the recruitment of Sharoni Little as dean of Western Colorado University’s School of Business. “Dr. Little’s forward-thinking approach will help shape the future of business education at Western, creating opportunities for students to thrive in today’s competitive economy,” said Brad Baca, president. With a career spanning academia, corporate leadership,
Ren Systems Appoints Head of Product
Ren Systems, an AI-powered relationship intelligence platform used by sales, business development, and professional services leaders, recently expanded with the addition of Nick Wynja as head of product. “As we’ve scaled Ren to 70+ enterprise customers and accelerated our feature release cycle, it became clear that we needed focused product leadership,” the company said in
How to Kick Off an Executive Search the Right Way
As leadership demands grow more complex, organizations are increasingly recognizing that a successful executive search begins long before candidate outreach or interviews take place. Search consultants say the strongest outcomes are driven by early alignment around business strategy, organizational culture, leadership expectations, and the capabilities needed to support future growth. Rather than simply filling an
Why Structured Interviews Lead to Better Hiring
As organizations compete for leadership talent, many are reexamining how executive interviews are conducted and whether traditional hiring instincts are leading to the best decisions. Increasingly, research is showing that structured interviews built around standardized questions and evaluation criteria deliver more reliable hiring outcomes than conversational, free-flowing assessments. Talent experts say the approach not only
Rethinking Career Loyalty in the Age of Gen Z and Millennials
As leadership priorities continue to evolve, executive search firms are seeing a growing shift in how candidates evaluate long-term career opportunities. Today’s professionals are placing greater emphasis on purpose, culture, mentorship, flexibility, and personal growth alongside compensation and title. Recruiters say organizations that can clearly communicate vision, invest in employee development, and foster strong leadership
Coulter Partners Recruits Chief Scientific Officer for Laigo Bio
Life sciences recruiting specialist Coulter Partners has recruited Richard C.A. Sainson as the new chief scientific officer of Laigo Bio. “It was a privilege to partner with Matthew and the Laigo board,” said Kay Wardle, managing partner at Coulter Partners. “Targeted protein degradation is one of the most exciting frontier areas of drug discovery, and finding a chief
Blue Rock Human Capital Recruits Chief People Officer for Michelli Weighing & Measurement
Talent acquisition strategies at many large companies have become as complex as their balance sheets. And while chief human resource officers play a vital role in overseeing an organization’s broad-based workforce, the chief people officer typically goes beyond overseeing its people policies. The focus instead is on building talent as a key competitive advantage, with more
Raising the Bar for Interim and Fractional Leadership
As companies face mounting pressure to move faster and adapt to constant change, interim and fractional executives are increasingly being brought in not simply to maintain stability, but to drive transformation from day one. Organizations today are seeking experienced leaders who can step into critical roles, solve immediate business challenges, and create momentum while long-term
BoardWalk Consulting Selected by Atlanta Ballet for Executive Director Search
BoardWalk Consulting has was recently tapped by Atlanta Ballet to lead in its search for an executive director. The search is being led by Sam Pettway, Demeika Wheaton, and Patti Kish. The executive director will lead Atlanta Ballet’s administrative and business functions in alignment with the organization’s mission and values, while partnering closely with the artistic
When Search Fatigue Leads to Costly Hiring Mistakes
In executive search, the biggest hiring mistakes are not always caused by weak candidate pools or poor sourcing strategies. More often, breakdowns occur near the finish line, when prolonged interview cycles, competing stakeholder opinions, and mounting business pressures begin to wear down decision-making discipline. What starts as a rigorous evaluation process can gradually shift toward
Preng & Associates Recruits SVP of Government Services for American Bureau of Shipping
Houston-based Preng & Associates has placed Rear Admiral Ronald J. Rábago as senior vice president of government services at American Bureau of Shipping (ABS). “Admiral Rábago brings exceptional government and industry experience that will further enhance the support we provide to our government clients in the U.S. and around the world,” said John McDonald, ABS chairman and CEO. “His
McDermott + Bull Expands in Amsterdam
Irvine, CA-based McDermott + Bull has expanded in Amsterdam with the addition of Gerben van den Hout as managing director. “This strategic hire comes as McDermott + Bull continues to expand its executive search presence across Europe, further strengthening the firm’s ability to support organizations in identifying and placing high-impact leadership talent,” the firm said. “Gerben’s appointment represents an
The CHRO’s Leadership Imperative in the AI Era
As organizations accelerate their adoption of artificial intelligence, business leaders are increasingly recognizing that successful transformation depends as much on people and leadership as it does on technology itself. HR executives, in particular, are finding themselves at the center of conversations around workforce readiness, employee trust, skills development, and organizational change management. Industry observers note
Cluen Invites Executive Search Firms to Participate in Upcoming 2026 Technology Trends Survey
For more than three decades, Cluen has partnered with leading executive search firms around the world to understand how top-performing recruiters use technology to gain a competitive advantage. Each year, the company’s Top Trends in Executive Search Technology survey uncovers the strategies, priorities, and innovations shaping the future of the profession. How are executive search firms balancing the rapid adoption of AI
Lindauer Retained by C-SPAN for Chief Development Officer Search
Virtually every industry needs top-drawer chief development officers. CDOs play a key role in planning, coordinating, and administering capital campaigns, corporate giving, and galvanizing new donors while keeping previous funders content. Implementing funding strategies that “keep the lights on,” according to recruiters specializing in the function, is job No. 1. Lindauer has been retained by C-SPAN to
NPAG Seeking Executive Director for the California Youth Defender Center
Executive search firm NPAG has been selected by the California Youth Defender Center (CYDC) to lead in its search for a new executive director. This search is being led by Ellen LaPointe and Phuong Quach. This is a unique opportunity to lead a respected and influential organization at a pivotal moment, shaping the future of youth justice
Lochlin Partners Helps Fill Senior Position for Business Roundtable
Lochlin Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Stefani Jones as senior director of policy at Business Roundtable (BRT). Ms. Jones is an accomplished technology policy leader with deep expertise at the intersection of cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and national security. Her experience spans the White House, the private sector, and senior federal policy roles. She
Why Executives Should Think Carefully Before Accepting Counteroffers
Few moments in an executive’s career carry as much complexity as the decision to resign from a leadership role and pursue a new opportunity. What often begins as a strategic career move can quickly become emotionally charged once a current employer responds with incentives aimed at reversing that decision. Recruiters and leadership advisors note that
Funk Associates Tapped by the University of North Florida to Lead Search for Eighth President
Funk Associates was recently retained by the University of North Florida (UNF) to lead a national search for its eighth president. Past president Moez Limayem stepped down from his position in early 2026. The presidential search committee, chaired by UNF board of trustees member Jack Boyle, plays a critical role in this process, focusing on
Acertitude Recruits CEO for PE-Backed Zep Inc.
Acertitude has placed Tim Feast as the new CEO of Zep Inc., a Truelink Capital portfolio company. The search was led by partner, Geoff Votta and principal, Rod Vaughan with support from Matthew Marasco and Maryanne Santospirito. Mr. Feast steps into the role with a mandate to accelerate growth, sharpen execution, and lead Zep into its
SearchWide Global Seeking CEO for Visit California
SearchWide Global is currently seeking a new CEO for Visit California. The assignment is being led by Mike Gamble, chairman, CEO, and co-founder of SearchWide. Visit California is seeking a collaborative, visionary, and politically astute leader to serve as the next CEO. As the organization’s chief strategist, brand steward, and operational head, the CEO works
Intersearch Worldwide Elects Chairwoman and New Board Members
InterSearch Worldwide, a global alliance of executive search companies, has announce the newly elected board following and the appointment of Vanessa Delacourt as chairwoman, marking an exciting new chapter and reinforcing the organization’s commitment to innovation and sustainable growth. The board has welcomed: Leslie Cooper A. (Chile); Vanessa Delacourt (Benelux); Frank Schelstraete (Belgium); Henri Vidalinc
Rethinking Executive Due Diligence: Beyond the Traditional Background Check
As organizations place greater scrutiny on leadership appointments, the scope of due diligence is expanding well beyond traditional screening methods. Companies are recognizing that evaluating senior executives requires a more comprehensive understanding of risk, reputation, and long-term impact. In this environment, firms are adopting more rigorous and nuanced approaches to assess candidates before they take
Isaacson, Miller Seeking President for the Center for Congregations
Ernest Brooks, Liz Braun, and Henry Nickerson of Boston-based Isaacson, Miller are currently leading the president search for the Center for Congregations. This is an exceptional opportunity for a visionary and collaborative leader with a passion for strengthening Christian congregations in Indiana. The Center serves as a conduit for congregations to think about their challenges in
Kirk Palmer Associates Fills CEO Post for Chico’s FAS
Retail-focused executive search firm Kirk Palmer Associates has placed Trish Donnelly as division chief executive officer of Chico’s FAS, the women’s wear retailer owned by the KnitWell Group. The search was led by managing director, Jaimee Marshall. Ms. Donnelly will oversee all product and customer-facing functions for the Chico’s, Soma and White House Black Market brands,
DSG Global Appoints Chief People Officer
DSG Global has named Jenny Sade as chief people officer. In this role, she will lead the firm’s people and culture strategy—supporting talent acquisition, operations, and business strategy—as DSG Global continues to scale its impact across industries and geographies. “Jenny’s rare ability to see the potential in every leader and organization makes her an invaluable
Beecher Reagan Adds Partner
Houston, TX-headquartered executive search firm Beecher Reagan has expanded with the addition of Raj Kapoor as a partner. “Join us in welcoming Raj Kapoor as a partner at Beecher Reagan,” the firm said in a LinkedIn post. “With more than 25 years of recruitment experience—including 19 years in retained executive search—Raj specializes in placing partners, managing directors, and
The Rise of Authentic Leadership
For years, professionals have felt compelled to separate their “work selves” from their “personal selves” in order to conform to strict corporate norms. But that’s beginning to change. Today, authentic leadership is what drives organizations to thrive, inspire, and retain great talent. It’s about authenticity and showing up as your true self, not just focusing
Taurean Opens Doors to Serve PE Sector
In private equity, the investment function looks remarkably similar across firms. But the portfolio-facing value creation function? That varies wildly – from model to model, firm to firm – with equally variable levels of success, durability, and impact. There’s no one right answer, but there are many wrong ones. For years, this didn’t matter much.
RevelOne Places Chief Marketing Officer at Spark Networks
As business becomes more global and complex, and power shifts from producers of goods and services to consumers, the chief marketing officer’s job of planning and coordinating marketing activities has become more challenging, recruiters say. Yet executive search firms are seeing no shortage of assignments for this important C-level position. Greenwood Village, CO-based executive search firm RevelOne recently helped
Wilton & Bain Appoints Leader of North American People & Culture Practice
Wilton & Bain has named Jacob Humbert as partner, leading the North American people & culture practice. He will be based in the U.S. and joins the firm’s North American leadership team. “We are thrilled to welcome Jacob to the North American leadership team to drive our office of the CHRO capability in the region,” said
The Hidden Driver of Great Teams Isn’t Strategy—It’s Responsiveness
When people think about what makes a strong team, they often focus on strategy, talent, or experience. But one of the most effective ways to create a reliable, connected team is by focusing on something much smaller: response time, according to a recent report from The Bridger Group, a 57-year-old executive search firm working exclusively in
Heidrick & Struggles to Go Private in Advent- and Corvex-Led All Cash Deal
Executive search, leadership consulting and culture shaping services provider Heidrick & Struggles International / (NASDAQ:HSII) has entered into a definitive agreement whereby a consortium of investors led by Advent International and Corvex Private Equity, and including several leading family offices, will acquire all of the firm’s outstanding public shares. This new investor consortium will include significant investment from
Optimizing Talent: How to Hire Right and Reduce Costly Turnover
Choosing the right candidate is essential to the company’s long-term success. Turnovers and high attrition can cost from 50 percent to 200 percent of employee salaries, depending on whether the hire is entry-level or a seasoned executive. By taking the talent optimization approach to hiring, you dramatically improve hiring odds, according to a recent report
Peña Search Seeking Executive Director for Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church
Peña Search has been retained by Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church (PHPC) to lead in its search for a new executive director. Holly Sherman Peña and Carlos González Peña are leading the assignment. PHPC seeks an experienced and dynamic executive director to join its leadership team. This pivotal role serves as the Integrator within the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS)
Stevenson Search Partners Makes Strategic Leadership Transition
Fort Lee, NJ-based Stevenson Search Partners, a global life science executive search firm and a Hunt Scanlon Top 50 ranked search firm, recently announced a strategic leadership transition designed to accelerate growth and strengthen its position as a comprehensive talent solutions partner for the life sciences industry. Kris Steen was promoted to president of executive search, while Adam Bloom transitioned to
Sheffield Haworth Partners with Winpe ProClub Mentorship Program
Global leadership advisory and executive search firm Sheffield Haworth has partnered with Winpe ProClub Mentorship Program, aiming to help expand the careers of high-potential women in private equity, venture capital, and their portfolio companies. “At Sheffield Haworth, we are deeply committed to advancing diversity and inclusion in the investing industry,” said Avaneesh Raghuvanshi, head, financial services and private equity
BoardWalk Consulting Appoints CEO
Executive search firm BoardWalk Consulting has named Crystal Stephens as managing director and CEO. She succeeds Sam Pettway, who founded BoardWalk in 2002 and will continue to serve as founding director. Mr. Pettway will remain active in market development, select client engagements, and the continued growth of the firm’s reputation. “For 23 years, BoardWalk’s focus has been simple but
BroadView Talent Partners Recruits CFO for Wesley Housing
BroadView Talent Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Michael Pruell as the new CFO of Wesley Housing of Alexandria, VA. He will succeed longtime CFO Christopher Cherry, who will retire later this year after more than a decade of leadership that strengthened Wesley Housing’s financial foundation and guided the organization through key milestones. Wesley
DSG Global | Koya Partners Tapped by ASPCA for CFO Search
DSG Global | Koya Partners has been retained by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) to lead in its search for a new CFO. Molly Brennan, global managing partner and non-profit and social impact practice leader, managing directors Erin Reedy and Tyler Ridgeway, are leading the assignment. The ASPCA seeks a mission-driven CFO
Greenwood Asher & Associates Seeking Provost for West Virginia University
Miramar Beach, FL-based executive recruitment firm Greenwood Asher & Associates is currently conducting a search for a new provost and vice president for academic affairs for West Virginia University (WVU). Julie Holley and Julie Schrodt are leading the assignment for the search firm. Under the leadership of its new president Michael Benson, the university seeks an inspirational academic
The Talent Studios Introduces Determined People, an Agentic AI-Enabled Technology Platform
The Talent Studios has launched Determined People, an agentic, AI-powered cognitive engine. “As an executive search firm, over the last 36 months we’ve seen AI-enabled recruitment tools pitched to us by technology startups that are being led by engineers and entrepreneurs first and foremost,” said Jeremy Cohen, co-founder and CEO of The Talent Studios. “They have
7 Strategic Reasons to Consider Recruitment Outsourcing
In today’s business climate, HR and talent leaders face a clear mandate: achieve more with fewer resources while strategically planning for the future to deliver lasting value. Anticipating future workforce needs is more critical (and tricky) than ever with shifting business needs and ongoing uncertainty around what roles to hire or how to prioritize them
PierceGray Leading Head of Sales Search for Innovapptive
PierceGray was recently tapped by Innovapptive to lead in its search for a new head of sales. In support of Innovapptive’s growth plans, the organization seeks to hire a head of sales to take over its commercial organization. This shift from co-founder and CEO Sundeep Ravande will provide the focus and leadership to scale the
Cook Silverman Search Recruits Executive Director for Ploughshares
Greenbrae, CA-based Cook Silverman Search has placed Samara Dun as the new executive director of Ploughshares. “Samara’s journey began as a young activist in the nuclear freeze movement, which inspired her lifelong commitment to peace and collaboration,” Ploughshares said in a LinkedIn post. “Longtime friends of Ploughshares may remember Samara from her tenure as director of
Furst Group Tapped by PracticeWise for CEO Search
Executive recruitment firm Furst Group, which serves the healthcare and insurance industries, has been retained by PracticeWise to lead in its search for a new CEO to guide the company into its next phase of growth and impact. This is an exciting opportunity for a leader who shares that passion and is eager to help strengthen
Solomon Page Expands Accounting & Finance Practice
New York City headquartered executive search firm Solomon Page has expanded with the addition of Mark Fellinger as a managing director within its accounting & finance full-time practice. Based in Chicago, Mr. Fellinger’s addition represents a strategic expansion of the firm’s presence into the Midwest, with a focus on the greater Chicago area and surrounding suburbs, as well as Wisconsin,
Building High-Impact Teams in the Cannabis Industry
The cannabis sector—particularly hemp—is experiencing explosive growth. As market projections climb and more states adopt legalization, companies face a critical challenge: assembling teams capable of thriving in a fast-growing, highly regulated environment. But cannabis industry talent acquisition isn’t like recruiting for traditional CPG or pharma, it’s a whole different game, according to a recent report
Nexus Search Partners Recruits Chief Revenue Officer for Mobile Communications America
Nexus Search Partners, an executive search and advisory firm in Charlotte, NC, has placed Jonathan Nikols as chief revenue officer at Mobile Communications America (MCA) in Spartanburg, SC. “We’re thrilled to welcome Jonathan to the MCA executive team,” said Vince Foody, CEO of MCA. “His deep experience leading integrated revenue functions and scaling high-performing commercial organizations makes him
Summit Search Group Places Executive Director for Resource Assistance for Youth
Ontario-headquartered executive recruiting firm Summit Search Group has assisted in the recruitment of Kate Sjoberg as executive director of Resource Assistance for Youth (RaY). This executive search was conducted as part of Summit’s 2025 Pro Bono Search Initiative, an annual program dedicated to supporting leadership transitions in Manitoba’s non-profit sector. “We’re pleased to announce the
Prestige Scientific Names VP of Executive Search
Prestige Scientific, an executive search firm serving the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors, recently added Jennifer Price as vice president of executive search. “We are thrilled to welcome Jennifer Price to the Prestige Scientific team,” said Stephen Provost, managing director and co-founder at Prestige Scientific. “Jennifer’s leadership, deep functional expertise, and strong relationship-driven mindset make her an exceptional
Harvey Nash Appoints CEO
Global recruitment firm Harvey Nash has named Simon Crichton as CEO. “Simon’s appointment represents a natural evolution in our leadership structure as we enter an exciting new phase of growth,” said Bev White, who will transition from CEO to executive chair of Nash Squared, overseeing both Harvey Nash and Crimson businesses. “His proven track record of driving
The Conference Board Highlights a Strategic Slowdown in Hiring
The Conference Board’s August Human Capital report makes clear that CHROs are taking a more cautious, measured approach to workforce strategy. As Diana Scott, leader of The Conference Board US Human Capital Center, explained: “CHROs are taking a more thoughtful, steady approach as economic and policy uncertainty lingers. This slowdown in hiring isn’t about losing confidence—it’s
Lindauer Recruits Chief People Officer for Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard
Lindauer has assisted in the recruitment of Sarah Cox as chief people officer of Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. The search was led by Lindauer senior vice president Paula Fazli, who co-leads the firm’s higher education practice alongside SVP Faith Montgomery. “With Paula Fazli’s support and guidance, we cast a wide net and considered candidates from a range of backgrounds, including
