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Wray Executive Search Appoints Managing Partners
Wray Executive Search, a provider of executive search and advisory services in the restaurant, foodservice, retail, and franchise industries, has announced a planned leadership transition designed to support long-term continuity and growth. Current partners Kevin Stockslager and Ray Kelley have been named managing partners, while longtime CEO and managing partner Bob Gershberg will remain involved
Vardis Finds PE CEOs Under Pressure, But Optimistic
The Private Equity CEO Report from Vardis, based on a survey of 1,200 chief executives of PE-backed companies, paints a picture of resilience paired with constraint. Seventy percent of CEOs say company performance is “as expected” or better, yet exit activity remains muted, with 2025 tracking as the slowest year for PE exits since 2017, despite a
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.
Caldwell Expands in London and Madrid
Toronto-based Caldwell has expanded with the addition of Alex Langridge as a partner in the firm’s financial services practice. Based in London, Mr. Langridge advises clients across financial services and fintech on senior executive and board appointments, succession planning, organizational design, and transformational leadership hiring. “Alex’s appointment reflects our continued investment in expanding Caldwell’s financial
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?
Fama Technologies Granted U.S. Patent on Foundational AI-Powered Social Media Screening Technology
Fama Technologies, providers of AI-powered online screening, has announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has allowed all claims in its patent application covering the foundational technology behind social media background screening. The patent, titled “System for Searching and Correlating Online Activity with Individual Classification Factors,” has a priority date of November
Updating How You Work So AI Can Actually Deliver
AI adoption is no longer a technology challenge, it is an operational one. Companies that generate lasting value from AI will be the ones willing to redesign workflows, redefine leadership responsibilities, and embed AI directly into how work gets done every day. Most companies will not fail at AI because they chose the wrong model,
Vetted Solutions Assists CoreNet Global with CEO Search
Following an extensive search process, Washington, D.C.-based Vetted Solutions has assisted in the recruitment of Vicki Worden as the new CEO of CoreNet Global. “Vicki Worden demonstrates exemplary leadership through her collaborative approach,” said Jamie Leary-Erickson, CoreNet Global board chair. “Vicki’s extensive experience in the architecture, engineering, and commercial real estate sectors, combined with her global perspective
BarkerGilmore Places Head of Legal at Vantage Elevator Solutions
Boutique search firm BarkerGilmore, which specializes in building corporate legal and compliance teams, has placed Keinan Meginniss as VP, head of legal at Vantage Elevator Solutions. The search was led by Stephen Bell and Alison Waters. “Keinan joins the organization at an exciting time as the company continues to expand its operations and strengthen its leadership team
NGS Global Adds TalentXera
Wilmington, DE-headquartered executive search firm NGS Global has added Saúl Almendárez and his team at TalentXera. This expands the firm’s capabilities across Mexico and the broader Latin America region. Mr. Almendárez is based in Mexico City, where he has spent more than 20 years building an exceptional team and a highly regarded brand in the executive search industry. Along
IMD International Search Group Elects New Board Members
Global executive search consortium IMD International Search Group recently had delegates from member firms meet in Helsinki, Finland, and announced the election of several board members. Ben Tucker (Minerva, IMD U.K.) transitions from director to VP finance and legal. Eva Nielsen (Lisberg, IMD Sweden) is reelected for a second mandate as director while Terhi Heikkinen (IMS Talent,
Hunt Scanlon and HSiQ Launch Recruiter Performance Training Program
The executive search industry has a training challenge. For years, recruiting firms have depended on apprenticeship-style development, learning through observation, informal mentoring, and varying management approaches. That model works for some, but it does not scale effectively. In a market increasingly shaped by AI, speed, precision, and commercial demands, inconsistent recruiter performance is no longer
Executive Search Firms Confront the AI Transformation
As AI rapidly reshapes the executive search landscape, recruiting firms are facing growing pressure to modernize how they identify, assess, and engage leadership talent. Industry experts say AI-driven sourcing, predictive analytics, and automation tools are helping firms accelerate search timelines and expand candidate reach, while also forcing recruiters to rethink where their true value lies.
Cooper Coleman Recruits CFO the Center for Child Protection
Cooper Coleman LLC has placed William Wade as chief financial officer of the Center for Child Protection (CCP) in Austin, TX. The national search was led by Johnny Cooper, founder and CEO of Cooper Coleman. “Dion brings the kind of strategic thinking and mission alignment CCP needs in its CFO,” said Mr. Cooper. “They are doing remarkable work,
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
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
How Top CEOs Stay Connected to the Front Lines
The best CEOs understand that true leadership requires more than boardroom strategy — it demands a deep connection with the front lines. By staying closely attuned to the day-to-day realities of their employees, customers, and operations, top executives can make better decisions, inspire their teams, and adapt more quickly to challenges. In today’s fast-moving business
Bespoke Partners Strengthens Search Staff; Adds New Board Member
San Diego, CA-headquartered executive search firm Bespoke Partners has added Andy Caine to its board of directors and appointed Missy Weaver, Jenny Madden and Alexandra Bossetta as principals. Bespoke Partners is dedicated to partnering with leading private equity firms to recruit senior talent at every stage of the investment lifecycle, from growth equity to buyout.
Battalia Winston Expands Search Staff
Growing market pressures, rapidly evolving advances in all of the sciences and stringent regulatory standards are forcing many life sciences organizations to re-invent themselves. “Life sciences companies – including specialists in precision medicine, pharmaceuticals, wearables and mobile health – need creative leaders to set a new direction and develop innovative operating strategies,” according to New
Customer Success Recruiting Grows More Intense
Not long ago, customer service leadership meant finding ways to provide the same or similar service while cutting costs and reducing the time it took to service a customer. Customer care agents were timed to maximize the number of customers handled in a day. Service centers were moved off shore to reduce labor costs. Engineers
Saint Joseph’s College Taps Hyatt-Fennell for CFO Search
Catholic liberal arts school Saint Joseph’s College has chosen higher education-focused executive recruitment Hyatt-Fennell to lead its search for a new chief business and finance officer (CBFO). Search firm partner Cheryl Hyatt is leading the assignment. St. Joseph’s College, located in Standish, ME, wants a creative, strategic, collegial and entrepreneurial administrator who values transparency and
Tyler & Company Recruits CEO for Peterson Health
Atlanta-based executive recruitment firm Tyler & Company has placed Cory Edmondson as the new president and CEO of Peterson Health in Kerrville, TX. Vice president Marion Spears Karr is heading the assignment along with senior consultant Charlotte Tinsley. The Peterson Health CEO search committee recommended Mr. Edmondson after working with Tyler & Company on the recruitment process
Boyden Elects Chairman and CEO to New Terms, Appoints New Board Members
In a series of key leadership decisions, Boyden will largely be staying the course as it looks to continue its growth moving forward. Jörg Kasten has been re-elected to a third term as chairman and Trina Gordon won another term as president CEO, through 2021, the firm said. Three new members, meanwhile, are joining Boyden’s global
Gerard Daniels Appoints Leaders for London and Sydney Offices
Perth, Australia-based executive search firm Gerard Daniels has appointed Rajesh Raj as partner Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and head of its London office and Ryan Mason as practice leader and head of the firm’s Sydney office. Mr. Raj has worked with large global corporations and privately-held entrepreneurial start-ups in the U.K. He has also worked with
In Combatting Workplace Harassment, HR Must Strike the Right Balance
The #MeToo era may have laid bare how many organizations have a long way to go to create a harassment-free workforce, but recent weeks have shown where some of the toughest challenges lie: the human resources department. In just a short period, the public has learned about issues that started with complaints to HR that
Miami Dade College Picks Diversified Search to Find President
Miami Dade College has retained Diversified Search to find a new president to replace longtime leader Eduardo Padrón. The search is being led by John Mestepey, managing director of the firm’s Miami office, and senior managing director Kim Morrisson. “The decision came as we were planning the 60th anniversary of the college, which is next year,” Mr. Padrón said.
Heidrick & Struggles Places Five Directors at Bed Bath & Beyond
After an extensive search, Heidrick & Struggles has placed five new independent directors on the board of Bed Bath & Beyond. The Chicago-based firm had been asked to help accelerate a “refreshment” shake-up in the composition of the company’s board. Harriet Edelman, Harsha Ramalingam, Andrea Weiss, Mary Winston and Ann Yerger will serve as new board members.
Arrow Strategies Launches Executive Search Division
Over the past year, a number of other organizations have expanded their retained executive search services or added them to their offerings as the top-end talent sector heats up globally. Recently, Southfield, MI-headquartered staffing firm Arrow Strategies launched a new staff and executive search division called Arrow Select. The new division acts as a wholly owned
Hanold Associates Seeks Chief People Officer for Canidae
Private equity-backed Canidae, a pet food company, has retained Hanold Associates to find its first chief people officer. Jason Hanold, CEO and co-managing partner of the search firm, is leading the assignment, joined by partners Keri Gavin and Mayank Parikh. The chief people officer, a newly recreated role for Canidae, will report directly to the CEO and will be responsible
AGB Search Seeks Provost for St. John’s University
Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search has been chosen to find the next provost and vice president for academic affairs for St. John’s University in New York City. Melissa K. Trotta, associate managing principal, and Roderick J. McDavis, managing principal, are leading the assignment. As chief academic officer of the university, the provost and vice
Waverly Partners Recruits CEO for the Center for Health Affairs
Healthcare is among the most rapidly growing employment fields, according to analysts at Hunt Scanlon Media, which tracks trends in the executive search and leadership solutions space. So it is that the need for recruiting firms to deliver top-drawer leaders throughout the sector has only grown. Following a national search, executive recruiting firm Waverly Partners recently placed Brian
Beecher Reagan Names President and COO
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: Houston-based executive search firm Beecher Reagan has welcomed former North Highland Worldwide Consulting executive Angela Navarro as its president and chief operating officer, a new role with the company. “Angela’s appointment
PrincetonOne Strengthens Search Staff
Skillman, NJ-headquartered executive search firm PrincetonOne has expanded with the addition of Kent Mayes as practice director for its accounting and finance division. Mr. Mayes brings more than two decades of search experience to his role as national practice director. As a managing producer, he will be responsible for leading a national team of recruiters
Unemployment Rates Falls Again, This Time to 3.6 Percent
Employers added 263,000 jobs last month as the U.S. unemployment rate dropped to 3.6 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report released this morning. Economists had estimated that 190,000 jobs were added last month, according to a Bloomberg survey. The April gain is the 103rd consecutive month of job growth. The number of
Positive Coaching Alliance Taps Odgers Berndtson for CEO Search
The Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) has partnered with Greg Santore and Jennifer Biehn of Odgers Berndtson to assist with the national search for the non-profit’s next leader. Jim Thompson, the group’s founder and CEO, is stepping down after 20 years. “Jim has given so much to the organization and the community,” said search chair and national
SearchWide Places CEO for Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau
Executive recruiting firm SearchWide Global has helped place Kristen Adamo as the new president and CEO of the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau (PWCVB) in Rhode Island. Searchwide senior vice president Kellie Henderson spearheaded the assignment. Ms. Adamo replaces Martha Sheridan who accepted a similar position in Boston. “Kristen was selected after a thorough and
DHR International Acquires OBEN Search
Acquisitions continue to make big news in the executive search industry. Chicago-based search firm DHR International has continued its recent expansion with the acquisition of OBEN Search, a boutique recruiter for the oil and gas industries. The firm’s founder, Michael Wing, joins DHR as managing partner in the oil and gas industries sector practice. Mr. Wing brings
NPAworldwide Adds Seven 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 seven new member locations as it continues to
7 Reasons Why Companies Hire Search Firms
In times of change, a crucial executive-level appointment can mean the difference between success and catastrophe. Last time, your company may have kept this critical search in-house, leveraged its own network or hired a contingency recruiter. But, mistakes were made, and you now know that a bad hire to a crucial position can have detrimental
ZRG Partners Acquires Dowd Associates
ZRG Partners, a fast growing executive search firm, has continued its expansion with the acquisition of certain assets of Dowd Associates, an executive search firm focused on the financial officer’s space. The deal’s financial terms were undisclosed. As part of the asset purchase agreement, Dowd Associates’ president and CEO Rich Dowd will join ZRG as
The RSA Group Recruits CEO for Clasado BioSciences
Persistent talent shortages and the need to develop and retain employees with critical business and technology skill-sets will continue to challenge global life sciences companies for the foreseeable future, according to Deloitte’s global sector outlook on life sciences. Navigating this new world of work requires a dramatic change in strategies for leadership, talent and human
PFM Executive Search Tapped by Canucks Autism Network to Find CEO
Vancouver, British Columbia-based PFM Executive Search has been selected by Canucks Autism Network (CAN) to lead in its search for a new CEO. PFM partners George Madden and Shelina Esmail are leading the assignment. “As the new CEO of the Canucks Autism Network you literally will change people’s lives for the better through leadership focused on
GRMSearch Opens New Office in Johannesburg
Many companies with global strategies have been looking to Africa recently as the new frontier for business. Improved political environments, above average growth and the rich opportunities waiting in a continent are raising considerable interest. This has led to the growth of executive search firms in the region. Hong Kong-headquartered executive search firm GRMSearch recently strengthened
Transitioning a Search to a Recruiting Firm
It is fairly common for an organization to undertake a leadership recruitment on its own, and later in the process seek the services of an executive search firm. This can happen for many reasons. It may be that the search committee wants to take a fresh approach, to reach out to a broader segment of
Turnkey Search Recruits Chief Commercial Officer for the New York Giants
The NFL and its teams continue to look to specialist recruiters to fill top C-suite roles. Recently, Turnkey Search, a subsidiary of Turnkey Sports & Entertainment, helped recruit former Charlotte Hornets executive Pete Guelli as chief commercial officer of the New York Giants. Len Perna, Turnkey’s president, founder and CEO, led the assignment. “The New York Giants
Russell Reynolds Associates Assists Kent State in Selecting New President
Russell Reynolds Associates has assisted Kent State University in its selection of the school’s provost, Todd Diacon, as its new president. He succeeds Beverly J. Warren, who is stepping down after five years in the job. The Kent State board of trustees appointed a 16-member search committee, chaired by trustee Shawn Riley, and launched a national
Virginia United Methodist Foundation Picks Kittleman & Associates to Find President
Chicago-based search firm Kittleman & Associates has been enlisted to find a new president for the Virginia United Methodist Foundation. Principal Megan Lewis is leading the search. The organization is seeking an executive with the interest and ability to build a strong, supportive culture and to both manage and lead within the organization. The Virginia
Signium Adds New Board Members
Executive search consortium Signium has elected Peter de Jong based in Amsterdam and Felipe Rivelles in Mexico City as new members of its board of directors. Mr. de Jong has been appointed as vice president of marketing while Mr. Rivelles becomes vice president for the Americas region “Signium is building on its long experience in the industry
