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Why Executive Hiring in 2026 Must Be More Strategic Than Ever
As the calendar turned to 2026, one question looms large: how will you ensure your next leadership team and your next leadership hire drives strategy, culture, and growth rather than simply filling a gap? With complexity, transformation, and succession pressures mounting, relying on who happens to be looking to join your team is no longer
Academic Search Retained by Henry Ford College to Find Next President
Education-focused executive recruitment firm Academic Search has been tapped by Henry Ford College (HFC) to lead in its search for a new president. Russ Kavalhuna left the school last year to become the president of Western Michigan University. Shirley Robinson Pippins and Richard Cummins are leading the assignment. Candidates will have a career that reflects the following
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
Effective Communication and Feedback in Executive Search: Essential for Building Strong Candidate Relationships
Executive recruitment is a complex process, with higher stakes as positions reach more senior levels. Executive recruiters play a crucial role in managing this complexity, ensuring companies attract and retain top talent while minimizing risks, according to a recent report from London-headquartered executive search firm Pacific International. To identify key areas for improvement, Pacific International conducted
Heidrick & Struggles Posts 7.2 Percent Revenue Increase
Executive search, leadership consulting and culture shaping services provider Heidrick & Struggles International/(NASDAQ:HSII) posted first quarter revenues of $171.6 million, a 7.2 percent increase from revenues of $160.1 million the same period a year ago. The results surpassed Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of three analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for revenues $170.6
Arts Consulting Seeks Executive Director for Silkroad
Boston-based executive search firm Arts Consulting Group (ACG) has been enlisted to find an executive director for Silkroad, an arts and musical collective created by famed cellist Yo Yo Ma. President Bruce D. Thibodeau is leading the assignment. Silkroad’s executive director will be charged with leading the non-profit’s local, national and international strategic direction and ensure programmatic
The Lancer Group Recruits CEO for Motility Software Solutions
The Lancer Group, a La Jolla, CA-headquartered executive search firm, recently placed Brad Rogers as CEO of Motility Software Solutions in Altamonte Springs, FL. Past CEO George Naspo has moved to the role of executive chairman of the board of directors. “It is an exciting time for Motility,” said Mr. Naspo. “This past year we established
RSR Partners Names Head of Sport & Entertainment Recruiting Practice
Greenwich, Conn-based RSR Partners has named Drew Cloud as head of the firm’s global sport and entertainment leadership practice. Based in New York City, Mr. Cloud focuses on recruiting senior leaders and providing human capital advisory services across the global sport ecosystem. The sport and entertainment practice includes team members with deep expertise in human capital, board services, marketing,
Wilton & Bain Expands Global People and Culture Practice
London-based executive search firm Wilton & Bain has expanded with the addition of Tim Baker as a partner and leader of the firm’s global people and culture practice. “As we continue to grow our business globally the people and culture practice plays an important part in our success,” said Lisa Peacock-Edwards, managing partner. “With Tim joining
Wells Fargo Taps Spencer Stuart to Find CEO
Wells Fargo & Company’s board of directors has retained executive search firm Spencer Stuart to recruit a new chief executive officer. The banking giant is looking to hire a leader, preferably a woman, to take on the challenges of the organization’s tainted public image and regulatory issues, according to sources in the executive search industry and
Parker Executive Search Lands Basketball Coach for Northern Kentucky University
With the assistance of Atlanta-based Parker Executive Search, Northern Kentucky University has chosen Darrin Horn as its new men’s head basketball coach. For coach John Brannen left the school to take on the head basketball coach role at the University of Cincinnati. “Throughout the hiring process, it became clear that Darrin was the right fit to lead
Jordan Search Consultants Seeks Two Key Leaders for Springfield Clinic
O’Fallon, MO-based executive recruiting firm Jordan Search Consultants (JSC) is seeking two key leaders, chief financial officer and chief information officer, for the Springfield Clinic in central Illinois. Executive search consultant Adam Rockey is leading both assignments. Springfield Clinic is one of the largest private multispecialty clinics in Illinois. The vice president/ chief financial officer search will
Fähren Adds Vice President of Growth to Build Recruiting Practice
Digital talent and boutique consultancy Fähren has added Susan Rylance as vice president of growth. She will build a new executive search and recruiting practice for the organization. “Susan has been a leader in the digital talent space in Minneapolis for years,” said Jim Cuene, co-founder and CEO of Fähren. “I was lucky enough to
Cornerstone International Group Adds New Member Firm in the Ukraine
Cornerstone International Group, a global executive search and leadership development firm, has expanded its footprint in Europe with the addition of Business Active as a member firm in the Ukraine. This is the third executive search firm to join the EMEA region of the global network in the last six months. Cornerstone now has 27 members in
Herbert Mines & Associates Recruits CEO for Burlington Stores
Retailers are facing major shifts in their businesses that call for “unprecedented responses” by CEOs who can effectively lead through change, intuitively and analytically understand the evolving consumer, and respond to ambiguity, according to search consultants. Developed markets, excess retail capacity, rising prices, the shift to omni-channel retail and the unpredictable pace of change in
Caldwell Lands New President and CEO for Liberty Bank
Toronto-based executive search firm Caldwell has placed David W. Glidden as president and CEO for Liberty Bank in Middleton, Conn. Partner Rich Perkey and Glenn Buggy, managing partner, both of the firm’s financial services practice, led the assignment for the search firm. Mr. Glidden succeeds Chandler J. Howard, who led the bank since 2007. Mr. Howard becomes
Opportunity Resources Lands Chief Curator for Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
Museums are increasingly turning to specialist recruiters to help fill critical senior-level leadership roles. As these positions grow more sophisticated and complex, the hunt for top-flight talent to fill these roles becomes all the more important. With that, search fees across the space are rising substantially, according to recruiters. Executive search firm Opportunity Resources recently placed Rehema
Cognitive Talent Partners Adds Former CHRO
The executive search field continues to be a welcoming landing pad for HR executives looking for a career change. Recently, Gurgaon, Haryana-headquartered executive search firm Cognitive Talent Partners expanded with the addition of former CHRO Ajay Bakshi as senior client partner. Mr. Bakshi joins a growing list of HR executives who have turned to the executive search
Robert Half Posts 5.2 Percent Revenue Gain, U.S. Up 5.7 Percent
Robert Half International Inc./(NYSE:RHI) posted first quarter revenues of $1.47 billion, up 5.2 percent from the same period a year ago. The results fell short of Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of four analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for revenues of $1.5 billion. For the quarter ended March 31, the Menlo Park, California-based company
Finding the Best Talent Starts with Engaging Candidates
Recruiting and sourcing tactics have changed over the years. The search industry has transitioned from the old school “brute force” methods of manually identifying potential candidates in phone books and directories to the online resources that cultivate prospective candidate information using AI. The shift to boolean search strings, web browsers and AI may speed up simple automation
Spelman Johnson Leads Search for Diversity Officer at Saint Joseph’s University
Executive recruitment firm Spelman Johnson has been retained by Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia to help find its next chief inclusion and diversity officer. Search associate Jim Norfleet is leading the assignment for the firm. Reporting to the provost, the chief inclusion and diversity officer provides leadership, advocacy, support services and programming to strengthen the
Phillips DiPisa & Associates Seeks Chief Nursing Officers for Healthcare Organizations
As the life sciences sector continues to expand and reshape itself, vanguard organizations in the field are looking to bolster their leadership ranks. In demand: multi-skilled executives, physician leaders and nurses who can effect change on many levels. Of the four major C-suite roles in the typical hospital, in fact, chief nursing officer has traditionally been
ON Partners Appoints Digital Practice Leader, Opens New York Office
Executive search firm ON Partners has expanded with the addition of Marc Gasperino as partner and leader of its digital practice. It has also opened a new office in New York. “Marc brings tremendous knowledge of the digital space, the way technology impacts new and transitioning markets and the talent those markets require,” said Tim Conti, co-founder and
Hireology Raises $27 Million in Funding
Hireology, a Chicago-based recruitment management platform for the automotive and healthcare sectors, has closed $27 million in series D financing led by Blue Cloud Ventures, with full participation from current investors Bain Capital Ventures and Baird Venture Partners, as well as Silicon Valley Bank. The funds will be used to accelerate the company’s growth in new
Koya Leadership Partners Seeks Chief Program Officer for Greenpeace USA
Executive recruitment firm Koya Leadership Partners, which specializes in serving non-profit organizations, has been chosen to find a chief program officer for Greenpeace USA. Managing director Nicole Kamaleson and principal Turner Delano are leading the assignment. Greenpeace USA is searching for a dynamic and fearless leader to join its senior management team as chief program
PearlCare Search Group Recruits CIO for Callen-Lorde Community Health Center
The chief information officer is considered among the most strategic roles within any organization, and for the healthcare sector the role is regarded as an especially critical asset. According to executive search consultants who specialize in recruiting them, the best CIOs have the power to dramatically differentiate a company’s offering in the market, while a
Heidrick & Struggles Opens Office in Ireland
Executive search, leadership consulting and culture shaping services provider Heidrick & Struggles has opened a new office in Ireland and named Stafford Bagot as the partner in charge of the Dublin office. “For more than 65 years, we have been providing our clients with diversified solutions to help them build strong leadership teams globally,” said Krishnan Rajagopalan, president
NGS Global Expands in San Francisco and Singapore
Executive search firm NGS Global continues to grow, recently adding Louis La Rocca and BL Seah as partners in its San Francisco and Singapore offices. Mr. La Rocca has over 17 years of executive search experience and has recruited senior executives for private and public companies at every stage of growth, ranging from early stage to the
First Time CEO Appointments on the Rise
Each year, Spencer Stuart tracks CEO transitions among S&P 500 companies. These movements can be part of a planned succession or can arise unexpectedly, often the result of company performance or personal issues. In addition to cataloging the reasons for CEO departures the search firm examines information about the successors, including whether or not they are
Seven Qualities of a Perfect Candidate
It’s important to recruit executives that possess the right qualities to steer organizations through uncharted waters. The best leaders have a strong portfolio of future-oriented and change-ready skills that enable them to keep responding to fluctuating market demands. “We have had the opportunity to work on hundreds of searches over the years and during that time, we
ClearPath Solutions Finds CFO for Café Rio Mexican Grill
Irvine, CA-based executive search firm ClearPath Solutions has placed former BJ’s Restaurant executive Shea Bodet as the new CFO of restaurant chain Café Rio Mexican Grill. Recruiters Amy Wilson, Jessica Dyer and Jack Wilson led the assignment. “Shea is the perfect match for Cafe Rio,” said Ms. Dyer. “She brings a unique combination of technical expertise, leadership, partnership and
Diversified Search Recruits CEO for Baptist Health
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 talent hunt, Diversified Search recently placed Brett S. McClung as
City of Fresno Taps Teri Black & Company to Find Next Police Chief
The public sector is in the midst of major transformation. It faces an array of challenges that range from shifting public expectations to budgetary pressures and a growing demand for operational efficiency. To successfully navigate these issues, government organizations need leaders who are focused, tenacious and adaptable, with the capacity to deal with significant scale,
Stanton Chase Opens New Office in Raleigh
Baltimore, MD-headquartered Stanton Chase has continued its recent expansion with the opening of a new office in Raleigh, NC. Kathleen Lehman Hajek, who joined the search firm last year, has been named managing director of the new office. In addition to serving companies in the Raleigh/Durham and greater Research Triangle Park area, Stanton Chase has a strong presence in
Why Trust is the Most Critical Ingredient to a Successful Search
Of all the elements that go into an executive search, the most important is trust, according to Price Harding, founding partner of CarterBaldwin Executive Search, in a new report. “Interestingly, there may not be anything in our lives that is more foundational to both business and personal relationships than trust and yet, for most of
