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AI Won’t Replace Retained Search; It Will Reveal Who’s Doing It Well
In executive search, the real AI question is no longer if it belongs in the process, but how it can sharpen human judgment instead of diluting it. “Everyone is piloting AI somewhere in the talent stack,” said Mike Caggiano, co-founder and CEO of ExactSearch.AI. He explained that the executive tier is where the question shifts
WittKieffer Seeking CHRO for Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital
Oak Brook, IL-based WittKieffer has been retained by Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital to lead in its search for a new CHRO. Senior partner Mark Andrew is leading the search along with senior associate Molly Solomon. Reporting to the CEO, this leader will be an integral member of the executive leadership team for this independent organization that has 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.
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
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?
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
The Platform Shift Reshaping Human Capital M&A
Hunt Scanlon Ventures’ 2026 Human Capital Markets Update: Q1 M&A Report points to a market undergoing rapid institutionalization. Human capital M&A is no longer centered around standalone recruiting firms or opportunistic acquisitions. Instead, buyers are consolidating around integrated platforms that combine executive search, leadership advisory, workforce analytics, succession planning, and AI-enabled infrastructure. The shift reflects a broader
WittKieffer Recruits 22nd President for the University of Tulsa
Oak Brook, IL-based WittKieffer has placed Stacy Leeds as the 22nd president of the University of Tulsa (UTulsa). Zachary Smith, Robin Mamlet, and Julia Bradley led the assignment. Ms. Leeds was selected following a competitive and comprehensive national search. Members of the search committee and full board were drawn to her unique portfolio of executive management, philanthropic success and unimpeachable academic credibility. “Stacy
SPMB Recruits CFO for AbsenceSoft
SPMB Executive Search has recruited Megan Wood as CFO of AbsenceSoft, a Denver, CO-based employee leave management and accommodations platform. Jon Landau and Laura Ayre led the assignment. “The market opportunity in front of AbsenceSoft is significant, and Megan brings the right financial and operational depth to meet it,” said Chris Murphy, CEO of AbsenceSoft. “Her proven track record at fast-growth, innovative companies on
AGB Search Helps Recruit 20th President for the University of Montana
Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, has assisted in the recruitment of Jeremiah Shinn as the 20th president of the University of Montana. His selection follows a national search that drew more than 70 accomplished applicants from across the country. Roderick McDavis, James H. McCormick and Janice S. Fitzgerald led the assignment. “Dr. Shinn’s on-campus visit
TurnkeyZRG Appoints Vice President
TurnkeyZRG has expanded with the addition of Sean Magee as vice president. “College and professional football are being reshaped in real time — by revenue sharing, NIL, the transfer portal, and unprecedented financial and operational complexity,” said Chad Chatlos, managing partner, ZRG Turnkey. “Sean lived inside that disruption as a senior operator. He understands what it
Rethinking the Factors Behind Employee Loyalty and Retention
Two widely repeated assumptions continue to shape discussions around today’s workforce, despite oversimplifying a far more nuanced reality. Claims that employee loyalty has disappeared, or that departures are driven almost entirely by poor management, often overlook the broader mix of organizational, economic, leadership, and career factors influencing retention. While such narratives persist because they are
Anthem Executive Assists the University of West Alabama with Provost Search
Anthem Executive has assisted in the recruitment of Amy H. Jones as provost of the University of West Alabama, the role that oversees all aspects of academics at the institution. “Dr. Jones has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a deep commitment to the mission of UWA,” said Todd G. Fritch, president of the University of West Alabama.
ON Partners Recruits Chief Supply Chain Officer for Atmus Filtration Technologies
ON Partners has helped to recruited Kevin Carpenter as senior vice president and chief supply chain officer of NYSE-traded Atmus Filtration Technologies Inc. in Nashville, TN. Partner Heidi Hoffman led the assignment. “Kevin is a proven operations leader with a strong track record of building resilient, customer focused supply chains at scale,” said Steph Disher, president and
ZRG Partners Acquires Sterling Martin Associates
ZRG Partners has acquired Sterling Martin Associates, a Washington, D.C.–based executive search firm specializing in professional associations, trade organizations, and mission‑driven non-profit organizations. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Larry Hartmann, CEO of ZRG, said the acquisition reflects ZRG’s disciplined approach to growth. “This is not about scale for scale’s sake,” he explained.
How Search Firms Are Positioning for a 2025 Rebound
As the executive search industry weathered another difficult year, the most successful firms stayed focused on gaining market share and protecting margin as they waited for job requisitions and market confidence to rebound. In spite of these global challenges and, perhaps more importantly, pervasive market uncertainty, some firms saw success, and many are building a foundation for
Acertitude Lands CFO for Extreme Networks
Chief financial officers continue to be in high demand. Finding them is keeping many of the nation’s top recruitment operations busier than ever. In recent months, search firms of all varieties have placed CFOs at various companies. Executive search firm Acertitude recently recruited Rémi Thomas as chief financial officer for Extreme Networks Inc., a NASDAQ-traded software-driven networking company.
MediaLink Expands Executive Search Practice
MediaLink, an Ascentia-owned advisory company, has named Bucky Keady and Suzanne Kelly as senior vice president of executive search and vice president of executive search, respectively. The hires follow an extensive period of growth for MediaLink’s executive search practice. Ms. Keady will oversee team management, client services and product offerings. She will also lead searches across the
Pekarsky & Co. Forms Alliance with Executive Coaching Firm
Calgary-based executive search firm Pekarsky & Co. has formed a partnership with Creative Coaching, an executive coaching and leadership development firm also located in Calgary. Through the alliance, each firm will be able to offer its respective clients a much deeper and broader suite of services, said the firms. The two organizations will continue to
Korn Ferry Posts 11 Percent Rise in North American Recruiting Revenue; Outlook Strong
Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) has posted third quarter fee revenue of $474.5 million, a six percent increase from $448 million a year ago. The increase was driven by organic growth in all segments. The Los Angeles-headquartered executive recruiter and leadership consultant – the largest in the Americas as ranked by Hunt Scanlon Media – recorded net income of $45 million, or 80 cents per
Vetted Solutions Recruits Chief People Officer for National Business Aviation Association
Talent acquisition strategies at many large companies have become as complex as their balance sheets. At most companies, the chief human resource officer has come to play a vital role in overseeing an organization’s broad-based workforce. The chief people officer, on the other hand, typically goes beyond overseeing an organization’s people policies. Instead, the focus
JDG Associates Finds New Leader for the National Assessment Governing Board
Rockville, MD-headquartered executive search firm JDG Associates has placed Lesley Muldoon as the new executive director of the National Assessment Governing Board, which sets policy for the Nation’s Report Card, a national test that gauges student reading and math skills. President Darren DeGioia led the assignment. “I could not be more excited to welcome Lesley Muldoon as the next
Signal Partners Names New Outsourced Services Practice Leader
Signal Partners, a Santa Monica, CA-based search firm serving private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies, has appointed Kit Cooper to lead its new outsourced services practice. He will assist lower middle market investors and their portfolio companies find force-multiplying talent at all levels. “Kit’s perspective is unique,” said Tom Nieman, co-founder of Signal Partners. “Yes, he’s an
TRANSEARCH Elects Chairman
TRANSEARCH International has elected Ulrich F Ackermann as its new chairman. He succeeds Alain Tanugi, who after three decades as chairman recently retired. Mr. Ackermann has been managing partner of TRANSEARCH in Germany since 1996. In 2000, he was appointed as a member of the board of TRANSEARCH International Partners and became vice chairman in 2011.
On International Women’s Day, Steep Hills Still to Climb
The modern International Women’s Day can be traced back to 1911, when over a million people gathered for demonstrations across Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. The United Nations began celebrating the day in 1975, and shortly after, other countries began marking the occasion. Now it’s observed annually on March 8, today, to recognize the ways
Unemployment Rate Falls to 3.8 Percent
Employers added only 20,000 jobs last month as the U.S. unemployment rate dropped to 3.8 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report released this morning. Wall Street analysts had expected an increase of about 165,000. The January gain is the 101st consecutive month of job growth. The number of unemployed people currently stands
Diversified Search Recruits CEO for Trinseo
Guy Sava, managing director and leader of the natural resources practice at Diversified Search, has placed Frank A. Bozich as president and CEO of $4.6 billion global materials solutions provider Trinseo. Mr. Bozich replaces Christopher D. Pappas, who recently announced his plans to retire. Mr. Pappas will transition to the role of special adviser to the CEO in support of
IMSA Search Global Partners Adds Howard-Sloan Search as Newest Member
Global recruiting consortiums continue to take advantage of a resurgence in certain geographic areas. Among them, executive search network IMSA Search Global Partners has added New York City-headquartered executive search firm Howard-Sloan Search as its newest member firm. Howard-Sloan is led by CEO Mitchell Berger. He joined the company in 1983 and assumed the top role
Intense Hunt is on for Global Diversity Chiefs
To meet the needs of an increasingly diverse society, many organizations have developed executive positions to guide their diversity agendas. Chief diversity officers have responsibility for guiding efforts to conceptualize, define, assess, nurture and cultivate diversity. Duties may include affirmative action and equal employment opportunity, or the constituent needs of minorities, women and other social
Russell Reynolds Associates Tapped to Find Leader for NCH Healthcare
Executive recruitment firm Russell Reynolds Associates has been enlisted to find the new president and chief executive officer for the NCH Healthcare System in Naples, FL. Allen Weiss, the organization’s previous leader, resigned in January after a vote of no confidence by the system’s physicians. Phil Dutcher, chief operations officer, has been serving as interim CEO.
Polachi Recruits Chief Technology Officer for Escher Group
Boston-headquartered executive search firm Polachi Inc. has placed Wayne Haubner as the new chief technology officer of Escher Group. Partner Peter Polachi led the assignment. Mr. Haubner is a pioneering technology executive and change agent who has a track record for driving enduring results through leadership, agility and continuous innovation, said Polachi Inc. He has a proven track
IQTalent Partners Relocates Headquarters to Nashville, Expands Staff
IQTalent Partners has shifted its headquarters from Los Altos, CA in the northern part of Silicon Valley to Nashville, TN. The move is a return to the firm’s roots. Nashville was where IQTalent Partners’ co-founders Chris Murdock and Tom Milic first met, at Vanderbilt University. “That, and we were able to grow our Nashville office from
Morant Executive Search Opens Doors
The executive search industry is being disrupted by the entrance of a multitude of new players offering advanced business models and new technologies. The latest: Morant Executive Search has been launched in Zurich by veteran search consultant Sabine Morant. Morant Executive Search offers customized search solutions with a focus on identifying individuals with transformational skills. The firm
Nearly Half of Employers Plan to Ramp Up Hiring
U.S. businesses are expecting hiring to pick up this year, with 40 percent of employers planning to add full-time employees and 47 percent looking to recruit part-time workers, according to a newly released report by CareerBuilder. Those numbers are on par with last year’s report, which forecast 44 percent and 51 percent increases, respectively. There
SearchWide Global Seeking New Leader for the City of South Padre Island Convention and Visitors Bureau
After suffering a massive hit during the Great Recession, employment and hiring within the travel, hotel and hospitality industry continues to rebound. Last year, according to one set of survey metrics, the industry added more than 527,000 jobs (2.6 million since 2004). That number is likely to increase this year as global tourism and traveling in
RH Perry & Associates Recruits 6th President for Harper College
Following a comprehensive national search, RH Perry & Associates has placed Avis Proctoras the sixth president of Harper Collegein Palatine, IL. Ken Ender, who has served as president since 2009, is retiring this summer. Senior consultants Jesse M. Thompson and Joanne Bashford led the assignment. The five presidents in the school’s 50-year history have all
ASCENT Select Adds Outplacement Services to Offerings
Executive search firm ASCENT Select has added outplacement support services to its menu of client offerings. The Greensboro, NC-based firm’s new service allows companies to provide displaced employees with effective tools and resources to accelerate the job search process to land as quickly as possible. ASCENT Select’s outplacement services include a comprehensive nine-step program that
Ireland, Norway and the U.K. Rank as Top Spots for Talent
Ireland, Norway and the U.K. are the top labor markets across the globe for sourcing, hiring and retaining workforce skills, according to the ManpowerGroup Solutions Total Workforce Index 2019. In an increasingly complex global market, access to skilled talent is a priority for organizations looking to build or grow their business, the report said. The Total Workforce Index uses Big Data combined
Payrolls Could Soar Due to Talent Shortage
Salaries for highly skilled workers could boom in coming years as global talent shortages take hold, according to a report by Korn Ferry. Left unchecked, the salary surge could add $2.5 trillion to annual payrolls globally by 2030, jeopardizing companies’ profitability and threatening business models. “Buying in talent from the market is unsustainable,” said Alan
ClearPath Solutions Finds CEO for P. Terry’s Burger Stand
Irvine, CA-based executive search firm ClearPath Solutions has placed Todd Coerver as the new CEO of restaurant chain P. Terry’s Burger Stand in Austin, TX. Leading the assignment for the search firm were founder Helen Lao; Amy Wilson, partner, SVP of talent; Jessica Dyer, VP of talent; Jack Wilson, VP of talent; and Nancy Persinger, associate partner. Mr.
Aspen Leadership Group Secures Chief Development Officer for Denver Zoological Foundation
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 one. Recently, Aspen Leadership Group, an executive
SPMB Appoints New Partners
The private equity sector can expect to see an expanding bidding war for top talent, according to a coming research report from Hunt Scanlon Media. Driving the trend is persistent global talent shortages across the C-suite. Nearly every industry and function is affected, particularly finance, healthcare and biotech, digital and technology. To that end, SPMB, an executive
Opus Partners Integrates Executive Search Business of CBO Partners
Search firm Opus Partners has integrated the executive search business of CBO Partners Recruiting, a Charlottesville, VA-based human-capital management firm, into its national higher education and healthcare practice. Jay Scott, CBO’s founder and president, will become an associate partner at Opus in the firm’s Charlottesville, VA office. Established in 2007, CBO Partners conducts senior-level executive searches
Social Media Continues to Impact Hiring and Executive Recruiting
Social media usage continues to grow. New users and new applications are reported every year. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently posted an announcement about the platform having hit two billion users. To put that into perspective, that is six times the population of the U.S. CareerBuilder recently reported that over 70 percent of employers are screening social
Koya Leadership Partners Recruits CHRO for Skidmore College
Koya Leadership Partners has placed Brett I. Last as the new chief human resources officer (CHRO) of Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY. He succeeds Barbara Beck, who retired last year after serving the college for 21 years.Managing director Andy Evans, vice president Beth Schaefer and consultant Charlotte Harris led the search. “Brett Last brings
Opportunity Resources Seeks CEO for Columbus Citizens Foundation
Executive search firm Opportunity Resourceshas been enlisted to find a new executive director/ chief executive officer for the Columbus Citizens Foundation (CCF), which fosters appreciation of Italian-American heritage and achievement. The assignment is being led by Freda Mindlin, the recruitment firm’s president. The New York-based non-profit wants a CEO who is a strategic, innovative and
Katalyst Group Appoints COO & Chief Talent Officer
Katalyst Group, a boutique talent advisory firm that serves the digital, retail, consumer, media and technology sectors, recently named Le Anne Harper to a dual role as chief operating officer and chief talent officer. Ms. Harper is responsible for optimizing the firm’s retained search execution and business development efforts, with a focus on developing the team’s
