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Korn Ferry Posts Q1 Fiscal-Year 2027 Revenues of $756.5 Million
Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) has posted Q1 fiscal-year 2027 revenues of $756.5 million, an increase of seven percent year-over-year with growth in all regions. This marks the firm’s sixth consecutive quarter of top line growth. The growth was led by double digit growth in search and workforce solutions of 10 percent and 11 percent, respectively.In addition, first
AGB Search Seeking University of Illinois System President
The University of Illinois Board of Trustees has tapped Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search to lead in its search for the University of Illinois System president. Roderick McDavis, Sally Mason and Garry W. Owens are leading the assignment. The president will lead the system into the next era of higher education with strategic vision, effective and authentic communication, and 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.
SearchWide Global Recruits President and CEO for Visit California
SearchWide Global has helped to recruit Julie Coker as the new president and CEO of Visit California. She succeeds longtime leader Caroline Beteta, who announced her retirement earlier this year. The assignment was led by Mike Gamble, chairman, CEO, and co-founder of SearchWide. The appointment is the culmination of a comprehensive global search conducted in partnership
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?
JM Search Expands Search Team
JM Search, a senior-level talent provider serving private equity investors, portfolio companies, and Fortune 1000s, has expanded with the additions of Amber Shockey as partner within its legal practice and Curtis Walker as principal within its media & telecommunications team. “Continued private equity investment across legal services, legal-adjacent businesses, and professional sports is elevating the importance of
Interim or Executive Search? Choosing the Right Leadership Solution
Interim leadership has moved well beyond being a stopgap solution for unexpected vacancies. As organizations face greater complexity, faster strategic shifts, and mounting pressure to deliver results, boards and CEOs are increasingly turning to experienced interim leaders as a flexible way to maintain momentum and address critical business needs. For executive search firms, that shift
Funk Associates Assists the University of North Florida with the Recruitment of Eighth President
Funk Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Michael P. Shannon as the eighth president of the University of North Florida (UNF). Past president Moez Limayem stepped down from his position in early 2026. “Mike Shannon is the leader who can build on UNF’s strong momentum and continue to elevate the University’s incredible impact across our
DHR Global Recruits President of Business Operations for the Pittsburgh Penguins
Talent advisory firm DHR Global has placed Marcel Braithwaite as president of business operations for the Pittsburgh Penguins. This search was led by Mike Gagliardi and Glenn Sugiyama of DHR’s sports practice. “Marcel is going to be a transformational hire for one of the NHL’s premier teams,” said Mr. Sugiyama, managing partner of DHR’s sports practice. “I had the
Mercuri Urval Expands International Public and ESG Expert Practice
Stockholm, Sweden-based executive search firm Mercuri Urval (MU) has expanded with the addition of former Danish government minister Astrid Krag to its international public and ESG expert practice. “With Astrid’s extensive experience in international public affairs, strong commitment to ESG and sustainability, and deep understanding of life sciences, she brings a valuable combination of expertise and
ZRG Partners Acquires N2Growth’s Spain Business
ZRG Partners has entered the Spanish market through the acquisition of the business formerly known as Blacksmith that had been doing business since 2023 under the umbrella of N2Growth. Through this integration, ZRG enters the Spanish market with an established local team and the goal of offering Spanish and international clients agile, high-touch advisory backed by
Family Offices Move Into Human Capital M&A
Altss’ latest ranking, The 50 Largest Family Offices in the World (2026), illustrates the scale family capital has reached. The 50 largest offices collectively manage an estimated $2.4 trillion, with the top 10 controlling more than $1.5 trillion. Twenty-eight of the top 50 are headquartered in North America, while private equity represents their largest average portfolio allocation
The Leadership Pipeline Crisis: AI’s Hidden Cost
Companies everywhere are celebrating leaner teams, faster execution, and higher productivity thanks to AI, according to HIRECLOUT. From a business perspective, the logic is easy to understand, according to Avetis Antaplyan, founder and CEO of HIRECLOUT. “Investors reward efficiency,” Mr. Antaplyan said. “Leaders are under pressure to do more with less. Automation is eliminating repetitive
Klein Hersh Recruits CFO for Sparrow Pharmaceuticals
Klein Hersh, a search firm focused on the life sciences and healthcare industries, has recruited George Eldridge as the new CFO of Sparrow Pharmaceuticals, a targeted cardiometabolic therapeutics company. “We are thrilled to welcome George to Sparrow at such an important time for our company,” said Robert Jacks, president and CEO of Sparrow Pharmaceuticals. “George
McCormack + Kristel Seeking Executive Director for NEXT Harm Reduction
McCormack + Kristel has been retained by NEXT Harm Reduction (NEXT Distro) to lead in its search for an executive director. This is a rare opportunity for a visionary leader and skilled fundraiser to take a nationally recognized organization with an urgent mandate and grow it to the scale the moment demands. Reporting to the board
Riviera Partners Expands Public Practice
San Francisco-based Riviera Partners, a recruitment provider specializing in C-level engineering, product, and design leader placements, has expanded with the addition of Archer McFall as a partner within its public practice serving large, publicly-traded companies and late-stage, pre-IPO companies. “Getting the right CTO, CIO, or chief AI officer in place, building the team structure around AI, making sure the
HelloSky Brings Its Graph of People, Investors, and Companies Into Claude and ChatGPT
Executive search firms are increasingly looking for ways to move beyond traditional databases and static candidate profiles as clients demand deeper market intelligence and faster, more precise insight into leadership talent. Advances in artificial intelligence are giving recruiters new tools to connect people, companies, investors, relationships, and career outcomes in ways that can strengthen candidate
Harris Search Associates Leading Senior Assignment for Carnegie Mellon University
Harris Search Associates has been retained by Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) to lead in its search for newly created role of associate vice president for research computing and data (AVP RCD). Jeffrey Harris and Ed Christ are leading the assignment. This role offers a unique opportunity to elevate and transform CMU’s research computing ecosystem positioning it to better support
Preng & Associates Assists SOGC, LLC with President Search
Following a comprehensive executive search, Houston-based Preng & Associates assisted in the recruitment of David French as the new president of SOGC, LLC. “Preng & Associates is proud to have supported this important leadership appointment and continues to partner with energy companies worldwide in identifying and securing transformative executive talent,” the firm said. Mr. French brings
NPAG Appoints Senior Advisor
Executive search firm NPAG has appointed André Blackman as senior advisor. In this new role, he will build and lead a practice focused on mission-driven innovation — connecting dynamic leadership talent and the development resources to keep that talent in seat, to founders and organizations solving problems that matter. “André brings a rare combination of strategic insight, storytelling
Sheffield Haworth Adds Private Equity & Growth Venture Portfolio Assets Veteran
Global leadership advisory and executive search firm Sheffield Haworth has expanded with the addition of Michael McDonnell as managing director, private equity and growth venture portfolio assets. He is based in the New York office and works within the technology sector practice. “We are thrilled to welcome Michael to the team,” said Paul Gillespie, managing director of the
Leadership Needs Shift in a Changing Federal Market
Executive search across the federal contracting, government services, defense, and technology sectors is entering a new phase as companies look for more sophisticated ways to evaluate leadership beyond résumés, references, and past performance. In markets where specialized experience, relationships, and an understanding of complex government customers can be critical, the challenge is not simply identifying
Private Equity Rollup Wave Reshapes Executive Search
What may once have looked like a series of isolated transactions is increasingly taking on the shape of a broader industry shift. As capital moves into the sector and firms rethink where they have true competitive strength, the pattern is becoming harder to ignore. “A year ago, I would have called this a prediction, today,
HARTZ Search Seeking Chief Revenue Officer for Geisinger
Charlotte, NC-based HARTZ Search was recently retained by Geisinger to lead in its search for a chief revenue officer. This executive will direct, manage, and implement programs to ensure efficient revenue management operations and sufficient cash flow to support Geisinger operations and strategic initiatives. The role is responsible for identifying, analyzing, reducing, and resolving revenue management issues
Kincannon & Reed Places Executive Director for the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association
Kincannon & Reed (K&R), which exclusively focuses on food, agribusiness, and the related life sciences, has assisted in the recruitment of Patrick Carney as the new executive director of the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association. Dave Smith stepped down from his executive role after leading the association for more than 30 years. “Patrick pairs dairy industry knowledge with
Noto Group Expands Global Consumer Practice
Portland, OR-headquartered executive search firm Noto Group has expanded with the additions of Kirsty Schofield and Cody Johns as senior partners in its global consumer practice. “Cody and Kirsty bring highly complementary experience, deep consumer sector expertise, and a genuine connection to how we work,” said Sara Spirko, managing partner of Noto Group. “Both understand that finding
millionways Brings a New Behavioral Intelligence Lever to Executive Recruiters
Hunt Scanlon Ventures this week completed its investment in millionways, a New York-headquartered company that builds a behavioral intelligence layer of AI for human agent workforces, utilizing a proprietary Large Psychology Model called Thorsten-4. The platform focuses on understanding human signals, motives, and behavior patterns, with applications used across AI governance, executive hiring, talent management,
AI Governance Jobs Platform Builds Early Momentum Through Privacy-First Model
AI-Governance-Jobs.com, operated by GRC Careers LLC and led by founder and CEO F. Jay Hall, has built its model combining specialized career content, organic search visibility, and privacy-focused architecture. The company’s latest executive summary reports 134,499 organic impressions over a recent 28-day period, achieved roughly three months after launch — without advertising. As demand grows
Blue Rock Human Capital Assists Linfield University with the Recruitment of Dean of the School of Business
Blue Rock Human Capital has helped to recruit Isaac Wanasika as the new dean of the School of Business at Linfield University. “Blue Rock Human Capital was pleased to work with Linfield University to identify their new dean of the School of Business,” said Jacquelyn Elliot, president and COO of Blue Rock Human Capital. “Today’s higher
CIO Partners Leading Cybersecurity Search for Flexsteel Industries
CIO Partners was recently retained by Flexsteel Industries in Dubuque, IA, to lead in its search for director of cybersecurity. This role partners closely with IT, executive leadership, legal, compliance, operations, and external security partners to reduce cyber risk, strengthen business resilience, and ensure the organization is prepared to prevent, detect, respond to, and recover
Executive Talent Market Faces New Pressures as AI and Private Equity Reshape Leadership Demand
The executive talent market continues to tighten as private investment accelerates, experienced leaders retire, and organizations compete for executives capable of driving growth and transformation. At the same time, artificial intelligence is changing the capabilities companies expect from senior leaders, while consulting and private equity firms rethink how they build leadership teams and evaluate potential.
Cornerstone International Group Opens New Office in Frankfurt
Cornerstone International Group has opened a new office in Frankfurt and appointed of Florian Kittler as global sector head—hospitality, travel & leisure. “The expansion reflects increasing demand from hospitality, travel, and lifestyle organizations for leadership partners who combine global reach with deep sector expertise, as the industry navigates international growth, digital transformation, and evolving client
What are Boards Doing Differently for Better Executive Appointments in 2026?
Boards are increasingly reshaping how they approach executive appointments—building the governance discipline, assessment rigor, and future-facing criteria needed to make confident leadership decisions in a more volatile and accelerated world. Leadership decisions are moving faster, carrying higher stakes and less room for error, according to a recent report from Signium. “Today, boards are asking whether
Why Speed is Critical in Executive Recruiting
Executive leadership vacancies rarely arrive at a convenient moment—and in a business climate defined by rapid change, shrinking decision windows, and relentless performance demands, the cost of an empty seat compounds quickly. What was once viewed as a manageable transition period can now undermine momentum across strategy, operations, and culture, especially when teams are already
Kingsley Gate Recruits Chief People Officer for The Vitamin Shoppe
Private equity-backed Kingsley Gate has helped to recruit Kate Vukelich as executive vice president and chief people officer of The Vitamin Shoppe. “It was a true pleasure to work with Sharon M. Leite, CEO of The Vitamin Shoppe to place Kate Vukelich as the company’s new chief people officer. “Kate will be an amazing addition to a
Boston Children’s Museum Taps DSG | Koya To Lead CEO Search
DSG | Koya has been selected by Boston Children’s Museum (BCM) to lead in its search for a new president and CEO. Elizabeth Lombard and Angie Sessoms are leading the assignment. The next leader will build upon more than a century of impact, innovation, and joyful learning. This leadership transition comes at a moment of organizational strength. BCM
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
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
Brettschneider Executive Search Seeking Executive Director for the Carter Burden Network
New York City-based Brettschneider Executive Search was recently retained by the Carter Burden Network (CBN) to lead in its search for a new executive director. The firm seeks a collaborative, experienced and innovative executive director to advance the organization as it tackles the increasing needs of a growing client population. The executive director will drive
IMSA Search Global Partners Adds New Member Firm in Canada
IMSA Search Global Partners has added Pivotal Integrated HR Solutions as IMSA Canada and CEO Neil Kouba as IMSA Canada managing partner. “Neil and his team are an excellent addition to our worldwide organization,” said Thierry Goder, president of IMSA Search Global Partners. “They are like-minded, successful executive search professionals who will strengthen our presence in
Hunt Scanlon’s Top 10 Recruiting Stories of 2025
In 2025, the recruiting and executive search industry entered a pivotal transformation driven by the rapid integration of AI and data intelligence. As firms navigated uneven hiring demand and ongoing consolidation, recruiters increasingly turned to AI-powered platforms, advanced analytics, and leadership science to deliver sharper insight, faster outcomes, and measurable value for clients. Investor activity
Isaacson, Miller Retained by the Brooklyn Academy of Music for President Search
Boston-based Isaacson, Miller was recently called by the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) to lead in its search for a new president. Partners Ben Tobin and Sarah James are leading this search with managing associate Tiffany Weber and managing search coordinator Siobhan Hanley. In the world’s most competitive philanthropic market, the president will inspire board partners and team to help build
DSG Global Expands Nonprofit Practice
DSG Global has appointed Nicole Kamaleson as managing director for DSG | Nonprofit, a global practice dedicated to mission-driven organizations worldwide. “Nicole is widely respected for her global perspective, deep sector expertise, and ability to identify leaders who can be nimble in the face of complex challenges, and create lasting change,” said Aileen K. Alexander, CEO of DSG Global.
Hunt Scanlon’s Top 10 Search Assignments for 2025
Executive search in 2025 remained steady and increasingly strategic, as organizations continue to rely on trusted advisors to navigate high-stakes leadership decisions amid ongoing market complexity. Hunt Scanlon Media now takes its annual look back at the top 10 searches of the year. Across these following assignments, executive search firms showcased how leadership recruiting is increasingly
Bespoke Partners Recruits CEO for OfficeRnD
San Diego, CA-headquartered Bespoke Partners has placed Matt Keenan as the new CEO of OfficeRnD. He succeeds co-founder Miro Miroslavov, who after 10 years of leading the company will step into the role of executive chairman. Jenny Gray and Dakota Horn led the assignment. “Appreciation to Blue Star Innovation Partners for trusting Bespoke’s CEO, Board, and P&L Practice
Kestria Adds New Member Firm in Portugal
Kestria, formerly known as IRC Global Executive Search Partners, has added Thrive Partners in Portugal as its newest member firm. “In Thrive Partners, we’ve found a partner that allows us to strengthen our portfolio by adding the important Portuguese market,” said Stepan Motejzik, Kestria’s global alliance director. “From our very first interaction, we’ve felt a mutual
Top 10 Executive Search M&A Deals for 2025
M&A activity in the human capital sector is holding up well despite a choppy macro backdrop, with deal interest staying steady even as founders weigh risk more carefully. In Hunt Scanlon Media’s latest polling, a majority of executive search firm owners signaled they would consider a transaction, underscoring how succession planning, scale pressures, and shifting
Lochlin Partners Assists the Entertainment Software Association with CFO Search
Lochlin Partners has helped to recruit Heather Dean as the new CFO of the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) in Washington, D.C. In this executive leadership role, she is responsible for overseeing all financial activities of the association, including fiscal management of the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), the ESA Foundation, and serving as treasurer of the
Pacific International Adds Former President of Danfoss Power Solutions to Advisory Board
London-headquartered executive search firm Pacific International has appointed Eric Alström to its advisory board. “With the continued expansion of Pacific International’s advisory board, we are reinforcing our commitment to helping our clients build exceptional executive leadership teams,” said David Howells, CEO of Pacific International. “Eric Alström brings world-class insight from the industrial technology, electrification, hydraulics, and climate
Executive Search in 2026: Why Human Judgment Still Matters
As AI “agentification” pushes more work into software, the executive search industry is being forced to justify its value beyond simply filling roles. The case for its future rests on something algorithms and internal networks often struggle to protect: independent judgment in high-stakes hiring—especially when speed, alignment, and culture become so dominant that they quietly
WittKieffer Acquires Assets of Ross & Company
Oak Brook, IL-based WittKieffer has acquired the assets of Ross & Company. Financial terms of deal were not disclosed. Founder Larry Ross will join WittKieffer as senior partner and lead partner for private equity. “This combination accelerates WittKieffer’s leadership in building boards and executive teams for healthcare and life sciences investors and their portfolio companies,” the firm said.
The Leadership Multiplier: How One Great Hire Drives Faster Value Creation
Just recently, The Lancer Group was on a call with the CEO of a PE-backed SaaS company. He was reflecting on a placement that The Lancer Group made several years ago. “The hire was a great success, but what stood out wasn’t just the executive’s individual performance,” the firm said. “It was the kind of talent
Slone Partners Recruits Chief Business Officer for Vertero Therapeutics
Life sciences-focused search firm Slone Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Jeffrey S. Kasten as chief business officer of Vertero Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company breaking barriers in neurodegenerative disease treatment. “Jeffrey Kasten brings a deep and diversified business development and strategic management skill set to Vertero as the company expands its portfolio of therapies designed to help physicians better
DRiWaterstone Human Capital Tapped by WJCT Public Media to Lead CEO Search
VA-based DRiWaterstone Human Capital has been retained by WJCT Public Media to lead in its search for a new president and CEO. The president and CEO of WJCT Public Media serves as the organization’s chief executive, responsible for ensuring the effective operation, sustainability, and growth of the organization. This leader guides the strategic vision, champions innovation, and represents WJCT
What Talent Acquisition Will Really Demand in 2026
Talent acquisition looks nothing like it did a couple of years ago. A new Korn Ferry report says AI is the headline—84 percent of talent leaders plan to use it next year—but it’s only one piece of the 2026 puzzle. The bigger challenge is connecting AI, skills, leadership pipelines, and workplace policies into a strategy
Executive Search Faces Shrinking Demand
As a search firm owner, you’ve likely had the call by now. “A larger firm reaches out with interest in acquiring your boutique,” said James Abruzzo, managing partner of JGA Partners. “You take the meeting, curious. They make an offer—lower than you expected, maybe far lower. You politely decline, but the seed is planted.” You wonder, did
Morgan Samuels Company Recruits CFO for PE-Backed Western States Water
Nashville, TN-based executive search firm Morgan Samuels Company has Tanya Toot as the new CFO of Western States Water, a Strength Capital Partners portfolio company. Tom Dunn, Jarrod Gray, Justin Kai Ossola, Benjamin Wolf, Mallory Allen, and Raquel De La Vega led the assignment. “We’re grateful for the trust from the Strength Capital and Western States Water teams,
Harris Search Associates Completes Search for Stony Brook University
Following an extensive national search that included a highly competitive, diverse candidate pool from across the country, Harris Search Associates has placed Melissa Finucane as the inaugural William and Jane Knapp Endowed Infinity chair at Stony Brook University. “Developing and implementing climate change adaptation and response plans must combine sound climate and climate impacts data with social
Greenhouse Appoints Chief People Officer
Hiring platform Greenhouse has Sharawn Tipton as chief people officer. In this role, she will identify new opportunities where people strategy can accelerate Greenhouse’s business and strengthen the employee experience as the company continues to grow. “Getting the right leadership in the role of chief people officer is mission-critical,” said Daniel Chait, co-founder and CEO of Greenhouse. “Throughout the search,
Five Questions with MJ Scott, Incoming CEO of Kirk Palmer Associates
Kirk Palmer Associates (KPA) an independent executive search firm dedicated exclusively to retail and consumer brands, this past July appointed search industry veteran MaryJeanne (MJ) Scott as its new CEO. A seasoned leader with more than 25 years in retail and executive search, Ms. Scott brings expanded capabilities to KPA’s global operations with a focus
