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Daily Newswire
Buffkin / Baker Appoints Partner
Partner-led executive search firm Buffkin / Baker has named Jim May as partner in its technology/digital practice area, and executive corporate functional practice areas. “Jim’s expertise in human resources, finance, technology, and operations will strengthen our service to clients and enhance results,” said Tom Wilson, partner and practice leader. “We are delighted to name Jim as a
BCG Says Dealmakers Are Learning to Win in Uncertainty
Global M&A activity is showing signs of recovery, but not a return to the playbook of the last cycle. According to Boston Consulting Group’s 2025 M&A Report, global deal value rose 10 percent in the first nine months of 2025 compared with the same period last year, even as geopolitical tension, regulatory shifts, and macro uncertainty continue
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.
BarkerGilmore Recruits General Counsel for American Credit Acceptance
Boutique search firm BarkerGilmore, which specializes in building corporate legal and compliance teams, has placed Debra Noll as general counsel at American Credit Acceptance. The search was led by Stephen Bell and Alison Waters. “Deb is exceptionally well-positioned to support American Credit Acceptance as it continues to grow and adapt in a complex environment,” BarkerGilmore said in a LinkedIn
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?
Kincannon & Reed Appoints VP of Marketing and Business Development
Kincannon & Reed (K&R), which exclusively focuses on food, agribusiness, and the related life sciences, has expanded with the addition of Dan Evans as vice president of marketing and business development. “Dan brings a strong background in building brands, driving growth, and connecting strategy to execution,” said Stephanie Liska, president of Kincannon & Reed. “Throughout his career,
Women Founders Gain Ground in Human Capital M&A
A meaningful shift has been unfolding across the executive search industry. Over the past decade, a growing number of highly specialized boutiques have been founded and led by women, many of whom built successful careers within larger firms before launching businesses of their own. What is becoming increasingly clear is that investors are paying attention.
Private Equity Recruiting – Return on Investment: Creating Value with Talent
Talent has become a defining driver of performance in private equity, shaping how firms manage risk, execute strategy, and deliver sustained returns. As deal cycles tighten and value creation depends increasingly on operational excellence, leadership quality and organizational design are no longer secondary considerations — they are central to how firms source, underwrite, and scale
AGB Search Seeking Chief Information Technology Officer for Slippery Rock University
Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, has been retained by Slippery Rock University to lead in its search for a chief information technology officer (CITO). Kimberly Templeton, Margaret Plympton, and Anne Hoffman are leading the assignment. This leader serves as the University’s senior technology executive, providing strategic vision, leadership, and executive
The Talent Studios Recruits Chief Marketing Officer for Pura Vida Miami
The Talent Studios has recruited Bruno Cardinali as chief marketing officer of Pura Vida Miami, the premium all-day café and lifestyle brand focused on health, wellness and community. The search was led by Katlyn Maloney and Jeremy Cohen. Mr. Cardinali brings more than two decades of marketing leadership across fast casual, foodservice, beverage, and global consumer brands. Most recently, as
JM Search Expands Technology and Financial Services Practices
JM Search, a senior-level talent provider serving private equity investors, portfolio companies, and Fortune 1000s, has expanded with the additions of Wes Chisholm as partner and Laura Bennstrom and Charles Telep as principals within its technology and financial services practices. Mr. Chisholm and Mr. Telep join the firm’s technology practice while Ms. Bennstrom joins both the financial
How The Tolan Group Navigated the Downturn and Remained Focused
For many executive search firms, 2024 and 2025 tested resilience in ways few could have predicted. At The Tolan Group (TTG), they experienced the same pressures felt across the industry. Slower decision cycles, delayed starts, and a noticeable dip in portfolio company hiring activity. Yet through that uncertainty, one thing remained constant: our commitment to
Korn Ferry Reports Seven Percent Q4 and Full-Year Revenue Growth, Led by Double-Digit Gains in Professional Search & Interim
Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) has posted Q4 fiscal-year revenues of $759.8 million, a year-over-year increase of seven percent and five percent at constant currency. This was led by Professional Search & Interim up 14 percent, followed by Executive Search and Consulting, both up seven percent and RPO up five percent. During the fourth quarter, revenues rose by
Lock Search Group Leading CEO Search for Atlas Sign & Awning
Toronto-headquartered executive recruitment firm Lock Search Group is currently seeking a new CEO for Atlas Sign & Awning. For over 30 years, Atlas Sign & Awning has helped businesses across Canada and the United States stand out through custom commercial signage, awnings, and branded architectural elements. Based in Langley, BC, they’ve built a strong reputation for quality
Anthem Executive Assists the University of Montevallo With President Search
Anthem Executive has assisted in the recruitment of Michelle R. Johnston as the first female president of the University of Montevallo (UM). Michael Ballew, Scott Watson, Mike “JR” Wheless, and Florene Stawowy led the assignment. Dr. Johnston has served as the president of Georgia Southwestern State University since 2024. Prior to her current presidency, she served as president of three other higher education
Mercuri Urval Appoints Non-Executive Director
Stockholm, Sweden-based executive search firm Mercuri Urval (MU) has announced that Jan Sasse, partner at AlterInvest, was named as non-executive director to the MU group board. He will join the current board members Cecilia Strand, Mieke Weijenberg, Cecilia Beer, Richard Moore, and chairman Roger Hagafors. “We are pleased to welcome Jan Sasse as non-executive director of the MU
M&A Becomes a Capability-Driven Acquisition Strategy
EY-Parthenon is forecasting an eight percent increase in U.S. deal volume for transactions exceeding $100 million in 2026, underscoring how central M&A remains to corporate strategy. Yet beneath the headline numbers sits a more important story. The role of acquisitions is evolving. Companies are no longer pursuing deals primarily for scale or market share. Increasingly,
The Hidden Challenges Every First-Time CEO Faces
The corner office has never been more accessible—or more demanding. As boards increasingly turn to a new generation of leaders to navigate disruption, growth, and transformation, first-time CEOs are stepping into roles that require a fundamentally different set of skills than those that propelled them to the top. While many arrive with impressive track records,
Myers McRae Assists Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology with Provost Search
Following a nationwide search, Macon, GA-based Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting has assisted in the recruitment of Richie Roberts as provost of Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology. Kenny Daugherty and Brianna Douglas led the assignment. Dr. Roberts’ selection was guided by a search committee of OSUIT administrators, faculty, staff and students, which was assisted by national search firm Myers McRae. “The entire
Lancer Group Recruits Chief Technology Officer for Minitab
La Jolla, CA-headquartered search firm Lancer Group has recruited Kevin Gordon as chief technology officer of Minitab. “We’re excited to welcome Kevin Gordon as chief technology officer at Minitab,” the company said. “This is an exciting step forward in the evolution of our technology strategy and will help accelerate innovation across our organization and solutions platform.” “Kevin brings
Friisberg & Partners International Names Managing Partner of its Copenhagen Office
Fribourg, Switzerland-headquartered Friisberg & Partners International has expanded with the addition of Birgitte Olrik as managing partner of its Copenhagen office, strengthening the firm’s presence in the Nordic region and supporting the continued execution of our international growth strategy. “The future of executive search belongs to firms that combine exceptional local expertise with international reach,” said Zoltán Pethő,
Attracting the Right CHRO Starts with the Right Job Description
Hiring a head of HR is one of the most consequential leadership decisions an organization can make, yet many companies struggle to define the role in a way that reflects their actual needs. The most effective job descriptions go beyond qualifications and responsibilities, offering candidates a clear picture of the challenges, priorities, and business objectives
Coulter Partners Recruits Chief Medical Officer for Neumirna Therapeutics
Life sciences recruiting specialist Coulter Partners has placed Ferenc Tracik as chief medical officer of Neumirna Therapeutics. “Neumirna has reached an inflection point: the question is no longer whether the science works, but how quickly we can translate it into an option for patients with urgent unmet need. Ferenc has the experience to get us there,” said Ellen
McCormack + Kristel Seeking CEO for Central New York ON RAMP
McCormack + Kristel is currently seeking a CEO for Central New York ON RAMP. New York State Empire State Development (ESD) recently engaged CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity (CenterState CEO), an business leadership and economic development organization, to lead, incubate, and launch the Central New York One Network for Regional Advanced Manufacturing Projects (ON RAMP). The
Bespoke Partners Appoints Leader of People and HR Practice
San Diego, CA-headquartered Bespoke Partners recently named Dani Pfeiffer as a partner leading the people and human resources leader recruiting practice serving both software and industrials sector companies. She will lead dedicated recruiting teams on searches for talent executives for private equity portfolio companies for the software and SaaS clients served by Bespoke Partners and industrial clients served by Industra Talent Partners,
Wilson Forms New Alliance with Poetry to Advance AI capabilities
Global talent solutions provider Wilson has formed a new partnership with Poetry to strengthen its AI-enabled recruitment capabilities. The collaboration supports Wilson’s continued focus on embedding technology into its RPO delivery model through Wilson Workspace, its technology ecosystem. “We’re excited to announce our new partnership with Poetry,” said Charles Faigle, chief delivery officer at Wilson. This
What Executive Candidates Want From Employers Today
The executive talent market today has fundamentally shifted and senior leaders are evaluating employers through a far more demanding lens. They no longer weigh opportunities primarily on compensation or title; they assess the total leadership experience: governance, culture, organizational stability, purpose, autonomy, flexibility and long-term growth, according to a report from Kestria. “To attract and retain
WittKieffer Retained by Roosevelt University for President Search
Oak Brook, IL-based WittKieffer has been retained by Roosevelt University in Chicago to lead in its search for its seventh president. Ali Malekzadeh is retiring after being with the school since 2015. Senior partner Christine Pendleton, consultant Sandra Chu, senior associate Maya Holt-Brockenbrough, and senior advisor Ray Crossman. Roosevelt University seeks a student-centered president who is committed
Buffkin / Baker Acquires HR-Focused Benson Executive Search
Partner-led executive search firm Buffkin / Baker has acquired Boston, MA-based Benson Executive Search, a boutique firm focused on the human resources sector. Financial terms of deal were not disclosed. The acquisition strengthens Buffkin / Baker’s HR functional capabilities and gives the firm a stronger presence in the Northeast. “We’re thrilled to welcome Benson Executive Search to
SPMB Recruits Fills Senior Finance Position for Uber
Steven Popper of SPMB Executive Search has placed Wendy Drummond Craig as senior director, technical accounting, reporting, and M&A at Uber. In her new role, she will oversee teams responsible for technical accounting matters, SEC reporting, and accounting for mergers and acquisitions. “Wendy brings an extraordinary combination of technical accounting expertise, SEC reporting experience, and strategic advisory leadership
The Role of Employee Experience in Boosting Talent Acquisition Outcomes
In today’s job market, employees have the freedom to select roles and organizations that reflect their values, career goals, and ideal work environments—making the overall employee experience a pivotal element in attracting, retaining, and inspiring top talent. Companies must recognize the decisive role of employee experience in executive search to secure leadership that drives organizational
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
Amrop Adds Former Talent Management Executive as Partner in Ireland
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. Recently, Amrop, a partnership of recruiting firms operating from 75 offices in
Lead5 Builds New Features into Senior Executive Jobs Platform
Lead5, a provider of hidden executive jobs and market intelligence, has made enhancements to its platform that it says will give job-seeking executives confidential access to the hidden and often secretive executive recruiting world. This latest round of enhancements is expected to provide even more targeted opportunities to top candidates who are looking for a competitive
Odgers Berndtson Recruits Chief Information Officer for Carnegie Mellon University
The chief information officer is considered among the most strategic roles within any organization, and for colleges and universities 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
Caldwell Lands Chief Customer Officer for Sailpoint Technology Holdings
Customers matter. It sounds simple. But these days, companies are coming to better accept and understand that concept and weave it into their strategic vision. So it is that businesses of all kinds are increasingly bringing aboard chief customer officers (CCO), the most effective of whom wield influence across an organization and into the C-suite.
BrainWorks Appoints New Practice Leaders
New Providence, NJ-based executive search firm BrainWorks has named Eric Frickel as leader of the firm’s private equity and portfolio practice, Cindy Miceli as head of the IT recruiting practice and Todd Shiner to lead the firm’s accounting and finance practice. BrainWorks is a provider of executive recruitment services. Consumer products, analytics and data science,
Jobcase Secures $100 Million in Funding
Jobcase, a self-described open access platform for job seekers and employers, has secured $100 million in a growth equity round led by Providence Strategic Growth (PSG). This brings the Boston start-up’s total raised to $118.9 million, according to Crunchbase. PSG is an affiliate of Providence Equity Partners, a global private equity and credit investment firm with
CEO Disrupters Coming in the Next Decade
In this new world of ecosystems defined by increasingly rapid technological change and digital innovation, it has become vitally important to have leaders who are well-rounded, resilient and prepared to make the changes required to stay ahead of disruptive conditions. A new report by Russell Reynolds Associates peers into the future and explores the key qualities required of
Diversified Search Places CEO at Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation
Following a national search, Philadelphia-based Diversified Search has recruited Make-A-Wish executive Bill Tiller as president and CEO of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF). The organization is the world’s leading non-profit dedicated to children and teens with brain tumors. Managing directors Andrew Wheeler and Peter Gillin led the assignment for the recruitment firm. “Our board conducted a national search
Scion Executive Search Seeks Executive Director for Born Free USA
Scion Executive Search, which specializes in the non-profit sector, has been selected to find an executive director for Born Free USA, a wild animal advocacy and conservation group in Silver Springs, MD. Born Free USA wants a visionary leader skilled in driving organizational success and empowering high performing staff, said Scion Executive Search. Reporting to
DHR International Opens Office in Switzerland
Chicago-based search firm DHR International has continued its recent expansion with the opening of its first office in Switzerland. Stefan Binder has joined the firm as managing director to lead the new office in Zurich, which becomes DHR’s 10th office in Europe. DHR has been looking to establish a local presence in the Swiss market for the
EXEC Adds Former CHRO to Search Staff
The executive search field continues to be a welcoming landing pad for HR executives looking for a career change. Recently, Brazilian executive search firm EXEC expanded with the addition of former HR executive Cintia Bortotto as partner. She will work in the business division focused on leadership advisory. Ms. Bortotto has more than 24 years of professional
Witt/Kieffer Tapped by Syracuse University to Find Chief Diversity Officer
Diversity and inclusion are increasingly being recognized as key factors in the success of any organization, and institutions of all types are lining up to bring highly sought-after diversity heads on board. Witt/Kieffer was recently retained by Syracuse University to lead its search for a new chief diversity officer. Consultant Charlene Aguilar and associate Christine Pendleton are leading the assignment. “This
Spencer Stuart Recruits CEO for AutoNation
After an extensive hunt which included internal and external candidates, executive search firm Spencer Stuart has placed Carl Liebert as the new CEO of AutoNation. Mike Jackson is stepping down after serving some 20 years in the role. He will remain as executive chairman through 2021. “AutoNation is the retail automotive industry leader,” said Mr. Jackson. “The company
Sheffield Haworth Names Head of U.S. Operations
Global leadership advisory and executive search firm Sheffield Haworth has appointed Penny Bushell as head of U.S. operations based in the firm’s New York office. The former hedge fund executive joins the recruiting outfit to support and streamline operations in the Americas region as the business looks to expand further. Most recently, Ms. Bushell was VP, head of
SpenglerFox and Cowley Brown Recruitment Join Forces
London-based executive search firm SpenglerFox and Cowley Brown Recruitment, located in Dublin, have formed a strategic alliance aimed at growing and expanding both firms’ search business in Ireland. SpenglerFox is a leading global retained search and HR services firm, with Irish heritage, across multiple territories serving both the mature and emerging markets. Cowley Brown offers
