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Daily Newswire
Managing Strategic Risk and Talent Search in 2026
In 2026, return-to-office mandates have evolved from a temporary “reset” into a defining talent-market force—one that’s reshaping executive mobility, employment risk, and the true cost of leadership retention. What looks like a straightforward policy decision on paper is increasingly a high-stakes tradeoff in practice, where culture goals collide with contractual realities and a limited supply
Resource Management Group Recruits CFO for Spire Orthopedic Partners
Resource Management Group (RMG), an executive search firm specializing in CFO placements, has assisted in the recruitment of George Batton as the new CFO of Spire Orthopedic Partners in Stamford, CT. “Big congratulations to George Batton on his new role as chief financial officer of Spire Orthopedic Partners.,” RMG said in a LinkedIn post. “Wishing
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.
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,
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?
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
True Launches AI Capability Index for Executive Assessment
Global executive talent platform True has launched the True AI Capability Index, a proprietary framework that predicts executive performance in the AI-transformation age. “We are entering a phase where relationship depth and judgment matter more than ever,” said Brad Stadler, co-founder and CEO of True Platform. “The cost of finding names is decreasing. True’s advantage lies in our ability
AI-Native Talent Won’t Fix AI-Foreign Organizations
As artificial intelligence moves from experimentation to enterprise-wide adoption, organizations are grappling with a fundamental question: what does it actually mean to become AI-native? While the term has quickly entered the business lexicon, many leaders are still struggling to define the capabilities, operating models, and cultural shifts required to make that vision a reality. “Some
ZRG Partners Acquires Fortium
ZRG Partners has acquired Fortium, a Dallas-based search firm that provides fractional, interim, and project-based CIO, CTO, and CISO leadership. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “Companies are making more nuanced decisions about leadership than they did even a few years ago, particularly in technology,” said Mark Viner, leader of interim solutions & project
Lochlin Partners Recruits SVP of HR for the National Association of Corporate Directors
Lochlin Partners has placed Marian Stevens as senior vice president, human resources of the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) in Washington, D.C. “Marian’s deep experience in talent development, organizational effectiveness, and culture will help NACD to continue building the internal capabilities needed to support our growth and deliver on our mission,” said Peter Gleason, president and CEO of
JDG Associates Tapped by Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute to Find New Leader
Rockville, MD-based executive search firm JDG Associates has been retained by the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) to lead its search for a new president and CEO. The Chicago-based institute, the leading technical institute and trade association for the precast, prestressed concrete industry in North America, seeks a visionary and collaborative executive to succeed its long-serving chief executive,
IIC Partners Adds New Member Firm in New Zealand
IIC Partners Executive Search Worldwide has added Auckland, New Zealand-based Infinitas as its newest member firm expanding its capabilities across the Asia-Pacific region. “I am thrilled to welcome Infinitas to IIC Partners,” said Christine Hayward, executive director of IIC Partners. Their people-first philosophy, tech-enabled search processes, and talent advisory capabilities deeply align with our mission to transform
Hiring for the Culture You Don’t Yet Have
For much of the past decade, organizations have invested heavily in strategy, technology and operational efficiency to navigate an increasingly complex business environment. Yet despite these investments, many transformation initiatives continue to fall short of expectations. The differentiator is rarely the strategy itself. More often, success depends on whether leadership teams have the right people
BoardWalk Consulting Leading CEO Search for Downtown Atlanta Inc.
BoardWalk Consulting has been tapped by Downtown Atlanta Inc. (DAI) to lead in its search for a CEO. The search is being led by Sam Pettway, Crystal Stephens, and Patti Kish. The organization is seeking a leader who can help define what the next generation of Downtown Atlanta will become. This is a leadership opportunity of unusual scale and
Peña Search Assists To Be Like Me with the Recruitment of Executive Director
Peña Search recently assisted in the recruitment of Lauren Rowe as the new executive for To Be Like Me (TBLM) in Dallas, TX. Travis Hillier, Carlos González Peña, and Thaise Pereira led the assignment. She replaces To Be Like Me founder Hollis Owens, who has served as executive director since 2018 and initiated the search for her replacement last
BroadView Talent Partners Tapped by Baltimore Community Lending for President/CEO Search
BroadView Talent Partners was recently retained by Baltimore Community Lending, Inc. (BCL) to lead in its search for a new president and CEO. Tracy McMillan, Robyn Quinn, and Donna Young are leading the assignment. The CEO is the strategic, operational, and external leader of Baltimore Community Lending, responsible for driving the organization’s next era of growth and
Allen Austin Launches Evidence-Based Leadership Assessment VantagePoint
Houston, TX-based search firm Allen Austin launch of VantagePoint, an evidence-based leadership assessment that helps organizations identify and develop high-potential leaders with greater clarity and confidence. VantagePoint is grounded in three decades of leadership advisory work and original research by Allen Austin chairman and CEO Rob Andrews. Over two years, Mr. Andrews interviewed more than 100 CEOs,
The CHRO’s New Mandate
Across industries, the organizational design structure has shifted from a traditional pyramid to an hourglass model. This is not a recent development, explained Slayton Search Partners’ John Doyle in a recent report. “Organizational efficiencies, increased technology and the first wave of Baby Boomer retirements began this transition nearly two decades ago,” he said. “Experienced leaders have been retiring. Internal pipelines have
AGB Search Recruits 11th President for Lewis University
Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, has helped to recruit Christopher Sindt as the 11th president of Lewis University. The Lewis University board of trustees recently announced that president David Livingston, will retire at the conclusion of the 2025–26 academic year. Melissa K. Trotta, Matthew J. Kilcoyne, and John Cech led the assignment. “After
Kincannon & Reed Assists CCI Prime with CFO Search
Kincannon & Reed (K&R), which exclusively focuses on food, agribusiness, and the related life sciences, has assisted in the recruitment of Jamie Broad as CFO of CCI Prime, bringing on a seasoned finance leader to support the company’s next phase of growth. “Jamie’s ability to connect financial insights to operational realities makes her an exceptional
EQU Advisors Seeking Senior Leader for Sarah Lawrence College
Executive search firm EQU Advisors was recently retained by Sarah Lawrence College to lead in its search for an associate vice president of enrollment. This executive will serve as a key member of the senior enrollment leadership team and a collaborative partner across the institution. This role is designed to strengthen coordination, elevate shared strategy, and support
Egon Zehnder Forms Alliance with IMD
Global leadership advisory firm Egon Zehnder and IMD, a leading business school in global executive education, have formed a strategic partnership to facilitate board directors’ personal growth and elevate board performance. The partnership combines IMD’s academic rigor and deep connections to global boards with Egon Zehnder’s expertise in leadership and board effectiveness. Together, they will co-create tailored
Why Boards Are Betting on New CEOs and How to Set Them Up to Win
A growing number of companies are entrusting the corner office to leaders stepping into the CEO role for the first time. As succession strategies evolve and executive talent markets tighten, boards are increasingly prioritizing leadership potential, adaptability, and strategic vision over prior CEO experience. Boards now face a new question: which qualities make a first-time CEO succeed,
The Leadership Reset: What AI is Exposing About Today’s Executives
For decades, leadership success was largely measured by experience, team size, and the ability to manage complex organizations. Today, artificial intelligence is changing that equation, and it is reshaping how boards, investors, and hiring executives evaluate leadership talent. As AI transforms how work gets done, organizations are discovering that competitive advantage is no longer determined
Greenwood Asher & Associates Recruits Provost for the University of Cincinnati
Miramar Beach, FL-based executive recruitment firm Greenwood Asher & Associates has assisted the University of Cincinnati (UC) in the recruitment of Rudolph Buchheit as executive vice president for academic affairs and provost. Andriel Dees and Julie Schrodt led the assignment for the search firm. His selection follows a national search led by a dedicated search committee that was informed by
HARTZ Search Assists Geisinger with Recruitment of CIO
Charlotte, NC-based HARTZ Search has helped to recruit Bill Bellando as executive vice president and chief information officer of Geisinger. He joins Geisinger after serving as senior vice president and chief information officer at Georgia-based Wellstar Health System from 2022 to 2026. In this role, Mr. Bellando oversaw information technology and digital initiatives across the health system.
Navigating 2025: Key Trends Shaping the Future of Executive Recruiting
The executive search industry is evolving rapidly as organizations face new demands for agile, inclusive, and tech-savvy leadership. Firms are leveraging AI and data analytics to enhance candidate selection, while clients increasingly seek strategic advisors—not just recruiters. “As we move through 2025, several key trends are shaping the executive recruiting landscape,” said Matt Shore, CEO
Charles Aris Expands Private Equity Recruiting Practice
Greensboro, NC-based executive search firm Charles Aris Inc. recently expanded its professional services offering with the addition of Lucas Durr to its finance and accounting recruiting practice. Teaming with Jim Etling, who leads the firm’s recruitment services in finance and accounting and serves as its primary practice leader in private equity, Mr. Durr will identify and recruit leaders
Healthcare Recruiters Now Seek Leaders with Blending Skillsets
This is the time of year that most people start thinking about what to give and do for others during the holidays. For business leaders, it is the season of year-end financials, annual evaluations and budget approvals, holiday parties and winter break. It is also a time to reflect on the year that is coming to a
Kingsley Gate Partners Finds CHRO for Greif
Executive recruiters are in hot pursuit of chief human resources officers and other senior-level HR leaders across the nation. The best HR chiefs are seen as integral strategic advisors to the C-suite, and the ones in demand are those who are sounding boards for CEOs, report recruiters focused on the space. Why is there such
Stanton Chase Opens Office in Perth
Stanton Chase International has continued its recent expansion with the opening of a new office in Perth, Australia, led by directors Tony Taylor and Greg Preston. They bring a combined 55 years of executive search and business experience in the industries most relevant to the region. The expansion into the Western Australian market represents an important
Jobs Report Points to Potential Uncertainty Ahead
Employers added 155,000 jobs last month as the U.S. unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.7 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 190,000. The November gain is the 97th consecutive month of job growth. The number of unemployed people stands at
Ventura Partners Seeks Football Coach for Kansas State University
Executive recruitment firm Ventura Partners has been chosen to lead the search for Kansas State University’s next football coach. This week, Bill Snyder, the winningest coach in the school’s history, announced his retirement after 27 seasons, and one previous retirement. Partner Chad Chatlos will spearhead the nationwide search for Ventura Partners. Mr. Snyder, 79, leaves
Harvey Hohauser & Associates Finds CFO for Tweddle Group
Executive search firm Harvey Hohauser & Associates (HH&A) has placed Mariam Iskandarani as the new CFO of Tweddle Group in Clinton Township, MI. “We’re entering an exciting phase of growth at Tweddle Group, so we were determined to find the ideal person for the role of CFO,” said Brian Suszek, CEO of the firm. “Once we met with Mariam, the
Randstad Sourceright Creates New Model of Total Talent Management
Randstad Sourceright has unveiled the latest evolution of its managed service provider (MSP) offerings aimed at helping organizations manage today’s complex contingent workforce. The new model, called “MSP Ahead,” is based on the company’s “Step>Edge>Ahead” contingent talent consulting framework. It provides an advanced contingent workforce management solution that combines human cloud platforms, talent community technologies, supply chain management,
Friisberg & Partners International Adds New Member Firm in Brazil
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 organizations, meanwhile, are taking advantage of a resurgence in certain geographic areas. Friisberg & Partners International recently added Brazilian executive search firm Business Partners Consulting as its
Search Firms Adding Marketing Leaders to Guide Brands, Create Buzz
The Human Capital Group recently appointed Alex Petrini as the firm’s new marketing manager. Ms. Petrini is an experienced marketing manager with a demonstrated history of working in the staffing and recruiting industry. She began her career at OneWire, a recruiting technology platform for the financial services industry. Starting as an intern, she worked her
Korn Ferry Posts Near 12 Percent Q2 Revenue Increase
Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) has posted second quarter fiscal revenues of $495.2 million, an 11.8 percent increase from $443 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 diluted earnings per share was $0.81 and Adjusted
Coulter Partners Lands CEO for Biogazelle
Global executive search firm Coulter Partners has placed Armin Winands as the new CEO of Biogazelle, specialists in liquid biopsies and non-coding RNA. He succeeds co-founder Jan Hellemans, who will take on the position of chief technology officer after 10 years as CEO. Director Irene Montgomery led the assignment for Coulter Partners. Mr. Winands is a highly
Aspen Leadership Group Seeks Chief Development Officer for Denver Zoological Foundation
Aspen Leadership Group, an executive search firm that specializes in recruiting top talent for philanthropic organizations, has been enlisted to find a chief development officer for the Denver Zoological Foundation (Denver Zoo) in Colorado. The CDO will be charged with providing strategic and tactical leadership on all Denver Zoo fundraising, said the search firm, also
IRC Adds New Office in Hamburg
IRC Germany (Friedrichs & Partner) has expanded, opening a new office in Hamburg and bringing aboard Susanne Wagner as executive director for that location. This in the firm’s third office in Germany, along with Dusseldorf and Stuttgart. “With more than 16 years of executive search experience in Germany and internationally, Susanne fits in perfectly into
Maximizing Your Time to Find Top Candidates
If you were brave enough to go to the grocery store this past Thanksgiving or head out shopping on Black Friday, you’re familiar with how quickly items fly off the shelves when demand is high. Today, with the unemployment rate sitting at 3.7 percent, employers face a similarly frenzied marketplace when it comes to hiring top for-profit
Heidrick & Struggles Appoints CHRO
Executive search, leadership consulting and culture shaping services provider Heidrick & Struggles International has named Sarah Payne as its new chief human resources officer (CHRO). Rick Greene, Heidrick’s current CHRO, will move into the Heidrick Consulting business as a partner. Both leadership changes will become effective on Jan.1. Ms. Payne had served as vice president of human resources, global executive
Noetic Executive Search Begins Hunt for Pasadena Humane Society Leader
The Pasadena (CA) Humane Society & SPCA (PHS) has retained Noetic Search in Chicago to conduct a nationwide hunt to find its next president and CEO. The opening follows the recent resignation of Julie Bank, who led the organization for the past two years. Ruthie Hughes, the humane society’s vice president of administration, is filling the
Inkinen & Associates Finds CEO for the Hawaii Tourism Authority
Overall, the travel and hospitality market is estimated to have an economic impact of $6.5 trillion worldwide this year. In the U.S. alone, the $1.5 trillion industry accounts for nearly eight million jobs – more than five percent of the total jobs nationwide. This has created a massive uptick of hiring within the travel sector.
StevenDouglas Opens New Office in Westchester County
Executive search firm StevenDouglas is continuing its recent expansion with the opening an office in New York’s Westchester County to service client demand both locally and in the Northeast. The firm appointed Don Zinn as VP of executive search and leader of the location. This marks the 15th StevenDouglas office opened in the U.S., and the fifth
Reaping the Benefits of Female Leadership
According to a just-released report from Boyden, 63 percent of C-suite and executive participants in German-speaking Europe, 75 percent in the Nordic region and 86 percent in Southern Europe report that access to top management roles is more difficult for women than for men. No surprise there. In the U.K., however, only 38.5 percent of participants see
Acertitude Finds Chief Revenue Officer for PE-Backed Technology Platform
The role of chief revenue officer has changed dramatically over the last several years. CROs are quickly becoming mission-critical innovators for companies that look to dominate a market first and fastest, according to recruiters. The demand for these financial leaders is growing and executive search firms have been busy filling these roles. Executive search firm Acertitude recently
Odgers Berndtson Opens Corporate and Government Affairs Practice
Executive search firm Odgers Berndtson has opened a corporate and government affairs practice in the U.S., bringing in Conrad Woody as a partner and practice leader. “We’re really excited to have Conrad on the team in Washington, D.C.,” said Steve Potter, CEO of Odgers Berndtson U.S. “Corporate and government affairs recruiting is an increasingly urgent market segment, and
Biophysical Society Taps Sterling Martin for Executive Officer
The Biophysical Society has retained Sterling Martin Associates to help find its next executive officer. The Rockville, MD-based non-profit is seeking a senior executive leader within a scientific, professional society or other professional membership association. Leading the assignment for Sterling Martin are David S. Martin, CEO and managing partner; Leigh Beal, senior associate; and Tricia
Frazier Healthcare Partners Adds Former Spencer Stuart Consultant
Frazier Healthcare Partners has expanded with the addition of veteran executive search consultant Mimi Hancock to its life sciences team. She will be a senior advisor, assisting with attracting top talent for Frazier companies. “We are very excited to have someone of Mimi’s caliber join us to assist with the recruitment of top leadership talent
Why Age, Tenure and Past Experience Might Matter Less When Recruiting Directors
A recent Russell Reynolds Associates report examined the recruitment of board leaders by comparing the characteristics of directors at 50 top-performing S&P 500 companies against those at the 50 worst-performers, based on total shareholder returns over a three-year period. Surprisingly, few differences emerged, suggesting qualitative factors play a bigger role than age, board tenure or
Slone Partners Finds New CEO for SomaLogic
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. This has led to an increased need for recruiting firms to deliver top-drawer leaders throughout the sector. Executive search firm Slone Partners recently placed Roy Smythe as CEO of biomarker discovery and
R. William Funk & Associates Finds 23rd President for College of Charleston
R. William Funk & Associates, which specializes in recruitment for roles in higher education, has placed Andrew Hsu as the 23rd president of the College of Charleston in South Carolina. The school’s current president, 70-year-old Glenn F. McConnell, citing his age and health, announced that he will be retiring in July. R. William Funk, president of
Koya Leadership Partners Expands Mission-Driven Recruiting Specialization
Non-profit search specialist Koya Leadership Partners has expanded with the addition of Nicole Kamaleson as a managing director. Based in Chicago, she will lead mission-driven executive searches globally, focusing on international development, advocacy, human rights and humanitarianism. As part of Koya’s leadership team, Ms. Kamaleson will advise globally focused mission-driven organizations to manage leadership transitions. “Koya has a strong presence nationally
Alexander Mann Solutions Continues Growth, Hires Two Key Leaders
Alexander Mann Solutions, a London-based talent acquisition and management services firm, is continuing its expansion, with Jonathan Harding joining the organization as chief commercial officer this month and Neil Jones coming on board as regional head of APAC in January. “We are very pleased to welcome both Jon and Neil to the Alexander Mann Solutions
Winning Talent by Enhancing Your Value Proposition
Organizations could be doing a better job of describing their value proposition to attract top talent, according to search firm Battalia Winston. In its efforts to keep its processes for delivering talent and leadership solutions current and relevant, the firm recently examined a dozen research studies on attraction and retention, and what it found was
Egon Zehnder Assists Unilever in CEO Search
Consumer goods giant Unilever has appointed Alan Jope as its new CEO following a search led by Egon Zehnder. He steps into his new role in January, succeeding Paul Polman, who led the company for 10 years. “After a rigorous and wide-ranging selection process, the board is delighted to appoint Alan to the role,” said Marijn
