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Daily Newswire
McCormack+Kristel Recruits CEO for the Independent Film & Television Alliance
Following a highly competitive national search, McCormack+Kristel has placed Jackie Brenneman as president and CEO of the Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA). She succeeds Jean Prewitt, who is stepping down at the end of the month after 25 years leading the organization. “Jackie brings industry insight, legal and lobbying expertise, and a proven record of
Cooper Coleman Recruits Executive Director for San Diego Pride
Chicago-based Cooper Coleman LLC has assisted in the recruitment of KishaLynn Elliott as executive director of San Diego Pride. She becomes the first Black lesbian to serve as permanent executive director in the organization’s more than 50-year history. The national search was led by J. Michael Durnil, director of executive search at Cooper Coleman, in close partnership with
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.
Brettschneider Executive Search Seeking Inaugural SVP of Advancement for Wilmington University
New York City-based Brettschneider Executive Search has been retained by Wilmington University (WilmU) to lead in its search for an inaugural senior vice president of advancement to lead the University’s next phase of philanthropic growth. Reporting to WilmU president LaVerne Harmon, the SVP will partner closely with the president, board and University leaders to advance the University’s strategic
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?
August Leadership Expands in London
August Leadership has expanded with the addition of Honor Pollok as a partner in London. Ms. Pollok brings over 20 years of executive search and leadership experience. She has led numerous high-profile placements in chair, non-executive director, CEO and the full spectrum of C-suite roles. Her search expertise spans key commercial, financial, creative, human resource, functional,
Hunt Scanlon and HSiQ Spotlight New Approach to Recruiter Training
As the executive search industry faces mounting pressure to improve performance and consistency, firms are increasingly reevaluating how recruiters are trained and developed. Hunt Scanlon and its HSiQ talent intelligence advisory unit recently launched a new Recruiter Performance Training Program designed to bring greater structure, commercial rigor, and scalability to recruiter development in an industry long driven by
Building Team Alignment in an Era of Continuous Change
Ask any team to describe its top strategic priorities and you will often get as many answers as there are people in the room. The problem is not that the strategy hasn’t been communicated, according to recent report from AIIR Consulting. “The problem is that it was communicated into an environment that has since shifted
Isaacson, Miller Helps Recruit 28th President for Texas A&M
Boston-based Isaacson, Miller has assisted in the recruitment of Susan Ballabina as the 28th president of Texas A&M. Andy Lee and Julie Filizetti, led search with Raul Bernal and Luciano Zuniga, and Madeline Fitzpatrick. The members of the Board of Regents conducted a national search that produced a strong pool of candidates. Dr. Ballabina emerged through that process based on her experience, her understanding of
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
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,
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
Gans, Gans & Associates Seeks New Leader for the St. Louis Housing Authority
Executive search firm Gans, Gans & Associates has been retained by the St. Louis Housing Authority to lead its search for a new executive director. Executive recruiter Ernest Barefield is heading the assignment. The incoming leader will be responsible for leading the development and implementation of the St. Louis Housing Authority’s vision, mission and strategic goals. The new
BarkerGilmore Opens Industrial Practice
Over the past several years, New York-based boutique search firm BarkerGilmore has experienced a surge in demand for executive search, coaching and advising services throughout the industrial and manufacturing sectors. In response, and to increase the value delivered to its clients, the firm has opened an industrial practice and named co-founder and managing partner Bob Barker as
Panorama and TGCL Join Forces
International executive search and leadership advisory partnerships Panorama and The Global Community for Leaders (TGCL) have join forces to consolidate their presence across five continents. “The merger aligns synergetic geographic footprints, with TGCL bringing critical mass in Europe and Latin America to Panorama’s strength in America, Asia, and Oceania,” said the organizations in a statement.
Heidrick & Struggles Posts 17 Percent Revenue Gain
Executive search, leadership consulting and culture shaping services provider Heidrick & Struggles International/(NASDAQ:HSII) posted second quarter net revenues of $187.6 million, an increase of 17.4 percent from $159.8 million in the 2017 third quarter. The results topped Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of three analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for revenues of $175.8 million. The Chicago-headquartered
Michelle Whiting & Associates Recruits CEO for Pacific Chorale
Michelle Whiting & Associates, a specialist in recruiting leaders for non-profit organizations, has placed Andrew Brown as the new CEO of Costa Mesa, CA-based Pacific Chorale, a professional choir. He replaces Elizabeth Pearson, who left the choir earlier this year. The firm was seeking an energetic, creative and experienced arts administrator to leverage the group’s artistic reputation and to elevate
Furst Group Finds President for St. Mary’s Health System
Following an extensive nationwide search, Furst Group recruited Steven C. Jorgensen as president of St. Mary’s Health System and senior vice president of Covenant Health in Lewiston, ME. “St. Mary’s Health System has provided compassionate, high-quality care to Lewiston and the surrounding community for 130 years,” said David Lincoln, CEO of Covenant Health. “Steve’s expansive
Ladders Inc. Rolls Out Instant Call Feature for Recruiters
Ladders Inc., a career website for $100,000-plus jobs, today announced a feature of its mobile recruiter site that allows recruiters to instantly call candidates simply by tapping the phone number on the profile. Tap2Call, described as the first of its kind among job recruitment platforms, is designed to give recruiters speed and ease of access.
DHR International Continues Expansion with New Partner in London
Chicago-based search firm DHR International has continued its recent expansion with the addition of Daniel Hall as managing partner in London. Mr. Hall focuses on the executive recruitment and assessment of industrial and consumer professionals. His hiring affirms DHR’s commitment to rebuilding its London presence, said the search firm. DHR’s London office will consist of Mr. Hall
Why Building Talent Starts with Good Succession Planning
Making the right talent investments are critical components of planning for a prosperous and profitable future. But many organizations struggle to determine how and where to focus their succession planning efforts, according to a new report by executive search firm Robinson Resource Group. The firm says that whether you’re selecting which new product to develop, which business
Haley Associates Recruits President for Methodist University
Higher education search firm Haley Associates has placed Stanley Wearden, a visionary with a proven record of excellence in academics, communications and leadership, as president of Methodist University in Fayetteville, NC. The university’s previous president, Ben E. Hancock, recently retired after seven years in the role. The search was led by principal Katherine Haley. “The board of trustees is excited to have
Public Sector Search & Consulting Taps Three Finalists for Syracuse Police Chief
The national search for a new police chief for the City of Syracuse, New York, led by executive recruitment firm Public Sector Search & Consulting, is down to three finalists. The candidates are: Joe Cecile, first deputy police chief in Syracuse; Kamran Afzal, police chief for Durango, CO; and Kenton Buckner, the current police chief
Boyden Names Wealth Management and Private Banking Global Leader
Boyden continues to expand and add talent across several global regions. The firm recently named Rahul Sen as partner and global lead of its wealth management and private banking practice, based in London. “We are delighted that Rahul has joined Boyden in London, which will bring us additional inroads with major private wealth management institutions
IIC Partners Appoints Global Chair; Adds New Board Members
IIC Partners Executive Search Worldwide has elected Todd Hohauser as global chair and appointed new members to its board of directors. Mr. Hohauser has previously served on the IIC Partners board of directors as vice chair for the Americas region and was leader of the Industrial Practice Group. He is currently CEO of Harvey Hohauser &
Wage Growth Seen in Most Recent Quarter
Wages for U.S. workers grew 3.5 percent over the last year, increasing the average wage level by 95 cents to $27.81 an hour, according to the latest ADP “Workforce Vitality Report. The report tracks the same set of workers over time, which provides a more insightful picture of wage growth than overall wage growth. The growth was driven by strong wage
Odgers Berndtson Opens Office in Atlanta
Executive search firm Odgers Berndtson has opened a new office in Atlanta with the additions of Mats-Ola Bydell and Christopher Grahn. “Atlanta is home to some of the world’s most famous and innovative companies,” said Odgers’ CEO Steve Potter. “And its talent pool is accordingly vast. We expect Atlanta to be a big part of our future business,
Nolan Partners Selected by the Indy Eleven to Find New CEO
Executive search firm Nolan Partners has been retained by the Indy Eleven, a professional soccer team, to find its next CEO. Jeffrey G. Belskus announced he will step down from the role toward the end of the year. He will continue in the job until a successor is chosen. Chad Biagini, managing director of North America for Nolan Partners, is
Hunter Ambrose Seeks CEO for Eastern Plumas Health Care
Hunter Ambrose Recruitment and Executive Search has launched a search for the next chief executive officer for Eastern Plumas Health Care (EPHC), a non-profit critical access hospital district in Portola, CA. Tom Hayes, who served in the top role for nine years, announced his retirement last month. Jayne O’Flanagan, interim human resources director, is leading
TRANSEARCH Expands Into Switzerland
TRANSEARCH International has expanded into Switzerland with the addition of Nordwand Group AG. The team in Zürich is headed by Danny Hiscott and Martin Honegger. Nordwand Group is a managed specialist in professional search and interim management. The firm offers consultancy and coaching to senior candidates looking for a new career. They are an international team of
#MeToo Movement Leaves its Mark on Staffing
It has been one year since the #MeToo movement sparked a nationwide conversation. Since then, one-third of executives have altered their actions to avoid behaviors that could be perceived as sexual harassment, according to new data from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). In addition, data analysis by FTI Consulting is showing the effects
Greenwood / Asher & Associates Tapped by the University of South Florida to Find President
Greenwood / Asher & Associates has been retained by the University of South Florida (USF) to spearhead the search for its seventh president. Judy Genshaft is stepping down after 19 years leading the school. Les Muma, chair of the search committee, said in a conference call last week that four search firms were presented and he
Borrer Executive Search Lands Corporate Secretary for International Air Transport Association
Lausanne, Switzerland-based Borrer Executive Search has placed the next corporate secretary for the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Karen Clayton, general counsel and company secretary for Air New Zealand, will join IATA in April. Ms. Clayton takes over for Paul Steele, who serves as IATA’s corporate secretary and senior vice president for member and external
The Bowdoin Group Expands to the West Coast
Boston-based executive recruitment firm The Bowdoin Group has expanded to the West Coast with addition of Lori Smudsky as a principal, talent acquisition services. Based in San Francisco, she will be the firm’s first team member based on the West Coast and will focus on overseeing talent acquisition support services for clients. “At The Bowdoin Group, we are
Robert Half Posts 11 Percent Revenue Increase
Robert Half International Inc./(NYSE:RHI) posted third quarter revenues of $1.47 billion, up 11 percent from revenues of $1.32 billion during the same quarter last year. The results beat Wall Street expectations. Analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research had forecasted revenue of $1.46 billion. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates four times over the last four quarters. The Menlo
Artificial Intelligence is Writing a New Script for the Recruiting Industry
Artificial intelligence and other forms of automation have already begun to transform businesses, and the recruitment firm partners who work with them to find their leaders. For recruiters, AI will mean the end to much of the hands-on, repetitive ‘busy work’ that goes with the job, allowing for faster searches as well as more time
Here’s How AI is Changing How We Recruit Top Leaders
Executive search as an industry has long been driven by the need to reduce the risk in senior hires within organizations by introducing research-based search methodologies and due diligence mechanisms to identify and attract the best and the brightest. This has enabled executive decision makers to make more informed hiring decisions based on a reliable
AI and Automated Technologies Transforming the Search for People
Artificial intelligence is transforming the face of workforces around the world. For executive recruiters and human resources departments, it has meant a growing number of new, specialized roles to fill and untapped talent to discover. Gartner, the information technology research firm, says that on one hand, AI will cause millions of jobs to fall by
Blockchain Technology: What is It and Why One Search Firm is Investing in It
Blockchain technology is regularly grabbing headlines with its promised ability to transform business models . . . but what exactly is it? Leading executive search firm Caldwell recently launched a blockchain advisory council aimed at driving the understanding, integration and implementation of blockchain technologies. The new offering for clients is in partnership with blockchain consulting firm, BTblock. “Blockchain
How AI Can Predict Talent Retention Risk
Talent retention is critically important for all organizations for two primary reasons: Employee turnover is expensive, and top performers drive business performance. Even the best leaders have a hard time keeping top talent, especially in this current war for talent. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about three million Americans quit their jobs each
Hiring for Cultural Fit? Here’s What You Should Know
Working with talent acquisition and HR leaders, you often hear this: “We hire for cultural fit, first and foremost.” But what does that mean, and how is that fit assessed? “Well, sometimes it’s whatever a hiring manager wants it to mean and that can be a big issue, leading to poor hiring decisions fraught with bias
Stanton Chase Finds CEO for Arabian Beverage Company
Stanton Chase (Dubai) has recruited former MEFSCO executive Fady Ghassoub Elassaad as the new CEO of Arabian Beverage Company (ABC) in Kuwait. “What we valued the most in our partnership with Stanton Chase was that they followed a very methodical approach,” said Alaa Mousawi, board member and head of the selection committee at ABC. “We
Blair Search Partners Tapped to Find CEO for the San Diego Foundation
San Diego-based Blair Search Partners has been chosen to find the next chief executive officer for the San Diego Foundation. Principal Trevor Blair is leading the assignment. The CEO, who will report to an 18-member board of governors, is expected to work collaboratively with board members to evolve the strategic direction of the foundation, said
