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Daily Newswire
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.
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.
Furst Group Recruits President and CEO of Blessing Health System
Furst Group, which serves the healthcare and insurance industries, recently helped to recruit Mike Trachta as the president and CEO of Blessing Health System. “The board sought a leader who could shape long-term strategy, strengthen key partnerships, and preserve Blessing Health’s independence while advancing operational excellence and financial stewardship,” Furst Group 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?
CHRO Succession Grows More Deliberate as Organizations Prioritize Experience and Transformation
The role of the chief human resources officer continues to evolve as organizations navigate workforce transformation, leadership succession, technological disruption, and shifting employee expectations. Once viewed primarily as a steward of talent and culture, today’s CHRO is increasingly expected to serve as a strategic business partner, helping shape enterprise priorities while ensuring organizations have the
DHR Global Tapped by Texas Southern to Lead Men’s Basketball Head Coach Search
Talent advisory firm DHR Global has been retained by Texas Southern to lead in its search for a new men’s head basketball coach. DHR emerged from what the university described as a competitive review process. The firm will help the school build and vet a broad pool of candidates capable of sustaining a program that ranks among the conference’s
Cook Silverman Search Retained by the California Academy of Sciences
Greenbrae, CA-based Cook Silverman Search was recently retained by the California Academy of Sciences to lead in its search for a director of leadership philanthropy. is a pivotal leadership role within the Advancement Department at the California Academy of Sciences. Reporting directly to the chief advancement officer and working closely with the executive director and board of
The Moran Company Names CEO
The Moran Company, an executive recruitment firm that specializes in the non-profit sector, has announced that Mike English joins Bill Moran as a partner of the firm and has been named the company’s CEO. Mr. Moran will continue his role as president of the company he established more than 30 years ago. Since then, The
DSG Global Appoints Managing Director
DSG Global has expanded with the addition of Arpan Narayan as managing director. “We are pleased to welcome Arpan to DSG Global at a time when leveraging technology and AI depends on leadership that can execute the agenda,” said Aileen Alexander, CEO of DSG Global. “People sit at the center of the most consequential decisions, and
Why Organizational Performance Is Becoming the New Competitive Edge
McKinsey & Company’s The State of Organizations 2026 report highlights a business environment undergoing structural transformation. Drawing on responses from more than 10,000 leaders across 15 countries and 17 industries, the research identifies three interconnected forces reshaping organizations: technological disruption, geopolitical uncertainty, and workforce shifts. The pressure on organizations is intensifying from multiple directions at once. Companies
Preng & Associates Recruits CHRO for Caturus Energy
Houston-based Preng & Associates has recruited Mary Kenner as chief human resources officer at Caturus Energy LLC. The completion of the executive search comes at a pivotal moment for Caturus, as the company advances its ambition to build the nation’s leading independent integrated natural gas and LNG business through its differentiated wellhead-to-water strategy. Preng & Associates partnered with Caturus to
DRiWaterstone Human Capital Leading Executive Director Search for Seismic Foundation
DRiWaterstone Human Capital is currently leading in the search for an executive director for Seismic Foundation. This executive will fully own Seismic’s North American strategy and execution. The mission for this executive is to build out the Seismic Foundation operations as part of the AI governance ecosystem by delivering high-impact campaigns that shift the needle
Flatiron Search Partners Places CTO at Massage Envy
Flatiron Search Partners (FSP) has assisted in the recruitment of Abe Hong as chief technology officer of Massage Envy in Scottsdale, AZ. “Abe is a proven technology leader with deep experience supporting complex, multi-site businesses,” said Todd Schrader, CEO of Massage Envy Franchising. “His ability to align technology strategy with business goals, combined with his collaborative
Boyden to Acquire GreenSight Executive Search
Boyden has announced it will acquire GreenSight Executive Search, a retained search and consulting firm based in Atlanta. The acquisition strengthens Boyden’s presence, network and service in the Southeastern United States. The acquisition will see Boyden absorb GreenSight’s client portfolio and leadership team. Founding partners Trisha Hutchison and Daniel Kepler will join the Boyden Atlanta office as managing partners, bringing
AI Redefining Search — Without Replacing Human Judgment
Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping executive recruiting, speeding up how firms identify, evaluate, and engage leadership talent. As AI tools automate research and administrative work, search teams can move faster and surface stronger insights— changing what “best candidate” discovery looks like in practice. At the same time, demand is shifting toward leaders who can translate
How Leading Search Firms Are Turning AI Into Competitive Advantage
Artificial intelligence is rapidly moving from a promising experiment to a core operating capability across the executive search profession. As firms face mounting pressure to improve efficiency, accelerate search timelines, and deliver deeper market intelligence, many are reevaluating how technology can enhance both recruiter productivity and business performance. While adoption continues to accelerate, industry leaders
U.S. Adds 172,000 Jobs in May as Unemployment Holds Steady at 4.3 Percent
Employment increased by 172,000 in May as the U.S. unemployment rate remained at 4.3 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. The number of unemployed people, at 7.3 million, changed little in May. Job gains occurred in leisure and hospitality, local government, and healthcare. Employment in financial activities declined. “This is a labor
CarterBaldwin Recruits President and CEO for Kansas Fiber Network
CarterBaldwin Executive Search has assisted in the recruitment of Danny Pate as the new president and CEO of Kansas Fiber Network (KFN). Partner Chris Guiney and search consultant Ted Wieber led the assignment. “We are pleased to bring Danny on board,” said Mark Gailey, chairman of KFN’s board of directors. “The board ran a diligent search to
The Broward County Aviation Department Retains ADK Consulting & Executive Search to Recruit Aviation CFO
The Broward County Aviation Department recently retained ADK Consulting & Executive Search to lead in its search for an aviation CFO for the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and North Perry Airport (NPA). The assignment is being led by Theresia Schatz and Kim Kenville. The new aviation CFO will oversee the financial and business aspects of FLL and HWO.
How Private Equity Firms Are Modernizing Talent Strategy Through Technology
As private equity firms place greater emphasis on leadership as a driver of investment performance, talent functions are becoming increasingly embedded in the dealmaking process. What was once viewed primarily as a recruiting and portfolio support function is evolving into a strategic capability that informs executive assessment, succession planning, and value creation across the investment
Crist|Kolder Associates Recruits CFO for Booz Allen
Crist|Kolder Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Troy Lahr as executive vice president and CFO of Booz Allen Hamilton in McLean, VA. “Troy’s deep and differentiated experience helps position Booz Allen for accelerated growth and bold transformation,” said Horacio Rozanski, chairman and CEO. “His success driving performance across large portfolios and leading through change will be a
The Moran Company Leading CEO Search for the Oklahoma State Medical Association
The Moran Company, an executive recruitment firm that specializes in the non-profit sector, was recently retained by the Oklahoma State Medical Association (OSMA) to recruit the organization’s next CEO. Jon Rosell is leading the assignment. The OSMA board of trustees seeks an energetic, experienced, and highly skilled CEO to work collaboratively with the board, staff
Jackson Lucas Acquires Affinity HR Advisory Group
New York City-based Jackson Lucas has acquired Affinity HR Advisory Group, led by veteran HR executive Gayle Feinstein. “When we look at the growing firms we partner with, we constantly see founders and COOs getting pulled into the weeds of sensitive employee issues when they should be focusing on scaling their business,” said Anthony Fanzo, founding partner, Jackson Lucas. “Bringing
Heidrick & Struggles Launches AI-Enhanced Leadership Assessment Platform
Heidrick & Struggles recently launched Heidrick Immersive, a next generation, AI-enhanced leadership assessment platform. “Today’s leaders must navigate constant disruption, shifting stakeholder expectations, and accelerating technological change,” said David Peck, partner and global leader of the High-Impact Leadership Center of Excellence at Heidrick & Struggles. “By integrating AI-driven simulation and personalized feedback into our advisory offering, we’re
The Tolan Group Fills Senior Sales Position for FairCode
The Tolan Group (TTG) has recruited Ryan Canavan as vice president of sales at FairCode. This appointment reflects FairCode’s continued investment in scalable growth and innovation as the organization expands its revenue integrity and compliance solutions across the healthcare market. In his position, Mr. Canavan will lead FairCode’s national sales strategy, focusing on enterprise growth, strategic
Rosenzweig & Company Recruits President for PetSmart Canada
Executive search firm Rosenzweig & Company recently placed Pamela O’Rourke as president of PetSmart Canada and chair of the board of PetSmart Charities of Canada. Rose Perri, partner at Rosenzweig & Company, led the search. “Pamela’s experience leading large-scale operations and driving customer-focused strategies stood out,” said Katherine Sanford, senior director of talent acquisition at PetSmart. “Rosenzweig & Company brought tremendous thoughtfulness,
Funk Associates Assists Clemson University with the Recruitment of 16th President
Following a national search, Funk Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Kevin Guskiewicz as the 16th president of Clemson University. “The search committee was overwhelmed with the robust and highly qualified candidates who expressed interest in leading our great University,” said search committee chair Cheri Phyfer. “Dr. Guskiewicz rose to the top of a remarkable
A Midyear Opportunity to Reinforce Leadership and Talent
With June now underway, the midpoint of the year offers a natural opportunity for leaders to evaluate progress and prepare for the months ahead. As priorities shift and organizations look toward second-half objectives, now is an ideal time to focus on the people, structure, and leadership capabilities that will drive future performance. A deliberate investment
Buffkin / Baker Expands Consumer Practice
Partner-led executive search firm Buffkin / Baker has expanded with the addition of Kevin Duffy as a partner in its consumer practice area. “We are delighted that Kevin has joined Buffkin / Baker and our consumer practice,” said David Alexander, partner, and consumer practice leader. “He brings a wealth of executive recruiting experience to our firm and
The New Race for Talent in Life Sciences and Healthcare
The life sciences and healthcare industries are experiencing unprecedented growth, creating intense competition for top-tier talent in an increasingly complex and tech-driven landscape. As the demand for highly specialized roles rises—spanning biotech, data science, and digital health—organizations must rethink their leadership strategies to stay ahead. At the forefront of this evolution, Mattson & Company/GMiQ is
Koya Leadership Partners Expands Art and Culture Search Offering
Non-profit search specialist Koya Leadership Partners has expanded with the addition of Naree W.S. Viner as a managing director. Based in the New York City area, she will work with museum clients and beyond, helping expand Koya’s art and culture portfolio. Ms. Viner is well-known and highly respected for her work in the specialized museum search space. She also has
Stanton Chase Now Taking Cryptocurrency as Payment Method
Over the years, businesses have paid over $78 billion in fees related to credit and debit card processing. Cryptocurrencies are decentralized, so they do not require a bank to verify every transaction. This means businesses can eliminate those fees, saving two to five percent on each transaction, according to recent reports. That said, the Stanton
Isaacson, Miller Seeks New Leader for JFK Presidential Library and Museum
The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum has tapped executive search firm Isaacson, Miller to lead its search for a new director. Vice president and partner Andrew Lee is heading the assignment along with associate Allison Pickett. The Boston-based non-profit is seeking a collaborative, visible and visionary leader to serve as its next leader. The next director
Phillips, DiPisa Finds New Leader for Spectrum Health
Phillips, DiPisa & Associates, an executive search firm serving the healthcare and life sciences sectors, has placed the new president and chief executive officer for Spectrum Health, a not-for-profit health system in Grand Rapids, MI. Tina Freese Decker, who has been with Spectrum Health since 2002, assumed her new role last week. Phillips, DiPisa partner
Caldwell Expands Aviation, Transportation and Hospitality Recruiting Capabilities
Toronto-based executive search firm Caldwell has strengthened its recruiting capabilities in the aviation, transportation and hospitality space with the addition of Frank Morogiello as a partner in the firm’s industrial practice. Mr. Morogiello, who will be located in Dallas and head the firm’s aviation and hospitality practices, joins industrial practice leader Dave Winston, technology practice leader Jim
Slayton Search Partners Expands Offering in Industrial and Consumer Sectors
Chicago-based executive search firm Slayton Search Partners has expanded with the addition of John Ratliff as a vice president and principal to focus on engagements in the industrial and consumer sectors. Mr. Ratliff joins Slayton from Stanton Chase International, where he developed and executed search work across multiple industries. His accomplishments in managing search execution for both mid-level
Boyden Names New Leaders for Denmark Recruiting Team
Global executive search firm Boyden has added Morten Winther and Henrik Harbo as managing partners to lead its Denmark operations working in both Copenhagen and Aarhu. Additionally, Marika Grote will serve as a principal and head of research. All three come to Boyden from Flensby & Partners. “Morten, Henrik and Marika have outstanding reputations in
Legendary Business Kingmaker, Gerry Roche, Dies at 87
Gerard R. Roche, one of the most recognizable names in the long history of executive search, has died at the age of 87. Mr. Roche placed hundreds of top CEOs, board members and other senior executives over a storied career spanning more than half a century. Along the way, he changed the course and trajectory
Protis Global Strengthens Capabilities to Serve Cannabis Sector
Legal marijuana is now a near $7 billion business in the U.S., which means it is only natural that we will see recruiting firms focusing on bringing talent to this booming sector. Just recently, Protis Global added Wall Street veteran Samantha Ford to its executive search and advisory firm as senior vice president of business development to
ChampionScott Partners Finds New CFO for Kony
ChampionScott Partners, which specializes in senior-level appointments for technology and technology-enabled companies, recently placed Kathy Crusco as executive vice president and chief financial officer at Kony in Austin, TX. Founding partner and CEO Geoff Champion led the assignment. Ms. Crusco has more than 30 years of experience leading both small and large-scale businesses in the software and technology
StevenDouglas Opens New Office in Miami
Executive search firm StevenDouglas has continued its recent expansion with the addition of a new office in Miami. This marks the firm’s fifth office in Florida. “As the firm grows domestically and internationally, we want to make sure we continue to lead the Florida market since this is our home turf,” said Matthew Shore, president of the firm.
NGS Global Expands Into Dubai
Executive search firm NGS Global continues to grow, recently opening an office in Dubai and appointing industry veteran Karla Dorsch to lead its new location as managing partner. Ms. Dorsch, who brings years of experience in the financial services sector, will join the financial services practice. She most recently served as CEO of Piedmont Ltd., a boutique executive
More Than Half of Employees are Satisfied with Their Jobs
Organizations across today’s business landscape face tough obstacles as they confront the complexities of a 21st century workplace. Managing—and anticipating—change is part of the common survival process for every organization. That’s why it’s important for companies to be well versed in their employees’ satisfaction and engagement levels, which in turn helps them to retain and
Turnkey Finds New Team President for the Carolina Panthers
Turnkey Sports and Entertainment has placed Tom Glick as the new team president for the Carolina Panthers. Following the resignation of Danny Morrison, the professional football organization has operated without a team president for nearly a year and a half. Leading the search was Len Perna, Turnkey’s president, founder and CEO. “We are thrilled to have Tom join
TillmanCarlson Finds Chief Digital and Information Officer for Hunt Consolidated
Executive search firm TillmanCarlson has placed Diane Schwarz as chief digital and information officer for Hunt Consolidated in Dallas. “Hunt Consolidated is one of the leading private companies in the country, with a strong company culture and established operations around the world,” said TillmanCarlson’s founder, Rob Tillman. “Diane brings a deep background in driving change, building outstanding teams
GeneCoda Appoints Three Experts to New Advisory Board
Life sciences recruitment firm GeneCoda has formed an advisory board to assist in implementing its plans and identifying future growth opportunities. The advisory board is charged with providing advice, recommendations and guidance to the firm’s board of directors and management. The initial appointments are Peter C. Johnson, John Campbell and Barry Buzogany. “We are extraordinarily
IRC Global Adds New Member Firm in Buenos Aires
IRC Global Executive Search Partners (IRC) has added Buenos Aires-based executive recruiters HighFlow as its newest member firm. The recruiting firm, which is now called IRC Argentina, specializes in the finance & banking and sales & marketing sectors. The newest IRC member focuses on “customized solutions for clients, delivering the highest standards of quality and professionalism,
Employees in Line for Pay Raises in 2019
U.S. employers are projecting slightly larger pay raises for employees in 2019 as the unemployment rate has fallen sharply and the job market has tightened, according to a newly released Willis Towers Watson report. The survey also found employers rewarded their top performers with the biggest raises this year and are projecting modestly larger discretionary bonuses next
Korn Ferry Seeks New President for Pepperdine University
As the new academic year gets underway, a number of universities across the country are looking to install new leaders. Pepperdine University has enlisted Korn Ferry to find its next president and chief executive officer. Andrew K. Benton, who has held the role since 2000, recently announced his plans to step down at the end of
Ropella Group Launches CEO Search for Nanotech Industrial Solutions
Milton, FL-headquartered executive search firm Ropella Group has been selected by Nanotech Industrial Solutions (NIS) to lead its hunt for a new CEO. NIS is seeking a visionary CEO to lead the company through exponential growth and establish a strong strategic direction for the future, said the recruiter. NIS was the first company to succeed
ZRG Names Leader Healthcare Services Practice Leader
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. Recently, ZRG Partners added Greg Gerson as a managing director and leader within the firm’s healthcare services practice. Mr. Gerson brings over 17 years’ experience in executive search, as well
Search Veteran Leslie W. Stern Dies
Leslie W. Stern, a retired managing director of Diversified Search, died on Aug. 29. “Les Stern represented the best of the best in our executive search industry and as a human being who had the whole package – great husband and father, man of integrity and the highest character, a gentleman, trusted friend and man
Employers Using Social Media More and More to Screen Candidates
Your social media posts might win over or cost you friends, but according to a recent CareerBuilder survey, they could also have a big impact on prospective employers. Seventy percent of employers use social networking sites to research job candidates (on par with last year), while seven percent plan to start. And that matters, because
Russell Reynolds Associates Seeks New CFO for XPO Logistics
Russell Reynolds Associates has been selected to find a new chief financial officer for Greenwich, CT-based XPO Logistics. CFO John Hardig recently stepped down to spend more time with his family, the company said. Sarah Glickman, senior vice president, corporate finance, assumes the role of acting chief financial officer. Mr. Hardig will remain available to
NPAworldwide Adds Eight New Member Firms
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. Member-owned recruitment network NPAworldwide has added eight new member locations across Australia, Malaysia, Thailand
The Rise of Counteroffers in Executive Search
The last thing any company official wants to hear is that one of their key executive leaders is resigning in favor of a better career opportunity. If the company is unprepared, making a counteroffer might seem like the only way to keep that executive and the best way to address the woes of a highly
The Katris Group Fills Board Seat for Interface
The Katris Group, an executive recruitment firm with offices in Sarasota, FL and Chicago, has placed Catherine M. Kilbane as a member of the board of directors at Nasdaq-traded Interface Inc., a global commercial flooring company and worldwide leader in sustainability. “Cathy brings a sophisticated view on acquisitions and integration. We will also benefit from
InveniasPartners Adds New Partner
InveniasPartners, a Chicago-based healthcare executive search and talent advisory services firm, has announced that Joseph E. Fournier is joining the firm as a partner. “We are delighted to welcome Joe to our team of consultants,” said Curt Lucas, managing partner and chairman of InveniasPartners. “Our firm is focused strictly on healthcare – it is a
To Expand the Pool of Diverse Candidates, Companies Must Rethink Risk
We are long past the point in which companies must be reminded about the importance of diversity within their senior ranks. The pendulum, in fact, has now swung the other way: Search firms are continually asked by clients to bring them diversity candidates — and, often, only diversity candidates. For recruiters, it is gratifying that
Diversified Search Lands Provost for John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Executive search firm Diversified Search has placed former California State University executive Yi Li as the new provost and vice president of academic affairs at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York. The nationwide search was led by Andrew Wheeler, managing director and practice leader of the firm’s education and non-profit practice, and senior
McCormick Group Finds CEO for the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce
Following a national search, the McCormick Group, an Arlington, VA-based executive recruitment firm, has placed Julie Coons as the new president and CEO of the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce. Jim Corcoran, who led the organization since 2010, recently stepped down from the role. The McCormick Group’s senior vice president Lyles Carr, managing principal Elizabeth
