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How to Improve Your HR Executive Search Process
Securing the right HR leader requires more than a traditional hiring process—it demands the same rigor, clarity, and strategic discipline used for any major business decision. Organizations that consistently make strong HR executive hires treat the search as an enterprise priority, aligning stakeholders early, sharpening evaluation criteria, and building a candidate experience that attracts top
Unemployment Falls to 4.4 Percent as 50,000 New Job Added
Employment rose by 50,000 in December as the U.S. unemployment rate fell to 4.4 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. Employment continued to trend up in food services and drinking places, healthcare, and social assistance. Retail trade lost jobs. The number of unemployed people, at 7.5 million, changed little in December.
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.
Why CHROs Are Playing a More Active Role in CEO Succession
Boards see the benefits of involving the CHRO, with their people skills and intimate knowledge of the company’s talent pool, not to mention the crucial role they play in broader C-suite succession planning and as a conduit to conversations around the top table. The CHRO is central to building leadership pipelines and ensuring smooth executive
College Sports Solutions Tapped to Find Commissioner for Big Sky Conference
Executive recruitment firm College Sports Solutions (CSS) has been selected to find a new commissioner for the Big Sky Conference, a Division I collegiate athletic league in the western U.S. The previous commissioner, Andrea Williams, moved on this summer to become chief operating officer of the College Football Playoffs. Jeff Schemmel, founder and president of the search firm,
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
