DAILY NEWSWIRE - TOP STORIES
Daily Newswire
7 Questions to Ask When Choosing an International Recruiter
International recruiting quickly becomes a different game altogether—one where local networks, cultural fluency, and trusted on-the-ground connections often matter more than the tools or tactics employers rely on at home. However, many employers do not like working with recruitment companies, according to a report from NPAworldwide. “In markets that employers know well and have social
SearchWide Global Seeking Chief Marketing and Public Relations Officer for Nashville Zoo
Executive recruitment firm SearchWide Global has been retained by Nashville Zoo to lead in its search for a chief marketing and public relations officer. Senior vice president Kellie Henderson is leading the assignment. This executive is responsible for leading the strategic marketing, communications, and public relations efforts of Nashville Zoo. This role oversees all aspects of marketing, media relations, and
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.
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
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?
M&A Becomes a Capability-Driven Acquisition Strategy
EY-Parthenon is forecasting an eight percent increase in U.S. deal volume for transactions exceeding $100 million in 2026, underscoring how central M&A remains to corporate strategy. Yet beneath the headline numbers sits a more important story. The role of acquisitions is evolving. Companies are no longer pursuing deals primarily for scale or market share. Increasingly,
The Hidden Challenges Every First-Time CEO Faces
The corner office has never been more accessible—or more demanding. As boards increasingly turn to a new generation of leaders to navigate disruption, growth, and transformation, first-time CEOs are stepping into roles that require a fundamentally different set of skills than those that propelled them to the top. While many arrive with impressive track records,
Myers McRae Assists Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology with Provost Search
Following a nationwide search, Macon, GA-based Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting has assisted in the recruitment of Richie Roberts as provost of Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology. Kenny Daugherty and Brianna Douglas led the assignment. Dr. Roberts’ selection was guided by a search committee of OSUIT administrators, faculty, staff and students, which was assisted by national search firm Myers McRae. “The entire
Lancer Group Recruits Chief Technology Officer for Minitab
La Jolla, CA-headquartered search firm Lancer Group has recruited Kevin Gordon as chief technology officer of Minitab. “We’re excited to welcome Kevin Gordon as chief technology officer at Minitab,” the company said. “This is an exciting step forward in the evolution of our technology strategy and will help accelerate innovation across our organization and solutions platform.” “Kevin brings
Friisberg & Partners International Names Managing Partner of its Copenhagen Office
Fribourg, Switzerland-headquartered Friisberg & Partners International has expanded with the addition of Birgitte Olrik as managing partner of its Copenhagen office, strengthening the firm’s presence in the Nordic region and supporting the continued execution of our international growth strategy. “The future of executive search belongs to firms that combine exceptional local expertise with international reach,” said Zoltán Pethő,
Attracting the Right CHRO Starts with the Right Job Description
Hiring a head of HR is one of the most consequential leadership decisions an organization can make, yet many companies struggle to define the role in a way that reflects their actual needs. The most effective job descriptions go beyond qualifications and responsibilities, offering candidates a clear picture of the challenges, priorities, and business objectives
Coulter Partners Recruits Chief Medical Officer for Neumirna Therapeutics
Life sciences recruiting specialist Coulter Partners has placed Ferenc Tracik as chief medical officer of Neumirna Therapeutics. “Neumirna has reached an inflection point: the question is no longer whether the science works, but how quickly we can translate it into an option for patients with urgent unmet need. Ferenc has the experience to get us there,” said Ellen
McCormack + Kristel Seeking CEO for Central New York ON RAMP
McCormack + Kristel is currently seeking a CEO for Central New York ON RAMP. New York State Empire State Development (ESD) recently engaged CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity (CenterState CEO), an business leadership and economic development organization, to lead, incubate, and launch the Central New York One Network for Regional Advanced Manufacturing Projects (ON RAMP). The
Bespoke Partners Appoints Leader of People and HR Practice
San Diego, CA-headquartered Bespoke Partners recently named Dani Pfeiffer as a partner leading the people and human resources leader recruiting practice serving both software and industrials sector companies. She will lead dedicated recruiting teams on searches for talent executives for private equity portfolio companies for the software and SaaS clients served by Bespoke Partners and industrial clients served by Industra Talent Partners,
Wilson Forms New Alliance with Poetry to Advance AI capabilities
Global talent solutions provider Wilson has formed a new partnership with Poetry to strengthen its AI-enabled recruitment capabilities. The collaboration supports Wilson’s continued focus on embedding technology into its RPO delivery model through Wilson Workspace, its technology ecosystem. “We’re excited to announce our new partnership with Poetry,” said Charles Faigle, chief delivery officer at Wilson. This
What Executive Candidates Want From Employers Today
The executive talent market today has fundamentally shifted and senior leaders are evaluating employers through a far more demanding lens. They no longer weigh opportunities primarily on compensation or title; they assess the total leadership experience: governance, culture, organizational stability, purpose, autonomy, flexibility and long-term growth, according to a report from Kestria. “To attract and retain
WittKieffer Retained by Roosevelt University for President Search
Oak Brook, IL-based WittKieffer has been retained by Roosevelt University in Chicago to lead in its search for its seventh president. Ali Malekzadeh is retiring after being with the school since 2015. Senior partner Christine Pendleton, consultant Sandra Chu, senior associate Maya Holt-Brockenbrough, and senior advisor Ray Crossman. Roosevelt University seeks a student-centered president who is committed
Buffkin / Baker Acquires HR-Focused Benson Executive Search
Partner-led executive search firm Buffkin / Baker has acquired Boston, MA-based Benson Executive Search, a boutique firm focused on the human resources sector. Financial terms of deal were not disclosed. The acquisition strengthens Buffkin / Baker’s HR functional capabilities and gives the firm a stronger presence in the Northeast. “We’re thrilled to welcome Benson Executive Search to
SPMB Recruits Fills Senior Finance Position for Uber
Steven Popper of SPMB Executive Search has placed Wendy Drummond Craig as senior director, technical accounting, reporting, and M&A at Uber. In her new role, she will oversee teams responsible for technical accounting matters, SEC reporting, and accounting for mergers and acquisitions. “Wendy brings an extraordinary combination of technical accounting expertise, SEC reporting experience, and strategic advisory leadership
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 Key to Personal Success for C-Level Executives
For C-suite leaders, it’s widely accepted that assembling a high-performing team is fundamental to a company’s success. While this is true, a more nuanced and often overlooked perspective is how team building directly impacts a leader’s personal career trajectory and professional goals, according to a new article from Wray Executive Search’s Ray Kelley. “The reality
Collegiate Sports Associates Finds Head Basketball Coach for University of Georgia
Universities continue to turn to search firms to fill their top coaching vacancies. Recently, Collegiate Sports Associates (CSA) placed Tom Crean as the new men’s head basketball coach for the University of Georgia Bulldogs. He replaces Mark Fox who was fired at the end of the season after nine years with the school. The search firm was
B.E. Smith Places CEO at Avera Health
As the healthcare industry continues its transformation, talent management remains a high priority. The shortage of physicians and other clinicians is one matter. But healthcare organizations must also fill new and expanding leadership roles to carry out strategic initiatives in response to reform efforts and whatever changes are coming. This has produced a high demand
Heidrick & Struggles Launches New Recruiting Practice Focused on AI
Citing a shortage of leaders with the ability to apply a deep understanding of artificial intelligence to transform an organization’s business model, Heidrick & Struggles has launched a new specialty practice focused on AI. The unit, which will help clients identify and develop senior talent needed to bring the power of emerging technologies to their
Recruit Holdings Completes Glassdoor Acquisition
Tokyo-based Recruit Holdings, a human resources company with far-reaching tentacles into the global recruiting sector, has completed its $1.2 billion acquisition of Glassdoor. Glassdoor, renowned for its employee reviews of businesses as well as salary information, has become “a distinct and separate part” of Recruiting Holdings’ expanding HR technology business segment. “Glassdoor has transformed how people search for
How Artificial Intelligence is Changing the Culture of Work
Artificial intelligence is poised to become one of the most important business disruptors of our times. But too often people look only at the potential downsides of machines simulating human intelligence and overlook the positive impact and value that AI stands to deliver, particularly when it comes to organizational culture. A new white paper report
Egon Zehnder Elects Chairwoman in a First for Recruiting Sector
Executive recruitment firm Egon Zehnder has elected Jill Ader as its new chair. She will take over on Nov. 1 upon the retirement of Damien O’Brien who has chaired the firm since 2010. Ms. Ader becomes the first female chair within the global top five executive search and leadership advisory firms. “Jill is exceptionally well suited to
Tyler & Company Seeking New President for Georgia Urology
Atlanta-based executive recruitment firm Tyler & Company has been retained by Georgia Urology to lead its search for a new president. Vice president Chris Ekrem is leading the assignment along with Hallie Banker. This is a newly created position, reporting to the CEO, in tandem with the managing director. Having experienced exponential growth over the last 40-plus years
Partners International Places Director of Learning at Consumer Reports
Peter Movesian, SVP of executive search at New York City-based Partners International, has placed former Viacom executive Gwyneth Meeks as director of learning and development at Consumer Reports. “Gwynn has had a great background in assisting organizations that are transforming,” said Mr. Movesian. “She is a great collaborator and partners and will fit into the
Booming Private Equity Sector Feeds TritonExec’s Expansion to the U.S.
Aside from the big-branded executive recruiters, all of whom devote significant time and manpower to talent acquisition initiatives throughout the PE space, a number boutique search firms are working alongside these investment brands to provide talent up and down the functional scale. And much of the activity is taking place on American shores. Following that demand,
Expertise, Deep Perspective Serve Clients Beyond Simply Filling Jobs
The most effective executive search firms do much more than simply go out and find talent. Their consultants bring deep passion, curiosity and interest to their work. What’s more, they are constantly learning about their sector, its people and the nuances of the varied roles. In a nutshell, that’s the kind of firm that Matt
Acertitude Places CFOs for DexKo Global
Executive search firm Acertitude has recruited Jeff Richard as DexKo Global’s new chief financial officer and Derek Peabody as CFO of the company’s subsidiary, Dexter. The two finance leaders are critical hires for DexKo, which seeks to grow aggressively both organically and through acquisitions. Kevin O’Neill, founder and managing partner of Acertitude, led both searches, partnering closely
Strategic Government Resources Seeks Two New Police Chiefs in Pennsylvania
In separate assignments, Keller, TX-based executive search firm Strategic Government Resources (SGR) has been chosen to find new police chiefs for two municipalities in Pennsylvania, Newtown Township and Edinboro. Newtown Township, in Bucks County, has a population of about 20,000. The community is looking for a chief of police with exceptional leadership and management skills
Ridgeway Partners Continues Expansion
London-headquartered executive search firm Ridgeway Partners has expanded with the addition of Katie Thomas as a partner. “We are delighted to welcome Katie to the Ridgeway team,” said Sue O’Brien, managing partner at Ridgeway Partners. “Every industry challenge needs effective leadership, so we see the retail and broader consumer service sectors as a growth opportunity under Katie’s direction. With her relationships merging with our
Attracting Top Talent in the Age of AI
Artificial intelligence is quickly emerging as a game-changer for recruiting – enabling organizations to more readily identify and hire candidates. It is enabling search firms to find and evaluate talent with greater accuracy and speed. New recruitment technology can sift through tremendous amounts of data to identify top prospects exponentially faster than any individual, or
Lochlin Partners Finds Chief Policy Officer for the American Bankers Association
Executive search firm Lochlin Partners has placed Naomi Camper as chief policy officer for the American Bankers Association (ABA) in Washington, D.C. She started her new position on Monday. Lochlin’s managing partners Patrick Friel and Liza Wright led the assignment. “I am thrilled that Naomi has agreed to join ABA at this important moment for the
NETcon Taps Sheffield Search to Find CEO
New Zealand-headquartered executive recruiting firm Sheffield Search has been selected by power transmission company NETcon to lead its search for a new chief executive officer. The assignment is being led by Nick Gee, manager of Sheffield’s South Island operation. “This role offers both challenge and great opportunity with the chance to shape an organization as
Human Capital Group Adds Healthcare Veteran
Nashville, TN-based the Human Capital Group has expanded with the addition of healthcare veteran Paul Cleckner as managing director. Mr. Cleckner brings more than 25 years of senior operating and leadership experience in healthcare and technology. Most recently, he served as chief operating officer of Saint Thomas Health and prior to that was VP of operations
Global Healthcare Services Creates New Recruitment Platform
Rocky River, OH-headquartered executive search firm Global Healthcare Services (GHS) recently detected a disturbing trend within the sector it serves: Hospitals were struggling with employee retention, from staff to leadership roles, with the C-suite’s annual turnover as high as 20 percent in recent years. GHS saw an opportunity to implement a recruitment platform called IRIS
3 Ways Assessments Can Go Wrong and How to Get Them Right
With the accelerated pace of change and constant potential for disruption, the costs of getting important leadership decisions wrong – whether for selecting senior leaders, leadership development or succession planning – have never been higher. Despite these risks, many organizations underestimate the importance of a robust assessment process, according to a new report issued by Spencer
Grace Blue Lands New Leader for VCU Brandcenter
Grace Blue has placed Vann Graves as the new executive director of the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Brandcenter. He takes over the role from Helayne Spivak, who left the school in May. “Along with my colleagues, I am delighted that Vann Graves is coming to VCU Brandcenter as its new executive director,” said Michael Rao,
Russell Reynolds Associates Places CEO at CropLife America
CropLife America (CLA), the leading association for the U.S. crop protection industry, has chosen former National Pork Board executive Chris Novak as its CEO. Russell Reynolds Associates assisted on the assignment. Mr. Novak will start his new role on Aug. 20. “I’m pleased to announce that Chris Novak has been selected by our board’s search committee
NPAworldwide Adds 10 New Member Firms Across the U.S.
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 10 new member locations across the
Indeed Acquires Resume.com
Job aggregator Indeed recently acquired Resume.com, an online service for creating personalized resumes. Financial terms of the deal were undisclosed. Over 3.5 million job seekers use Resume.com, creating more than 40,000 resumes every week, and accessing timely career resource information. Indeed will continue to operate resume.com and enable job seekers to build, download, and print personalized
The Digital Future of Recruiting: 5 Solutions to Improve Hiring and Retention
In today’s competitive recruiting market, search firms must be nimble and efficient. One way to get there: Invest in digital tools to hire and onboard best-in-class professionals. Many organizations still use manual or paper-based processes, which are slow, expensive, and error-prone, resulting in inefficient operations and compliance risks. A new report by DocuSign found that
SearchWide Finds New Leader for the Augusta Convention and Visitors Bureau
After suffering a massive hit during the Great Recession, employment and hiring within the travel, hotel and hospitality industry continues to rebound. Last year, according to one set of survey metrics, the industry added 527,000 jobs (2.6 million since 2004). That number is likely to increase this year as global tourism and traveling in general are
Eastman & Beaudine Leading Athletic Director Search for University of South Florida
Executive search firm Eastman & Beaudine has been retained by the University of South Florida (USF) to lead its search for a new athletic director. Scott Kull, USF’s deputy athletic director for external operations, has been named interim AD while the school looks to replace Mark Harlan, who recently stepped down. “USF Athletics has gained tremendous momentum over the past
Heidrick & Struggles Launches Cross-Industry Innovation Network
Executive search, leadership consulting and culture shaping services provider Heidrick & Struggles has launched a new cross-industry corporate innovation network that it is calling the Game-Changer Collaborative (GCC). The GCC enables members to collaborate around emerging technologies, external innovation opportunities and approaches to accelerating innovation in their organizations, said the Chicago-based firm. The GCC includes several
Executive Search Veteran Stephanie Pinson Dies
Stephanie Pinson, president of executive search firm Gilbert Tweed International, has died. Ms. Pinson, born May 23, 1936, had been with the New York City-based recruitment provider since 1981 and was a member of its board of directors. She had in-depth experience as a search consultant to the highly complex insurance industry, where she specialized
How Predictive Analytics Promotes Better Decision Making and Efficiency
At most major corporations, it is critical for the head of HR to be an extremely strong strategic and trustworthy adviser to the CEO, the board of directors and senior management. That means not just filling leadership positions with the current needs of the organization, but being able to look to the future in terms
McDermott & Bull Leading Two Chief Officer Searches for Scooter’s Coffee
Scooter’s Coffee, one of the largest and fastest growing brands in the specialty coffee business, has retained Irvine, CA-based search firm McDermott & Bull to lead its search for a new chief commercial officer and chief development officer. The search is being conducted by what is known as the fit practice at the recruitment firm, which includes partner
Ratliff & Taylor Seeks Next President for Leadership Akron
Independence, OH-based executive search firm Ratliff & Taylor has been chosen to find the next president for Leadership Akron. The search is being led by senior consultant Patti Shumay and senior vice president and practice leader Linda J. Gray. The non-profit’s previous leader, Mark Scheffler, departed earlier this year to become executive director of the
