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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.
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
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?
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.
Beecher Reagan Names Managing Director
Houston, TX-headquartered executive search firm Beecher Reagan has appointed David Rio as managing director. He will deepen the firm’s work with consulting and technology-enabled services clients across publicly traded, private partnerships, and sponsor-backed companies. “David is a great addition, who will do nothing but strengthen our capabilities and the client experience we deliver,” said Clark Beecher, co-founder and
When to Use an Executive Search Firm
Executive hiring is one of the few business decisions where the consequences compound for years. The right leader can accelerate growth, strengthen culture, improve execution, and create enterprise value far beyond their compensation package. The wrong leader can stall momentum, disrupt teams, and force organizations to spend valuable time and resources correcting course. As companies
Klein Hersh Recruits CEO for Corrixr Therapeutics
Klein Hersh, a search firm focused on the life sciences and healthcare industries, has placed Hilary M. Malone as the new CEO of Corrixr Therapeutics in Newark, DE. She succeeds Eric B. Kmiec, founder of Corrixr, who will continue to serve in his capacity as chief scientific officer and will remain actively engaged in the
RH Perry & Associates Assists Holyoke Community College with Provost Search
RH Perry & Associates recently helped to place Jessica Nicklin as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Holyoke Community College (HCC). Senior consultants Jessie Thompson and Levy Brown led the assignment. “Dr. Nicklin is a respected leader in higher education and an organizational psychologist, recognized for her strategic vision, collaborative leadership, and dedication to student, faculty, and institutional
TSI Group Fills Senior Position for Dixon Hard Chrome
Mississauga, ON-headquartered executive search firm TSI Group Inc. recently assisted in the recruitment of Corey A. Williams as general manager of aerospace and aircraft plating specialist Dixon Hard Chrome in Sun Valley, CA. TSI Group partnered with Dixon Hard Chrome to identify a highly accomplished general manager capable of leading the organization’s operations and supporting its continued
Spencer Stuart Acquires Dr. Bjørn Johansson Associates
Spencer Stuart has acquired Dr. Bjørn Johansson Associates, a Zurich-based, founder-led leadership advisory firm, through which Dr. Bjørn Johansson Associates will be integrated into Spencer Stuart. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed. “Dr. Bjørn Johansson Associates is a highly respected market leader with deep relationships with many of the most iconic and important businesses and organizations in Switzerland
Kingsley Gate Unveils a New Approach to AI-Powered Executive Search
Under pressure to deliver faster results, deeper market intelligence, and stronger candidate outcomes, executive search firms and talent leaders are reevaluating the tools and processes that have long defined the profession. Advances in artificial intelligence are accelerating that shift, creating new possibilities for how searches are scoped, executed, and managed from start to finish. Yet
Growth Happens When Human Capital is the Priority
Every growth story eventually reaches an inflection point where the business becomes more complex than the systems that built it. Revenue can grow quickly, markets can expand, and opportunities can multiply—but sustainable performance depends on an organization’s ability to evolve its leadership, decision-making, and talent infrastructure at the same pace. The companies that navigate these
Shelli Herman and Associates Tapped by Mystic Aquarium to Lead CEO Search
Los Angeles-based Shelli Herman and Associates was recently selected by Mystic Aquarium to lead in its search for a new president and CEO. The organization seeks an experienced, mission-driven CEO to lead the organization into its next chapter, defined by expanded conservation impact, philanthropic growth, and deeper community relevance. Reporting to the board of trustees, this
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
Stevenson Search Partners and HAVEN Unite to Launch New Human Capital Platform: Tidemark Talent Solutions
Fort Lee, NJ-based Stevenson Search Partners, a global life science executive search firm and a Hunt Scanlon Top 50 ranked search firm, and HAVEN, a leadership development advisory firm, have created a strategic partnership under Tidemark Talent Solutions, a newly formed holding company focused on building an integrated human capital platform. Tidemark will seek to acquire and scale high-performing specialist
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
Workforce Trends Through the Lens of Leadership and Employees
The workforce is evolving rapidly, with flexibility, inclusion, and engagement emerging as essential pillars of organizational success. To better understand these trends, TI Verbatim Consulting (TIVC) and Hunt Scanlon Media conducted extensive research, gathering insights from HR leaders and workforce professionals across a broad spectrum of industries. This report highlights key insights, including the differences
Major, Lindsey & Africa Leads General Counsel Search for American Red Cross
Legal recruiting has largely been booming this year. Major, Lindsey & Africa (MLA) was recently engaged by the American Red Cross to select a new general counsel to be based out of the non-profit’s Washington, D.C. location. Veteran legal recruiter Deborah Ben-Canaan, a partner and leader of MLA’s in-house practice group, is leading the search, assisted by director Elizabeth
Stanton Chase Opens Office in Memphis
Stanton Chase International has continued its strategic expansion to support the business environment in Tennessee with the addition of three new directors and a new office in Memphis. Veteran executive search consultants Deadrick Baker, Roxana Svensson and Ken Nimitz have joined the firm as directors, enhancing practice group specializations in the healthcare, financial services, industrial and
Chad Harrison International Launches Technology Practice
U.K.-headquartered executive recruiters Chad Harrison International (CHI) has expanded with the launch of a global technology division. The new division will be headed by executive search professional Alison Smith. The division brings together the expertise of numerous CHI consultants with significant experience and diverse perspectives. “With backgrounds in pharmaceutical, life sciences and print technologies, they bring a unique
Search Veteran Peter Alan Rabinowitz Dies at 74
Peter Alan Rabinowitz, founder of executive search firm PAR Associates, died on Saturday in Boston. He was 74 years old. Over the course of his career, Mr. Rabinowitz worked closely with senior corporate officers and boards to evaluate their business needs, define leadership roles and governance structures and ultimately, assist in the selection of key
Ebb and Flow of Stock Market Dictates Whether Senior Leaders Stay or Go
Competition among recruiters in the financial sector has always been fierce, and that’s no less true in 2018. Although the Great Recession is receding further away in the rearview mirror and things may soon be looking up in terms of regulations easing, search firms still have their work cut out for them in terms of
Korn Ferry Leads CEO Search for American College of Cardiology
The American College of Cardiology (ACC) has selected Korn Ferry to work alongside a search committee tasked with selecting its next CEO. The assignment is underway and is expected to be completed by late summer. Shalom Jacobovitz, who led the organization for five years, left the college in January to head a new biopharmaceutical company. Leading the search
Onstott Group Finds Chief Strategy Officer for Mimecast
The Onstott Group, a Wellesley, MA-based search firm, has placed Christina Van Houten as chief strategy officer of Mimecast Limited, an email and data security company. Managing director Scott Tucker led the assignment. “Almost every organization is struggling to build truly sustainable cyber resilience,” said Peter Bauer, CEO of Mimecast. “Maintaining security, governance and operational resilience across an evolving
Optimum Talent Expands Executive Search Practice
Optimum Talent has announced the addition of three new recruitment professionals to its executive search practice. Ryna Young, Chris Heselton and Angus McComb further strengthen the lineup of the Toronto-based firm. “Attracting established executive search professionals like Ryna, Chris, and Angus to Optimum Talent says a lot about our firm’s growing reputation,” said Peter Zukow,
Kennedy Executive Search Appoints Managing Director EMEA
Kennedy Executive Search & Consulting, a network of independent executive search firms, has named Carl Lens as managing director EMEA. Mr. Lens is co-founder and owner of Kennedy’s Dutch partner office Lens, Executive Search based in Amsterdam. Before founding his firm, he was global head of healthcare for London-based recruitment firm Nicholson. Prior to his
Hanold Associates Undertakes Five CHRO Assignments
Executive recruiters are in hot pursuit of chief human resources officers (CHRO) and other senior-level HR leaders across the nation. The best HR chiefs are seen as integral strategic advisors to the C-suite, and the ones in demand are those who are sounding boards for CEOs. Why is there such pent-up demand for top flight
TillmanCarlson Lands New CIO for Wintrust Financial
Executive search firm TillmanCarlson has placed Tony Buttrick as the chief information officer for Wintrust Financial Corp. in Chicago. Mr. Buttrick previously served as the CIO of Flagstar Bank for three years preceded by 10 years with Bank of America in several global technology and risk management positions. Before joining B of A, he spent three years
Davies Park Executive Search Seeks CEO, CFO for Fort McKay First Nation
Canada-based Davies Park Executive Search has been enlisted to find both the next chief executive officer and chief financial officer for Fort McKay First Nation (FMFN), an Indian government in Alberta. Davies Park partner Allan Nelson and senior consultant Sonny Kapoor are leading the searches. As the most senior management employee within the corporate structure,
Summit Recruitment & Search and Kama Kazi Africa Merge
Summit Recruitment & Search and Kama Kazi Africa Ltd. have merged to become the largest recruitment firm in East Africa, offering staffing solutions across the African continent at all levels. Based in Nairobi, Kenya, Summit has primarily conducted executive search assignments in a large variety of specialized sectors, serving clients across East Africa, South Africa
The Q Works Group is Acquired by Veteran Search Consultant
Acquisitions continue to make news in the recruiting industry, with a number of notable purchases playing out this year. The Q Works Group Inc., an affiliate of MRINetwork, was recently acquired by veteran search consultant Michael Clegg. Financial terms of the deal were undisclosed. Joe Woerner, the founder and previous president of Q Works, retired
CHRO Influence Expands in Promoting Corporate Diversity
Plenty of organizations say they are looking to change the makeup of their workforce in terms of ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and age, but in the end many fall far short. It’s 2018, and the view from the C-suite and boardroom still looks nothing like the ethnically and racially diverse world outside. Statistics provided by
University of Kansas Picks Korn Ferry to Find New Athletics Director
The University of Kansas has turned to Korn Ferry to help find its next director of athletics. Sheahon Zenger was recently relieved from his duties. Jed Hughes, who leads Korn Ferry’s sports practice, is heading the assignment. Sean Lester, the school’s deputy athletics director, will serve as interim director while the search is being conducted. “Athletics continues
Hobson Leavy Places CEOs for Dairy Goat Cooperative and My Food Bag
New Zealand executive search firm Hobson Leavy recently placed chief executive officers for two organizations, finding leaders for the Dairy Goat Cooperative (DGC), which manufactures goat milk nutritional formula for infants, and My Food Bag, a meals home delivery service. David Hemara won the top job at Hamilton, New Zealand-based DGC, replacing Tony Giles, who
Coulter Partners Continues Global Expansion
Global executive search firm Coulter Partners recently made eight new appointments in the U.S., Denmark and at their London headquarters. In the U.S., Noah Parekh joins as client partner in Cambridge, MA, while Lisa Pieper has been appointed consulting partner in Palo Alto, CA, and Adrienne Slutzky joins as project coordinator in Short Hills, NJ. In London,
WilsonHCG Appoints Executive Search Leader for EMEA
Global talent solutions provider Wilson Human Capital Group Inc. (WilsonHCG) has expanded its executive search division with the appointment of director Phil Brakewell. He will serve as leader of the EMEA region. Mr. Brakewell has more than 14 years of talent acquisition leadership experience and most recently served as head of executive search for ResourceBank. Prior to that,
Want to Attract Talent? Follow These Top Guidelines
In today’s digital age, it’s easy for anyone to become a company’s advocate or critic. No matter your industry, the internet has given a new voice to the masses. When thinking about your company’s hiring practices, it’s crucial to consider the experience your candidates are having from start to finish. There will come a time
Harris Search Associates Lands CIO for the University of Tennessee
Universities have long depended on executive search firms to help with their leadership needs, but these days the higher education sector is broadening its efforts to find more specialized leaders. As a result, search firms have expanded their niche offerings in the sector, identifying diversity officer, athletic directors, coaches and any number of other top
Pekarsky & Co. Tapped by the Calgary Airport Authority to Find General Counsel
The Calgary Airport Authority has tapped recruiting firm Pekarsky & Co. to lead its search for a new general counsel. Founding partner Adam Pekarsky is heading the assignment. Reporting to the authority’s vice president of finance and the CFO, the general counsel will be responsible for the delivery of internal services and managing the delivery of
IMSA International Executive Search Adds Three European Members
IMSA International Executive Search, a global search network, has added three new member companies. The firms, based in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Norway, will strengthen IMSA’s presence in Europe and fulfill its growth strategy for this year. IMSA Czech Republic will be represented by Nováček & Partners, a consulting company focusing on executive search, candidate
Witt/Kieffer Continues Expansion
Executive recruitment firm Witt/Kieffer has strengthened its search staff with the addition of Jennifer Chase as managing director of its life sciences practice. Based in Boston, she will support the recruitment of positions across the life sciences spectrum, with a particular emphasis on emerging biopharmaceutical and medical device and diagnostics firms, as well as established international life
How to Accelerate C-Suite Transitions
Organizations are investing significant time and resources in developing future C-suite leaders. Given the profound impact executives in these key roles have on business performance, it only makes sense. After all, hiring any senior-level leader represents a tremendous opportunity for value creation, or the potential for great harm, for a company. Yet surprisingly little attention
Aspen Leadership Group Finds New Leader for Christopher Street West
Aspen, CO-based search firm Aspen Leadership Group has placed Madonna Cacciatore as the new executive director of Christopher Street West (CSW), the non-profit that organizes the gay rights LA Pride Festival and Parade. Senior consultant Tim Child led the assignment. The recruitment firm conducted the search on behalf of the CSW board of directors and the organization’s
Development Guild DDI Places Major Gifts Officer at the Pine Street Inn
These are challenging days for non-profit organizations. Declining support from government sources, increased demand for their services and competition for donor dollars are just a few of the issues that charitable organizations must overcome to stay afloat each year. So it is that roles like the major gift officer become all the more critical. Simply
Centerstone Executive Search & Consulting Launches Aerospace, Defense and Security Search Practice
Arlington, VA-based Centerstone Executive Search & Consulting has expanded its services with a new vertical practice focused on the aerospace, defense and security industries. The firm has tapped Jim Donnelly, a federal contracting industry veteran with more than 25 years of talent acquisition experience in this sector, as managing director of the new practice. “Expanding our offerings
ISPA International Search Partners Association Adds Member Firm in China
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. Recently, ISPA International Search Partners Association, added China-based recruiting firm RMG Selection as
5 Ways to Improve Employee Retention
Of all the challenges that come with running a business, one that often goes overlooked is employee retention, this according to a new report by MJS Executive Search. Hiring managers and CEOs often consider getting the right people in the door to be the most crucial aspect of talent management, but the truth is that
Vetted Solutions Finds New Leader for the American Brain Tumor Association
The American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA), a national advocacy organization committed to funding brain tumor research and providing education and information on all tumor types, has named Ralph DeVitto as its new president and CEO. Vetted Solutions’ president and founder Jim Zaniello and vice president Catherine Brown led the assignment. The organization was a seeking
