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Daily Newswire
The Energists Appoints Partner
Houston-based The Energists has named Sheharyar Khan as partner. He will work closely with clients across North America, Europe, and the Middle East. “Sheharyar represents exactly the kind of forward-looking leadership our clients expect from us,” said Jon Hill, managing partner. “His analytical discipline, technical fluency, and client-side pragmatism, strengthened by his time at PwC, make him an effective advisor to organizations seeking executives who can
Why Executive Search Firms Remain Essential for High-Stakes Leadership Hires
Executive search firms deliver unique value when filling leadership positions that impact organizational performance, according to a new study from Denver, CO-based TriSearch. Reports find that most qualified executive candidates (85 percent) aren’t actively seeking opportunities, making traditional recruitment methods insufficient. These firms provide access to a network of passive candidates developed through years of relationship
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.
Anthem Executive Assists the University of Montevallo With President Search
Anthem Executive has assisted in the recruitment of Michelle R. Johnston as the first female president of the University of Montevallo (UM). Michael Ballew, Scott Watson, Mike “JR” Wheless, and Florene Stawowy led the assignment. Dr. Johnston has served as the president of Georgia Southwestern State University since 2024. Prior to her current presidency, she served as president of three other higher education
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?
Mercuri Urval Appoints Non-Executive Director
Stockholm, Sweden-based executive search firm Mercuri Urval (MU) has announced that Jan Sasse, partner at AlterInvest, was named as non-executive director to the MU group board. He will join the current board members Cecilia Strand, Mieke Weijenberg, Cecilia Beer, Richard Moore, and chairman Roger Hagafors. “We are pleased to welcome Jan Sasse as non-executive director of the MU
M&A Becomes a Capability-Driven Acquisition Strategy
EY-Parthenon is forecasting an eight percent increase in U.S. deal volume for transactions exceeding $100 million in 2026, underscoring how central M&A remains to corporate strategy. Yet beneath the headline numbers sits a more important story. The role of acquisitions is evolving. Companies are no longer pursuing deals primarily for scale or market share. Increasingly,
The Hidden Challenges Every First-Time CEO Faces
The corner office has never been more accessible—or more demanding. As boards increasingly turn to a new generation of leaders to navigate disruption, growth, and transformation, first-time CEOs are stepping into roles that require a fundamentally different set of skills than those that propelled them to the top. While many arrive with impressive track records,
Myers McRae Assists Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology with Provost Search
Following a nationwide search, Macon, GA-based Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting has assisted in the recruitment of Richie Roberts as provost of Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology. Kenny Daugherty and Brianna Douglas led the assignment. Dr. Roberts’ selection was guided by a search committee of OSUIT administrators, faculty, staff and students, which was assisted by national search firm Myers McRae. “The entire
Lancer Group Recruits Chief Technology Officer for Minitab
La Jolla, CA-headquartered search firm Lancer Group has recruited Kevin Gordon as chief technology officer of Minitab. “We’re excited to welcome Kevin Gordon as chief technology officer at Minitab,” the company said. “This is an exciting step forward in the evolution of our technology strategy and will help accelerate innovation across our organization and solutions platform.” “Kevin brings
Friisberg & Partners International Names Managing Partner of its Copenhagen Office
Fribourg, Switzerland-headquartered Friisberg & Partners International has expanded with the addition of Birgitte Olrik as managing partner of its Copenhagen office, strengthening the firm’s presence in the Nordic region and supporting the continued execution of our international growth strategy. “The future of executive search belongs to firms that combine exceptional local expertise with international reach,” said Zoltán Pethő,
Attracting the Right CHRO Starts with the Right Job Description
Hiring a head of HR is one of the most consequential leadership decisions an organization can make, yet many companies struggle to define the role in a way that reflects their actual needs. The most effective job descriptions go beyond qualifications and responsibilities, offering candidates a clear picture of the challenges, priorities, and business objectives
Coulter Partners Recruits Chief Medical Officer for Neumirna Therapeutics
Life sciences recruiting specialist Coulter Partners has placed Ferenc Tracik as chief medical officer of Neumirna Therapeutics. “Neumirna has reached an inflection point: the question is no longer whether the science works, but how quickly we can translate it into an option for patients with urgent unmet need. Ferenc has the experience to get us there,” said Ellen
McCormack + Kristel Seeking CEO for Central New York ON RAMP
McCormack + Kristel is currently seeking a CEO for Central New York ON RAMP. New York State Empire State Development (ESD) recently engaged CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity (CenterState CEO), an business leadership and economic development organization, to lead, incubate, and launch the Central New York One Network for Regional Advanced Manufacturing Projects (ON RAMP). The
Bespoke Partners Appoints Leader of People and HR Practice
San Diego, CA-headquartered Bespoke Partners recently named Dani Pfeiffer as a partner leading the people and human resources leader recruiting practice serving both software and industrials sector companies. She will lead dedicated recruiting teams on searches for talent executives for private equity portfolio companies for the software and SaaS clients served by Bespoke Partners and industrial clients served by Industra Talent Partners,
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
Here Is Why Versatile CEOs Are In Such High Demand
The leadership dynamics of private equity-backed firms and public companies have long been viewed as starkly different. Private equity leaders thrive on fast value creation, a highly involved ownership model, and a clear exit strategy – often within a five-year window. Public company chief executives, on the other hand, navigate board politics, captain shareholder expectations,
Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco Taps Diversified Search to Find Next President
Executive search firm Diversified Search has been enlisted by the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco to help find its 13th president. Dale E. Jones, the firm’s president and CEO, is spearheading the assignment along with Julie Kanak, the leader of Diversified’s financial services practice, and board practice head Veronica Biggins. Until the new leader is selected,
PFM Executive Search Recruits VP of HR for the University of British Columbia
Vancouver, British Columbia-based PFM Executive Search has placed the new vice president of human resources for the University of British Columbia (UBC). Barbara Meens Thistle comes to the job from the Insurance Corporation of BC (ICBC), where she was VP of central services. PFM partners George Madden, Shelina Esmail and Allison Rzen led the search.
Quick Leonard Kieffer Adds Healthcare Association Specialist
Executive search firm Quick Leonard Kieffer has announced a new of counsel relationship with H. Stephen Lieber. He will be assisting with executive search and client consulting, with a special emphasis on the healthcare association and professional society arenas, as well as the information and digital technology industry sectors. “Steve Lieber brings remarkable association CEO experience to his
Hudson Global Posts 15.9 Percent Revenue Gain
Hudson Global Inc. / (NASDAQ:HSON) posted first quarter revenues of $16.2 million, up 15.9 percent in constant currency, from a year ago. By region, Hudson Asia Pacific led the charge, recording a revenue gain of 35 percent. Meanwhile, Hudson America and Hudson Europe struggled, posting revenue decreases of 14 percent and two percent, respectively. The New York-based recruiting company posted
Four Corners Group Names Technology Practice Leader
Toronto-headquartered executive recruiting firm Four Corners Group has expanded with the addition of Sup Das as leader of its technology practice. Mr. Das has 15 years of expertise as an IT professional, helping enterprises to reach their business, organizational, and technical potential through the acquisition of top talent. His philosophy has focused heavily on the cultivation of
What to Really Consider When Hiring a Search Firm
Organizations justifiably take many criteria into account when considering partnering with an executive search firm. But which ones are the most important? A new report by Mitch Oakley, founder and CEO of search firm Charles Aris, lays out the questions to ask when selecting a recruiting firm for your next big assignment. Various studies have underscored
Ventura Partners Places Chief Retail Officer for drybar
Beverly Hills, CA-based executive recruitment firm Ventura Partners has placed Courtney Gruber as the new chief retail officer for drybar, a blowout hair salon chain. Ventura founder and partner Julie Ford led the search. “Courtney is the consummate, ‘customer first’ executive and a dynamic, well-rounded leader with a proven track record of success,” said John Hefner,
Herbert Mines Lands CEO for Art Van Furniture
Retailers are facing major shifts in their businesses that call for “unprecedented responses” by CEOs who can effectively lead through change, intuitively and analytically understand the evolving consumer and respond to ambiguity, according to search consultants. Developed markets, excess retail capacity, rising prices, the shift to omni-channel retail and the unpredictable pace of change in
Ichor Leadership Search Finds CIO for the Department of Corrections
New Zealand-based executive recruiting firm Ichor Leadership Search has placed Alastair Turrell into the position of chief information officer at the Department of Corrections. Mr. Turrell was most recently director of the software division at Datacom, a strategic leadership role he held over a decade, contributing significantly to growth and expansion. Joining the IT services firm in 2002, he was initially appointed to lead the infrastructure division, with
ProClinical Launches New Executive Search Service
Life sciences talent solutions provider ProClinical has launched a new executive search service dubbed ProClinical Executive. The company said that it “is aiming to redefine expectations of retained search by demonstrating a more targeted and streamlined process with a core emphasis on outcomes and delivery. The new executive brand has set out a vision of
With Skilled Applicants in Short Supply, AI Emerges to Lure Passive Candidates
These are challenging days to find well-qualified talent for top roles. Beyond the well-documented, worldwide shortage of talent, unemployment is down. In fact, it hit a 19-year low of 3.9 percent in April, according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The unemployment rate for college-degreed workers who are 25 or older was just
CohenTaylor Places CEO at Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity
Minneapolis-headquartered CohenTaylor Executive Search has placed St. Paul mayor Chris Coleman as the new president and chief executive officer of the Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity. He will replace Susan Haigh, who is retiring after leading the non-profit for more than 13 years. The organization was seeking someone with a passion for affordable housing, along with a fluency and aptitude for
Vanderbloemen Search Group Tapped by Generation Church to Find New Executive Pastor
Generation Church in Mesa, AZ, has retained executive recruiting firm Vanderbloemen Search Group to lead its hunt for a new executive pastor. The church is seeking candidates who can perform well in the role, whether their education came formally or through learning on the job. “The individual who never stops learning will especially be attractive,”
ZRG Partners Expands Global HR Practice Group
ZRG Partners, the fastest growing search firm in the U.S., has expanded its global human resource officers’ practice with the addition of Wendy Murphy as managing director and global practice leader. She will also be engaged in ZRG’s healthcare practice, where she has deep experience in private equity healthcare searches. Joining Ms. Murphy are several key
Signium Names Leader of Global Consumer Goods and Services Practice
Executive search consortium Signium has named Annelize van Rensburg as leader of its global consumer goods and services practice. She has 20 years of executive search experience and is one of the founding members of Talent Africa, which became Signium Africa last year. “Ms. van Rensburg is fulfilling a critical role as successful practice groups are a key part
A New Way to Build Partnerships with Recruitment Firms
Qualified executive talent is becoming increasingly difficult to recruit. The recent drop of the unemployment rate to a 19-year low of 3.9 percent has impacted the availability of talent, and as a result businesses are realizing the benefits of building long-term relationships with recruiters. “Companies are more open than ever to hire retained search firms
JDG Associates Seeks President for Surety & Fidelity Association of America
Rockville, MD-based search firm JDG Associates has been selected to find the next president of the Surety & Fidelity Association of America (SFAA). Lynn M. Schubert, the group’s current president, announced in December that she would be retiring at the end of this year. Paul Belford, principal at the recruitment firm, is spearheading the search. Ms.
Kirk Palmer Associates Lands President for Famous Footwear
Retail-focused executive search firm Kirk Palmer Associates has recruited former Walt Disney executive Molly Adams as the new president of Famous Footwear. The company considered both internal and external candidates. Rick Ausick, who became president in 2009, is retiring this year as part of a planned succession. He will remain actively involved in day-to-day operations during the transition. “Molly
SRiCheyenne Expands North American Sports Recruiting Practice
SRiCheyenne has undergone a wave of growth since its creation last year with the merger of the Cheyenne Group and SRi. Recently, the firm brought aboard a new partner, Glenn Horine, to focus on developing the firm’s North American sports practice. Mr. Horine previously led his own sports & entertainment consulting practice, H & H Consulting, for the
Per Ardua Associates Launches Leadership Consulting Division
London-based financial services search firm Per Ardua Associates has added a new consulting business, Pantheon Leadership Consulting, joining a long and growing list of search firms moving into the leadership advice space. Jennifer Jones will be assisting the lead team at Per Ardua in putting together the new leadership consulting operation. Offerings will include coaching, mentoring,
Talent Shortage Could Threaten Global Business Growth
By 2030, demand for skilled workers will outstrip supply, resulting in a global talent shortage of more than 85.2 million people, according to a newly released report by Korn Ferry. The study found that left to run its course, the shortage will result in nearly $8.5 trillion in unrealized revenue in the economies analyzed. The eye-opening figures are the
University of Texas Taps College Sports Solutions for Head Track Coach
Atlanta-based executive recruiters College Sports Solutions (CSS) has been selected by the University of Texas to lead its search for a new head coach for its track team. The previous coach, Mario Sategna, was fired after five years on the job, with the school saying it wanted to go in a new direction. Jeff Schemmel, founder and
Long Wharf Theatre Picks Arts Consulting Group to Find Artistic Director
Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven has chosen Arts Consulting Group (ACG) to find its next artistic director. The previous leader, Gordon Edelstein, was fired in January after accusations of sexual harassment and misconduct. Josh Borenstein, the group’s managing director, has taken on the artistic director responsibilities in the interim. The search is expected to
HR Veteran Joins hrQ
The executive search field continues to be a welcoming landing pad for HR executives looking for a career change. Just recently, hrQ added HR veteran Jack Reynolds to its Dallas office as a principal consultant. Mr. Reynolds is said to be a results-driven global human resources executive and consultant with a broad portfolio of expertise in
Amrop Adds New Member Firm in South Africa
Amrop, a partnership of recruiting firms operating from 75 offices in 48 countries throughout Asia, EMEA and the Americas remains in growth mode. Its newest member firm is Woodburn Mann in South Africa. Led by managing partner Andrew Woodburn, Woodburn Mann was established in 1982 in Johannesburg. It serves a range of clients across southern
Alexander Mann Solutions to be Acquired by OMERS Private Equity for $1.1 Billion
OMERS Private Equity, the private equity investment arm of Ontario-headquartered OMERS, has entered into an agreement with New Mountain Capital to acquire Alexander Mann Solutions, a London-based talent acquisition and management services firm, for $1.1 billion. Alexander Mann Solutions has industry expertise in a number of sectors, specifically retail and financial services; investment banking and
Calibre One Recruits CEO for Monster
Executive search firm Calibre One has placed Scott Gutz as the new CEO of jobs website Monster. He replaces Mark Stoever, who left the company in 2017. Partner Diane McIntyre and principal Mark Frank led the assignment. “Monster is at a pivotal point in its digital transformation and we’re thrilled to have someone with Scott’s experience and
Sterling Martin Associates Places CEO at National Association of County and City Health Officials
Following a national search conducted by Sterling Martin Associates, the Washington, D.C.-based National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) selected Lori Tremmel Freeman to be its next chief executive officer. Prior to joining NACCHO, Ms. Freeman served for four years as CEO of the Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs, where she
ZRG Names Consumer Products Practice Leader
ZRG Partners, the fastest growing search firm in the U.S., has continued its recent expansion with the addition of Giovanni Lamarca as a managing director and a consumer products sector leader within the firm’s growing consumer practice. “The addition of Giovanni strengthens our strategy and commitment to accelerate our ability to serve a wider range of
IRC Global Appoints EMEA Leader
IRC Global Executive Search Partners (IRC) has named Tomasz Sokolowski, vice president of IRC Poland (HBK), as its new EMEA regional leader. He takes over from Gaye Özcan, managing partner of IRC Turkey and EMEA regional leader since 2014. “On behalf of all members we congratulate Tomasz on his appointment as regional leader,” said Rohan Carr,
Glassdoor Agrees to $1.2 Billion Sale to Recruit Holdings
In a sudden, all-cash $1.2 billion deal, online jobs portal Glassdoor has announced that it has agreed to be sold to Tokyo-based Recruit Holdings, a human resources company with far-reaching tentacles into the global recruiting sector. Glassdoor, renowned for its employee reviews of businesses as well as salary information, will become “a distinct and separate
