DAILY NEWSWIRE - TOP STORIES
Daily Newswire
EQU Advisory Leading Search Assignment for California State University, Chico
Executive search firm EQU Advisors was recently tapped by California State University, Chico (Chico State) to lead in its search for a new dean of the College of Business. Reporting to the provost and vice president of academic affairs, the dean of the College of Business serves as the lead academic and administrative officer for the
Cornerstone International Group Opens New Office in Frankfurt
Cornerstone International Group has opened a new office in Frankfurt and appointed of Florian Kittler as global sector head—hospitality, travel & leisure. “The expansion reflects increasing demand from hospitality, travel, and lifestyle organizations for leadership partners who combine global reach with deep sector expertise, as the industry navigates international growth, digital transformation, and evolving client
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
How to Identify Leadership Potential in Private Equity Acquisitions
Private equity firms excel at finance and technology but too often lag in talent strategy, particularly in portfolio company management. While many private equity firms already assess leaders through interviews and track record analysis, these methods can miss critical predictors of success, according to a new report from Hogan Assessments, a global provider of personality
The Clark Partnership Completes Searches for Criteo
The Clark Partnership, a Monaco–based search firm, continues to fill important roles for Criteo, a global technology company that enables brands and retailers to connect with shoppers. The latest positions filled: Connor McGogney as SVP of corporate development, Jen Whelan as SVP of marketing and Mike Peralta as EVP of central sales & operations. Simon Clark, co-founder and
Tyler & Co. Adds New Vice President
Atlanta-based executive recruitment firm Tyler & Co. has added Marion Spears Karr, who has more than 27 years of experience in healthcare recruiting, as a vice president and senior healthcare consultant. Mr. Karr brings in-depth experience leading successful recruitment teams that specialize in nursing leadership, C-level, vice president and senior director-level searches. He has developed
Miramar Global Names Managing Director of Miramar Talent
U.K.-based Miramar Global Executive Search has continued its expansion, adding David Winch as managing director of its recently launched service offering Miramar Talent. Miramar Talent is an extension of Miramar Global’s “executive search methodology to the layers below senior leadership,” said the firm. The goal is to “positively impact customers deeper in their organizational structures to
The Importance of Candidate Referencing During the Search Process
Too many search consultants and their clients treat finalist candidate referencing as little more than a checklist item to be completed as opposed to a valuable exercise in and of itself, with the potential to yield insights of lasting value, according to a new report by McCracken Executive Search. Recruiters generally view the completion of
Turnkey Leading Search for Maryland’s Next Athletic Director
Turnkey Sports and Entertainment has been enlisted by the University of Maryland to lead its search for a new athletic director. Founder and CEO Len Perna, as well as managing director Gene DeFilippo, formerly Villanova’s athletic director, are leading the assignment. The previous AD, Kevin Anderson, took a six-month sabbatical and then, as many expected, resigned in
Buffkin / Baker Places Chief Revenue Officer at ShutterShock
The role of chief revenue officer has changed dramatically over the last several years. CROs are quickly becoming mission-critical innovators for companies that look to dominate a market first and fastest, according to recruiters. The demand for these financial leaders is growing and executive search firms have been busy filling these roles. Buffkin / Baker recently
Founder Returns to Lead Gaines International
Founder Donna Gaines has returned to Gaines International as managing partner to lead the Chicago-based executive recruitment firm. Gaines International, which serves the architecture, interior design, engineering, construction and real estate development industries, was acquired by top 40 management consulting firm Allen Austin four years ago. “The growth in the AEC sector in the last several years
PRAXI Adds Paris-Based Firm to Network
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. Global executive search consortium PRAXI Alliance Worldwide Executive Search recently added Paris-based executive search firm
Why Workers Still Prefer Going to the Office
Despite the shift toward a more flexible workplace, 62 percent of employees prefer going to the office, according to Randstad’s latest Workmonitor survey, which tracks employee confidence and captures how likely an employee is to change jobs within the next six months. The percentage is higher among young workers, challenging the widespread perception that Millennial
Witt/Kieffer Places Provost at Ithaca College
The hunt for university leadership has been heating up, especially with searches for provosts. Ithaca College recently named La Jerne Cornish as its new provost and SVP for academic affairs. Witt/Kieffer was enlisted to conduct the assignment. Dr. Cornish joins the school in July, succeeding Linda Petrosino. “La Jerne Cornish’s rich experience as a leader in
Blinkhorn Recruits CEO for WTTW
Blinkhorn LLC, a Greenwich, Conn-based executive recruitment firm, has helped to place Sandra Cordova Micek as the new president and CEO of Window to the World Communications Inc. (WWCI), parent organization of WTTW, a Chicago public television station, and WFMT, a classical radio broadcaster in the city. Ms. Micek, who officially starts work tomorrow, will
Two Faith-Based Search Firms Merge
FaithSearch Partners, an executive search firm for faith-based organizations, has merged with Halftime Talent Solutions, a recruitment firm that serves mission-motivated non-profit and for-profit clients. The union creates a wider resource base through their combined networks. Based in Dallas, the new search firm will operate under the FaithSearch Partners brand. “We are delighted, excited and blessed
INSIST Executive Search Opens Doors in India
An array of new recruiting firms has been launching around the world in recent months. The latest: INSIST Executive Search was recently launched in India by veteran search consultant R. Suresh. “INSIST primarily focuses on servicing Indian conglomerates for hiring global top league talent and supporting PE invested turnarounds in Indian landscape and highly specialized R&D
Wage Growth Seen in Most Recent Quarter
Overall wage growth increased by 2.9 percent year-over-year across all industries in the first quarter, according to the latest ADP ‘Workforce Vitality Report.’ The report tracks the same set of workers over time, which provides a more insightful picture of wage growth than overall wage growth. The growth, down from 3.1 percent annual growth as of December,
Axis Bank Taps Egon Zehnder to Replace Outgoing Leader
Mumbai, India-based Axis Bank has enlisted executive recruitment firm Egon Zehnder to find its next chief executive officer. Shikha Sharma, who has headed India’s third largest private lender since 2009, had recently asked the bank board to shorten her term to the end of December. Originally, Ms. Sharma’s term was to have ended in June,
MJM Global Search Finds CEO for the National Livestock Producers Association
Denver area-based MJM Global Search has placed Kraig Roesch as the new CEO of the National Livestock Producers Association (NLPA), an association of livestock marketing cooperatives and their captive livestock credit corporations. Scott Stuart, longtime head of the NLPA, recently left the organization to become CEO at Cattlemen’s Beef Board. Jim Harlan, MJM’s president and CEO, led the assignment.
Stanton Chase Opens Office in Seattle
Stanton Chase International is continuing with its growth strategy, recently opening a new office in Seattle. David Kimbro, a senior executive search veteran of almost 20 years, has joined the firm as managing director of the new location. “We are honored to have David’s leadership in our new Seattle office,” said Daniel Casteel, managing director of the Nashville
Kingfisher Talent Partners with Relocation and Real Estate Services Firm
Kingfisher Talent, a Boston-based consortium for biotech executive search and leadership development, has partnered with d`Anvers & Co., a bespoke relocation and real estate services company. The two will collaborate to provide a comprehensive offering of settling-in services for human capital managers and top talent. “For our clients here in the Boston biotech hub, this collaboration adds further
Russell Reynolds Associates Leading CEO Search for WPP
Advertising giant WPP has hired Russell Reynolds Associates to find a permanent replacement for its longtime CEO Martin Sorrell, who recently resigned following allegations of “personal misconduct.” Roberto Quarta, chairman of WPP, becomes executive chairman until the appointment of a new leader. Mr. Sorrell will also be available to assist with the transition. Mark Read, CEO of Wunderman and WPP
DHR International Selected to Find President for University of Calgary
DHR International has been tapped by the University of Calgary to lead its search for a new president. In January, Elizabeth Cannon told the school’s board of governors of her decision to step down at the end of the current calendar year. DHR recruiters Shahauna Siddiqui, Jennifer Biehn, Bryan Arthur and Monica Burton are leading the assignment. “The Board of Governors
Bowdoin Group Hires Three Recruiters
Boston-based executive recruitment firm Bowdoin Group has added three veteran recruiters to its fold: Kirk Bukowski, Brad Bauer and Jeff Harris all come to the firm from the Boston office of global search firm Tatum, a Randstad company. “We are excited to welcome Kirk, Brad and Jeff to the Bowdoin family,” said David Melville, founder and CEO
Coulter Partners Opens New Office in Pittsburgh
Global executive search firm Coulter Partners recently opened a new office in Pittsburgh and brought in research analysts Rachel Matos and Rebecca Russell to work at that location. Coulter Partners’ London headquarters, meanwhile, consolidated its research analyst capability with the appointment of Matthew Dennehy. “We are delighted to be investing in new technologies and skills both in
Robert Half Posts Eight Percent Q1 Revenue Gain
Robert Half International Inc./(NYSE:RHI) posted first quarter revenues of $1.4 billion, up eight percent from revenues of $1.29 billion during the same quarter last year. The results beat Wall Street expectations. Analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research had forecasted revenue of $1.36 billion. The Menlo Park, CA-based recruiting company recorded first quarter profits of $96 million, or 78 cents per
Despite Drop in Unemployment, Wages Remain Concern for Many Workers
With unemployment hovering at 4.1 percent, many companies face the recurring question of how to attract and retain top talent in a candidate-driven landscape. In order to remain competitive, it is essential for companies to focus on trying to boost wages or reevaluate their benefits packages, according to a new survey from Adecco USA. Nearly
Phillips Oppenheim Finds New Leader for Metropolitan Museum of Art
Boutique executive search firm Phillips Oppenheim has placed Max Hollein as the new director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He replaces Thomas P. Campbell, who stepped down last year. Principal Sarah James and partner Becky Klein led the assignment. Mr. Hollein “is an innovative and inspiring museum leader and has a proven record of building
Witt/Kieffer Extends Global Reach with Acquisition
Executive recruitment firm Witt/Kieffer has acquired its joint venture Witt/Kieffer Ccentric Limited to create Witt/Kieffer International Limited. The agreement reflects the outright purchase of the entity from its joint venture partner, Ccentric Group of Australia, with which it had collaborated since 2015. Financial terms of the acquisition were undisclosed. Serving clients in healthcare, education and the life
Diversified Search Fills Board Positions for Wynn Resorts
Executive search firm Diversified Search has recruited Betsy Atkins, Dee Dee Myers and Wendy Webb as members of the board of directors for Wynn Resorts. Managing director Lauren Smith led the assignment. “We are pleased to welcome Betsy, Dee Dee and Wendy to the Wynn Resorts board of directors following a thorough search process that included input from shareholders and an independent executive search firm (Diversified),”
Lincoln Strategic Expands to Serve Mining Sector
In states and regions where mining is concentrated the industry plays a vital role in the local economy. Overall, the economy cannot function without minerals and the products made from this sector. Meanwhile, employment in mining increased by 9,000 in March, with gains occurring in support activities for mining and in oil and gas extraction. Mining employment has
Heidrick & Struggles Posts 14 Percent Q1 Revenue Increase
Executive search, leadership consulting and culture shaping services provider Heidrick & Struggles International/(NASDAQ:HSII) posted first quarter revenues of $160.1 million, a 14.3 percent increase from revenues of $140 million during the same period a year ago. Executive search revenue increased 17.1 percent year over year, or $21.3 million, to $145.8 million from $124.5 million last year. All three regions contributed to growth in search: Revenue
Museum Management Consultants Taps Finalists for Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art
Finalists for the director’s role at Washington State University’s new Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art will be on campus in Pullman next week for public presentations. The school enlisted San Francisco-based Museum Management Consultants to conduct the nationwide search. Provost Dan Bernardo and a university search advisory committee have also been actively involved. Robin Held,
Polachi Recruits CTO at Henry Schein Inc.
Demand for top technology executives continues to gain momentum. Chief technology officer hiring, in fact, is expected to grow 18 percent by 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics. It’s a trend that is keeping executive search firms well occupied. Assisted by search firm Polachi Inc., Henry Schein Inc., a provider of
