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What are Boards Doing Differently for Better Executive Appointments in 2026?
Boards are increasingly reshaping how they approach executive appointments—building the governance discipline, assessment rigor, and future-facing criteria needed to make confident leadership decisions in a more volatile and accelerated world. Leadership decisions are moving faster, carrying higher stakes and less room for error, according to a recent report from Signium. “Today, boards are asking whether
Why Speed is Critical in Executive Recruiting
Executive leadership vacancies rarely arrive at a convenient moment—and in a business climate defined by rapid change, shrinking decision windows, and relentless performance demands, the cost of an empty seat compounds quickly. What was once viewed as a manageable transition period can now undermine momentum across strategy, operations, and culture, especially when teams are already
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
Driving Growth Through Specialized Talent Acquisition
The Bridger Group is a 57-year-old executive search firm working exclusively in the building products and commercial interior products industries. The firm focuses on identifying top candidates for roles in sales, sales management, and executive positions within these sectors. Jordan Underwood, managing partner at The Bridger Group, recently joined Hunt Scanlon Media to discuss the
NPAworldwide Adds Nine New Member Firms
Executive search consultants are seeing an increase in hiring mandates from around the world. To meet demand, they continue to develop new practices, hire new recruiters and open new locations. Global recruiting consortiums, meanwhile, are taking advantage of a resurgence in certain geographic areas. Member-owned recruitment network NPAworldwide has added nine new member locations as it continues to expand
The RSA Group Expands Search Services in Switzerland
According to Deloitte’s global sector outlook report on life sciences, persistent talent shortages and the need to develop and retain employees with critical business and technology skill-sets will continue to challenge global life sciences companies as they try to navigate a new world of work – one that requires a dramatic change in strategies for leadership,
Top Practices for Successful Onboarding
Starting a new job is exciting, but it can also be stressful and challenging. Without a formal onboarding process, the toughest parts of the first days, weeks and months at work are amplified – which isn’t good for the employee, or for your business, according to a new report by talent solutions company Hudson Global
Allegis Partners Places CHRO at Peapack-Gladstone Bank
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
Storbeck/Pimentel Places President at University of Southern Indiana
The University of Southern Indiana (USI) board of trustees, with the guidance of Storbeck/Pimentel & Associates, named its current provost, Ronald S. Rochon, as the school’s fourth president. Founding principal Stephen Leo, managing associate Matthew Bunting, and associate Brian Bustin led the assignment. Dr. Rochon assumes his new role on July 1, succeeding Linda L. M. Bennett who is
U.K.-based Berwick Partners Launches New Office in Amsterdam
Birmingham, England-based Berwick Partners has opened a new office in Amsterdam. The move marks the executive recruitment firm’s first foray onto the continent of Europe. It comes as part of a broader growth strategy that includes the opening of two new practices and several new hires. The launch comes in response to growing demand for Berwick
ManpowerGroup Posts 16 Percent Q1 Revenue Increase, But U.S. Business Falters
ManpowerGroup / (NYSE:MAN) posted first quarter revenues of $5.5 billion, an increase of 16 percent from $4.8 billion the prior year. The results surpassed Wall Street expectations. Five analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $5.53 billion. Results were significantly impacted by stronger foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar compared to the prior year period. The Milwaukee-based recruiting company also
CEO Confidence Continues to Rise
The Conference Board’s latest measure of CEO confidence, which rebounded in the fourth quarter of 2017, made further gains in the first quarter of 2018. The measure now reads 65, up from 63 in the last quarter of 2017. A reading of more than 50 points reflects more positive than negative responses. “CEOs remain positive
Holden Richardson Finds New Leader for Oerlikon Drive Systems, China
Holden Richardson, an executive search firm based in Winnetka, IL, has helped to place the new president and CEO of Oerlikon Drive Systems, China. Ken Wang brings to Oerlikon a background in engineering and operations, firsthand knowledge of gear design and production, lean engineering and manufacturing practices, experience working for Western employers, extensive knowledge of
Acertitude Places CEO at IPC
Executive search firm Acertitude has recruited Robert A. Santella as the new CEO of IPC, a global provider of secure, compliant communications and networking solutions for the financial markets community. He succeeds Neil Barua, who is leaving the company to pursue other opportunities. Co-founder and managing partner Rick DeRose led the search along with senior partner Scott Carberry.
ZRG Partners Names Board Practice Leader
Director recruiting has grown markedly more challenging, say recruiters who conduct searches in that area. Heightened expectations now placed on boards have elevated both the professional standards and personal commitment required of all directors. As a result, companies continue to turn to executive search firms to help find new board members. In an effort to help
Russell Reynolds Associates Names European Regional Co-Heads
Russell Reynolds Associates has named Patrick Johnson and Matthias Oberholzer as regional co-heads for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. In addition, James Roome will now lead the U.K. office. “This leadership team is well-positioned to help clients navigate global uncertainty and the potential impact of the Brexit transition in the region,” said the firm. “As leaders with significant experience in guiding
10 Things to Consider When Selecting a Search Firm
Choosing an executive recruitment firm is nothing to take lightly. Recruiters, and the search firms they represent, are not all created equal. And whatever choice a company makes can have big consequences in terms of a proper working relationship between clients, recruiters, the candidates they provide and the ultimate choice for the job opening. In
Boyden Fills Board Positions for Goodwill Industries
Boyden has placed Joe Guith, Matthew Wadiak and Etienne Patout as members of the board of directors at Goodwill Industries International. “After an exhaustive search, Boyden is enthusiastic about the talent that Joe, Matthew and Etienne bring to the Goodwill team,” said Alicen Blair-Sibly, a managing partner of Boyden in Atlanta. “Each new board member
David Barrett Partners Places CIO at Emory University
Executive recruitment firm David Barrett Partners has placed Srinivas Pulavarti as vice president and chief investment officer (CIO) for Emory University in Atlanta. Firm founder David Barrett led the search. Mr. Pulavarti will be responsible for overseeing the university’s investment portfolio of close to $6.9 billion. He succeeds Mary Cahill, who retired last summer. Christopher
Glocap Search Taps Investment Management Veteran as CEO
Glocap Search recently named investment management veteran Annette Krassner as its new CEO. She succeeds founder Adam Zoia, who will remain chairman of the firm. The hiring of Ms. Krassner brings a proven leader, relationship-builder and domain expert to Glocap to continue its core advisory principles, said the firm. “Annette is superbly qualified to succeed
Ridgeway Partners Strengthens U.S. Search Staff
London-headquartered executive search firm Ridgeway Partners has expanded its operations in the U.S. with the addition of Regina Glocker as a partner in its New York office. Ms. Glocker specializes in executive searches within banking and capital markets and the three lines of defense for financial institutions, fintech companies, private equity portfolio companies and other corporates.
HR Leaders Rethink the Role of Talent
Driven by dramatic and irreversible trends in labor demographics and technology, companies are under tremendous pressure to rethink the role of talent. This is so significant that for HR leaders, developing an agile workforce is more than twice as important (53 percent to 19 percent) as “investing in artificial intelligence and automation,” according to a
The Lapham Group Lands CEO for Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety
The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) in Tampa, FL has named Roy Wright as its next president and CEO. Craig Lapham, CEO of executive recruitment firm the The Lapham Group, conducted the search. To ensure a smooth operational transition, Mr. Wright will work with current IBHS president and CEO Julie Rochman, who
DRG Search Places CEO at NORWESCAP
The non-profit sector has gained economic strength in recent years, making it the third largest employer in the country. Nearly two million not-for-profits employ 10.7 million people and produce $1.9 trillion in revenue. In the past decade, employment in the sector grew by 17 percent. With demand for non-profit talent at an all-time high, search firms have
Top Gun Ventures Opens Office in Denver
Plano, TX-based executive search firm Top Gun Ventures has opened a new office in Denver with the addition of Laura Marriott as partner. This is the firm’s eighth location. “Laura’s global mobile tech and marketing expertise has placed her at the forefront of today’s digital transformation,” said Peter Donovan, managing partner of Top Gun Ventures. “The challenge and
Three Search Firms Join Forces to Form HealthSearch Partners
Consultants from three executive search firms have joined forces to launch a new search platform, HealthSearch Partners, specializing in identifying and placing transformational, mission-minded CEOs and senior leaders in healthcare systems. “Health system boards now have an even better option than the customary ‘Big Four’ search firms,” said Keith Southerland, board chair, HealthSearch Partners. “Our
Harris Search Associates and RGC Search Seek President for the University of Puthisastra
The University of Puthisastra (UP) in Cambodia has retained the services of Harris Search Associates and RGC Executive Search to finds its next president. Jeffrey Harris, founder and managing partner of Dublin, OH-based Harris Search, and Anthony Ainsworth, director of Bangkok, Thailand-based RGC Search, are leading the assignment. The organizations are members of IIC Partners,
Turnkey Sports Lands CTO for the Philadelphia Phillies
Specialist recruiters Turnkey Sports and Entertainment has placed former Tampa Bay Lightning executive Sean Walker as the Philadelphia Phillies’ new vice president and chief technology officer. “Sean has a proven ability to successfully restructure IT departments from the ground up,” said Dave Buck Phillies’ executive vice president. “We are fortunate to have him on board to take the Phillies to
MCG Partners Names VP of Consulting Services
MCG Partners, a Boston, MA-based talent management and leadership development firm, has expanded with the addition of John Griffith as vice president of consulting services. In his new role, Mr. Griffith is responsible for driving the growth of the organization, a woman-owned, management consultancy specializing in leadership development, executive coaching, talent management, organizational effectiveness, management
NGS Global Appoints New Leaders for Japan
Executive search firm NGS Global has added George Johnson and Jonathan Falconer as new managing partners to head its Japanese office in Tokyo. With over 37 years of executive search experience combined, the new leaders will join forces to lead in the development of a broader and deeper level of capabilities within the Japanese market. “We are excited
AMN Healthcare Completes $195 Million in Acquisitions
As demand for talent remains strong, healthcare companies continue to consolidate. But it is more than hospitals that are in the market for acquisitions. Service providers, too, are playing their part in transforming the sector. AMN Healthcare Services, a provider of healthcare workforce solutions and staffing services, has completed two acquisitions: MedPartners, a national mid-revenue cycle firm,
CarterBaldwin Recruits CEO for Cobb Electric
A variety of non-profit trade associations have turned to executive search firms in recent months to find new leaders. CarterBaldwin Executive Search recently placed Peter Heintzelman as the new president and CEO of Cobb Electric Membership Corp. (Cobb EMC). He replaces Chip Nelson, who is retiring after 45 years with the Marietta, GA-based electric cooperative. Chris Guiney, partner
Higher Education Leadership Search Seeks Chief Compliance Officer for University of Texas of the Permian Basin
Higher Education Leadership Search has been selected by the University of Texas of the Permian Basin to lead in its search for a chief compliance officer. Consultants Geralyn Franklin and Alan Medders are leading the assignment. The incoming executive will oversee and coordinate university-wide compliance and risk-management activities, ensuring that the school and its employees are complying
N2Growth Acquires Data and Analytics Firm Q5 Division
King of Prussia, PA-based N2Growth, a global leadership and talent advisory firm focusing on human and organizational performance, has acquired an interest in Q5 Division, an Indiana-based predictive data and analytics firm. Q5, which was founded five years ago, has established a global reputation for unlocking hidden value and providing new consumer/market insights through intelligent
Witt/Kieffer Appoints CHRO
Executive recruitment firm Witt/Kieffer has appointed HR veteran Tiffany Morris as its chief human resources officer. As a member of the senior leadership team, Ms. Morris is charged with supporting the overall achievement of the firm’s goals and managing the life cycle of the employee experience. “We welcome Tiffany to the firm and are confident that her
