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Daily Newswire
Hunt Scanlon’s Top 10 Search Assignments for 2025
Executive search in 2025 remained steady and increasingly strategic, as organizations continue to rely on trusted advisors to navigate high-stakes leadership decisions amid ongoing market complexity. Hunt Scanlon Media now takes its annual look back at the top 10 searches of the year. Across these following assignments, executive search firms showcased how leadership recruiting is increasingly
Bespoke Partners Recruits CEO for OfficeRnD
San Diego, CA-headquartered Bespoke Partners has placed Matt Keenan as the new CEO of OfficeRnD. He succeeds co-founder Miro Miroslavov, who after 10 years of leading the company will step into the role of executive chairman. Jenny Gray and Dakota Horn led the assignment. “Appreciation to Blue Star Innovation Partners for trusting Bespoke’s CEO, Board, and P&L Practice
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.
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,
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?
Wilson Forms New Alliance with Poetry to Advance AI capabilities
Global talent solutions provider Wilson has formed a new partnership with Poetry to strengthen its AI-enabled recruitment capabilities. The collaboration supports Wilson’s continued focus on embedding technology into its RPO delivery model through Wilson Workspace, its technology ecosystem. “We’re excited to announce our new partnership with Poetry,” said Charles Faigle, chief delivery officer at Wilson. This
What Executive Candidates Want From Employers Today
The executive talent market today has fundamentally shifted and senior leaders are evaluating employers through a far more demanding lens. They no longer weigh opportunities primarily on compensation or title; they assess the total leadership experience: governance, culture, organizational stability, purpose, autonomy, flexibility and long-term growth, according to a report from Kestria. “To attract and retain
WittKieffer Retained by Roosevelt University for President Search
Oak Brook, IL-based WittKieffer has been retained by Roosevelt University in Chicago to lead in its search for its seventh president. Ali Malekzadeh is retiring after being with the school since 2015. Senior partner Christine Pendleton, consultant Sandra Chu, senior associate Maya Holt-Brockenbrough, and senior advisor Ray Crossman. Roosevelt University seeks a student-centered president who is committed
Buffkin / Baker Acquires HR-Focused Benson Executive Search
Partner-led executive search firm Buffkin / Baker has acquired Boston, MA-based Benson Executive Search, a boutique firm focused on the human resources sector. Financial terms of deal were not disclosed. The acquisition strengthens Buffkin / Baker’s HR functional capabilities and gives the firm a stronger presence in the Northeast. “We’re thrilled to welcome Benson Executive Search to
SPMB Recruits Fills Senior Finance Position for Uber
Steven Popper of SPMB Executive Search has placed Wendy Drummond Craig as senior director, technical accounting, reporting, and M&A at Uber. In her new role, she will oversee teams responsible for technical accounting matters, SEC reporting, and accounting for mergers and acquisitions. “Wendy brings an extraordinary combination of technical accounting expertise, SEC reporting experience, and strategic advisory leadership
True Launches AI Capability Index for Executive Assessment
Global executive talent platform True has launched the True AI Capability Index, a proprietary framework that predicts executive performance in the AI-transformation age. “We are entering a phase where relationship depth and judgment matter more than ever,” said Brad Stadler, co-founder and CEO of True Platform. “The cost of finding names is decreasing. True’s advantage lies in our ability
AI-Native Talent Won’t Fix AI-Foreign Organizations
As artificial intelligence moves from experimentation to enterprise-wide adoption, organizations are grappling with a fundamental question: what does it actually mean to become AI-native? While the term has quickly entered the business lexicon, many leaders are still struggling to define the capabilities, operating models, and cultural shifts required to make that vision a reality. “Some
ZRG Partners Acquires Fortium
ZRG Partners has acquired Fortium, a Dallas-based search firm that provides fractional, interim, and project-based CIO, CTO, and CISO leadership. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “Companies are making more nuanced decisions about leadership than they did even a few years ago, particularly in technology,” said Mark Viner, leader of interim solutions & project
Lochlin Partners Recruits SVP of HR for the National Association of Corporate Directors
Lochlin Partners has placed Marian Stevens as senior vice president, human resources of the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) in Washington, D.C. “Marian’s deep experience in talent development, organizational effectiveness, and culture will help NACD to continue building the internal capabilities needed to support our growth and deliver on our mission,” said Peter Gleason, president and CEO of
JDG Associates Tapped by Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute to Find New Leader
Rockville, MD-based executive search firm JDG Associates has been retained by the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) to lead its search for a new president and CEO. The Chicago-based institute, the leading technical institute and trade association for the precast, prestressed concrete industry in North America, seeks a visionary and collaborative executive to succeed its long-serving chief executive,
IIC Partners Adds New Member Firm in New Zealand
IIC Partners Executive Search Worldwide has added Auckland, New Zealand-based Infinitas as its newest member firm expanding its capabilities across the Asia-Pacific region. “I am thrilled to welcome Infinitas to IIC Partners,” said Christine Hayward, executive director of IIC Partners. Their people-first philosophy, tech-enabled search processes, and talent advisory capabilities deeply align with our mission to transform
Hiring for the Culture You Don’t Yet Have
For much of the past decade, organizations have invested heavily in strategy, technology and operational efficiency to navigate an increasingly complex business environment. Yet despite these investments, many transformation initiatives continue to fall short of expectations. The differentiator is rarely the strategy itself. More often, success depends on whether leadership teams have the right people
BoardWalk Consulting Leading CEO Search for Downtown Atlanta Inc.
BoardWalk Consulting has been tapped by Downtown Atlanta Inc. (DAI) to lead in its search for a CEO. The search is being led by Sam Pettway, Crystal Stephens, and Patti Kish. The organization is seeking a leader who can help define what the next generation of Downtown Atlanta will become. This is a leadership opportunity of unusual scale and
Peña Search Assists To Be Like Me with the Recruitment of Executive Director
Peña Search recently assisted in the recruitment of Lauren Rowe as the new executive for To Be Like Me (TBLM) in Dallas, TX. Travis Hillier, Carlos González Peña, and Thaise Pereira led the assignment. She replaces To Be Like Me founder Hollis Owens, who has served as executive director since 2018 and initiated the search for her replacement last
BroadView Talent Partners Tapped by Baltimore Community Lending for President/CEO Search
BroadView Talent Partners was recently retained by Baltimore Community Lending, Inc. (BCL) to lead in its search for a new president and CEO. Tracy McMillan, Robyn Quinn, and Donna Young are leading the assignment. The CEO is the strategic, operational, and external leader of Baltimore Community Lending, responsible for driving the organization’s next era of growth and
Allen Austin Launches Evidence-Based Leadership Assessment VantagePoint
Houston, TX-based search firm Allen Austin launch of VantagePoint, an evidence-based leadership assessment that helps organizations identify and develop high-potential leaders with greater clarity and confidence. VantagePoint is grounded in three decades of leadership advisory work and original research by Allen Austin chairman and CEO Rob Andrews. Over two years, Mr. Andrews interviewed more than 100 CEOs,
The CHRO’s New Mandate
Across industries, the organizational design structure has shifted from a traditional pyramid to an hourglass model. This is not a recent development, explained Slayton Search Partners’ John Doyle in a recent report. “Organizational efficiencies, increased technology and the first wave of Baby Boomer retirements began this transition nearly two decades ago,” he said. “Experienced leaders have been retiring. Internal pipelines have
AGB Search Recruits 11th President for Lewis University
Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, has helped to recruit Christopher Sindt as the 11th president of Lewis University. The Lewis University board of trustees recently announced that president David Livingston, will retire at the conclusion of the 2025–26 academic year. Melissa K. Trotta, Matthew J. Kilcoyne, and John Cech led the assignment. “After
Kincannon & Reed Assists CCI Prime with CFO Search
Kincannon & Reed (K&R), which exclusively focuses on food, agribusiness, and the related life sciences, has assisted in the recruitment of Jamie Broad as CFO of CCI Prime, bringing on a seasoned finance leader to support the company’s next phase of growth. “Jamie’s ability to connect financial insights to operational realities makes her an exceptional
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
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.
Creating a Purpose-Driven Culture
Culture can often feel elusive—something we all sense but find difficult to define. However, it plays a crucial role in shaping how organizations operate and thrive, according to a recent report from TalentRise’s Kristen Fox. “We create culture through the thoughtful intersection of mission, vision, and values. By delving into cultural design, we can gain clarity on
How to Increase the Odds for Successful Hiring
Many ingredients go into finding the right individual for a specific leadership role. The key to a successful hire is finding the balance between the science of management assessment and the art, says Nancie Whitehouse, founder of the talent acquisition consulting firm Whitehouse Advisors. “As a science, we establish core competencies for a prospective executive,
Majority of Legal Departments Prefer In-House Talent
Legal recruiting generally has been booming this year. Lawyers employed by government agencies in particular have been on the move as a result of changes in government administrations. Employment for lawyers is projected to grow 10 percent through 2022. Demand for legal work is expected to be robust as individuals, businesses and all levels of government
Gilman Partners Seeks New Leaders for Two Kentucky-Based Non-Profits
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
University of Illinois Taps Greenwood/Asher in Hunt for Chief Diversity Officer
Chief diversity officers are now considered part of every competitive organization’s senior management team and institutions of all types are lining up to bring these highly sought after leaders on board. Search firms, for their role, are well equipped and well-networked throughout the space. One sector that has increased its demand for top-drawer diversity leadership
Bourne Executive Search Launches in the U.K.
An array of new recruiting firms has been launching around the world in recent months. The latest: Bourne Executive Search in Suffolk, England recently opened its doors for business. “I believe in quality over quantity, and this is especially applicable in senior level recruitment,” said founder and director Charlotte Bourne, in a recent interview with the East
Kumabe HR Seeks Investment Officer for Hawaii Employees’ Retirement System, Honolulu
The $16.3 billion Hawaii Employees’ Retirement System, Honolulu, has retained the services of executive search firm Kumabe HR to find its next chief investment officer. Vijoy Chattergy, who served in the role since 2012, recently left the organization. Reportedly, the pension fund had been selling put options, benefitting from the low volatility of the stock market.
Furst Group Lands New President for the Health Plan Alliance
As the healthcare industry continues its transformation, talent management remains a high priority. The shortage of physicians and other clinicians is one matter. But healthcare organizations must also fill new and expanding leadership roles to carry out strategic initiatives in response to reform efforts, and whatever changes Republicans in Washington, D.C. may deliver. This has
Calibrate Legal Names Chief Client Officer
Calibrate Legal has expanded with the addition of Susan Van Dyke as chief client officer. Her background includes over two decades of legal marketing and communications experience in-house, as a consultant and in the C-suite. “In Susan, we’ve found a fellow advocate for our marketing/BD colleagues, and a seasoned peer advisor for our clients in the C-suite
EMA Partners Expands Into Argentina
EMA Partners International, a global partnership of executive search professionals, has strengthened its presence in the Americas with the addition of recruiting firm Airaldi Smart Human Connections in Buenos Aires. Lucrecia Airaldi has been appointed as the managing partner for EMA Partners Argentina. Ms. Airaldi is the founder of Airaldi Smart Human Connections, the predecessor firm for
Exploring the Growing Importance of Chief Talent Officers
As the war for talent continues to forge onward, designing and implementing a robust talent strategy has become critical for companies to succeed and compete. Organizations are strengthening their internal talent management capabilities under the stewardship of the chief talent officer. In a recent survey by Dallas-based executive search firm Pearson Partners International, 60 percent
Caldwell Partners Lands CFO for Compassus
Executive search firm Caldwell Partners International has placed Bradley Wear as the new executive vice president and CFO of Compassus, a nationwide network of community-based hospice. Neal Maslan and John Blank, both partners in the firm’s life sciences and healthcare practice, led the search. “As a national leader in hospice, palliative and home healthcare, it is imperative
Park Square Executive Search Recruits CEO for Exogenesis Corporation
Boston-based recruiting firm Park Square Executive Search has recruited Dmitry Shashkov as president and CEO of Exogenesis Corp. He replaces company co-founder Richard Svrluga, who will continue to serve Exogenesis during the transition. “We are very pleased to have Dmitry accept our offer to lead Exogenesis to its next level of growth and development,” said Mike Powell,
Amidst Restructuring, Frederickson Partners Announces VP Promotions
As part of an organizational restructuring, Frederickson Partners, a global HR executive search, consulting and outplacement firm, has announced the promotion of two longtime employees, Devin Schroeder and Rosemary Belden, to vice presidents. The firm, formerly Frederickson Pribula Li, cited the pair’s “outstanding leadership in critical HR searches” for the promotions. As part of the
Odgers Interim Expands to Poland
The pressure has never been greater for organizations to deliver strong business results in less time and with fewer resources while mitigating the risk of hiring the wrong leaders. To that end, a number of companies have been turning to temporary leaders to fill their C-suite needs and executive search firms are stepping up. Odgers
What Workers Want May Surprise You
Contrary to what is generally thought, the traditional way of working – meaning, at the office during open hours – is still preferred among respondents of the latest Randstad Workmonitor report. Globally, 68 percent shared this sentiment, with India (85 percent) at the highest end and the Netherlands (47 percent) at the lowest end. Workers
Polachi Fills Board Positions for Progress Software
Executive search firm Polachi Inc. has placed Sam King and Angela Tucci as new members of the board of directors at Progress Software in Bedford, MA. The board, through its nominating and corporate governance committee, and with the assistance of Polachi, selected Ms. King and Ms. Tucci from a large pool of highly qualified individuals, including candidates suggested by the company’s shareholders. The
McCormick Group Places Director of National Security at Buchanan & Edwards
The McCormick Group, an Arlington, VA-based executive recruitment firm, has helped to place Timothy J. Healy as director of national security for Buchanan & Edwards, an information technology consulting company. Principal Tim Ward conducted the search. Mr. Healy, a Marine Corps veteran who served in various roles with the FBI for more than 25 years,
CohenTaylor Executive Search Expands Staff
Minneapolis-headquartered CohenTaylor Executive Search has strengthened its team with the appointments of Lindsay Polyak as vice president of executive recruiting and Maggee Nelson as an executive recruiter. Ms. Polyak brings 30 years of experience to CohenTaylor, spanning HR and organizational redesign, leadership development, change management and retained executive search. Previously, she ran her own firm,
ALSpective Expands In Africa
International consulting and search firm ALSpective Group has expanded in Africa with the addition of Helmi Brinis as managing partner and advisor in Tunisia. “Helmi Brinis has a wealth of experience in advising executives, including financial management and human resources in international groups and SMEs,” said Albert Hiribarrondo, president of the ALSpective Group. “We are proud to
Top 5 HR Trends to Watch
HR experts are now wearing multiple hats to help their employers adapt to a quickly changing workforce environment. The days when HR professionals were viewed as administrative paper pushers are finally gone, said Genevieve Douglas of Bloomberg Law. As a profession, human resources is undergoing a profound shift. Once solely focused on how to manage
TalentRISE Recruits CFO for Prism Healthcare Partners
Chicago-based executive search firm TalentRISE has placed Laura Witter-Johnson as chief financial officer of Prism Healthcare Partners. The assignment was led by J. James O’Malley, partner and executive search practice leader, and Beth Gordon, director for executive search. Prism was seeking a CFO who could help the organization with its strategy to continue profitable organic growth while looking at
Witt/Kieffer Seeks Diversity Leaders for Central Michigan and Ohio Universities
The role of chief diversity officer is expanding at universities across the country. It has, in fact, become one of the most important positions for shaping the vision, culture and very face of institutions of higher learning from coast to coast. It is also increasingly becoming a cabinet-level job, with a broad range of responsibilities
Gatti & Associates Expands Greater Boston Office
Executive search firm Gatti & Associates, a GattiHR company, has expanded with the additions of Peter McStravick as senior vice president and John Todd as vice president in the Medfield, MA office. “Peter’s deep experience in global executive search at two well-regarded firms supports our continued expansion in large markets and within the tech sector,” said Alice Koehn Benson, president and CEO at Gatti
Direct Recruiters Partners with Assessment Firm
Cleveland-based executive search firm Direct Recruiters Inc. (DRI) has formed a partnership with PRADCO, a talent assessment, development and management company. “With the ongoing data-driven environment we are experiencing, our partnership with PRADCO will assist us in our goal of providing customized solutions that help our clients hire top talent for mission-critical positions,” said Dan
Six Mistakes to Avoid When Building Your In-House Recruiting Function
For many companies, starting an in-house recruiting operation to find senior-level talent makes good sense. They can save money on search firm fees and take full control of their hiring destiny. What’s more, in-house recruiters have an advantage over external recruiters in that they fully understand their company’s brand, and its culture and goals, all
Development Guild DDI Seeking Development Officer for Farnsworth Art Museum
For non-profit organizations, these are challenging days. 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 chief development officer become all the more critical. Museums
Korn Ferry Helps Find New AD for University of Louisville
Korn Ferry recently assisted in the recruitment of Vince Tyra as the new vice president for intercollegiate athletics and athletics director for the University of Louisville. The former business executive becomes just the third athletics director for the Cardinals in the last 38 years. The previous AD, Tom Jurich, was fired in the wake of an FBI
Benchmark Executive Search Expands Advisory Board
Global spending on cybersecurity by companies and governments is expected to reach over $90 billion this year, according to information technology research advisory group Gartner. There are some 500,000 cyber attacks globally every day – with American companies experiencing billions of dollars in intellectual property theft, much of which goes either unnoticed or unreported. All
Momenta Partners Strengthens Staff with Veteran Lawyer
Zurich-based executive search firm Momenta Partners has expanded with the addition of Laura Westby as partner. She will assist the firm in growing the advisory, executive search and ventures business globally from offices in Basel, Switzerland and Minneapolis. Ms. Westby has more than 20 years’ experience driving commercial arrangements, strategic counsel and corporate development in deep technology sectors.
Big Challenges Ahead for Recruiting and Talent Sector
Across many parts of the globe, 2018 has started with a job market as robust as any in recent years. It’s been so strong that recruiters are being forced to get creative in order to fill all the position mandates coming their way. And they’re not the only ones. A new Korn Ferry report, in
Quick Leonard Kieffer Lands CNO for Illinois Valley Community Hospital
As the life sciences sector continues to expand and reconfigure itself, vanguard organizations in the field are looking to bolster their leadership ranks. In demand: multi-skilled executives, physician leaders and nurses who can effect change on many levels. Of the four major C-suite roles in the typical hospital, the chief nursing officer (CNO) has traditionally been







