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Vardis Finds PE CEOs Under Pressure, But Optimistic
The Private Equity CEO Report from Vardis, based on a survey of 1,200 chief executives of PE-backed companies, paints a picture of resilience paired with constraint. Seventy percent of CEOs say company performance is “as expected” or better, yet exit activity remains muted, with 2025 tracking as the slowest year for PE exits since 2017, despite a
Why Executive Hiring in 2026 Must Be More Strategic Than Ever
As the calendar turned to 2026, one question looms large: how will you ensure your next leadership team and your next leadership hire drives strategy, culture, and growth rather than simply filling a gap? With complexity, transformation, and succession pressures mounting, relying on who happens to be looking to join your team is no longer
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.
Kincannon & Reed Appoints VP of Marketing and Business Development
Kincannon & Reed (K&R), which exclusively focuses on food, agribusiness, and the related life sciences, has expanded with the addition of Dan Evans as vice president of marketing and business development. “Dan brings a strong background in building brands, driving growth, and connecting strategy to execution,” said Stephanie Liska, president of Kincannon & Reed. “Throughout his career,
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?
Women Founders Gain Ground in Human Capital M&A
A meaningful shift has been unfolding across the executive search industry. Over the past decade, a growing number of highly specialized boutiques have been founded and led by women, many of whom built successful careers within larger firms before launching businesses of their own. What is becoming increasingly clear is that investors are paying attention.
Private Equity Recruiting – Return on Investment: Creating Value with Talent
Talent has become a defining driver of performance in private equity, shaping how firms manage risk, execute strategy, and deliver sustained returns. As deal cycles tighten and value creation depends increasingly on operational excellence, leadership quality and organizational design are no longer secondary considerations — they are central to how firms source, underwrite, and scale
AGB Search Seeking Chief Information Technology Officer for Slippery Rock University
Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, has been retained by Slippery Rock University to lead in its search for a chief information technology officer (CITO). Kimberly Templeton, Margaret Plympton, and Anne Hoffman are leading the assignment. This leader serves as the University’s senior technology executive, providing strategic vision, leadership, and executive
The Talent Studios Recruits Chief Marketing Officer for Pura Vida Miami
The Talent Studios has recruited Bruno Cardinali as chief marketing officer of Pura Vida Miami, the premium all-day café and lifestyle brand focused on health, wellness and community. The search was led by Katlyn Maloney and Jeremy Cohen. Mr. Cardinali brings more than two decades of marketing leadership across fast casual, foodservice, beverage, and global consumer brands. Most recently, as
JM Search Expands Technology and Financial Services Practices
JM Search, a senior-level talent provider serving private equity investors, portfolio companies, and Fortune 1000s, has expanded with the additions of Wes Chisholm as partner and Laura Bennstrom and Charles Telep as principals within its technology and financial services practices. Mr. Chisholm and Mr. Telep join the firm’s technology practice while Ms. Bennstrom joins both the financial
How The Tolan Group Navigated the Downturn and Remained Focused
For many executive search firms, 2024 and 2025 tested resilience in ways few could have predicted. At The Tolan Group (TTG), they experienced the same pressures felt across the industry. Slower decision cycles, delayed starts, and a noticeable dip in portfolio company hiring activity. Yet through that uncertainty, one thing remained constant: our commitment to
Korn Ferry Reports Seven Percent Q4 and Full-Year Revenue Growth, Led by Double-Digit Gains in Professional Search & Interim
Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) has posted Q4 fiscal-year revenues of $759.8 million, a year-over-year increase of seven percent and five percent at constant currency. This was led by Professional Search & Interim up 14 percent, followed by Executive Search and Consulting, both up seven percent and RPO up five percent. During the fourth quarter, revenues rose by
Lock Search Group Leading CEO Search for Atlas Sign & Awning
Toronto-headquartered executive recruitment firm Lock Search Group is currently seeking a new CEO for Atlas Sign & Awning. For over 30 years, Atlas Sign & Awning has helped businesses across Canada and the United States stand out through custom commercial signage, awnings, and branded architectural elements. Based in Langley, BC, they’ve built a strong reputation for quality
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
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
Growth and M&A Activity to Surge Across Recruitment Sector In 2025
Hunt Scanlon Media has released its annual rankings of leading executive search firms, giving the sector its first official performance review on last year’s activity. In the U.S. and globally, billions of dollars poured into the high-end recruitment sector in 2024, despite an economically challenging year. “The recruiting sector found stability and recovery in 2024
IIC Partners Expands Into Turkey
Executive search consultants are seeing an increase in hiring mandates from around the world. To meet the 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. IIC Partners Executive Search Worldwide, for one example, is continuing its recent
Employees Looking for New Opportunities in 2018
Approximately three in 10 (29 percent) professionals intend to look for a new position in the next 12 months, according to a survey by Accountemps, a recruiting arm of Robert Half. Of the 27 markets surveyed, Los Angeles (40 percent), Austin (38 percent), and Dallas (37 percent) topped the list of U.S. cities with the most workers planning to find
Major, Lindsey & Africa Places General Counsel at American University
Legal recruiting has largely been booming this year. Recently, recruiters Deborah Ben-Canaan and Michael Sachs from Major, Lindsey & Africa helped place Traevena Byrd as vice president and general counsel at American University (AU) in Washington, D.C. She begins her new role on April 9. “I am thrilled that Traevena is joining AU as our next general counsel,”
Aspen Leadership Group Lands Chief Advancement Officer for National Museum of Wildlife Art
Museums are increasingly turning to specialist recruiters to help fill critical senior-level leadership roles. Aspen Leadership Group, an executive recruitment firm based in Aspen, CO, has recently placed Bill Friedeman as the new chief advancement officer of the National Museum of Wildlife Art (NMWA). “We are elated, after an intense nationwide search, to have Bill on board,”
Optimum Talent Names Leader of Executive Search for Central Canada
Toronto-headquartered Optimum Talent has appointed Samantha Wood as vice president and market leader of executive search and recruitment solutions in Central Canada. “Welcoming Samantha to the firm is a big win for Optimum Talent. She brings with her tremendous industry knowledge and a great reputation as a leader, which is exactly what we need as we
Chad Harrison International Opens in Brussels and Frankfurt
U.K.-headquartered executive recruiters Chad Harrison International (CHI) has expanded with the opening new offices in Brussels and Frankfurt. The firm said it sees the cities as viable locations to develop business and build stronger connections within their specialties. “The strategic office openings will facilitate easier interaction with candidates and clients in the two countries and
Black Women Executive Hires in South Africa Show Ongoing Growth
As Black History Month comes to a close, annual statistics for top leadership placements in South Africa have, for the second year in a row, shown a sustained increase in race and gender transformation. Annual placement statistics collected by Jack Hammer, a Cape Town executive recruitment firm, show an eight percent increase in black economic
Higher Education Leadership Search Seeks Provost for Northeastern State University
The hunt for university leadership has been heating up, especially with searches for provosts and chancellors. Among the latest, Higher Education Leadership Search has been selected by Northeastern State University in Oklahoma to help find a new provost and vice president of academic affairs. Consultants Bill Meehan and Alan Medders are leading the assignment. The provost
Russell Reynolds Associates Leading CEO Search for State Employees Credit Union
These are critical days for credit unions. The U.S. has nearly 6,000 of them, with more than $1.2 trillion in assets, according to the National Credit Union Administration. But with the steady retirement of Baby Boomers, among other factors, the cooperatives are facing the loss of more than 4,000 chief executive officers and senior managers
Odgers Berndtson Names Head of U.S. Aviation & Hospitality Practice
Executive search firm Odgers Berndtson has continued its recent expansion with the addition of Frank Morogiello to its Dallas office as a partner and head of the firm’s U.S. aviation & hospitality practice focusing on aerospace and defense. “With more than 25 years of experience as a search professional and as an experienced C-suite executive, Frank brings
McDermott & Bull Acquires Denver-based Prime-Core Executive Search
Acquisitions continue to make news in the recruiting industry and recent activity appears to be carrying over into 2018. McDermott & Bull has acquired Denver-based Prime-Core Executive Search. Ken Dropiewski, as a result, joins the firm as a principal consultant in the sciences group, specializing in the med-tech space. “The addition of Ken to our
Six Leadership Megatrends Changing the Workplace
New data shows that what is most keeping C-level executives awake at night is their people strategies. According to a joint report by DDI, the Conference Board and EY, C-suite professionals rank developing “next gen” leaders and failure to attract and retain top talent as their biggest challenges. Only 14 percent of CEOs believe they have the leadership talent
CarterBaldwin Seeks CEO for Christian Group World Vision
World Vision, one of the largest Christian ministries in the world, has retained the services of executive search firm CarterBaldwin Executive Search to help find a new president and chief executive for its U.S. office. After 20 years at the helm, the group’s leader, Richard Stearns, recently announced his plans to retire at the end
Heidrick & Struggles In Hunt for Chief Revenue Officer for Imperva
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. Imperva, a NASDAQ-traded
Diversified Search Expands to Boston
Executive search firm Diversified Search, one of the top 10 executive recruitment firms in the U.S., has expanded into Boston with the addition of Molly A. Robb, a seasoned search executive with more than 20 years experience placing C-suite talent in the healthcare, private equity/venture capital and life sciences sectors. She joins the firm as a managing director
Kaye/Bassman Names Managing Partners
Executive search firm Kaye/Bassman International Corp. has promoted Stewart Currie and Cynthia Salinas to new managing partners within its construction and real estate practice. Since joining Kaye/Bassman in 2013, Mr. Currie has lead search efforts for the construction & real estate practice focusing on the southeastern U.S. He specializes in the commercial, industrial and residential
ENGAGE Talent Secures $3 Million in Funding
ENGAGE Talent, an AI software company that helps companies identify and effectively engage with passive candidates, has raised $3 million in new funding. Participating investors include Revolution’s Rise of the Rest Seed Fund, Refinery Ventures and Grand Ventures. “While we’re proud of what we’ve accomplished, we’re eager to use this new funding to accelerate our progress
DHR International Recruits Artistic Director for the Brooklyn Academy of Music
DHR International has placed David Binder as the artistic director of the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM). He succeeds long-time executive producer Joseph V. Melillo, who will step down at the end of the year. James Abruzzo, managing partner of DHR’s global non-profit recruiting practice, led the search. “The Brooklyn Academy of Music is the major presenter of the
Sterling Martin Associates Seeks New Leader for League of Women Voters
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
SearchWide Launches Express Recruiting Service
After suffering a massive hit during the Great Recession, employment and hiring within the travel, hotel and hospitality industry has begun to rebound. In the last year, according to one set of survey metrics, the industry added 527,000 jobs (2.6 million since 2004). That number is likely to increase this year as global tourism and travel
Rialto Recruitment Opens New Office
Rialto Recruitment | Atlantae Executive Search, a technical and scientific focused search firm based in Niel, Belgium, has opened a second office in the Belgian city of Genk. In addition, Rialto has obtained the new Federgon RSS quality label. Rialto Recruitment originated as Atlantae 17 years ago, followed by its merger in 2012 with Egeminplus. “With
Executive Recruiters Prove Invaluable to Thriving Global Sports Sector
The global sports industry has grown into a juggernaut. Its revenues are as much as $700 billion a year, surpassing the economies of many countries, according to the accounting firm KPMG. So it only makes sense that executive recruitment firms have become essential partners to organizations that are feeling the heat not just to win
Buffkin / Baker Leads Chief Marketing Officer Search for University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System has enlisted executive search firm Buffkin / Baker to fill the position of executive director for the joint office of strategic communications and marketing. The incoming executive will serve as the chief marketing and communications officer for the University of Missouri-Columbia (MU) and for the UM System. The incoming leader should have a clear,
Isaacson, Miller Seeks Development Officer for Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts
Museums are increasingly turning to specialist recruiters to help fill critical, senior-level leadership roles. The Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) in Boston recently tapped executive search firm Isaacson, Miller to lead its search for a chief development officer. Vice president Jack Gorman is heading the assignment along with senior associate Becky Wei Piper, associate Sarah Hecklau
Recruitment Technology Platform Joveo Receives $5 Million in Funding
Investment dollars continue to pour into new technology designed to change the talent management industry. The latest: Joveo, a recruitment technology platform, recently raised $5 million in Series A funding led by Nexus Venture Partners. The start-up intends to use the cash infusion to continue to accelerate its product offerings, expand its partnerships and scale its AI/deep-learning layer. “Our vision is
Spinnaker Global Appoints Director Executive Search
Spinnaker Global Ltd, a Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, U.K.-based recruitment agency specializing in shore-based shipping, has named Jon Chaplin as director of executive search. “Our executive search business has never been busier,” said Phil Parry, chairman at Spinnaker Global. “While improved market conditions can only help, we have benefited from taking the long-term view that comprehensive shipping knowledge,
A New Look at How Jobs are Created, Found, Applied for and Won
Despite two major hurricanes and political turmoil in Washington, D.C., the U.S. economy forged ahead last year, adding more than 1.9 million new jobs and pushing stock markets to an all-time record high. After eight years of steady job growth, the nation’s unemployment rate hit a 17-year low. But there is more to the jobs
Turnkey Search Finds President of Business Operations for the Miami Marlins
Sports and entertainment recruitment firm Turnkey Search has placed Chip Bowers as the Miami Marlins’ president of business operations. He will report directly to Marlins CEO Derek Jeter. Leading the assignment was Len Perna, Turnkey’s president, founder and CEO. It is yet another top leadership post being referred to a boutique specialist. “Our goal is to operate a
John Keister & Associates Lands Leader for 120-Year Old Waukegan Public Library
Search firms that service the library sector are busier than ever. Vernon Hills, IL-based search firm John Keister & Associates, for one, recently recruited Selina Gomez-Beloz as executive director of the Waukegan Public Library in Lake County, IL. She replaces Richard Lee who retired last month after nearly 15 years in the role. Her tenure beings on Monday. Ms.
True Talent Advisory Names Chief People Officer
Talent acquisition strategies at many large companies have become as complex as their balance sheets. At most companies the chief human resource officer (CHRO) plays a vital role in overseeing an organization’s broad-based workforce. The chief people officer, on the other hand, typically goes beyond overseeing an organization’s people policies. The focus, instead, is on building
Top Gun Ventures Announces Senior Promotions
Plano, TX-based executive search firm Top Gun Ventures has promoted Brian Adamik and Bjorn Kirchdorfer to senior partners in Boston and Dallas. Both have been with Top Gun Ventures for about 10 years and have been instrumental in building a national and global business and in significantly contributing to the branding of Top Gun Ventures in the
