DAILY NEWSWIRE - TOP STORIES
Daily Newswire
Hunt Scanlon’s Top 10 Recruiting Stories of 2025
In 2025, the recruiting and executive search industry entered a pivotal transformation driven by the rapid integration of AI and data intelligence. As firms navigated uneven hiring demand and ongoing consolidation, recruiters increasingly turned to AI-powered platforms, advanced analytics, and leadership science to deliver sharper insight, faster outcomes, and measurable value for clients. Investor activity
Isaacson, Miller Retained by the Brooklyn Academy of Music for President Search
Boston-based Isaacson, Miller was recently called by the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) to lead in its search for a new president. Partners Ben Tobin and Sarah James are leading this search with managing associate Tiffany Weber and managing search coordinator Siobhan Hanley. In the world’s most competitive philanthropic market, the president will inspire board partners and team to help build
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.
BarkerGilmore Recruits General Counsel for American Credit Acceptance
Boutique search firm BarkerGilmore, which specializes in building corporate legal and compliance teams, has placed Debra Noll as general counsel at American Credit Acceptance. The search was led by Stephen Bell and Alison Waters. “Deb is exceptionally well-positioned to support American Credit Acceptance as it continues to grow and adapt in a complex environment,” BarkerGilmore said in a LinkedIn
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?
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,
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
Chief People Officer 2030: Developing a Toolkit for the Future of Leadership
HR leaders are deep into the evolution of their roles, shifting from back-office operational experts to strategic business partners. Every day, they navigate transformation on multiple levels—within their roles, their function, their organizations, and the broader business environment. The Covid-19 pandemic kick-started the pace of change, but volatility since, including geopolitical and economic volatility, new
Vlaad and Company Chosen by Canada Infrastructure Bank to Lead Search Efforts
Vlaad and Company, a Toronto-based financial services executive search firm, has been retained to help structure and take part in the hiring of up to 50 employees that are expected to be added to the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) by this summer. The newly created bank is designed to attract private investment in Canadian infrastructure
Storbeck/Pimentel & Associates Seeks President for University of Oklahoma
Executive search firms continue to reap the benefits of an active education sector, which many academic recruiters report has never been busier. Even smaller recruiting outfits have multiple assignments running concurrently, all at the senior levels. If any slowdown is coming, it most likely will be found at the talent identification stage. With so much
Quick Leonard Kieffer Appoints CEO
Executive recruitment firms have made a number of top leadership appointments this past year, many focused on strategy, growth, branding efforts and operations. The latest: Chicago-based Quick Leonard Kieffer has named Steven M. Derks as its president and CEO. He takes over from Roger Quick, who will now serve as vice chair. “We are delighted to welcome
StevenDouglas Expands Into Canada
Sunrise, FL-based executive search firm StevenDouglas has expanded into Canada with the opening of a new office in Toronto. Navinder Binning, who joined the firm as vice president, will lead the executive search business in the Canadian region, said the firm. Her focus will be to further develop the recruiters’ presence by delivering high-caliber talent for Canada’s leading
Bringing Today’s Candidates Into New Talent Pipelines
Companies continue to have trouble attracting and hiring top talent. As the scope of readily available high-level candidates shrinks, leading prospects have more offers than ever. For employers, the answer is to place greater emphasis on the candidate in building a talent pipeline, according to a recent study by Aberdeen Group. Eighty-seven percent of companies
TillmanCarlson Names CEO
Executive search firm TillmanCarlson has appointed Kelly Carlson as its president and CEO. Entering its 16th year, the firm says her promotion sets the stage for growth, innovation and the ability to provide a clear alternative to larger human capital firms. “When we founded the business in 2002, we set out to build a firm that was
Preng & Associates Lands CEO for Memphis Light, Gas and Water
After a national search, executive recruitment firm Preng & Associates has placed Jarl T. Young as the new president and CEO of Memphis Light, Gas and Water (MLGW). Appointed by Mayor Jim Strickland and approved by Memphis City Council, Mr. Young begins his tenure March 19. He replaces Jerry Collins, who is retiring at the end of this
Russell Reynolds Associates Finds New CEO for Struggling Neiman Marcus Group
Russell Reynolds Associates has helped to place Geoffroy van Raemdonck as the new CEO of Neiman Marcus Group. The former Ralph Lauren group president for Europe, the Middle East and Africa replaces Karen Katz, who is retiring on Feb.12. The Dallas-based luxury department store company has been struggling under heavy debt since its $6 billion
Spencer Stuart Appoints Financial Officer Practice Leader
Chicago-headquartered search firm Spencer Stuart has named Christopher Gaunt as leader of its financial officer practice for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Mr. Gaunt works on a variety of main board CFO appointments across industries in the FTSE 100, FTSE 250 and for private equity-backed portfolio companies. He has a strong international focus, often for
A Road Map to the Evolving American Workplace
For American workers, “the ability to do what they do best” is the single most important factor in considering a new job, according to the recently released “State of the American Workplace” report from Gallup. In all, 60 percent of the employees surveyed said that the ability to do what they do best in a
ZRG Partners Names Country Head for China
ZRG Partners, the fastest growing search firm in the U.S., has expanded with the addition of Carren Shi as a managing director and country head of China, based in the firm’s Shanghai office. She brings to the role 20 years of local market business experience, with more than 12 years in executive search. Over the years, Ms. Shi has
Korn Ferry Lands New GM for Houston Texans
With the NFL season all but over and the Super Bowl approaching, a flurry of coaching and general manager activity has been underway. Korn Ferry recently assisted in placing Brian Gaine as the new general manager of the Houston Texans. His predecessor, Rick Smith, took an extended leave of absence to help care for his wife, who
Accelent Fills CTO Post for Beam Solutions
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. Executive search firm Accelent recently placed Andreas Bayer as the chief technology officer of
Jackson Healthcare Acquires Search Firm Avant Healthcare Professionals
Acquisitions continue to make news in the recruiting industry and the latest wave appears to be carrying into 2018. The most recent: Jackson Healthcare, a provider of healthcare recruiting, search and technology services, has acquired Orlando, FL-based search firm Avant Healthcare Professionals. Financial terms of the deal were undisclosed. Avant, a veteran player in international
Human Strengths Touted as the Solution to Challenges of the Skills Revolution
As technology transforms organizations, skills needs are changing rapidly and companies are struggling to find the talent they need. The key to coming out on top for individuals and employers alike is to develop the best blend of technical skills and soft skills, according to a recent report issued by ManpowerGroup. The “Robots Need Not
Witt/Kieffer Tapped to Find New AD for University of California, Berkeley
Executive search firm Witt/Kieffer has been retained by the University of California, Berkeley, to lead the search for a new director of intercollegiate athletics. The new hire will replace Mike Williams, who is retiring in May. Greg Santore, principal and practice leader of Witt/Kieffer’s sports leadership practice, is leading the assignment, along with senior partner Zachary Smith, deputy
Bridge Partners Places Four Senior Leaders for Non-Profit Groups
New York-based executive recruitment firm Bridge Partners has placed four top-level leaders – three chief executive officers and an executive director – with innovative non-profit organizations. The groups are: Global Health Corps, Global Fund for Children, Headstrong Project and Resource Area for Teaching. At Global Health Corps (GHC), which has its headquarters in New York,
NPAworldwide Adds Six New U.S. Member Firms
Member-owned recruitment network NPAworldwide has added six member firms in the U.S. as it continues to expand its global roster. NPA now has 500 member offices across six continents. Membership in the network allows independent recruiters to serve their clients and candidates by partnering with other member firms on a split-fee basis. “Congratulations to each of our new members,”
Agilium Worldwide’s Irish Arm Expands
Principal Connections, the Irish arm of Agilium Worldwide, officially opened the doors of its new offices in Galway, its first outside of Dublin. “I am delighted to welcome the expansion of the firm to Galway and to congratulate Pat O’Donnell and indeed all the Principal Connections consulting team on this tremendous milestone,” said Mary Hoade, an
Four Major Global Recruiting Trends from LinkedIn
Hiring talent has become highly transactional. Tedious candidate searches, endless scheduling and repetitive screening can be inefficient and mind numbing. A new report suggests that it’s time for recruiting to focus on the more gratifying aspects of the job – the human part, the strategic part. LinkedIn just released its 2018 Global Recruiting Trends report, revealing
DHR Recruits Head Football Coach for University of Arizona
With the college football season at its end, expect to see a lot of firing and hiring activity involving coaches. With that, schools are expected to continue relying on search firms to fill the resulting vacancies. The latest, after a search that lasted all of about two weeks, DHR International has placed Kevin Sumlin as head
McDermott & Bull Finds CEO for UCP of Orange County
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 has grown by 17 percent. With demand for non-profit talent at an all-time high, search firms
Stanton Chase Opens Office in Washington, D.C.
Stanton Chase International is continuing with its growth strategy, recently opening a new office in Washington, D.C. Jeff Perkins, a veteran executive search professional, has been appointed managing director of the location. He will work closely with managing director Lyn Cason of the firm’s Baltimore office. In addition to his managing director responsibilities, Mr. Perkins will focus
Human Cloud Firm Hyr Raises $1.3 Million in Funding
Investment dollars continue to pour into new technology designed to change the talent management game. The latest: New York-based human cloud firm Hyr raised $1.3 million in a seed funding round led by venture capital firm Flybridge Capital Partners, according to media reports. Hyr, which matches gig workers with hospitality companies, has boarded more than 10,000 workers
Shifting Needs in Life Sciences Attract Non-Traditional Talent
To keep up with the mind-bending changes that are coursing through the life sciences sector, recruiters who specialize in this area are keeping an open mind to new possibilities in their own work. As Leslie Loveless, CEO of Slone Partners explains, the life sciences industry has become increasingly consumer-centric, opening the door for recruiting more
Isaacson, Miller Seeks New Leaders for Philadelphia, Minnesota Orchestras
These are challenging days for orchestras in America. Rising costs, declining attendance and fundraising pressures make it critical that orchestras choose the right leaders to keep them financially sound, relevant and providing the highest level of music for their audiences. Among the search firms that are playing a vital role in this mission is Isaacson,
Goldsmith & Co. Finds Chief Investment Officer for New York Public Library
Executive search firm Goldsmith & Co. has placed Geetanjali Gupta as the new chief investment officer of the New York Public Library. She replaces outgoing chief investment officer Todd Corbin. The search committee was led by the chair of the library’s board of trustees investment committee, Dinakar Singh, with board of trustees chairman Evan Chesler, trustees Ray McGuire
OverNorth Expands Search Staff
Executive search firm OverNorth has appointed David L. Hansen as principal for its manufacturing, private equity and business services search practices. “Dave represents a strategic hire for our firm and we’re all very excited to have him join the OverNorth team,” said partner Renato T. Amador. “His extensive manufacturing sector experience extends our capabilities in the industrial technology
Partners in Human Resources International Launches Search Division
Partners in Human Resources International (Partners International), a New York City-based provider of career transition services, executive coaching and talent consulting, has formed an executive search practice. Peter Movesian has joined the firm as senior vice president of executive search and will lead the new division. Mr. Movesian has over two decades of service as
Seeking Talent, One Employee at a Time
These are better days for jobs in America. Hiring is up. And the unemployment rate remains at a stellar 4.1 percent. That’s good news all the way around. For employers, however, many challenges remain: Competition for talent is high. Finding individuals with the right skills remains tough. Transitioning to a Millennial workforce can be a
Kittleman & Associates Tapped by Frey Foundation to Find CEO
Chicago-based executive search firm Kittleman & Associates has been retained by the Frey Foundation in Grand Rapids, MI to lead its search for a new CEO. Vice president Megan Monaco is spearheading the assignment. The next president of the Frey Foundation will join an organization that is committed to maximizing its impact in west and northern Michigan, said
