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Why Most Boards Underperform and Why 2026 is the Year to Fix It
Even the most capable boards can struggle to translate individual expertise into collective performance. If you spend enough time in boardrooms of any flavor, whether public, private, PE-backed, family-owned, or non-profit, you eventually notice a strange phenomenon, explained a recent report from Rob Andrews, founder and CEO of Houston, TX-based search firm Allen Austin. “Everyone is
VC and PE Talent Partners Should Be Pursuing the Same Marketing Leader — Here’s Why
For much of the last decade, talent partners could draw a clean line between marketing leadership profiles in venture-backed and private-equity-backed companies. Venture portfolios hired for invention, narrative, and early demand discovery while private equity portfolios hired for discipline, efficiency, and EBITDA stewardship, according to a recent report from RevelOne’s John Levisay. “That distinction has eroded,”
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.
U.S. Adds 162,000 Jobs in August as Unemployment Holds at 4.1 Percent
Employment increased by 162,000 in August as the U.S. unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.1 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. The number of unemployed people, at 7.0 million, changed little in August. Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rate for people who are Asian declined to 3.2 percent in August.
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?
WittKieffer Recruits President and CEO for the American Hospital Association
Oak Brook, IL-based WittKieffer has placed Steve Walsh as the new president and CEO of the American Hospital Association (AHA). Andrew Chastain, Paul Bohne, and Keshia Harris led the assignment. “Following a thoughtful national search, the board unanimously selected Steve Walsh to serve as the next president and CEO of the American Hospital Association,” said Marc L. Boom, chair of the AHA
Egon Zehnder Appoints Global Leader of HR Practice
Global leadership advisory firm Egon Zehnder has named Ayşe Güçlü Onur as global leader of its human resources practice. She succeeds Rafael Altavini, who helped expand the practice’s work with leaders, teams and organizations navigating transformation and change. “This appointment comes as companies and boards increasingly look to CHROs to help shape business strategy, lead transformation, build leadership
The Industry’s Profit Conversion Problem — And Why Going AI-Native is the Way Out
The recruiting industry is not short on revenue. Fee revenue at the 50 largest executive search firms in the U.S. and Americas jumped 11 percent last year, topping $6.69 billion, according to Hunt Scanlon‘s 2026 annual rankings. Across broader staffing, the picture is more muted, but revenue is still flowing. The problem is what happens
BoardWalk Consulting Leading CEO Search for the National Breast Cancer Coalition
BoardWalk Consulting was recently retained by the National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC) to lead in its search for a new CEO. The search is being led by Crystal Stephens and Terri Kohan. This is a rare opportunity: to lead one of the most respected and independent voices in breast cancer advocacy, building on three decades of momentum. Reporting
GHP Search Partners with Ascend Learning on Board Member Appointments
GHP Search, formerly known as Greenwich Harbor Partners, was recently tapped by Ascend Learning to assist in growing both the Ascend Learning board of directors and the Ascend Charter Schools board of trustees. New members of the Ascend Learning board identified by GHP include Robert Childs, retired EVP, strategic initiatives at American Express and Amy Mbagwu-Bagolini, a founding leader of Amazon’s Streaming TV advertising business. Richard Young Jr, director,
FMG Leading Adds Healthcare Strategy and Transformation Expert
Human capital advisory firm FMG Leading has expanded with the addition of healthcare strategy and transformation expert Doug Van Wie as managing director. The firm explained that the addition further aligns FMG Leading’s capabilities with the needs of investor-backed organizations looking to add value and mitigate risk as they deploy purpose-driven capital into the rapidly evolving healthcare system.
Caldwell Launches Global Financial Institutions Group Practice
Toronto-based Caldwell has launch its global financial institutions group (FIG) practice, bringing together the firm’s financial services capabilities under a single, globally coordinated practice. “This is more than a change in name,” said Chris Beck, chief executive officer of Caldwell. “It reflects the scale, connectivity, and depth of the practice we have built globally, as well as
M&A in the Search Industry: How Consolidation Is Reshaping Who Wins
M&A activity is becoming an increasingly important force across the executive search sector as investors and larger platforms look for opportunities to expand capabilities, sector expertise, and geographic reach. For independent firms, the trend is placing greater scrutiny on how effectively their businesses are structured, managed, and positioned for the future. Against this backdrop, search
Korn Ferry Completes Acquisition of AMS
Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) has completed its acquisition of U.K.-headquartered AMS from OMERS Private Equity. The combined organization brings together two highly complementary organizations across geographies and industries with a shared commitment to drive business performance. The collective firm will have more than 16,000 colleagues. In accordance with the terms of the acquisition agreement and in the
Myers McRae Helps Pensacola State College Select Finalist for President Role
Macon, GA-based Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting has assisted Pensacola State College (PSC) with the selection of J. Alex Kelly as the finalist to become it’s next president. The committee’s recommendation followed a national search led by Kenny Daugherty of Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting. The search attracted 107 qualified applicants from across the country. The committee selected
Potrero Group Recruits CEO for Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership
San Francisco-based leadership consulting and search firm Potrero Group has placed Karen Strolia as the next CEO of Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership (CVNL) in San Rafael, CA. She succeeds longtime CVNL CEO Linda Jacobs, who led the organization for 25 years. “The board is thrilled to welcome Karen as CVNL’s next chief executive officer,” said Luana Vaetoe,
Marovi Appoints Head of Engineering
Atlanta-GA-based Marovi has expanded with the addition of Ebubechukwu “Don” Enwerem as head of engineering. “Over the past few years, Don has had several engineering terms with Amazon Robotics – work estimated to save millions in operational costs. In between stints, he was building with Marovi. When the opportunity came to continue with Amazon, Don chose
As Executive Search Accelerates, Judgment Becomes the Differentiator
Executive search firms are under pressure to demonstrate value earlier than ever. Clients increasingly expect firms to understand the market, identify credible candidates, and begin calibrating on potential profiles before a search has even formally launched. AI and new data tools are helping firms meet those demands. Tasks that once took days can now be
Fractional vs. Full-Time Executives: The Real Math for Mid-Sized Growing Companies
As mid-sized companies grow, one of the more consequential leadership decisions is determining when fractional executive support is sufficient and when the business requires a full-time leader. A recent ExactSearch.AI report examined the economics behind that decision, finding that the answer often depends less on compensation than on the level of ownership, accountability, and organizational
Lindauer Recruits Chief Development Officer for C-SPAN
Following a national search, Lindauer has assisted in the recruitment of Adele Hixon-Day as the first chief development officer of C-SPAN. The search is being led by Lindauer vice president Maureen Huminik, senior vice president Bob Giannino, and senior consultant Taylor Beard. “Adele joins C-SPAN at a pivotal moment,” said C-SPAN CEO Sam Feist. “For decades, the cable and satellite, and recently
Pyramind Recruits President and CEO for The SkillSource Group
Following a national search, Falls Church, VA-based executive search firm Pyramind has placed Clifford Yee as president and CEO of The SkillSource Group, Inc. (SSG), fiscal sponsor of Virginia Career Works – Northern. He succeeds interim executive officer Seema Jain, following a leadership transition supported by SkillSource’s staff, board, and community partners. “Cliff has a strong
Buffkin / Baker Acquires Fortra Search
In an effort to strengthen its venture capital and private equity search capabilities, Buffkin / Baker has acquired Fortra Search, a boutique retained executive search firm focused exclusively on executive sales and revenue leadership. The firm has also named its founder Andy Grosso as partner. “We’re thrilled to welcome Andy to Buffkin / Baker,” said Jackson Ross, partner
The Role of the CFO in PE-Backed Businesses
The role of the CFO in private equity-backed businesses has shifted materially in recent years. Historically a function for financial stewardship, the CFO role is now defined by operational accountability, value creation and the ability to translate investment strategy into outcomes. A recent report from U.K.-based executive search firm The Barton Partnership (TBP). The study examined how
JDG Associates Seeking Executive Director for the National Coalition for Assistive and Rehab Technology
Rockville, MD-based executive search firm JDG Associates was recently selected by the National Coalition for Assistive and Rehab Technology (NCART) to lead its search for a new executive director. The position is remote and may be based anywhere in the United States, with proximity to the Washington, D.C. area considered a plus. NCART stands at a pivotal moment, with active,
Calibre One Assists Cibus with CEO Search
Calibre One has helped to recruit board member Craig Wichner as the new CEO for NASDAQ-traded Cibus, Inc. in San Diego, CA. Peter Beetham, who has served as the company’s interim CEO, will continue his role as the company’s president and chief operating officer. Concurrently, both Mr. Wichner and Dr. Beetham resigned from the Cibus board of directors as part
Shelli Herman and Associates Recruits CEO for OneOC
Los Angeles-based Shelli Herman and Associates has placed Bonni Pomush as the new president and CEO of OneOC. She will succeed Tim Strauch, who will remain president and CEO through December 31, 2026, before retiring from OneOC after 19 years of service and leadership. “Bonni’s record of organizational transformation, collaborative leadership, and community engagement makes her exceptionally
NPAworldwide Forms Alliance with Dimensional Search Associates
Member-owned recruitment network NPAworldwide has formed a strategic partnership with the Sanford Rose Associates family of companies, including Dimensional Search. “This partnership brings together two strong organizations with complementary strengths and a shared commitment to helping independent recruiting firms succeed,” NPAworldwide said. “For NPAworldwide, the agreement represents a meaningful extension of its mission to connect independent recruiting
Scaling Growth Through Transformative Talent
High-growth environments can compress time, magnify decisions, and expose leadership gaps in an instant. As companies move through periods of rapid expansion, the ability to build and evolve the right leadership team becomes increasingly critical to sustaining momentum and creating long-term value. Across private equity, venture capital, and technology-driven businesses, organizations are rethinking how they
Crist|Kolder Associates Recruits CFO for Allstate
Crist|Kolder Associates has recruited Christian Lown as executive vice president and chief financial officer of The Allstate Corporation. “Chris’s leadership and capital markets expertise will enable us to continue increasing Property-Liability market share and expand protection provided to customers,” said Tom Wilson, president and CEO of The Allstate Corporation. With more than 25 years of senior
Protis Global Appoints Co-Presidents
Consumer packaged goods-focused executive search and advisory firm Protis Global has named Skye Miller and Isabel Cosby as co-presidents in a planned generational leadership transition as the company positions itself for its next phase of growth. Bert Miller, who co-founded the firm in 1995, moves from chairman and CEO of Protis Global to chairman. He will continue as founder
Accenture Calls for Executive Resilience as Tariffs Disrupt Strategy
Accenture’s new report, Ready for Resilience, explores the impact of the latest U.S. tariff surge and what it means for companies trying to stay competitive. It details a rapidly evolving trade environment that demands strategic rethinking at every level of every organization. In April, the Trump administration unveiled a sweeping tariff package that included a 10
Holden Richardson Lands Chief Legal Officer for Stoneridge
Legal recruiting has largely been booming this year. Lawyers employed by government agencies in particular have been on the move as a result of changes in government administrations, according to Hunt Scanlon Media. Employment of attorneys is projected to grow 10 percent through 2022. Demand for legal work is projected to be robust as individuals, businesses and all
Bob Murray & Associates Assists San Diego Police Dept. in Search of Chief
The public sector is in the midst of major transformation, facing an array of challenges that range from changing public expectations to budgetary pressures and a growing demand for operational efficiency. To successfully navigate these issues, government organizations require leaders who are focused, tenacious and adaptable, with the capacity to deal with significant scale, complexity
Russell Reynolds Associates Names Leader of Leisure/Hospitality Team
Russell Reynolds Associates has continued its recent expansion with the addition of Hoda Tahoun to its consumer practice as a leader of the leisure and hospitality team. Based in Miami, Ms. Tahoun advises U.S.-based and global companies on developing and building strong executive teams while also guiding clients on long-term leadership strategies, including succession planning. Her clients
Pedersen & Partners Opens in Zurich
Executive search firm Pedersen & Partners has opened an office in Zürich and named Thomas Heeger as the country manager for Switzerland. “For many years, we have been advising Swiss and international firms operating in Switzerland with their executive search needs outside Switzerland,” said Poul Pedersen, founder and managing partner of Pedersen & Partners. “From now on, we
Executives Split Between Getting Paid More or Being Promoted
While we all might think at times that a job is all about the pay check, a new Korn Ferry survey reveals that nearly half of professionals actually prefer recognition over extra compensation. The report, which surveyed more than 850 professionals, found that 46 percent would prefer a promotion with no raise, with 54 percent
Heidrick & Struggles Lands CEO for Avon Products
Heidrick & Struggles has helped place Jan Zijderveld, president of Unilever’s European business, as the new CEO for Avon Products, the struggling beauty products company. He replaces Sheri McCoy, who announced her retirement last summer in the wake of continued losses and harsh criticism from investors. The hiring of Mr. Zijderveld, who was also a
Myers McRae Recruits President for University of Charleston
The University of Charleston (UC) in West Virginia has named Martin S. Roth as its 26th president following a national search conducted by David Gring of recruiting firm Myers McRae. He succeeds Edwin Welch, who will be retiring in June. The selection of Dr. Roth followed an extensive search conducted over the past six months. A committee
ZRG Partners Names Practice Leader for Banking
ZRG Partners, the fastest growing search firm in the U.S., has appointed Patrick Prout as managing director and practice leader for banking. The selection was designed to help buttress the firm’s continued rise in the financial services sector. Mr. Prout has a decade-long record of serving banking clients with senior-level recruiting for boards of directors and C-
Amrop Strengthens Footprint in Australia
Amrop, a partnership of recruiting firms operating from 75 offices in 48 countries throughout Asia, EMEA and the Americas remains in growth mode. It recently added the Australian regional entity of executive search firm Carmichael Fisher Australia to its fold. The new partner helps bring significant national presence for Amrop in Australia and strengthens the
Why the Global Talent Shortage Might be Here to Stay
These are tough days for finding talent in virtually every market sector around the world. And, according to top global HR leaders and executive recruiters, it is a situation that is unlikely to improve anytime soon. Better economic times, low unemployment and technological innovation have all been a blessing. But how to fill the jobs
Aspen Leadership Group Tapped to Find Leader for Christopher Street West
Christopher Street West (CSW), the non-profit that organizes the gay rights LA Pride Festival and Parade, has enlisted Aspen Leadership Group, an executive recruitment firm based in Aspen, CO, to lead the search for its new executive director. Senior consultant Tim Child is leading the assignment. CSW is looking for what it describes as a risk
Korn Ferry Tapped to Find Executive Director for MOSERS
Executive search and leadership solutions provider Korn Ferry has been selected by the Missouri State Employees’ Retirement System (MOSERS) to lead its search for a new executive director. Senior client partner Michael Kennedy is heading the assignment. The pension fund’s previous executive director, John Watson, recently stepped down and legislative and policy coordinator Ronda Stegmann is leading the $8.1 billion
RETS Associates Enters Residential Real Estate Sector
Despite setbacks in certain locales, the real estate industry has bounced back from many of its problems in recent years. But a dire need for executive talent in the field still remains. In particular demand, recruiters say, are executives who survived the last downturn and who now have a vision for better times ahead. To
Signium Add New Member Firm in Paris
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. Signium, for one example, is continuing to expand with the recent addition
ALC Launches Service to Help Build In-House Executive Search Teams
London-based human capital consultancy ALC has launched a new advisory firm designed to help hiring organizations build their own in-house executive search function. “There has been a definite trend over the last few years toward hiring organizations building their own in-house executive search functions in order to achieve substantial cost savings,” said Tim Connolly, founder
Onstott Group Finds CEO for Women’s Health USA
The Onstott Group, a Wellesley, MA-based search firm, has placed the chief executive officer for Women’s Health USA (WHUSA). Goran Dragolovic, a 30-year veteran of the healthcare services field, comes to his new role from Optum (previously Surgical Care Affiliates), where he was senior vice president of practice growth and transformation. Leading the search was
Kirby Bates Associates Leading CNO Searches for Medical Centers
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
ADP Acquires WorkMarket
Roseland, NJ-based ADP has acquired WorkMarket, a cloud-based workforce management solution provider that allows companies to build and manage an integrated workforce across W-2 employees, 1099 contractors, vendors and other types of workers. Financial terms of the deal were undisclosed. With the acquisition, ADP builds on its current portfolio of payroll and human capital management
Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) Adds Higher Education Veteran
West Hartford, Conn-based Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) has expanded with the addition of Charles J. Fey as an executive search consultant. Dr. Fey retired after a noteworthy 44-year career in student affairs and student success. He held a number of positions including: president for student engagement and success at the University of Akron, VP for
CEO Confidence in the Economy at All-Time High
A record-breaking number of CEOs are optimistic about the short term economic environment, according to PwC’s 21st annual survey of CEO sentiment. Fifty-seven percent of business leaders said they believe global economic growth will improve in the next 12 months. That’s almost twice the level of last year (29 percent) and the largest increase since PwC began asking
Milwaukee Brewers Tap Turnkey Search to Fill VP HR and CFO Roles
Sports and entertainment recruitment firm Turnkey Search has been enlisted by the Milwaukee Brewers professional baseball team to lead its search for both a vice president of human resources and chief financial officer. The VP of HR is expected to establish the Brewers’ HR function as a fully-integrated, highly communicative and innovative internal resource, said Turnkey. The
Heidrick & Struggles Shuffles Leadership
Moving ahead with the restructuring plans that it revealed last month, Heidrick & Struggles has announced a series of changes to its leadership team. The moves are keeping in step with president and CEO Krishnan Rajagopalan’s past remarks and his statement in January that the firm was “in the process of examining every aspect of
Howe-Lewis Seeking Development Officers for New York-Based Non-Profits
Virtually every industry needs top-drawer chief development officers. After all, CDOs play a key role in planning, coordinating and administering capital campaigns, corporate giving and galvanizing new donors while keeping old funders content. Implementing funding strategies that “keep the lights on,” according to recruiters specializing in the function, is job one. Howe-Lewis International was recently selected
Kingsley Gate Names Senior Partners
Executive search firm Kingsley Gate Partners has expanded with the additions of Jim Thompson, Victor Kleinman and Alison Woodhead as senior partners. Dr. Thompson brings more than three decades of experience in consulting to Kingsley Gate. He specializes in applied research. He has designed and developed instruments to help companies with executive evaluation and placement, organizational assessment and strategic
Companies Adjust to Candidate-Driven Job Market
Businesses are bolstering efforts to improve the workplace experience, fueled in part by record-low unemployment and a spike in business confidence, according to a recently released report by Randstad Sourceright. Based on a global survey of more than 800 C-suite and human capital leaders, the “2018 Talent Trends Report” found that 51 percent of employers
Korn Ferry Names Chief Marketing Officer; Heidrick & Struggles Sheds CMO Role as Part of Restructuring
Chief marketing officers are playing increasingly vital roles at executive search firms as search outfits continue to expand into new lines of business and evolve their brands. Korn Ferry, a leader in the talent space, has just added Jill Wiltfong as its new chief marketing officer. She will be responsible for global brand and marketing
Development Guild DDI Seeks Major Gift Officers for Three Diverse Charities
For not-for-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 major gift officer become all the more critical. Simply
Tyler & Co. Leading CEO Search for GI Specialists of Georgia
Executive search firm Tyler & Company has been selected by GI Specialists of Georgia, a gastroenterology healthcare practice, to lead its search for a new CEO. Senior consultant Hallie Banker is leading the assignment. The CEO is accountable for management of all GI Specialists clinic operations, ancillary services and ambulatory surgery centers, including strategic planning for the
Simon Pollock & Co. and Sucherman Group Form Alliance
London-headquartered executive search firm Simon Pollock & Co. and New York-based Sucherman Group are partnering to help one another serve clients in their respective across-the-pond markets. Both firms are dedicated to finding leaders in the media and entertainment space. “My global clients are all looking to do more business in the U.S. and I couldn’t
Recruit Group Holdings Integrates Recruiting Brands
In an effort to enhance the breadth of its recruiting services across Asia, RGF Hong Kong, a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Recruit Holdings Co. – owner of global jobs platform Indeed – plans to integrate its seven brands into three service brands: RGF Executive Search, RGF Professional Recruitment and RGF HR Agent. The change takes effect
Academic Search Seeks New President for Mount Saint Mary College
Academic institutions continue to pump big fees into the coffers of executive search firms nationwide. Many academic recruiting specialists say business has never been better. Even smaller recruiting outfits have multiple assignments running concurrently, all at the senior levels. With so much activity, it seems, talent demand is far outstripping the supply. In recent months,
