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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
Academic Search Retained by Henry Ford College to Find Next President
Education-focused executive recruitment firm Academic Search has been tapped by Henry Ford College (HFC) to lead in its search for a new president. Russ Kavalhuna left the school last year to become the president of Western Michigan University. Shirley Robinson Pippins and Richard Cummins are leading the assignment. Candidates will have a career that reflects the following
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.
EMA Partners India Acquires Recruitment Process Outsourcing Services Provider Taggd
Executive search and leadership recruitment platform EMA Partners India has acquired recruitment process outsourcing services provider Taggd in an all-cash deal valued at Rs 113 crore. The all-cash acquisition aims to create an integrated talent recruitment platform offering executive search, professional search and AI-powered recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) solutions at scale. Taggd will continue to
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?
NGS Global Expands in London
Wilmington, DE-headquartered executive search firm NGS Global has expanded with the additions of Daniel Yeates and George Balfour as managing directors in London. “Daniel and George are accomplished executive search professionals with deep expertise in the technology and digital sectors,” said David Nosal, chairman and managing partner. “They each bring outstanding client and candidate relationships built over decades
Leadership Challenges Intensify as Organizations Confront AI, Talent, and Economic Uncertainty
Organizations are operating in an increasingly complex environment where economic uncertainty, workforce challenges, AI adoption, and digital transformation are converging to reshape leadership priorities. Kestria’s second annual global leadership survey builds on the themes that emerged in last year’s research; highlighting how rapidly the leadership landscape continues to evolve. Based on responses from more than
Riviera Partners Acquires Lateral Labs
San Francisco-based Riviera Partners, a recruitment provider specializing in C-level engineering, product, and design leader placements, has acquired Lateral Labs, a specialized recruiting firm serving top AI startups. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “The acquisition comes as companies remain challenged to meet the demand of organizational AI readiness,” the firm said. “Adding Lateral Labs positions Riviera Partners
Marovi Assists Congruex with CFO Search
Working in partnership with Atlanta-GA-based Marovi, Congruex, a provider of digital infrastructure engineering and construction services, appointed Jim Stanley as CFO. He reports to Congruex’s co-founder, president, and CEO, Kevin O’Hara. The appointment comes amid strong and sustained growth at Congruex as it plans to continue to capitalize on macro tailwinds, including AI and data center
Brettschneider Executive Search Seeking Inaugural SVP of Advancement for Wilmington University
New York City-based Brettschneider Executive Search has been retained by Wilmington University (WilmU) to lead in its search for an inaugural senior vice president of advancement to lead the University’s next phase of philanthropic growth. Reporting to WilmU president LaVerne Harmon, the SVP will partner closely with the president, board and University leaders to advance the University’s strategic
August Leadership Expands in London
August Leadership has expanded with the addition of Honor Pollok as a partner in London. Ms. Pollok brings over 20 years of executive search and leadership experience. She has led numerous high-profile placements in chair, non-executive director, CEO and the full spectrum of C-suite roles. Her search expertise spans key commercial, financial, creative, human resource, functional,
Hunt Scanlon and HSiQ Spotlight New Approach to Recruiter Training
As the executive search industry faces mounting pressure to improve performance and consistency, firms are increasingly reevaluating how recruiters are trained and developed. Hunt Scanlon and its HSiQ talent intelligence advisory unit recently launched a new Recruiter Performance Training Program designed to bring greater structure, commercial rigor, and scalability to recruiter development in an industry long driven by
Building Team Alignment in an Era of Continuous Change
Ask any team to describe its top strategic priorities and you will often get as many answers as there are people in the room. The problem is not that the strategy hasn’t been communicated, according to recent report from AIIR Consulting. “The problem is that it was communicated into an environment that has since shifted
Isaacson, Miller Helps Recruit 28th President for Texas A&M
Boston-based Isaacson, Miller has assisted in the recruitment of Susan Ballabina as the 28th president of Texas A&M. Andy Lee and Julie Filizetti, led search with Raul Bernal and Luciano Zuniga, and Madeline Fitzpatrick. The members of the Board of Regents conducted a national search that produced a strong pool of candidates. Dr. Ballabina emerged through that process based on her experience, her understanding of
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
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
Global Hiring Intentions Remain Steady for Q2 2025 Amid Ongoing Uncertainty
Global hiring intentions hold steady heading into the second quarter of 2025, with employers reporting a Net Employment Outlook (NEO) of 25 percent, according to the latest ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey. The results, which gathered data from nearly 40,000 employers across 41 countries during January 2025, show the outlook holding steady for the third consecutive
Stanton Chase Opens Office in Philadelphia
Stanton Chase International is continuing with its growth plans, recently opening a new office in Philadelphia. Dan Hobbs has been named managing director of the new location. Mr. Hobbs brings over two decades of experience in executive search and leadership assessment projects for a broad range of privately and publicly held companies. He has led
2018 Predictions for Talent Acquisition Professionals
The future of talent acquisition will be more personal, more segmented, more strategic and more driven by an up-and-coming generation, according to Korn Ferry Futurestep experts from across the globe. Driving change in 2018 and beyond, said Byrne Mulrooney, Futurestep’s CEO, will be the rapid pace of technological advancement, which will allow recruiters to focus
Waverly Partners Seeking CEO for Adirondack Chamber of Commerce
The Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce has retained executive search firm Waverly Partners to lead its search for a new president and CEO. Past president and CEO Tori Riley stepped down from her role in September. Marti Burnley is currently serving as the chamber’s interim president. Before retaining Waverly Partners, the board spent several months re-examining the
Alder Koten Places CEO at Farmacias Benavides
Executive search firm Alder Koten has recruited Macedonio Garza as the new CEO of Farmacias Benavides in Mexico. The assignment was co-led by managing partners Felipe Llaguno and Jorge Davalos along with CEO Jose Ruiz. Originally from Mexico, Mr. Garza won a reputation for building high-performance teams, with a focus on creating a culture centered
Academic Career & Executive Search Adds Former President of U of Maine
West Hartford, CT-based Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) has expanded with the addition of Dr. Robert A. Kennedy as an executive search consultant. Dr. Kennedy has over 40 years of experience in academia, including six years as president of the University of Maine. He also served as executive vice president and provost at the
Search Solution Group Opens in Atlanta
Charlotte, NC-based executive recruiting firm Search Solution Group (SSG) has opened a new office Atlanta. The firm has hired Mini Brown to head the new location and develop relationships in the region. “Established in 2002, Search Solution Group has continuously expanded due to the committed individuals that hold themselves accountable to our clients, candidates and to themselves,” said
Hunt Scanlon’s 10 Most Important Recruiting Stories of 2017
Looking back through more than a thousand recruiting stories published over the course of 2017, picking the 10 most important wasn’t easy. Hunt Scanlon Media tracked every little change, every small movement and, above all, lots of big progress. Truth be told, our choices for this year are a beacon for what lies ahead in 2018
Heidrick & Struggles Lands COO for Uber
Heidrick & Struggles has placed Barney Harford, the former head of Orbitz Worldwide, as the new chief operating officer of Uber. In this role, he will oversee the ridesharing and delivery company’s global operations, marketing and customer support teams. The high-profile hire was part of Uber’s effort to rehabilitate its bruised image after a string
RiseSmart Appoints Chief Commercial Officer
RiseSmart, a provider of contemporary career transition services – a space which more search firms are looking at entering – has named Karen O’Boyle as its chief commercial officer. Ms. O’Boyle, an experienced leader of human capital organizations with over two decades of outplacement experience, joins the company to further accelerate its global expansion and business momentum.
Onstott Group Finds CEO for Cémoi North America
The Onstott Group has placed Matthew Cooper as chief executive officer of chocolatier Cémoi North America. Patricia A. Campbell, the Wellesley, MA-based recruitment firm’s co-founder and managing director, led the search. “Matt is a lifelong learner, bright, inquisitive and entrepreneurial,” said Ms. Campbell. “He impressed me from the first call we had. Matt has strong
Bridgemark Strategies Launches to Serve Financial Services Sector
An array of new recruiting firms have been started around the world this year. The latest: Bridgemark Strategies has opened its doors in Charlotte, NC, as a consultancy for independent financial advisors and financial advisory firms seeking strategic planning, execution and advice in business and human capital transitions. Led by three veteran industry leaders with decades
Hunt Scanlon’s Top 15 Search Assignments of 2017
As the year now draws to a close, it turns out that when we looked back through our archives 2017 was, simply put, a remarkable year for first-rate search assignments. Hunt Scanlon Media tracked hundreds of them. From CEO placements to those covering the bandwidth of the C-suite, our editorial team gleaned the best from every industry sector
Isaacson, Miller Enlisted to Find Presidents for Union College and UNH
Colleges and universities across the country are facing pressures far greater than those of years gone by. Financial stresses are mounting. Academic quality is being called in question. Public scrutiny is more intense than ever. And institutions of higher learning have become a focal point of any number of social issues, from sexual misconduct to
Krauthamer & Associates Leading CEO Search for Capital Metro
With Capital Metro president and CEO Linda Watson planning to retire at the end of the year after seven years in the job, the Austin, TX transit agency has tapped executive search firm Krauthamer & Associates to fill its top role. Several board members, including Ann Kitchen and Delia Garza, who also sit on Austin’s city council,
Heidrick & Struggles Appoints Co-Leaders of Global Biopharmaceutical Practice
Executive search, leadership consulting and culture shaping services provider Heidrick & Struggles International has named Tim Dietlin and Niren Thanky to co-lead the global biopharmaceutical segment of its healthcare and life sciences practice. Mr. Dietlin is based in Chicago and Mr. Thanky is in London. Together, they are charged with building on the firm’s biopharmaceutical capabilities in key industry markets and further enhancing
HVS Executive Search Opens New Office in Vancouver, B.C.
HVS Executive Search has opened a new office in Vancouver, British Columbia, which will be led by vice president Paul Savage. In his new role, he will also lead the business development strategy for North America and Europe. “Paul comes to HVS with meaningful global hospitality relationships,” said Court Williams, CEO of HVS Executive Search. “In addition
Hunt Scanlon’s Top 15 Acquisition Stories of 2017
“If you’re not growing, you’re dying.” The truth of that adage is open to debate. Rather than argue the fine points, one business leader altered that statement to this: “If you’re not growing,” he said simply, “you’re not growing.” In other words, no matter how one slices it, growth and expansion matters. At Hunt Scanlon
Russell Reynolds Associates Finds New CEO for The DoSeum
Russell Reynolds Associates has placed Daniel Menelly as president and CEO of The DoSeum, a San Antonio museum for children. Mr. Menelly is an experienced science educator and non-profit management expert with a solid background in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education in both formal and informal learning environments. He comes to The DoSeum from
Sterling Martin Finds CEO for National Speakers Association
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
Futurestep Names Managing Director for India
Futurestep, a Korn Ferry company that provides talent acquisition solutions, has expanded with the addition of Kunal Sen as managing director for India. In his new role, Mr. Sen will be responsible for the growth, profitability and overall management of the Futurestep business in India. He will work out of the firm’s Bangalore office. Mr. Sen has
Dillistone Launches Service to Assist With E.U. Data Protection Rules
Dillistone Group, a provider of technology solutions for the recruitment industry, recently launched GatedTalent, a service designed to help executive recruiters comply with European Union data protection rules that go into effect next year. The service will also provide users with the opportunity to clean and update legacy data without having to share any data with
Hunt Scanlon’s Top 10 Artificial Intelligence Stories of 2017
One of our most important missions at Hunt Scanlon Media is to report on the trends that are altering the executive recruitment industry, and in many cases, the world of business. Among the most consequential transitions we’ve reported on this past year has been the rise of artificial intelligence – and what it means for
Heidrick & Struggles Leading CEO Search for Diebold Nixdorf
ATM maker Diebold Nixdorf has announced that Andreas W. Mattes is stepping down as president and chief executive officer effective immediately. The company has enlisted Heidrick & Struggles to help find his replacement. Until a permanent successor is named, Christopher A. Chapman, senior vice president and chief financial officer, and Juergen Wunram, senior vice president and chief
BCA, Executive Recruiters Finds Head of Talent Acquisition for Amgen
Talent acquisition has always been an important part of the hiring strategies and recruitment practices for any organization. But in the last few years, it’s become more critical than ever. BCA, Executive Recruiters recently placed Anis Baig as head of talent acquisition at Amgen, the Thousand Oaks, CA-based biotechnology company. Joe Gonzalez, BCA’s CEO, led the
Hudson Global, Focused On RPO Business, Sells Three Recruiting Units
In three transactions, talent solutions company Hudson Global Inc. has entered into definitive purchase agreements with strategic buyers to sell its recruitment and talent management operations in Europe and Asia Pacific. Hudson intends to focus on its growing global recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) business going forward. Under the terms of the agreements, the company will receive estimated
Lucas Group Announces Promotions
Executive search firm Lucas Group has announced the promotions of 19 associates to varying roles. The associates’ new titles include executive senior partner, senior partner and senior executive search consultant. “At Lucas Group, we believe success is achieved when associates enjoy a balance of autonomy and support that empowers them to take professional risks and develop into industry leaders,” said
Working with Millennials: Easier Said Than Done
Employers have learned a lot about Millennials in the workplace in a very short period of time. And the best companies are making adjustments for them. “Employers need to lean in a bit closer to this generation,” said Smooch R. Reynolds, a global investor relations and communications executive search expert who has focused on ‘working
Diversified Search Recruits President East Asia for Special Olympics
Executive search firm Diversified Search has recruited Freda Fung as East Asia president of Special Olympics, the largest sports organization for people with intellectual disabilities. She takes over from Mary Gu Shuhang. Jason León, managing director in the recruiter’s Washington, D.C. office, led the assignment. “The overall enthusiasm for the Special Olympics movement was simply remarkable,”
Buffkin / Baker Lands PR Executive for the New York Knicks
Executive search firm Buffkin / Baker has placed Dan Sabreen as vice president of public relations of the New York Knicks. Partner Warren Wasp led the search. In his new role, Mr. Sabreen will serve as the Knicks’ chief communications strategist with oversight of all public relations activities for the team. He will be responsible for developing and executing
Stanton Chase Strengthens Its Industrial, Engineering and Construction Search Practices
With an increasing global presence, Stanton Chase International has continued its expansion with the addition of Scott Clark as managing director in its industrial, engineering and construction practices. He will work from the firm’s Chicago and Atlanta offices. An experienced human resources executive, Mr. Clark has placed hundreds of senior executives in a variety of functions across
Kennedy Executive Search Adds New Member Firm in Vienna
Kennedy Executive Search & Consulting, a network of independent executive search firms, has strengthened its presence in Central Europe with the addition of Vienna-based Qualitas Management Consulting. Qualitas is a privately owned executive search and consulting firm. It becomes the 12th partner for the Kennedy network, which also boasts offices in Paris, London, Copenhagen, Milan, Frankfurt,
