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6 Executive Search Trends Shaping Leadership in 2026
Executive search is no longer just a hiring function — it’s becoming a strategic response to how fast organizations are being forced to evolve. Boards and CEOs are facing a leadership environment defined by volatility, accelerated technology shifts, changing workforce expectations, and increasing pressure to deliver results with fewer resources and tighter timelines. In that
Artico Search Recruits Chief Sales Officer for Versapay
Artico Search has assisted in the recruitment of Emily Roccheggiani as chief sales officer of Versapay in San Francisco. Mercedes Chatfield-Taylor, CEO and co-founder of Artico Search, led the assignment. “Emily has spent her career inside some of the most important growth stories in modern fintech,” said Carey Kolaja, CEO of Versapay. “She knows what it takes to
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.
NPAG Appoints Senior Advisor
Executive search firm NPAG has appointed André Blackman as senior advisor. In this new role, he will build and lead a practice focused on mission-driven innovation — connecting dynamic leadership talent and the development resources to keep that talent in seat, to founders and organizations solving problems that matter. “André brings a rare combination of strategic insight, storytelling
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?
Sheffield Haworth Adds Private Equity & Growth Venture Portfolio Assets Veteran
Global leadership advisory and executive search firm Sheffield Haworth has expanded with the addition of Michael McDonnell as managing director, private equity and growth venture portfolio assets. He is based in the New York office and works within the technology sector practice. “We are thrilled to welcome Michael to the team,” said Paul Gillespie, managing director of the
Leadership Needs Shift in a Changing Federal Market
Executive search across the federal contracting, government services, defense, and technology sectors is entering a new phase as companies look for more sophisticated ways to evaluate leadership beyond résumés, references, and past performance. In markets where specialized experience, relationships, and an understanding of complex government customers can be critical, the challenge is not simply identifying
Private Equity Rollup Wave Reshapes Executive Search
What may once have looked like a series of isolated transactions is increasingly taking on the shape of a broader industry shift. As capital moves into the sector and firms rethink where they have true competitive strength, the pattern is becoming harder to ignore. “A year ago, I would have called this a prediction, today,
HARTZ Search Seeking Chief Revenue Officer for Geisinger
Charlotte, NC-based HARTZ Search was recently retained by Geisinger to lead in its search for a chief revenue officer. This executive will direct, manage, and implement programs to ensure efficient revenue management operations and sufficient cash flow to support Geisinger operations and strategic initiatives. The role is responsible for identifying, analyzing, reducing, and resolving revenue management issues
Kincannon & Reed Places Executive Director for the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association
Kincannon & Reed (K&R), which exclusively focuses on food, agribusiness, and the related life sciences, has assisted in the recruitment of Patrick Carney as the new executive director of the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association. Dave Smith stepped down from his executive role after leading the association for more than 30 years. “Patrick pairs dairy industry knowledge with
Noto Group Expands Global Consumer Practice
Portland, OR-headquartered executive search firm Noto Group has expanded with the additions of Kirsty Schofield and Cody Johns as senior partners in its global consumer practice. “Cody and Kirsty bring highly complementary experience, deep consumer sector expertise, and a genuine connection to how we work,” said Sara Spirko, managing partner of Noto Group. “Both understand that finding
millionways Brings a New Behavioral Intelligence Lever to Executive Recruiters
Hunt Scanlon Ventures this week completed its investment in millionways, a New York-headquartered company that builds a behavioral intelligence layer of AI for human agent workforces, utilizing a proprietary Large Psychology Model called Thorsten-4. The platform focuses on understanding human signals, motives, and behavior patterns, with applications used across AI governance, executive hiring, talent management,
AI Governance Jobs Platform Builds Early Momentum Through Privacy-First Model
AI-Governance-Jobs.com, operated by GRC Careers LLC and led by founder and CEO F. Jay Hall, has built its model combining specialized career content, organic search visibility, and privacy-focused architecture. The company’s latest executive summary reports 134,499 organic impressions over a recent 28-day period, achieved roughly three months after launch — without advertising. As demand grows
Blue Rock Human Capital Assists Linfield University with the Recruitment of Dean of the School of Business
Blue Rock Human Capital has helped to recruit Isaac Wanasika as the new dean of the School of Business at Linfield University. “Blue Rock Human Capital was pleased to work with Linfield University to identify their new dean of the School of Business,” said Jacquelyn Elliot, president and COO of Blue Rock Human Capital. “Today’s higher
CIO Partners Leading Cybersecurity Search for Flexsteel Industries
CIO Partners was recently retained by Flexsteel Industries in Dubuque, IA, to lead in its search for director of cybersecurity. This role partners closely with IT, executive leadership, legal, compliance, operations, and external security partners to reduce cyber risk, strengthen business resilience, and ensure the organization is prepared to prevent, detect, respond to, and recover
Pacific International Launches Leadership Coaching and Onboarding Service
London-headquartered executive search firm Pacific International Executive Search has launched its new leadership coaching & onboarding service. This will support senior leaders through the highest-stakes moments of their careers. “The first months in a new leadership role, a step-change in scope, the pressures of C-suite leadership – these are just a few examples where an experienced coach can turn potential into value faster
Leveraging AI to Drive Business Development in Executive Search
AI is beginning to reshape how executive search firms approach business development, moving the process beyond traditional account lists and periodic outreach toward more continuous market intelligence. By helping recruiters identify meaningful changes across companies, leadership teams, and professional networks, AI is creating new opportunities to engage clients with greater relevance and better timing. The
Korn Ferry Retained by Convergence for CEO Search
Korn Ferry has been retained by Convergence to lead in its search for a new CEO. Joan Larrea will retire as CEO in early 2027 after more than a decade of leadership. Since inception, Ms. Larrea has led the organization through a decade of significant growth, helping establish Convergence as the world’s leading authority on
St. Olaf College Taps Brettschneider Executive Search for Chief Information Officer Search
New York City-based Brettschneider Executive Search has been selected by St. Olaf College to lead in its search for chief information officer. St. Olaf seeks a values-forward, innovative CIO. The next CIO of St. Olaf College will serve as a trusted advisor to the provost, president, and president’s leadership team on the role of information and library resources
Boyden Seeking CEO for Creative BC
Boyden has been retained by Creative BC in Vancouver, British Columbia to lead in its search for a new CEO. Reporting to the board of directors, the CEO will provide strategic and operational leadership to an organization that sits at the center of British Columbia’s creative economy. The CEO will lead the execution of Creative BC’s mandate
Signium Expands in Belgium
Executive search consortium Signium has expanded with the addition of Valérie Schmitt to its Belgium team as leadership consulting partner. “She will support executive leaders and teams at pivotal moments, helping them navigate change and succeed in complex environments,” Signium said. “Drawing on more than 25 years in senior corporate roles, Valérie brings first-hand experience of the challenges
How AI Is Reshaping Executive Assessment and Leadership Development
As organizations look for better ways to evaluate leadership potential, attention is shifting beyond experience and credentials toward how executives actually think, communicate, make decisions, and respond under pressure. AI is creating new ways to analyze those behaviors at scale, giving executive search firms and their clients additional evidence when assessing qualities such as judgment,
Caldwell Assists the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority with the Recruitment of President for the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 Project
Toronto-based Caldwell has assisted the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority with the recruitment of Cheryl Nelms as president of the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 Project. Her appointment follows a competitive international executive recruitment process. The search was led by Drew Railton, Lucy Antrobus, and Vicky O’Connor. “With more than 25 years of experience delivering complex infrastructure projects across Canada, Cheryl brings
TOC Arts Partners Fills Key Position for Film at Lincoln Center
New York City-based TOC Arts Partners has helped to recruit Trent Anderson as vice president of development of Film at Lincoln Center (FLC). This follows an extensive national search led by senior strategist, Brenna Thomas. “Throughout the search process, Trent distinguished himself with his strategic vision, fundraising expertise, and thoughtful leadership,” said Daniel Battsek, president of Film
True Launches Forensic Referencing Offering
Global executive talent platform True has launched True Forensic Referencing, a new executive intelligence capability designed to help investors, boards, and executive teams make more informed leadership decisions before high-stakes investments, new business relationships, and governance milestones. The firm named Christopher Jaros as partner to build and lead the offering. This expands True’s executive intelligence platform, complementing the firm’s executive
Long Ridge Partners Appoints Director
New York City-based Long Ridge Partners has named Chrissie Shin as director. “Please join us in congratulating Chrissie Shin on her promotion to director,” Long Ridge Partners said in a LinkedIn post. “Chrissie’s expertise, dedication, and leadership have made her an invaluable member of the Long Ridge team. This well-earned promotion reflects the impact she’s made across
Navigating the Search for Tomorrow’s HBCU Leaders
Leadership searches at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) are becoming increasingly complex as boards weigh institutional legacy against rapidly changing demands on presidents. Executive search firms are being asked to identify candidates who can balance mission, financial stewardship, fundraising, stakeholder engagement, and long-term strategy while navigating a more uncertain higher education environment. For HBCUs,
Egon Zehnder Called in by CAAT Pension Plan for CEO Search
Leadership advisory firm Egon Zehnder has been selected by the board of trustees of CAAT Pension Plan to lead in its search for its next chief executive officer. This follows the departure of longtime CEO and plan manager Derek Dobson, who recently resigned. The search will focus on leaders who can combine strategic vision with operational discipline,
The National Airlines Council of Canada Retains Odgers to Lead Search for CEO
Odgers was recently retained by the National Airlines Council of Canada (NACC) to lead in its search for a new president and CEO. Jeff Morrison has informed the board of his intention to retire. He will continue to lead the association until a successor is appointed to ensure a seamless transition of leadership. To support the
PierceGray Expands Staff with New Vice President
PierceGray has expanded with the addition of Kara Hennessey as vice president in the firm’s finance practice. She will be based in the New York office. “PierceGray is excited to welcome Kara Hennessey to the team as our newest vice president,” the firm said in a LinkedIn post. “Kara brings almost 10 years of executive search
Harnessing Leadership Assessment to Select and Onboard High-Performing Executives
Choosing the right senior leaders is among the most critical responsibilities for boards of directors and their organizations. These executives define the organization’s direction, shape its culture, drive strategic decision-making, and have a direct impact on overall performance. Despite this, many organizations continue to rely on outdated selection processes, informal ‘interviews’, and gut instincts to
EFL Associates Tapped by CalSTRS to Hunt for Deputy Chief Investment Officer
Demand for executive level, “high impact” investing talent has been on the rise, and in the years ahead it is expected to soar. Recruiters say the need for chief investment officers across the asset allocator spectrum, including endowments and foundations, and corporate, public and state plans, have significantly increased in number over the last five years as
RSR Partners Forms Alliance with OnPoint Consulting
Executive search firm RSR Partners has established an alliance with OnPoint Consulting, an organizational and leadership development consulting firm, to deliver leadership assessment capabilities to their clients. The partnership creates an integrated but independent platform, separating search and assessment to ensure clients are provided with objective and unbiased advice, said the search firm. In addition, OnPoint Consulting’s
IIC Partners Appoints Leader of Aviation, Aerospace & Defense Practice
IIC Partners Executive Search Worldwide has named Paul Dinte as the new leader of its aviation, aerospace & defense practice. Mr. Dinte is founder, chairman and CEO of Dinte Executive Search and has over 20 years of experience in executive search, specializing in the defense and technology sectors. Mr. Dinte previously served as global chair for IIC
Women in the C-Suite Still Lagging Behind Male Counterparts
The percentage of women in most C-suite positions is dramatically lower than their male counterparts, according to a new report by Korn Ferry. The study, drawn from an analysis of the top 1,000 U.S. companies by revenue, examined the percentage of women by title and industry and provides an update to a similar report the
Jorgenson Consulting Seeks CEO for Puget Sound Economic Growth Group
The Regional Trade and Economic Development Alliance has selected Greensboro, NC-based Jorgenson Consulting to assist in its search for a new president and CEO. Todd Jorgenson, the search firm’s managing director and principal, is leading the assignment. The Regional Trade and Economic Development Alliance is the working name for a new regional organization created to enhance trade and
Brooke Chase Associates Finds New CFO for Fabuwood Cabinetry
Chief financial officers continue to be in high demand. Finding them is keeping many of the nation’s top recruitment operations busier than ever. In one recent example, Sarasota, FL-based executive recruiter Brooke Chase Associates helped place Eric Skorge as CFO with Fabuwood Cabinetry in Jersey City, NJ. Mr. Skorge is known as an experienced leader
Heidrick & Struggles Restructures to Lower Costs, Improve Efficiencies; Chief Administrative Officer Leaves Post
A restructuring plan is underway at Heidrick & Struggles to reduce overall costs and improve efficiencies in its operations over the next several months. The expected annual cost savings from the restructuring is expected to range from $11 million to $13 million. According to sources, the restructuring will include Heidrick cutting its workforce of 1,600 employees
Hotelivate Opens to Serve Hospitality Sector
An array of new recruiting firms have been started around the world in recent months. The latest: Hotelivate, a hospitality consulting firm, has been launched in India by Manav Thadani and Megha Tuli. The new operation comes as a result of Mr. Thadani, who served as HVS APAC chairman, ending his joint venture arrangement with HVS.
How New Market Dynamics are Shifting Priorities for Executive Recruiters
To remain relevant to their clients, executive recruiters – now more than ever – must be willing to adapt. In the new global context, “leadership as usual” is well on its way out, and recruiters must stop relying on an increasingly out-of-date search and selection approach, which is simply no longer enough. By way of
CarterBaldwin Lands New Leader for the Heritage Foundation
After an extensive search, CarterBaldwin Executive Search has placed Kay Coles James as the first African-American president of the Heritage Foundation, a renowned conservative think tank. She becomes the sixth president in the group’s 44-year history. The assignment was conducted by CarterBaldwin founding partner Price Harding and associate partner Andrea McDaniel Smith. Ms. James’ ascension follows
ZRG Partners Names Smooch Reynolds As Managing Director
ZRG Partners, the fastest growing search firm in the U.S., has expanded with the addition of Smooch R. Reynolds as managing director. Ms. Reynolds’ career spans more than 25 years in executive search, specifically focused in the global investor relations officer and chief communications officer functional areas. She moves to ZRG from DHR International, where she
Lucas Group Seeking Chief People Officer for Denver-Based Joint Venture
Executive search firm Lucas Group has been retained to lead the chief people officer search for the new joint venture formed by affiliates of KSL Capital Partners and Henry Crown and Company. Kyle Lehman, managing partner, human resources executive search, is spearheading the assignment. The enterprise is a lifestyle and outdoors company with designs on shaping the
Odgers Berndtson, Continuing Expansion, Adds Four Recruiters
Executive search firm Odgers Berndtson has continued its recent expansion with the addition of four experienced and well-established executive search professionals to the firm: Richard Kim, Diane Lavietes, Margaret Plympton, and Richard Modecki. Mr. Kim has joined as a partner in the firm’s Houston office where he will work Jim Thompson and Gary Payne serving the firm’s
Mentorship Programs are Important to Retaining Top Talent
Few executives would deny the powerful role that mentorship plays in providing opportunities for personal and professional development. Indeed, most have experienced these benefits firsthand. Yet when it comes to understanding how mentoring operates – let alone how it could be harnessed to support, develop, and retain talented people – most of those same executives
Kingsley Gate Partners Launches Proprietary Hiring Framework
Executive search firm Kingsley Gate Partners has announced its new Synchronous Fit framework that leverages scientific cloud-based tools combined with insights from search consultants to provide the best fit between executives and companies. “Department of Labor statistics show that companies could waste more than 30 percent of an executive’s first year total compensation in making a bad
DRG Executive Search Finds New Leader for the Kennedy Center
DRG Executive Search has placed Richard E. Sebastian as the president and CEO of the Kennedy Center in Trumbull, CT. He succeeds Martin D. Schwartz, who announced his retirement in July after almost 40 years with the organization. DRG managing partner David Hinsley Cheng led the assignment. The national search was a joint effort between the recruiting
The Dingman Company Finds Senior Pastor for United Church of Chapel Hill
Executive recruiting firm the Dingman Company has helped place Rev. Cameron Barr as senior pastor of the United Church of Chapel Hill in North Carolina. He will assume his role in March, and is expected to preach his first sermon for the church on March 11. Rev. Dr. Rich Kidd of the Dingman Company led the search. The church was
Odgers Berndtson Adds Former Aon Hewitt, Canada CEO
Executive search firm Odgers Berndtson has continued its recent expansion with the addition of Tony Gaffney as managing partner, to lead the firm’s work with boards and CEOs in driving the strategic talent agenda. Mr. Gaffney is known for being among Canada’s most experienced business transformation executives. He was formerly CEO of Aon Hewitt, Canada and also
Unemployment Rate Remains at 17-Year Low
Employers added 148,000 jobs last month as the U.S. unemployment rate remained at a 17 year low of 4.1 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. The December gain is the 87th consecutive month of job growth. The number of unemployed persons was essentially unchanged at 6.6 million. Most economists expect the Trump administration’s
Phillips Oppenheim Seeking Chief Philanthropy Officer for Table to Table
Boutique executive search firm Phillips Oppenheim has been tapped by New Jersey-based non-profit Table to Table to lead its search for a new chief philanthropy officer. Consultants Susan Meade and Jim Spivey are spearheading the assignment. Table to Table is looking for a highly strategic, creative, entrepreneurial and growth-driven leader with the fundraising know-how to build
Slone Partners Recruits CFO for Clinical Genomics
Executive search firm Slone Partners has placed Roger Moody as chief financial officer of Clinical Genomics. Mr. Moody will direct all strategic and tactical financial operations for the biotechnology business. His extensive experience in managing rapid growth and delivering for investors will be instrumental in achieving Clinical Genomics’ expansion objectives, the company said. “We are thrilled to
The Medicus Firm Establishes Executive Search Division
The Medicus Firm, which specializes in permanent placement of physicians, including physician executives, clinical practice and clinical faculty physicians, has created a physician executive recruiting division. The firm has conducted physician executive level searches for several years on a smaller scale, which was largely driven by established clients within the firm’s private practice sector, hospital recruiting and
Kennedy Executive Search & Consulting Expands in Sydney
Kennedy Executive Search & Consulting, a network of independent executive search firms, has strengthened its presence in Sydney, Australia with the addition of JRS International Search Partners. Led by husband and wife team Joe and Paula Screnci, JRS International conducts assignments throughout the Asia Pacific region and across a broad range of industries. The firm has
Tolan Group Names President and Operations Strategist
To support its growth strategy in the expanding behavioral healthcare sector, executive search firm The Tolan Group has announced two key promotions heading into 2018. Diana Ramsay, who leads the firm’s behavioral health, human services and substance abuse practice, has been named president of the firm and will be responsible for its overall growth strategy.
Koya Leadership Partners Acquires Rework to Focus on Millennial Hiring
Non-profit search specialist Koya Leadership Partners has acquired New York-based recruitment firm ReWork and its sourcing platform technology. Financial terms of the deal were undisclosed. ReWork co-founder and CEO Abe Taleb joins Koya as a vice president, where he will help to expand the firm’s focus around the Millennial workforce. Koya will leverage ReWork’s technology to
Korn Ferry Leading GM Search for Houston Texans
Korn Ferry has been chosen by the Houston Texans to lead its search for a new general manager. The assignment comes in the wake of Rick Smith’s decision to take an extended leave of absence from the team to help care for his wife, who recently was diagnosed with breast cancer. Jed Hughes, a Korn Ferry vice
Herd Freed Hartz Finds New Leader for Pike Place Market
Herd Freed Hartz Executive Search Partners has recruited Mary Bacarella as executive director of the Pike Place Market Preservation and Development Authority (PDA) in Seattle. Partners Scott Rabinowitz and Fred Pabst led the assignment. Ms. Bacarella will lead the public agency responsible for the operations, management, preservation and development of the nine-acre historic public market. “As
HVS Executive Search Opens in Miami
HVS Executive Search has continued its expansion with the opening of a new office in Miami, which will be led by associate Katie Rosen. Prior to joining HVS Executive Search, Ms. Rosen was a member of the human resources team at Crafted Hospitality, Tom Colicchio’s acclaimed restaurant group. During her tenure there, she focused on recruitment, talent acquisition
Cybersecurity Hiring Crisis Fueled by Lackluster Salaries
In order to protect their companies, and in the bigger picture the nation’s national security, organizations must rethink – and raise – salary caps to hire top flight cybersecurity talent, according to a new report just released by CyberSN, a leading search firm in the field. Heightening the issue is an ever-growing threat of security
BoardWalk Consulting Assists StriveTogether in CEO Search
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
SRi Helping to Transform Sports Down Under
With two recent assignments in Australia, London-based recruitment firm SRi is playing a central role in changing the face of sports in that country. In the first, the recruiters found a new CEO of AFL Women’s (AFLW), the Australian rules football league for women, which may lead to the female league eventually becoming completely professional.
