DAILY NEWSWIRE - TOP STORIES
Daily Newswire
How Boards and CEOs Can Close the First-Year Learning Gap
Placing a chief executive is not the finish line for an executive search firm — it is the beginning of a new phase of accountability. The most effective firms understand that long-term success depends not only on selecting the right leader, but also on ensuring that individual transitions into the role with clarity, alignment, and
Klein Hersh Recruits Chief Medical Officer for Zag Bio
Horsham, PA-based Klein Hersh, a search firm focused on the life sciences and healthcare industries, has recruited Jan Hillson as chief medical officer of Zag Bio, Inc., a biotechnology company pioneering thymus-targeted medicines in Cambridge, MA. “Jan joins Zag at a pivotal moment as we transition from research into clinical development,” said Jason Cole, CEO of
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.
SearchWide Global Recruits President and CEO for Visit California
SearchWide Global has helped to recruit Julie Coker as the new president and CEO of Visit California. She succeeds longtime leader Caroline Beteta, who announced her retirement earlier this year. The assignment was led by Mike Gamble, chairman, CEO, and co-founder of SearchWide. The appointment is the culmination of a comprehensive global search conducted in partnership
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?
JM Search Expands Search Team
JM Search, a senior-level talent provider serving private equity investors, portfolio companies, and Fortune 1000s, has expanded with the additions of Amber Shockey as partner within its legal practice and Curtis Walker as principal within its media & telecommunications team. “Continued private equity investment across legal services, legal-adjacent businesses, and professional sports is elevating the importance of
Interim or Executive Search? Choosing the Right Leadership Solution
Interim leadership has moved well beyond being a stopgap solution for unexpected vacancies. As organizations face greater complexity, faster strategic shifts, and mounting pressure to deliver results, boards and CEOs are increasingly turning to experienced interim leaders as a flexible way to maintain momentum and address critical business needs. For executive search firms, that shift
Funk Associates Assists the University of North Florida with the Recruitment of Eighth President
Funk Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Michael P. Shannon as the eighth president of the University of North Florida (UNF). Past president Moez Limayem stepped down from his position in early 2026. “Mike Shannon is the leader who can build on UNF’s strong momentum and continue to elevate the University’s incredible impact across our
DHR Global Recruits President of Business Operations for the Pittsburgh Penguins
Talent advisory firm DHR Global has placed Marcel Braithwaite as president of business operations for the Pittsburgh Penguins. This search was led by Mike Gagliardi and Glenn Sugiyama of DHR’s sports practice. “Marcel is going to be a transformational hire for one of the NHL’s premier teams,” said Mr. Sugiyama, managing partner of DHR’s sports practice. “I had the
Mercuri Urval Expands International Public and ESG Expert Practice
Stockholm, Sweden-based executive search firm Mercuri Urval (MU) has expanded with the addition of former Danish government minister Astrid Krag to its international public and ESG expert practice. “With Astrid’s extensive experience in international public affairs, strong commitment to ESG and sustainability, and deep understanding of life sciences, she brings a valuable combination of expertise and
ZRG Partners Acquires N2Growth’s Spain Business
ZRG Partners has entered the Spanish market through the acquisition of the business formerly known as Blacksmith that had been doing business since 2023 under the umbrella of N2Growth. Through this integration, ZRG enters the Spanish market with an established local team and the goal of offering Spanish and international clients agile, high-touch advisory backed by
Family Offices Move Into Human Capital M&A
Altss’ latest ranking, The 50 Largest Family Offices in the World (2026), illustrates the scale family capital has reached. The 50 largest offices collectively manage an estimated $2.4 trillion, with the top 10 controlling more than $1.5 trillion. Twenty-eight of the top 50 are headquartered in North America, while private equity represents their largest average portfolio allocation
The Leadership Pipeline Crisis: AI’s Hidden Cost
Companies everywhere are celebrating leaner teams, faster execution, and higher productivity thanks to AI, according to HIRECLOUT. From a business perspective, the logic is easy to understand, according to Avetis Antaplyan, founder and CEO of HIRECLOUT. “Investors reward efficiency,” Mr. Antaplyan said. “Leaders are under pressure to do more with less. Automation is eliminating repetitive
Klein Hersh Recruits CFO for Sparrow Pharmaceuticals
Klein Hersh, a search firm focused on the life sciences and healthcare industries, has recruited George Eldridge as the new CFO of Sparrow Pharmaceuticals, a targeted cardiometabolic therapeutics company. “We are thrilled to welcome George to Sparrow at such an important time for our company,” said Robert Jacks, president and CEO of Sparrow Pharmaceuticals. “George
McCormack + Kristel Seeking Executive Director for NEXT Harm Reduction
McCormack + Kristel has been retained by NEXT Harm Reduction (NEXT Distro) to lead in its search for an executive director. This is a rare opportunity for a visionary leader and skilled fundraiser to take a nationally recognized organization with an urgent mandate and grow it to the scale the moment demands. Reporting to the board
Riviera Partners Expands Public Practice
San Francisco-based Riviera Partners, a recruitment provider specializing in C-level engineering, product, and design leader placements, has expanded with the addition of Archer McFall as a partner within its public practice serving large, publicly-traded companies and late-stage, pre-IPO companies. “Getting the right CTO, CIO, or chief AI officer in place, building the team structure around AI, making sure the
HelloSky Brings Its Graph of People, Investors, and Companies Into Claude and ChatGPT
Executive search firms are increasingly looking for ways to move beyond traditional databases and static candidate profiles as clients demand deeper market intelligence and faster, more precise insight into leadership talent. Advances in artificial intelligence are giving recruiters new tools to connect people, companies, investors, relationships, and career outcomes in ways that can strengthen candidate
Harris Search Associates Leading Senior Assignment for Carnegie Mellon University
Harris Search Associates has been retained by Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) to lead in its search for newly created role of associate vice president for research computing and data (AVP RCD). Jeffrey Harris and Ed Christ are leading the assignment. This role offers a unique opportunity to elevate and transform CMU’s research computing ecosystem positioning it to better support
Preng & Associates Assists SOGC, LLC with President Search
Following a comprehensive executive search, Houston-based Preng & Associates assisted in the recruitment of David French as the new president of SOGC, LLC. “Preng & Associates is proud to have supported this important leadership appointment and continues to partner with energy companies worldwide in identifying and securing transformative executive talent,” the firm said. Mr. French brings
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
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
Aligning CEO and CHRO Priorities
Like the business world, the roles of CEO and CHRO have changed significantly in recent years. On the one hand, CEOs are responsible for focusing on the company’s competitiveness and performance, and on the other, CRHOs are placing greater emphasis on employee well-being and mental health. But are these visions completely irreconcilable? To answer this question, global executive search
Coulter Partners Lands New CEO for Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst
Executive search firm Coulter Partners has placed Sally Ann Forsyth as the new CEO of Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst (SBC). She assumes her new role in March. Dr. Forsyth, who is known for her scientific and financial expertise and as an open innovation practitioner, will lead SBC through its next phase of expansion. “Everyone talks about board and sector
Witt/Kieffer Launches Emerging Physician Leaders Recruiting Practice
Witt/Kieffer has launched an emerging physician leaders search practice, which expands the reach and capabilities of the firm’s physician integration & leadership business. Consultant Carl Fitch is leading the practice, which will help clients in healthcare and academic medicine identify potential physician administrators and executives at all levels of their organizations. “Today’s healthcare landscape requires
CNA International Opens in Germany
U.K.-based executive recruiting franchise CNA International has opened a new office in Hamburg, Germany. Marko Könönen will lead the new location serving as senior partner at CNA International Hamburg Germany. With its presence in Hamburg, CNA further enhances its professional executive search capability, resources and services to meet the growing business interests of companies and financial institutions in Germany,
Five Ways HR Can Maximize Data and Analytics
Big data is rewriting the script for how companies around the world do business. The market for big data and business analytics is expected to grow to $203 billion in the next three years. For human resources, the implications include better and more efficient talent management processes, greater insight into whether a candidate will be
RH Perry & Associates Tapped by West Virginia University at Parkersburg
West Virginia University at Parkersburg has retained RH Perry & Associates to lead its search for a new president, following the resignation of Fletcher Lamkin. Senior consultants Jesse Thompson and John Hutchinson are conducting the search. “I would like to thank the board for putting their trust in us … to find a president that
Nonprofit HR Associates Finds New Leader for OneWest
Washington, D.C.-based executive search firm Nonprofit HR Associates has placed Evon Smith as president and CEO of Louisville, KY-based OneWest, a community development group. This concluded a six-month national search. “We were impressed with Evon’s proven success in developing collaborative partnerships and leveraging resources with non-profit organizations, government entities, businesses, investors, and community stakeholders –
Caldwell Partners Posts 9.8 Percent Q1 Revenue Increase
Caldwell Partners International has posted first quarter revenues of $14.9 million (Canadian), up 9.8 percent from $13.6 million last year. “The Caldwell Partners team delivered a strong performance in the first quarter,” said John Wallace, chief executive officer. “The overall economic outlook remains healthy, as we continue to experience solid search demand, notwithstanding our unbalanced performance
Heidrick & Struggles Appoints Regional Leader for Asia Pacific
Heidrick & Struggles has named Stephen McAlinden regional leader for Asia Pacific. He succeeds Steve Mullinjer, who will continue to pursue client work for the CEO & board practice globally. In his new role, Mr. McAlinden will lead 14 offices across Asia Pacific while continuing his client work as a partner focusing on corporate and investment banking. “Under Steve’s stewardship over the past
Companies Have Aggressive Hiring Plans for 2018
The hiring outlook for 2018 is the best the U.S. has seen in over a decade with 44 percent of employers planning to hire full-time, permanent employees in the new year and half (51 percent) expecting to hire temporary employees, according to CareerBuilder’s annual job forecast. The most pressing question, however, remains: How quickly can they fill
Harris Search Associates Tapped By University of Buffalo School of Dental Medicine
Universities have long depended on executive search firms to help with their leadership needs, but these days the higher education sector is broadening its efforts to find more specialized leaders. As a result, search firms have expanded their niche offerings in the sector, identifying athletic directors, coaches and any number of other top posts. The
MJM Global Search Seeks CEO for the National Livestock Producers Association
The National Livestock Producers Association (NLPA), the national association of livestock marketing cooperatives and their captive livestock credit corporations, is looking for its next chief executive officer. The organization has enlisted Denver area-based MJM Global Search to find its new leader. Scott Stuart, longtime head of the NLPA, recently left the organization to take on the
The Lancer Group Opens Office in Dallas
The Lancer Group, a La Jolla, CA-headquartered executive search firm, has opened a new office in Dallas and named Kevin Anderson as partner. The firm now has six offices in the U.S. and internationally. Mr. Anderson brings to Lancer Group over 20 years of experience in executive search across the IT services, software, industrial technology,
Waterbury Partners, Argenta Talent Acquisition and Global Performance Search Join Forces
The wave of mergers and partnerships in the executive search industry is continuing in the New Year. Recently, Waterbury Partners, Argenta Talent Acquisition and Global Performance Search (GPS) officially merged. The newly formed entity, which is called GPS, will have vertical expertise in professional services, data analytics, life sciences, supply chain technologies, logistics and medical
Another Look at the Impact and Implications of Pay History Legislation
As more cities and states enact legislation to restrict employers, and their search agents, from asking candidates about their pay history, questions remain about the effectiveness of such laws, according to a new study by the recruitment firm NGS Global. The report, “Challenges of Gathering Compensation Data on Candidates,” spearheaded by managing partners David Nosal
Shelli Herman and Associates Lands CFO for the Museum of Contemporary Art
Los Angeles-based Shelli Herman and Associates has recruited Kate Motonaga as the new CFO of the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA). Shelli Herman, president of the recruitment firm, led the search along with her associate, Krista Haley. MOCA was seeking an experienced, results-oriented CFO for the strategic financial health, operational management and administration of the museum. Ms. Motonaga
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







