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The Structure of an Organization’s Culture: Building a Foundation for Performance
Building a strong, values-driven culture begins with understanding the underlying structures that shape how people think, behave, and interact within an organization. By identifying the core beliefs, unwritten norms, and systems that influence daily actions, leaders can intentionally align employee behavior with the company’s purpose and values. This alignment fosters clarity in expectations, accountability in
Funk Associates Appoints President
Funk Associates has made a leadership transition with the appointment of Willie Funk as president of the firm. Bill Funk will continue as the firm’s chief executive officer. In this role, he will continue to guide the strategic direction of the firm and will continue his engagement with clients and continue his consultancy on senior leadership
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.
Boyden Assists Kerry’s Place Autism Services with CEO Search
Boyden has recruited Normandie Wragg as the new president and CEO of Kerry’s Place Autism Services in Ontario. The appointment follows the previously announced retirement of CEO Susan VanDeVelde-Coke at the end of June. The search was led by partners Jim Stonehouse and Pamela Colquhoun, and Kathy Luu, senior associate. “Normandie is a highly accomplished, values-driven
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?
Modern Executive Solutions Expands Technology Practice
Atlanta-based talent consultancy Modern Executive Solutions has expanded with the addition of Moises Velilla as managing director in its technology practice. He brings deep experience advising organizations on senior leadership hiring and talent strategy across technology and transformation. Mr. Velilla specializes in advising clients on executive talent strategy and recruiting transformative technology and professional services leaders. He
AI’s Next Test: Can It Actually Drive Growth?
A massive opportunity, and a critical trust gap, is emerging among corporate leaders. According to EY-Parthenon’s Growth Survey of 271 U.S. executives, 78 percent believe AI will accelerate growth, even as nearly 80 percent say the growth environment has become more challenging over the past year. Yet only about a third trust AI inputs for high-stakes decisions such
Retained vs. Contingent Search: Choosing the Right Executive Search Model
As companies navigate increasingly complex leadership challenges, the pressure to make the right executive hiring decision has never been greater. Boards and leadership teams are looking beyond resumes and credentials, placing greater emphasis on cultural alignment, long-term business impact, and a candidate’s ability to guide organizations through growth, transformation, and uncertainty. At the same time,
Brettschneider Executive Search Completes Search for Western Colorado University
New York City-based Brettschneider Executive Search recently assisted in the recruitment of Sharoni Little as dean of Western Colorado University’s School of Business. “Dr. Little’s forward-thinking approach will help shape the future of business education at Western, creating opportunities for students to thrive in today’s competitive economy,” said Brad Baca, president. With a career spanning academia, corporate leadership,
Ren Systems Appoints Head of Product
Ren Systems, an AI-powered relationship intelligence platform used by sales, business development, and professional services leaders, recently expanded with the addition of Nick Wynja as head of product. “As we’ve scaled Ren to 70+ enterprise customers and accelerated our feature release cycle, it became clear that we needed focused product leadership,” the company said in
How to Kick Off an Executive Search the Right Way
As leadership demands grow more complex, organizations are increasingly recognizing that a successful executive search begins long before candidate outreach or interviews take place. Search consultants say the strongest outcomes are driven by early alignment around business strategy, organizational culture, leadership expectations, and the capabilities needed to support future growth. Rather than simply filling an
Why Structured Interviews Lead to Better Hiring
As organizations compete for leadership talent, many are reexamining how executive interviews are conducted and whether traditional hiring instincts are leading to the best decisions. Increasingly, research is showing that structured interviews built around standardized questions and evaluation criteria deliver more reliable hiring outcomes than conversational, free-flowing assessments. Talent experts say the approach not only
Rethinking Career Loyalty in the Age of Gen Z and Millennials
As leadership priorities continue to evolve, executive search firms are seeing a growing shift in how candidates evaluate long-term career opportunities. Today’s professionals are placing greater emphasis on purpose, culture, mentorship, flexibility, and personal growth alongside compensation and title. Recruiters say organizations that can clearly communicate vision, invest in employee development, and foster strong leadership
Coulter Partners Recruits Chief Scientific Officer for Laigo Bio
Life sciences recruiting specialist Coulter Partners has recruited Richard C.A. Sainson as the new chief scientific officer of Laigo Bio. “It was a privilege to partner with Matthew and the Laigo board,” said Kay Wardle, managing partner at Coulter Partners. “Targeted protein degradation is one of the most exciting frontier areas of drug discovery, and finding a chief
Blue Rock Human Capital Recruits Chief People Officer for Michelli Weighing & Measurement
Talent acquisition strategies at many large companies have become as complex as their balance sheets. And while chief human resource officers play a vital role in overseeing an organization’s broad-based workforce, the chief people officer typically goes beyond overseeing its people policies. The focus instead is on building talent as a key competitive advantage, with more
Raising the Bar for Interim and Fractional Leadership
As companies face mounting pressure to move faster and adapt to constant change, interim and fractional executives are increasingly being brought in not simply to maintain stability, but to drive transformation from day one. Organizations today are seeking experienced leaders who can step into critical roles, solve immediate business challenges, and create momentum while long-term
BoardWalk Consulting Selected by Atlanta Ballet for Executive Director Search
BoardWalk Consulting has was recently tapped by Atlanta Ballet to lead in its search for an executive director. The search is being led by Sam Pettway, Demeika Wheaton, and Patti Kish. The executive director will lead Atlanta Ballet’s administrative and business functions in alignment with the organization’s mission and values, while partnering closely with the artistic
When Search Fatigue Leads to Costly Hiring Mistakes
In executive search, the biggest hiring mistakes are not always caused by weak candidate pools or poor sourcing strategies. More often, breakdowns occur near the finish line, when prolonged interview cycles, competing stakeholder opinions, and mounting business pressures begin to wear down decision-making discipline. What starts as a rigorous evaluation process can gradually shift toward
Preng & Associates Recruits SVP of Government Services for American Bureau of Shipping
Houston-based Preng & Associates has placed Rear Admiral Ronald J. Rábago as senior vice president of government services at American Bureau of Shipping (ABS). “Admiral Rábago brings exceptional government and industry experience that will further enhance the support we provide to our government clients in the U.S. and around the world,” said John McDonald, ABS chairman and CEO. “His
McDermott + Bull Expands in Amsterdam
Irvine, CA-based McDermott + Bull has expanded in Amsterdam with the addition of Gerben van den Hout as managing director. “This strategic hire comes as McDermott + Bull continues to expand its executive search presence across Europe, further strengthening the firm’s ability to support organizations in identifying and placing high-impact leadership talent,” the firm said. “Gerben’s appointment represents an
The CHRO’s Leadership Imperative in the AI Era
As organizations accelerate their adoption of artificial intelligence, business leaders are increasingly recognizing that successful transformation depends as much on people and leadership as it does on technology itself. HR executives, in particular, are finding themselves at the center of conversations around workforce readiness, employee trust, skills development, and organizational change management. Industry observers note
Cluen Invites Executive Search Firms to Participate in Upcoming 2026 Technology Trends Survey
For more than three decades, Cluen has partnered with leading executive search firms around the world to understand how top-performing recruiters use technology to gain a competitive advantage. Each year, the company’s Top Trends in Executive Search Technology survey uncovers the strategies, priorities, and innovations shaping the future of the profession. How are executive search firms balancing the rapid adoption of AI
Lindauer Retained by C-SPAN for Chief Development Officer Search
Virtually every industry needs top-drawer chief development officers. CDOs play a key role in planning, coordinating, and administering capital campaigns, corporate giving, and galvanizing new donors while keeping previous funders content. Implementing funding strategies that “keep the lights on,” according to recruiters specializing in the function, is job No. 1. Lindauer has been retained by C-SPAN to
NPAG Seeking Executive Director for the California Youth Defender Center
Executive search firm NPAG has been selected by the California Youth Defender Center (CYDC) to lead in its search for a new executive director. This search is being led by Ellen LaPointe and Phuong Quach. This is a unique opportunity to lead a respected and influential organization at a pivotal moment, shaping the future of youth justice
Lochlin Partners Helps Fill Senior Position for Business Roundtable
Lochlin Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Stefani Jones as senior director of policy at Business Roundtable (BRT). Ms. Jones is an accomplished technology policy leader with deep expertise at the intersection of cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and national security. Her experience spans the White House, the private sector, and senior federal policy roles. She
Why Executives Should Think Carefully Before Accepting Counteroffers
Few moments in an executive’s career carry as much complexity as the decision to resign from a leadership role and pursue a new opportunity. What often begins as a strategic career move can quickly become emotionally charged once a current employer responds with incentives aimed at reversing that decision. Recruiters and leadership advisors note that
Funk Associates Tapped by the University of North Florida to Lead Search for Eighth President
Funk Associates was recently retained by the University of North Florida (UNF) to lead a national search for its eighth president. Past president Moez Limayem stepped down from his position in early 2026. The presidential search committee, chaired by UNF board of trustees member Jack Boyle, plays a critical role in this process, focusing on
Acertitude Recruits CEO for PE-Backed Zep Inc.
Acertitude has placed Tim Feast as the new CEO of Zep Inc., a Truelink Capital portfolio company. The search was led by partner, Geoff Votta and principal, Rod Vaughan with support from Matthew Marasco and Maryanne Santospirito. Mr. Feast steps into the role with a mandate to accelerate growth, sharpen execution, and lead Zep into its
SearchWide Global Seeking CEO for Visit California
SearchWide Global is currently seeking a new CEO for Visit California. The assignment is being led by Mike Gamble, chairman, CEO, and co-founder of SearchWide. Visit California is seeking a collaborative, visionary, and politically astute leader to serve as the next CEO. As the organization’s chief strategist, brand steward, and operational head, the CEO works
Intersearch Worldwide Elects Chairwoman and New Board Members
InterSearch Worldwide, a global alliance of executive search companies, has announce the newly elected board following and the appointment of Vanessa Delacourt as chairwoman, marking an exciting new chapter and reinforcing the organization’s commitment to innovation and sustainable growth. The board has welcomed: Leslie Cooper A. (Chile); Vanessa Delacourt (Benelux); Frank Schelstraete (Belgium); Henri Vidalinc
Bespoke Partners Launches AI-Powered Talent Market Mapping Platform
San Diego, CA-headquartered Bespoke Partners has released Bespoke Executive Index, a talent market mapping platform using AI to analyze and validate the backgrounds of senior executives in software and SaaS. “Today we are reinventing executive search,” said Eric Walczykowski, CEO of Bespoke. “The Bespoke Executive Index is the authoritative source of data on the accomplishments and experience
DHR International Places Chief Marketing Officer at IHOP
As business becomes more global and complex, and power shifts from producers of goods and services to consumers, the chief marketing officer’s job of planning and coordinating marketing activities has become more challenging, recruiters say. Yet executive search firms are seeing no shortage of assignments for this important C-level position. In one example of this growing
Koya Leadership Partners Taps Executive Director for Hubbard Street Dance
Executive recruitment firm Koya Leadership Partners has helped place the new executive director of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. David McDermott, who currently serves as first deputy commissioner for Chicago’s cultural affairs and special events department, joins the professional dance company effective October 16. Anne McCarthy, principal – executive search, and Alison Ranney, managing director who heads
Former People and Culture Leader Joins Centennial in Strategist Role
Brenda Gumbs, former executive vice president of people and culture of Perfetti Van Melle, has joined Cincinnati-based executive recruitment firm Centennial Inc. as executive strategist. Ms. Gumbs has been a human resource practitioner for 30 years, chiefly as a senior executive. Her primary responsibilities have included building the capability of the organization, participating in strategic planning, partnering with
Gibson Consultants Merges with Enterprise Recruiters
Search firms continue to join forces. The latest: Gibson Consultants, a recruiter that serves healthcare payers and digital health companies, has merged with its affiliate, Enterprise Recruiters, a recruiting firm also focused on digital health companies. The combined company, which will keep the Gibson Consultants name, has also opened an additional office in Wilmington, NC. Both
Pedersen & Partners Names Country Manager for Canada
Executive search firm Pedersen & Partners has appointed Keith Labbett as a client partner and the country manager for Canada. He will be based in Toronto. Opened in 2008, the Canadian office of Pedersen & Partners provides talent solutions and senior management placements for the local market. The team largely focuses on the industrial and technology sectors, particularly the
Human Capital Report Sheds New Light on Worker Potential, Income Inequality
Nations around the world are fostering inequality by failing to develop people’s talents, according to the World Economic Forum’s recently released ‘Human Capital Report 2017.’ A lack of opportunities and access to quality work, the report said, is hindering both individuals and entire countries. “Efforts to fully realize people’s economic potential – in countries at
The Chason Group Tapped by Augusta Economic Development Authority
Executive search firm Chason Group has been selected by the Augusta Economic Development Authority (AEDA) to lead the search for its next president. Tim Chason, the recruiter’s president, is spearheading the assignment. Walter Sprouse, who has led the authority since 2003, recently announced that he is stepping down effective Dec. 31. The president is considered the CEO
D. Hilton Associates Leading CEO Search for Chevron Federal Credit Union
These are critical days for credit unions. The U.S. has nearly 6,000 of them, with more than $1.2 trillion in assets, according to the National Credit Union Administration. But with the steady retirement of Baby Boomers, among other factors, the cooperatives are facing the loss of more than 4,000 chief executive officers and senior managers
Caldwell Partners Names Chief Operating and Financial Officer
Search firms have seen a number of top leadership appointments since the start of the year, many focused on strategy, growth, branding efforts and operations. Among them, executive search firm Caldwell Partners International recently named Chris Beck as chief operating and financial officer. “Chris is a collaborative and energetic leader with the vision to grow our organization, ensure
Hanning Recruitment Opens to Focus on Real Estate
A new executive recruitment firm, Hanning Recruitment, has been launched in the U.K. It is headed by Toby Speke and backed by Rory Penn and Thomas van Straubenzee of the London agency VanHan. Mr. Speke previously worked for VanHan as well as global real estate firm Knight Frank. Headquartered in Mayfair, Hanning Recruitment will focus
Workers Continue Taking Side Gigs to Bridge Pay Gap
Got a side gig? You’re not alone. According to new CareerBuilder research, nearly a third of workers (32 percent) do, compared to 29 percent last year. And more women than men have side work — 35 percent versus 28 percent. The national study, conducted online by Harris Poll on behalf of CareerBuilder, surveyed a representative sample of 3,696 full-time workers across industries in
Korn Ferry Seeking New UVA Athletic Director
Athletic directors are playing an increasingly vital role at colleges and universities across the country. With the expansion of athletic departments and, for the larger schools, the infusion of big dollars for sports, more schools have turned to search firms when such positions become open. Too much is at stake, they feel, to go it
Morris & Berger Tapped by Operation Gratitude to Find New CEO
Morris & Berger, a recruitment firm that specializes in searches for non-profit organizations, has been enlisted to help find the new CEO for Operation Gratitude in Encino, CA. Operation Gratitude is a charitable care-package provider. Each year, the group puts together more than 200,000 customized care packages filled with an assortment of goods, including snacks, entertainment, hygiene, and
SRiCheyenne Launches West Coast Media & Entertainment Recruiting Operation
SRiCheyenne has experienced a wave of growth since its creation in January with the merger of the Cheyenne Group and SRi. Among recent changes, the firm announced that Jamie Waldron has joined as a partner and will launch West Coast media and entertainment executive search operations from Los Angeles. Mr. Waldron was previously president of Sucherman Group, a management consulting and executive
Dunleavy White Opens in Barcelona
London-based executive search firm Dunleavy White has expanded with the addition of a new office in Barcelona. “The success of the travel and aviation companies based in the region over the past six months has meant that we have seen a significant increase in demand for senior-level talent,” said the firm’s digital partner Sarah Hanan. “Therefore, we see Barcelona
ExecThread Raises $6.5 Million to Grow Crowdsourced Jobs Platform
Investment dollars continue to pour into new technology designed to change the talent management game. ExecThread, a job-sharing network for executives and an aggregator of unpublished executive level job opportunities, has secured $6.5 million in an oversubscribed equity financing. It was led by venture capital investors Canaan Partners and Javelin Venture Partners, with participation from Corazon Capital,
Grace Point Partners and BraddockMatthews Join Forces
Asset management executive recruiters Grace Point Partners and BraddockMatthews have merged. The joint firm will continue to serve clients across traditional and alternative asset management, including hedge fund, private equity, endowment and foundation, and family office organizations. The firm will be known as BraddockMatthews and have offices in midtown Manhattan and Boston. Grace Point founder
Four Corners Group Finds CEO for Southlake Regional Health Centre
Following an extensive Canada-wide search, executive recruiting firm Four Corners Group has placed Arden Krystal as president and CEO of Southlake Regional Health Centre in Ontario. Jim Stonehouse, a partner with the recruiter, led the search along with project manager Nevila Xherro. Southlake Regional Health’s board of directors said it was seeking to recruit an accomplished senior leader
Allegis Partners Forms Alliance With Directors Academy
Search firm Allegis Partners is partnering with the Directors Academy to enhance its NextGen Directors Program, a peer-to-peer learning environment offering educational classes and networking opportunities. It is designed to accelerate the development and placement of next-generation board directors. The NextGen Directors Program also aims to accelerate shareholder value creation by building a pipeline of
Acertitude Expands Search Team
Acertitude has expanded with the addition of former PeopleMatter CEO Nate DaPore as managing director. In his new role, Mr. DaPore partners with businesses to recruit board members, CEOs and senior business leaders across private equity, technology and health care. Mr. DaPore brings over 20 years of experience as a private equity investor and operating partner, software
Job Security Climbs, But Worker Confidence Takes a Dip
Despite an uptick in the American labor force’s sense of job stability, the Worker Confidence Index dropped “significantly” by 7.9 percent for the second quarter of this year, according to a quarterly report by HRO Today magazine and Yoh Recruitment Process Outsourcing. The index dipped from 107.6 for the first quarter to 99.7. The decline
CarterBaldwin Seeks CEO for Old Dominion Electric Cooperative
The board of directors search committee of Old Dominion Electric Cooperative (ODEC) has announced its selection of CarterBaldwin Executive Search to assist in the identification, evaluation and transition of its next CEO. Current CEO Jack Reasor will retire at the end of the year, closing out a 19-year tenure. Chris Guiney, partner and head of
Former McDonalds’s Chief Compliance Officer Joins BarkerGilmore
Haydee Ortiz Olinger, who most recently served as global chief compliance officer for McDonald’s, has joined the advisory and coaching division of BarkerGilmore, a New York-based boutique executive search firm specializing in building corporate legal and compliance teams. Ms. Olinger joins BarkerGilmore’s team of former Fortune 500 general counsel and chief compliance officers who provide strategic
Kennedy Strengthens Presence in Norway
Kennedy Executive Search & Consulting, a network of independent executive search firms, has partnered with Human Assets Consulting Group AS in Oslo, Norway to bolster its presence in Northern Europe. Human Assets Consulting is a boutique executive search firm founded in 2015 by Petter Berg, Truls Mo and Haakon Heskja. Mr. Berg, who started in
Boutique Search Firm TwentyPine Names CEO
Search firms have seen a number of top leadership appointments since the start of the year, many focused on strategy, growth, branding efforts and operations. The latest: Sales-focused executive recruitment provider TwentyPine has promoted Jamie Coakley to CEO. In tandem with this appointment, Max Maeder, founder and former CEO, will move to an industry advisory role as president to
Over-Automated Recruitment Process Is Leaving Job Candidates Frustrated
Eighty two percent of potential employees are often frustrated with an overly automated job search experience, according to a new study by Randstad US. The survey, which examined job seekers’ perceptions, attitudes and expectations of the job search process, revealed that while most candidates find value in technology, they are stymied when it supersedes the human aspect
Vetted Solutions Seeks New Leader for the Society for Imaging Informatics In Medicine
Executive search firm Vetted Solutions LLC has been selected by the Society for Imaging Informatics in Medicine (SIIM) in Leesburg, VA, to lead its search for a new executive director. Vetted Solutions president and founder Jim Zaniello and vice president Nancy Green are spearheading the assignment. The new executive director, the recruiter said, is expected to work with
Spelman Johnson Lands Chief of Police for University of Chicago
The University of Chicago has named veteran police chief Kenton W. Rainey as chief of police after a national search by recruiting firm Spelman Johnson. Vice president Mark A. Hall led the assignment. The role called for a range of skill-sets, including planning, organizing, directing and administering the policing initiatives of the campus community and extended patrol
Odgers Berndtson Expands Real Estate & Infrastructure Search Practice
Commercial real estate in North America is at a crossroads: While investment in the sector continues to increase, developers, asset managers and investors are facing new challenges when recruiting executives with the skills and experience needed to execute their organization’s strategic growth plans. With the rate of executive retirements in the sector accelerating, succession planning
BLNelson Group Launches In Dallas
A new executive search firm, BLNelson Group LLC, has been launched in Dallas. The firm, founded by Blaine L. Nelson, will specialize in recruiting executives for the oil and gas and professional services sectors. “After spending 40 years in professional services, I have a great network of relationships,” Mr. Nelson told D Magazine, a Dallas city
How to Accommodate Millennials as Workplace Demographics Shift
By 2020, Millennials will make up 40 percent of the workforce. But the perks that motivate them are unlike those that appealed to previous generations. To stay competitive, businesses must recognize this and adapt to the evolving needs of their workforce, according to a new report authored by Susan Gottlieb, a partner for Jobplex, Inc.,
