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Shelli Herman and Associates Tapped by Mystic Aquarium to Lead CEO Search
Los Angeles-based Shelli Herman and Associates was recently selected by Mystic Aquarium to lead in its search for a new president and CEO. The organization seeks an experienced, mission-driven CEO to lead the organization into its next chapter, defined by expanded conservation impact, philanthropic growth, and deeper community relevance. Reporting to the board of trustees, this
Furst Group Recruits President and CEO of Blessing Health System
Furst Group, which serves the healthcare and insurance industries, recently helped to recruit Mike Trachta as the president and CEO of Blessing Health System. “The board sought a leader who could shape long-term strategy, strengthen key partnerships, and preserve Blessing Health’s independence while advancing operational excellence and financial stewardship,” Furst Group said in a LinkedIn
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.
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
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?
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
Friisberg & Partners International Names Managing Partner of its Copenhagen Office
Fribourg, Switzerland-headquartered Friisberg & Partners International has expanded with the addition of Birgitte Olrik as managing partner of its Copenhagen office, strengthening the firm’s presence in the Nordic region and supporting the continued execution of our international growth strategy. “The future of executive search belongs to firms that combine exceptional local expertise with international reach,” said Zoltán Pethő,
Attracting the Right CHRO Starts with the Right Job Description
Hiring a head of HR is one of the most consequential leadership decisions an organization can make, yet many companies struggle to define the role in a way that reflects their actual needs. The most effective job descriptions go beyond qualifications and responsibilities, offering candidates a clear picture of the challenges, priorities, and business objectives
Coulter Partners Recruits Chief Medical Officer for Neumirna Therapeutics
Life sciences recruiting specialist Coulter Partners has placed Ferenc Tracik as chief medical officer of Neumirna Therapeutics. “Neumirna has reached an inflection point: the question is no longer whether the science works, but how quickly we can translate it into an option for patients with urgent unmet need. Ferenc has the experience to get us there,” said Ellen
McCormack + Kristel Seeking CEO for Central New York ON RAMP
McCormack + Kristel is currently seeking a CEO for Central New York ON RAMP. New York State Empire State Development (ESD) recently engaged CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity (CenterState CEO), an business leadership and economic development organization, to lead, incubate, and launch the Central New York One Network for Regional Advanced Manufacturing Projects (ON RAMP). The
Bespoke Partners Appoints Leader of People and HR Practice
San Diego, CA-headquartered Bespoke Partners recently named Dani Pfeiffer as a partner leading the people and human resources leader recruiting practice serving both software and industrials sector companies. She will lead dedicated recruiting teams on searches for talent executives for private equity portfolio companies for the software and SaaS clients served by Bespoke Partners and industrial clients served by Industra Talent Partners,
Inside the AI Integration Gap: What Separates the Firms Moving Furthest
Executive search is off to a strong start in 2026. Americas revenue across the industry is tracking up approximately 10 to 11 percent, and a number of search firms are posting growth rates that would have been notable even in stronger markets. But beneath that headline, a different kind of divide is opening up —
Korn Ferry Appoints Chair of the Board and CEO Practice in the U.K.
Korn Ferry has named Dominic Schofield as chair of the board and CEO practice in the U.K. Under Mr. Schofield’s leadership, Korn Ferry will continue to strengthen its unique position, combining board advisory and executive search for boardrooms. “I am pleased to announce that Dominic Schofield will assume the role of chair of our U.K. board and CEO practice,” said Daren Kemp,
Beyond Traditional Executive Search: Human Insight, AI Power
Artificial intelligence is no longer just a technological breakthrough—it is transforming industries, redefining economies, and reshaping how organizations create value. To keep pace, leaders must combine business acumen with adaptability, foresight, and AI fluency, guiding their companies through both the opportunities and complexities this new era brings. “Artificial intelligence is reshaping our landscape and enabling
McCormack+Kristel Recruits CEO for Equality Illinois
Executive search firm McCormack+Kristel has placed Channyn Lynne Parker as the new CEO of Equality Illinois. Her selection follows a thorough and competitive process led by McCormack + Kristel. All candidates were evaluated equitably through the same fair and transparent process, and Ms. Parker emerged as the clear choice based on her experience, leadership, deep ties to
Kaye/Bassman Grows Higher Education Practice
Plano, TX-based executive search firm Kaye/Bassman International recently expanded with the addition of Lou Stark to its higher education practice. “We are extremely proud to have Lou join our higher education practice,” said Eric Dickerson, managing director of Kaye/Bassman’s academic leadership division. “His years of experience working in tier-one research institutions give him excellent insight into the
Alexander Hughes Names Managing Partner of Paris Office
Alexander Hughes has appointed Jean-Marie Simon as managing partner of the Paris office. “His appointment as managing partner of the Paris office follows his successful tenure as a client partner at our firm for several years, where he played a key role in managing our relationships with key clients, leading strategic initiatives and developing a
The Strategic Imperative for Unified Platforms in Executive Search
Executive search is at an inflection point. Firms are drowning in disconnected tools, fragmented data, and outdated workflows that make it harder—not easier—to identify transformational leaders. Many executive search consultants tell Hunt Scanlon Media that what the industry needs is a unified platform powered by point-in-time intelligence, one that surfaces executives when they were most
Acertitude Recruits Chief Revenue Officer for TAK Broadband
Acertitude has recruited Dan Miller as the new chief revenue officer of TAK Broadband, a Platinum Equity portfolio company. “This placement marks another chapter in Acertitude’s nearly decade-long partnership with Platinum Equity, which has yielded more than 200 executive placements across both the firm and its portfolio companies,” Acertitude said in a LinkedIn post. The
Assembly Recruits President and GM, Data & Analytics for insightsoftware
Austin, TX-based executive search firm Assembly has assisted in the recruitment of Matt Belkin as the new president and GM, data & analytics at insightsoftware. “It was a pleasure to work with the insightsoftware team once again, and we wish Matt and the entire team continued success,” Assembly said in a LinkedIn post. Mr. Belkin has more than 25
Kincannon & Reed Recruits President for AGCO Corporation’s PTx
Kincannon & Reed, which exclusively focuses on food, agribusiness, and the related life sciences, has helped to recruit Brian Sorbe as president of AGCO Corporation’s PTx. “I am thrilled to welcome Brian to the AGCO team as the leader of our exciting PTx technology portfolio,” said Eric Hansotia, chairman, president and CEO. “His passion for agriculture and
ExactSearch.AI Adds Tech Veteran to Board of Advisors
AI-enhanced executive search firm ExactSearch.AI has appointed Breck Armstrong to its board of advisors. “Breck is one of the most trusted voices in applying technology to executive search, and we’re fortunate to have him at the table,” said Mike Caggiano, co-founder and CEO of ExactSearch.AI. “He knows that AI can accelerate results—but also that search is
Building a Safer AI Future Through Guardrails and Human Oversight
The swift advancement of AI is opening doors to fresh opportunities for innovation and growth. At the same time, these breakthroughs are giving rise to serious digital safety challenges. From AI-powered scams and realistic deepfakes to generative AI (GenAI) hallucinations, new risks are emerging that traditional quality assurance approaches can no longer effectively address. For
Marovi Launched by Veteran Executive Search Consultants
Founded by a team with more than four decades of executive hiring experience, Marovi has opened its doors in Atlanta. “Our intense commitment to this inadequately served hiring category includes intelligent software, expert services, and the right datasets built specifically for high-stakes executive recruitment,” said Matthew Mooney, co-founder. “It fills a critical gap in executive hiring,
Solomon Page Fills Senior Role for Baylor Scott & White
New York City headquartered executive search firm Solomon Page has helped to recruit Stephanie Motter as president, health plan and senior vice president, employer solutions at Baylor Scott & White Health. Marc Gouran led this national search in his capacity as managing director and global practice leader at Solomon Page healthcare. The appointment comes at a pivotal time for
TM² Executive Search Recruits Dean for Fort Valley State University
TM² Executive Search (TM²) has assisted in the recruitment of Vonda M. Easterling as dean of students at Fort Valley State University (FVSU). “I am truly pleased with TM² and the professional, prompt engagement during our dean of students search,” said Timothy L. Hatchett, vice president of student affairs and enrollment management. “I would gladly
BrainWorks Appoints Vice Presidents
Warren, NJ-based executive search firm BrainWorks has named Kelly Maslow as sales & marketing practice leader, and Bowen Knarr, interim accounting & finance practice leader, as vice presidents. “This strategic move reflects not only their individual achievements but also the significant influence they’ve had across the entire BrainWorks organization,” the search firm said. “The decision to elevate a
Here’s How Interim Leaders Give Companies A Strategic Edge
In Business Talent Group’s report Accelerating Transformation Success, one thing is clear: transformation has become a permanent state of business. Organizations across industries are under pressure to adapt to rapid technological shifts, geopolitical uncertainty, and evolving customer demands. But for many companies, internal teams alone don’t have the capacity or political freedom to deliver the speed
Artico Search Adds New Partner
Artico Search has expanded with the addition of Glenn Zweig as partner. “Glenn represents exactly the kind of partner we want at Artico,” said Mercedes Chatfield-Taylor, CEO and co-founder of Artico Search. “He shares our client-first mindset and our conviction that excellence in leadership search means going far deeper than filling a role. His background scaling
Klein Hersh Assists Artios Pharma with CEO Search
Horsham, PA-based Klein Hersh, a search firm focused on the life sciences and healthcare industries, has helped to recruit Mike Andriole as director and CEO of Artios Pharma, a biopharmaceutical company committed to realizing the therapeutic power of targeting the DNA damage response (DDR) in cancer. He succeeds Niall Martin, Artios’ founding CEO, who will remain
Holden Richardson Recruits VP of HR for IDEX Corporation
Holden Richardson has assisted in the recruitment of Harsha Landen as vice president, human resources at NYSE-traded IDEX Corp., where she now leads the company’s Pneumatics platform. Ms. Landen has HR leadership experience from organizations such as Thermo Fisher Scientific, Quest Diagnostics, and BD, where she led global teams and transformational HR initiatives. She has experience
DHR Global Adds Partner in Chicago
Talent advisory firm DHR Global has grown its search staff with the addition of Trista McCarthy as a partner. Based in Chicago, she brings over 25 years of experience in executive search, with a focus on senior-level placements across large public clients and mid-market private equity-backed businesses in the services and industrial sectors. “We are excited to welcome
Hiring Interim CEOs for PE Portfolio Companies
Private equity firms are increasingly relying on interim CEOs to drive transformation within their portfolio companies. As interim leadership becomes a mainstream solution, the critical question evolves: how can firms deploy it to achieve transformative outcomes? In 2025’s challenging market environment, where value creation depends on operational excellence rather than financial engineering, interim CEOs have become
Waterstone Human Capital Acquires Hire Integrated; Appoints Managing Director and President of Waterstone USA
Culture-driven executive search and leadership advisory firm Waterstone Human Capital has acquired Hire Integrated, a U.S.-based professional recruitment firm. As part of this strategic growth, Emily Rushton has been appointed managing director and president of Waterstone USA. Based in Salt Lake City, UT, she will lead Waterstone’s U.S. operations and oversee the integration of Hire
Academic Career & Executive Search Assists Washtenaw Community College with the Recruitment of Chief Public Affairs Officer
Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) has assisted in the recruitment of Amanda Holdsworth as chief public affairs officer of Washtenaw Community College (WCC) in Ann Arbor, MI. Jennifer Muller, managing partner, led the search. “Congratulations to Washtenaw Community College and Dr. Amanda Holdsworth on being chosen as the chief public affairs officer,” ACES said in a
LHH Knightsbridge Recruits Chief Legal Officer for LCBO
LHH Knightsbridge has assisted in the recruitment of Sacha Fraser as chief legal officer of LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario). Partner Tara Veysey and managing partner Lisa Knight led the assignment. “I am pleased to announce that Sacha Fraser has joined LCBO as our new chief legal officer, overseeing our legal and procurement teams,” said George Soleas, president
Korn Ferry Q1 Revenue Rises Five Percent to $708.6 Million as Executive Search and Interim Lead Gains
Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) has posted Q1 fiscal-year 2026 revenues of $708.6 million, an increase of five percent year-over-year at actual, and four percent at constant currency. Fee revenue grew year-over-year in each solution, led by professional search & interim (10 percent actual) and executive search (eight percent actual). “I am pleased with our company’s performance,” said
Merging Behavioral Analysis with Personality Insights in Executive Search
Executive hiring goes far beyond resumes—it requires understanding how leaders think, act, and respond under pressure. Executive hiring demands more than assessing experience and qualifications; it requires a deeper understanding of who the candidate is and how they behave in critical moments, according to a report from TRANSEARCH’s Asianet Consultants. The study, authored by Brant
GHP Search Fills Board Positions for Teach For America New York
GHP Search, formerly known as Greenwich Harbor Partners, was recently retained by Teach For America New York to assist in expanding its board of directors. New members identified by GHP include Haidee Lee, Partner, global co-head of financial sponsor M&A at Goldman Sachs, Scott Mullins, managing director, general manager, AWS Worldwide Financial Services at Amazon Web Services, Kevin Pemberton, managing director, senior strategy
RSR Partners Selected by US Squash for CEO Search
US Squash has selected Greenwich, Conn.-based RSR Partners to lead the search for the organization’s next CEO. “I’m honored to share that US Squash has selected RSR Partners to lead the search for the organization’s next CEO,” RSR CEO Brett Stephens said in a LinkedIn post. “Over my career, I have led numerous CEO searches, but this
HTP Group Adds Partner in Lisbon
HTP Group has added Pedro Branco to the partnership team in Lisbon. “Pedro embodies the combination of executive search expertise, academic depth, and leadership development vision that perfectly fits our mission,” said Ineke Arts and Raffaele Jacovelli, managing directors of HTP Group. “His passion for helping executives and organizations embrace transformation with resilience and responsibility will strongly contribute to our
The CHRO’s Role in Private Equity: Driving Value at Speed and Scale
In every industry, the CHRO serves as the guardian of culture, the designer of talent strategy, and a key advisor to the CEO. It is demanding work—transformational, complex, and deeply human. In a private equity-backed portfolio company, those responsibilities remain, but the tempo shifts dramatically: there is no long runway. With a defined investment plan
AI Meets Executive Search: The New Algorithmic Era
Artificial intelligence is transforming how executive search is conducted, from sourcing and shortlisting to delivery and client engagement. In today’s competitive landscape, AI isn’t just a tool to speed up the process, it’s fast becoming a critical edge for winning mandates and enhancing outcomes. “The hype is over,” said Andrew Quinn, CTO of Ezekia and
