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5 Cybersecurity Shifts Every Executive Must Prioritize Before 2026
Cybersecurity is now a direct driver of enterprise value, and this piece frames the run-up to 2026 as a moment for leaders to reset their assumptions about risk and resilience. For executives, especially those in private equity and high-growth companies, cybersecurity is no longer a technical function in the background, according to a recent report
SPMB Recruits CFO for OffSec
Steven Popper of SPMB Executive Search has placed Ian Charles as the new CFO of OffSec in New York City. “Ian brings the strategic and operational depth to support OffSec, a global leader in cybersecurity education and hands-on training, as it enters its next phase of growth,” SPMB said in a LinkedIn post. “He is also highly experienced
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.
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
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?
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,
Wilson Forms New Alliance with Poetry to Advance AI capabilities
Global talent solutions provider Wilson has formed a new partnership with Poetry to strengthen its AI-enabled recruitment capabilities. The collaboration supports Wilson’s continued focus on embedding technology into its RPO delivery model through Wilson Workspace, its technology ecosystem. “We’re excited to announce our new partnership with Poetry,” said Charles Faigle, chief delivery officer at Wilson. This
What Executive Candidates Want From Employers Today
The executive talent market today has fundamentally shifted and senior leaders are evaluating employers through a far more demanding lens. They no longer weigh opportunities primarily on compensation or title; they assess the total leadership experience: governance, culture, organizational stability, purpose, autonomy, flexibility and long-term growth, according to a report from Kestria. “To attract and retain
WittKieffer Retained by Roosevelt University for President Search
Oak Brook, IL-based WittKieffer has been retained by Roosevelt University in Chicago to lead in its search for its seventh president. Ali Malekzadeh is retiring after being with the school since 2015. Senior partner Christine Pendleton, consultant Sandra Chu, senior associate Maya Holt-Brockenbrough, and senior advisor Ray Crossman. Roosevelt University seeks a student-centered president who is committed
Buffkin / Baker Acquires HR-Focused Benson Executive Search
Partner-led executive search firm Buffkin / Baker has acquired Boston, MA-based Benson Executive Search, a boutique firm focused on the human resources sector. Financial terms of deal were not disclosed. The acquisition strengthens Buffkin / Baker’s HR functional capabilities and gives the firm a stronger presence in the Northeast. “We’re thrilled to welcome Benson Executive Search to
SPMB Recruits Fills Senior Finance Position for Uber
Steven Popper of SPMB Executive Search has placed Wendy Drummond Craig as senior director, technical accounting, reporting, and M&A at Uber. In her new role, she will oversee teams responsible for technical accounting matters, SEC reporting, and accounting for mergers and acquisitions. “Wendy brings an extraordinary combination of technical accounting expertise, SEC reporting experience, and strategic advisory leadership
True Launches AI Capability Index for Executive Assessment
Global executive talent platform True has launched the True AI Capability Index, a proprietary framework that predicts executive performance in the AI-transformation age. “We are entering a phase where relationship depth and judgment matter more than ever,” said Brad Stadler, co-founder and CEO of True Platform. “The cost of finding names is decreasing. True’s advantage lies in our ability
AI-Native Talent Won’t Fix AI-Foreign Organizations
As artificial intelligence moves from experimentation to enterprise-wide adoption, organizations are grappling with a fundamental question: what does it actually mean to become AI-native? While the term has quickly entered the business lexicon, many leaders are still struggling to define the capabilities, operating models, and cultural shifts required to make that vision a reality. “Some
ZRG Partners Acquires Fortium
ZRG Partners has acquired Fortium, a Dallas-based search firm that provides fractional, interim, and project-based CIO, CTO, and CISO leadership. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “Companies are making more nuanced decisions about leadership than they did even a few years ago, particularly in technology,” said Mark Viner, leader of interim solutions & project
Lochlin Partners Recruits SVP of HR for the National Association of Corporate Directors
Lochlin Partners has placed Marian Stevens as senior vice president, human resources of the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) in Washington, D.C. “Marian’s deep experience in talent development, organizational effectiveness, and culture will help NACD to continue building the internal capabilities needed to support our growth and deliver on our mission,” said Peter Gleason, president and CEO of
JDG Associates Tapped by Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute to Find New Leader
Rockville, MD-based executive search firm JDG Associates has been retained by the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) to lead its search for a new president and CEO. The Chicago-based institute, the leading technical institute and trade association for the precast, prestressed concrete industry in North America, seeks a visionary and collaborative executive to succeed its long-serving chief executive,
IIC Partners Adds New Member Firm in New Zealand
IIC Partners Executive Search Worldwide has added Auckland, New Zealand-based Infinitas as its newest member firm expanding its capabilities across the Asia-Pacific region. “I am thrilled to welcome Infinitas to IIC Partners,” said Christine Hayward, executive director of IIC Partners. Their people-first philosophy, tech-enabled search processes, and talent advisory capabilities deeply align with our mission to transform
Hiring for the Culture You Don’t Yet Have
For much of the past decade, organizations have invested heavily in strategy, technology and operational efficiency to navigate an increasingly complex business environment. Yet despite these investments, many transformation initiatives continue to fall short of expectations. The differentiator is rarely the strategy itself. More often, success depends on whether leadership teams have the right people
BoardWalk Consulting Leading CEO Search for Downtown Atlanta Inc.
BoardWalk Consulting has been tapped by Downtown Atlanta Inc. (DAI) to lead in its search for a CEO. The search is being led by Sam Pettway, Crystal Stephens, and Patti Kish. The organization is seeking a leader who can help define what the next generation of Downtown Atlanta will become. This is a leadership opportunity of unusual scale and
Peña Search Assists To Be Like Me with the Recruitment of Executive Director
Peña Search recently assisted in the recruitment of Lauren Rowe as the new executive for To Be Like Me (TBLM) in Dallas, TX. Travis Hillier, Carlos González Peña, and Thaise Pereira led the assignment. She replaces To Be Like Me founder Hollis Owens, who has served as executive director since 2018 and initiated the search for her replacement last
BroadView Talent Partners Tapped by Baltimore Community Lending for President/CEO Search
BroadView Talent Partners was recently retained by Baltimore Community Lending, Inc. (BCL) to lead in its search for a new president and CEO. Tracy McMillan, Robyn Quinn, and Donna Young are leading the assignment. The CEO is the strategic, operational, and external leader of Baltimore Community Lending, responsible for driving the organization’s next era of growth and
TalentoHC Acquires R2 Global
Talento Human Capital has acquired R2 Global, a highly respected technology recruitment and staffing firm known for its niche expertise across cloud & data, business systems, and e-commerce. Hunt Scanlon Ventures, based in Greenwich, Conn., served as an advisor on the deal. This strategic move will expand TalentoHC’s existing footprint in the technology sector and launch,
Hanold Associates Finds Head of Diversity & Inclusion for Live Nation
Leaders at the best companies know that diversity matters. Not only are the firms that pay attention to such matters rewarded with better financial returns, but they gain perspectives and insights that would otherwise be lost to them. The recruitment of diversity and inclusion executives continues to be critical for companies. In the latest instance: Hanold
Diversified Search Fills CEO Post for Telecommunications Industry Association
Diversified Search has recruited Wes Johnston as the chief executive officer of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA). John Keller, managing director and leader of the firm’s technology and innovation practice, led the search along with Michel Deschapelles, managing director in the Miami office. Mr. Johnston comes to TIA with more than 25 years of experience leading and
Taplow Group Expands Into Africa
The economy of Africa consists of trade, industry, finance, construction and agriculture. According to recruiters expanding in the region, business is booming, and a number of search firms therefore have continued their migration to the continent. With the region primed for growth, the international search firm Taplow Group has launched Taplow Africa. This new team was brought together by
13 Rules for Getting the Most Out of Your Executive Search Firm
In many organizations, recruitment for top echelon positions is time-consuming, expensive and often even contentious when decision-makers aren’t on the same page. For most businesses, retained search firms offer the best answer to filling senior level positions. The retainer-based model commits the search firm to focus their resources in a proactive, systematic search to find
CarterBaldwin Lands CEO for Corporate Chaplains of America
CarterBaldwin Executive Search has placed Larry Griffith as the chief executive officer of Corporate Chaplains of America (CCA). The board’s selection comes after an extensive search that involved reaching out to more than 1,000 potential candidates. The assignment was conducted by CarterBaldwin founding partner Price Harding. “The search attracted a very large number of interested, qualified candidates from
Chaloner Tapped by Wikimedia to Find Chief Communications Officer
New York-based executive search firm Chaloner has been retained by Wikimedia Foundation to spearhead its search for a chief communications officer. Amy Segelin, president of Chaloner, is leading the search. The foundation is seeking a creative, collaborative, forward-thinking chief communications officer to join it executive team in San Francisco. The organization is looking for a leader
WilsonHCG Appoints Leader of Executive Search Offering
Global talent solutions provider WilsonHCG has added Jonathan Edwards to its leadership team as vice president of executive search. He will be responsible for leading the organization’s global executive search efforts, talent development and continuous process improvement to cultivate the company’s global offering. “We are very pleased to welcome Jonathan to WilsonHCG in such a pivotal
Amrop Expands Leadership Consulting Team
Amrop, a partnership of recruiting firms operating from 74 offices in 52 countries throughout Asia, EMEA, continues to be in growth mode. It recently added Francis Lam as senior partner in Shanghai, spearheading the firm’s leadership consulting practice in China. Amrop defines leadership assessment / consulting as a structured, comprehensive and objective evaluation of current competences and
Why American Workers Remain Confident
Led by significant increases in perceived likelihood of a promotion and perceived likelihood of a raise, American workers’ confidence increased for the fifth consecutive quarter, according to the national Worker Confidence Index, a survey of U.S. workers from HRO Today Magazine and talent and outsourcing company Yoh. The index gauges workers’ perceptions of the four
The Tolan Group Recruits CEO for Elwyn
Healthcare is among the most rapidly growing employment fields, according to analysts at Hunt Scanlon Media, which tracks trends in the executive search and leadership solutions space. This has led to an increased need for recruiting firms to deliver top-drawer leaders throughout the sector. The latest: The Tolan Group, a member of the Sanford Rose Associates network, has placed
Fogler Consulting Finds Head Basketball Coach for Ohio State
Executive search firm Fogler Consulting has recruited Chris Holtmann as the 14th head men’s basketball coach of Ohio State University. He replaces Thad Matta. Last year’s team missed the NCAA tournament after finishing 17–15. It was Mr. Matta’s first Ohio State team not to win at least 20 games. The Buckeyes, however, clearly felt it was time to go
Jobplex Names Leader of Atlanta Office
Jobplex, the Chicago-based partner company of DHR International, has expanded with the addition of Mark Mayleben as partner and leader of its Atlanta office. He was brought aboard to be a catalyst in the company’s growing apparel, consumer goods, food and beverage, leisure, and retail sectors. With deep expertise and experience leading senior executive searches across
IMD International Adds Partner in Czech Republic and Slovakia
With assignments increasingly coming in from around the globe, executive recruiters are developing new practices, hiring recruiters, and opening new locations. While the uptick in business has proven to be good for virtually every search firm, global recruiting consortiums seem well-placed and well-anchored to take advantage of some geographic areas that once seemed to be
Hiring Pace Accelerates Heading Into Summer
U.S. employers expect hiring to pick up in the third quarter, with 24 percent planning to add staff between July and September. According to the latest “Employment Outlook Survey,” released today by ManpowerGroup, employers in all U.S. regions and industry sectors expect headcount to grow. The upbeat forecast indicates that the uncertain political climate continues to
Korn Ferry Recruits CEO for J. Crew
Korn Ferry has assisted apparel retailer J. Crew in placing James Brett as its chief executive officer. A leader with more than 25 years of retail experience, Mr. Brett most recently served as president of specialty home furnishing company West Elm, a member of the Williams-Sonoma, Inc. portfolio. He will assume the CEO position in July, succeeding Millard
Knightsbridge Robertson Surrette Recruits Chief Librarian for Ryerson University
Nova Scotia-headquartered executive search firm Knightsbridge Robertson Surrette has assisted Ryerson University with the appointment of Carol Shepstone as its new chief librarian. Anna Stuart, managing partner and leader of the firm’s academic search practice, led the search. Ms. Shepstone has been working in academic libraries for more than 18 years. As university librarian at
Heidrick & Struggles Names Head of Leadership Consulting for Americas
Heidrick & Struggles has appointed Andrew LeSueur as head of leadership consulting in the Americas. He will continue to support his executive search clients and the industrial and supply chain practices as he transitions into his new role. “Andrew’s success in accelerating the performance of our clients will bring immense value to our leadership consulting business as
TRANSEARCH Opens Office in Bulgaria
TRANSEARCH International is continuing its expansion with the opening of an office in Sofia, Bulgaria. Krasen Vladimirov will lead the new office as managing partner of TRANSEARCH Bulgaria. Mr. Vladimirov has more than 15 years of experience in human resources and operational executive leadership positions and focuses on technology, professional and financial services. He has previously worked as
Human Capital Consultants Places Chief People Officer for ONE Campaign
Human Capital Consultants, LLC has placed Anchal Gupta as chief people officer for ONE Campaign, a Washington, D.C.-based advocacy and campaigning organization. The search was led by senior search consultant Katherine Emery. “Anchal Gupta has over 15 years of HR experience in the international non-profit arena, including advocacy environments and with organizations with a large population
Koya Leadership Partners and Neumann Executive Search Merge
Since the start of the year, the search industry has seen a number of mergers. Some involve national expansion, while others are about global reach. Many of the consolidations provide greater solution possibilities for customers who want a full suite of talent management services. The latest: Koya Leadership Partners is merging Neumann Executive Search Partners
Chelsea Partners and Reffett Associates Place USA Swimming CEO
Chelsea Partners and Reffett Associates have assisted USA Swimming in selecting Timothy Hinchey as its president and CEO. He becomes the organization’s third leader, replacing the late Chuck Wielgus. The search was led by Andy Knox, managing director at Los Angeles-based Chelsea Partners, and Bill Reffett, managing partner at Reffett Associates in Seattle. The USA Swimming shootout was
Search Firms In Europe Continue to Make Acquisitions
Belgian-based search firm Pauwels Consulting has acquired healthcare and life sciences recruiters Vandycke & Partners and its sister company Mediconsult. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The combined firm now has more than 490 employees in the fields of life sciences, engineering and IT. For more than 27 years, Vandycke & Partners has
Calibrate Legal to Offer Search, Leadership, Marketing Services
Johnson Executive Search has announced the launch of its parent company, Calibrate Legal. The organization will be comprised of three main areas of service: executive search, which will be JJES’ purview; a leadership council; and marketing operations. “Calibrate Legal’s expanded mission is to connect the right people, ideas and information to position our law-firm clients at
Work-Life Balance Matters, But Does It Matter Most?
Work-life balance is an increasingly critical ingredient in deciding where to work, according to a newly released study by Randstad, the staffing and recruitment company. That factor was considered important to 45 percent of individuals surveyed from around the world, making it the third highest priority in sizing up would-be employers. Work-life balance moves up
Ventura Partners Lands New CEO for Boa Technology
Executive search firm Ventura Partners has recruited Shawn Neville as chief executive officer of Boa Technology Inc. Bob Damon, a partner at Ventura, led the assignment. Mr. Neville joins Boa following his tenure as CEO and chairman of the footwear company Aerosoles Group. He began his career at Procter & Gamble and Visa USA. His career
Cook Silverman Seeking Advancement Leader for California State Parks Foundation
Greenbrae, CA-based Cook Silverman Search has been selected by the California State Parks Foundation (CSPF) to lead its search for a director of advancement. Victoria L. Silverman, co-founder of Cook Silverman, is heading the assignment. The advancement leader reports directly to the executive director. The individual is expected to work with the board, staff and
RISE Talent and Sports Trade Group Join Forces
In an effort to tap into more sports-and-fitness related clients, executive search firm RISE Talent Acquisition announced that it has formed a partnership with the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), a Silver Springs, MD-based trade group. “The partnership is a long-term working relationship where RISE Talent Acquisition is born from the industry, and works
Signium Names Practice Group Leaders
Executive search firm Signium U.K. has named Paul Surridge as global head of leadership consulting and Dominique Graham global head of legal and professional services. Mr. Surridge takes over the position from Kin Chong U, who remains with the firm as managing partner of Signium Management Consulting. Mr. Surridge is an experienced management consultant, specializing in talent and
Baby Boomers, Millennials and the Value of Mentorship
Millennials have surpassed Baby Boomers in the U.S. as the largest living generation, according to population estimates released by the U.S. Census Bureau. Defined as those born roughly between 1983 and 2000, Millennials are poised to make up a majority of the global workforce by 2020. One result has been increased mentoring between Millennials and Baby
DHR International Places Chief Procurement Officer at Tata Motors
On the heels of finding Tata Motors’ new CEO, DHR International has recruited former Ford executive Tom Flack as chief procurement officer for the company. He will report directly to CEO Guenter Butschek. Frank Smeekes, DHR’s European managing director, led the assignment. “I am more than happy with the performance of Frank Smeekes and the DHR
Russell Reynolds Associates Places First Non-Jesuit President at Fairfield University
A number of top schools around the country are looking for high-profile leaders to take them into the future. In most cases, executive recruiting firms have had a hand in some aspect of the search and selection process. Fairfield University recently named Mark R. Nemec, Ph.D., as its ninth president, the first non-Jesuit to lead the school. Assisting with the
