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Daily Newswire
Integration-Ready C-Suite Leaders Growing In Demand, and Influence
After two years of subdued activity, global M&A surged last year, with deal value climbing 40 percent to roughly $4.9 trillion, marking one of the strongest years on record. According to Bain & Company Global M&A Report 2026, the rebound was broad-based across sectors and geographies and driven by a renewed urgency among companies to reinvent
WittKieffer Tapped by the University of Tulsa for President Search
Oak Brook, IL-based WittKieffer has been retained by the University of Tulsa (UTulsa) to lead in its search for a new president. Zachary Smith, Robin Mamlet, and Julia Bradley are leading the assignment. The school seeks a visionary and dynamic leader to serve as its next president and to guide the private research institution to the next phase of success.
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.
The Moran Company Recruits CEO for The Arc of New Mexico
The Moran Company, an executive recruitment firm that specializes in the non-profit sector, has placed Tracie Fletcher as the new executive director of The Arc of New Mexico. Senior search consultant Bruce Scott led the assignment. “Tracie brings a 25-year track record of leadership in non-profit, government, and community organizations,” The Arc of New Mexico said in a
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?
Solomon Page Launches AI Retained Executive Search Practice
New York City headquartered executive search firm Solomon Page has launched a retained executive search practice dedicated to artificial intelligence leadership. The practice is led by managing director Ryan Kellner. The practice partners with organizations in financial services, healthcare, life sciences, and venture-backed technology to place chief AI officers, heads of AI, heads of data science, and
Ema Raises $77 Million in Funding
Enterprise adoption of artificial intelligence is moving beyond experimentation as companies look for tools that can deliver measurable outcomes across core business functions. As organizations seek to automate more complex workflows in areas such as HR, IT, and finance, investors are increasingly backing platforms designed to operate at enterprise scale rather than remain stuck in
The Counteroffer Dilemma: What Candidates Need to Know Before Resigning
Landing the job offer of your dreams should be the culmination of a successful search process. But for many professionals, one of the most difficult parts comes after the offer is accepted: telling a current employer they are leaving. A recent report from The Bridger Group examines how companies respond when valued employees resign and
True Launches Boutique Search Practice for Venture-Backed Companies
Global executive talent platform True has launched True Venture Studios, a boutique executive search practice serving founders and venture-backed companies across AI infrastructure, HardTech, SpaceTech, DefenseTech, Fintech, healthcare, and life sciences, among others. “True Venture Studios is our way of reasserting our roots, giving founders a dedicated team that moves at their speed and fights for the
Vetted Solutions Recruits CEO for GO2 for Lung Cancer
Washington, D.C.-based Vetted Solutions has placed David Benson as the new CEO of GO2 for Lung Cancer. “David is an exceptional leader with a deep commitment to improving the lives of people affected by cancer,” said GO2 board president Rick Sherlock. “His collaborative leadership style, strategic vision, and ability to build meaningful partnerships make him the right
TalentRise Assists Grassroots Gardens of WNY with Executive Director Search
TalentRise has assisted in the recruitment of Megan Kelly as the new executive director of Grassroots Gardens of WNY. “We’re thrilled to announce Meg Kelly as the new executive director of Grassroots Gardens WNY,” the organization said. “Meg brings experience to our garden network from her work with the region’s business and entrepreneurship community, and enters
Private Equity Firms Rethink Executive Hiring for Future Growth
PE investors routinely underwrite businesses based on their future state. For example, an investment thesis may assume a restaurant company will double its unit count, accelerate franchising, expand geographically, complete acquisitions, improve margins, or become significantly more institutionalized during the hold period. Executive hiring, however, often remains anchored to the present, according to a new
ON Partners Recruits CFO for Fortera
Partners Josh Nathanson and Chris Clements along with principal Alexis Rohe of ON Partners have placed Albert Luu as the new CFO of cement manufacturer Fortera in San Jose, CA. “Fortera is at a stage where the work we’ve done to prove the technology now has to be matched by our ability to finance and execute at scale,”
BoardWalk Consulting Assists Downtown Atlanta with CEO Search
BoardWalk Consulting has recruited Kyle Waide as the new CEO of Downtown Atlanta Inc. (DAI) to lead in its search for a CEO. The search was led by Sam Pettway, Crystal Stephens, and Patti Kish. The search committee began its work in April of 2026 under the leadership of Egbert Perry, CEO, Integral Group; longtime member of CAP and
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
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
HelloSky Announces $5.5 Million Oversubscribed Seed Round, Crosses $1 Million ARR and Expands Executive Team
HelloSky (formerly Skyminyr), a talent intelligence platform purpose-built for the executive search industry, has closed a $5.5 million oversubscribed seed round. The raise includes participation from Caldwell Partners, Karmel Capital, True, Hunt Scanlon Ventures and prominent angel investors from Google and Cisco Systems. “As competition for executive talent escalates, organizations will increasingly turn to recruiting
IIC Partners Continues Global Expansion
Executive recruiters are seeing an increase in hiring mandates from all over the world. To meet the demand, they are continually developing new practices, hiring new recruiters and opening new locations. Global recruiting consortiums, meanwhile, are taking advantage of a resurgence in certain geographic areas. For instance, IIC Partners Executive Search Worldwide has made five new consultant
ENGAGE Research Identifies Top 2017 Employee Tenure Trends and a Tightening Labor Market
An already tight labor market has likely only continued to tighten over the past 18 months, an analysis of ENGAGE Talent tenure data shows. The study by ENGAGE data scientists, which covered 50 million US workers and professionals, concluded that the current median job tenure is 3.67 years. That’s six months less than the Bureau of
CDI Corp. to be Acquired by Private Equity Group
Recruitment firm CDI Corp. has agreed to be acquired by AE Industrial Partners, a private equity investor specializing in aerospace, power generation and specialty industrial companies. AEI will acquire all of the outstanding shares of the company’s stock for $8.25 per share in an all-cash offer and follow-on merger. The agreement was unanimously approved by
Wheless Partners Leading President Search for Cleveland State University
Cleveland State University (CSU) president Ronald Berkman, who since his arrival in 2009 has transformed what was predominantly a commuter school into a campus with strong partnerships, has announced his retirement. The college has enlisted Wheless Partners to find its next leader. The search will be managed by Mike JR Wheless, managing partner and division
U.S. Job Growth Continues Through Summer
Employers added 209,000 jobs last month as the U.S. unemployment rate fell slightly, to 4.3 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. During the month, the number of workers unemployed remained at seven million. July marked the 80th straight month of job growth in the U.S. Economists had forecast payrolls increasing by 180,000 jobs
Caldwell Partners Lands Chief Development Officer for JDA Software
Executive search firm Caldwell Partners International has placed Desikan Madhavanur as executive vice president and chief development officer of JDA Software in Scottsdale, AZ. Jim Bethmann, managing partner and co-leader of Caldwell’s TMT & IT services and information security practices, led the search. Mr. Madhavanur will be responsible for the company’s product solution strategy, development and delivery.
Hudson Global Posts Small Second Quarter Revenue Gain
Hudson Global Inc. / (NASDAQ:HSON) posted second quarter revenues of $113.6 million, up 3.6 percent in constant currency from a year ago. By region, Hudson Americas led the way, recording a revenue gain of 13.7 percent while Hudson Asia Pacific had a revenue increase of 11.6 percent. Hudson Europe, meanwhile, continues to struggle, posting a revenue decrease of
Increasing Demand for Talent Spurs Steady Wage Growth
The U.S. labor market posted steady growth in wages in the second quarter, according to the newly released ADP Workforce Vitality Report. Overall, wage growth increased by 2.3 percent year over year across all industries in the second quarter of 2017 and is higher than the 1.8 percent growth in wages reported by the U.S.
HVS Executive Search Finds Three Top Leaders for Shashi Group
HVS Executive Search has placed three top-level executives for Shashi Group LLC, a hotel development and ownership company in the San Francisco Bay Area. The searches were led by HVS vice presidents Erica Arnold, who is based in Denver, and Rachel Levitt, who works out of San Diego. The assignments were for chief investment officer,
PFM Executive Search Taps New Leader for Junior Achievement British Columbia
PFM Executive Search has placed Sheila Biggers as the president and chief executive officer of Junior Achievement British Columbia. Partner Shelina Esmail led the search along with senior consultant Jennifer Madden. Ms. Biggers brings over 25 years of experience working in the not-for-profit and public sectors. Her most recent role was associate dean, development and
5 Recruitment Trends Changing the Talent Acquisition Landscape
Talent acquisition has always been an important part of the hiring strategies and recruitment practices for any organization. But in the last few years, it’s become more critical than ever. After the economic downturn, there was a surge in unemployed professionals; there simply weren’t enough jobs for them to fill. Now, with the economy and
William Funk & Associates Seeking New Provost for Rutgers
As the new academic year approaches, a number of colleges and universities across the country are opening searches that, if all goes to plan, will provide high-profile leaders to take them into a new era of fundraising, digitalization, sports and, more often the case, globalization. Rutgers University has enlisted R. William Funk & Associates to help
Axis Bank Reappoints Leader After Consulting With Egon Zehnder
Axis Bank Ltd., India’s third-largest private bank, has reappointed Shikha Sharma as managing director and chief executive officer for a period of three years starting June 2018. The bank had appointed Egon Zehnder as its consultant to identify the next CEO. But the bank clarified that this was to be a board-approved process and may
Cybersecurity Leadership Role Evolves to Meet New Threats
Increasingly, organizations of all sizes are awakening to the perils posed by cyber attacks. For years, many groups tried to ignore the problem, dismissing cybersecurity as a concern only for the biggest, most high-profile entities, be they government or corporate. These days, more groups are coming to understand how ruinous such intrusions could be. A
Kittleman & Associates Lands New CEO for Plumbing Manufacturers International
Chicago-based executive search firm Kittleman & Associates has placed Kerry Stackpole as executive director and CEO of Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI). He succeeds Barbara C. Higgens, who led PMI for the past 19 years. She will continue to assist in a consulting capacity during the transition. In his new role, Mr. Stackpole will work with the board to
Charles Aris Promotes Knowledge Management Leader
Executive search firm Charles Aris Inc. has promoted senior director of knowledge management Brian Styers to vice president of knowledge management and communications for his work in leading the firm’s efforts in research, marketing and digital strategy. In addition to overseeing the firm’s knowledge management division, Mr. Styers’ new role includes greater senior leadership responsibilities
Reffett Associates Inks Recruiting Deal With Department of Veterans Affairs
Reffett Associates has been awarded a five-year blanket purchase agreement by the Department of Veterans Affairs for a national effort to recruit clinical executives and medical personnel. The assignment includes recruiting for medical center and network director positions, as well as physicians, nurses, specialists, and other healthcare providers in the department’s 1,233 healthcare facilities, which includes
McDermott & Bull Taps CIO for SAFE Credit Union
McDermott & Bull has placed Eric Wilson as chief information officer (CIO) with SAFE Credit Union, one of the largest credit unions in California. The search was led by Brandon Biegenzahn, president of the firm and co-chair of its financial institutions practice, along with associate principal consultant Michelle Davis and senior recruiting associate Shree Thakarar. “Eric brings
SRi Names Global Football Advisor
Executive search firm SRi has named former Manchester City technical director Mike Rigg as global football advisor. Mr. Rigg will focus on working with the firm’s growing list of football clients in North America, Europe, the U.K. and Asia. Mr. Rigg has been at the forefront of global football for more than 30 years at both youth
Spencer Stuart Explores Global Cybersecurity Talent Needs
The threat of cyber attacks, and the damage they can cause, continues to grow. As technology develops and companies evolve, cyber hoodlums find more ways into the systems of organizations, raising the potential to wreak havoc. What took years to build can be destroyed in just a short time. The costs on so many fronts
Heidrick & Struggles Finds CEO for the National Association of Realtors
Bob Goldberg has been named chief executive officer of the National Association of Realtors (NAR). The organization enlisted Heidrick & Struggles to find its new leader. Mr. Goldberg succeeds Dale Stinton, who is retiring after 36 years at NAR, including 12 as CEO. After an extensive national search, the organization turned to an internal candidate. Mr.
Robert Half Q2 Revenue Falls 2.7 Percent
Robert Half International Inc./ (NYSE:RHI) posted second quarter revenues of $1.31 billion, a 2.7 percent decrease from revenues of $1.34 billion during the same quarter last year. This matched Wall Street expectations. The Menlo Park, CA-based recruiting company recorded a second quarter profit of $80 million, or 64 cents per share, compared to earnings of $92 million, or 71 cents per share, last year.
How to Build Client Relationships One by One
Building a relationship with a new client starts with a conversation. That sounds obvious and simple enough. Yet that conversation is a significant event. Maybe it is the beginning of a single transactional assignment. Or maybe it is the start of a rewarding partnership that will go on for years. In either case, said Greg
JDG Associates Finds New Leader for COPAFS
Executive search firm JDG Associates has placed John H. Thompson as executive director of the Council of Professional Associations on Federal Statistics (COPAFS). He succeeds Katherine Smith Evans, who led the organization since 2012. Principal Paul Belford headed the assignment. Mr. Thompson comes to COPAFS from the U.S. Census Bureau where he served as director since 2013. Previously, he spent
Stanton Chase Names Head of Natural Resources and Energy Practice In Dubai
Stanton Chase International continues its recent expansion with the addition of Dale Zankl as the director of its natural resources and energy practice for the Middle East. He will be based out of the firm’s offices in Dubai, where he will consult with new and existing clients on their leadership challenges in regard to natural
Catalyst Advisors Completes Three Biopharma CEO Searches
In the biopharma industry, the evolution from clinical trials to regulatory approval and taking a product to market is perhaps the biggest inflection point in a growth company’s trajectory, even more so, in some cases, than an IPO. Because this shift demands a new set of organizational competencies, experience and structure, companies preparing for commercialization
Russell Reynolds Associates Names Financial Services Practice Co-Leader
Russell Reynolds Associates has named Mary-Caroline Tillman as co-leader of its global financial services practice. Based in New York, Ms. Tillman works closely with chairpersons, chief executive officers and senior leadership teams in the financial services industry. She has led CEO search and succession projects across different countries and regions, including Australia, Asia, Europe, the U.K.
ManpowerGroup Records Global Q2 Revenue Gain; U.S. Drops Seven Percent
ManpowerGroup / (NYSE:MAN) posted revenues of $5.17 billion, an increase of three percent, compared to revenues of $5.1 billion a year ago. Five analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $5.03 billion. French revenue rose 11 percent in constant currency. The country is ManpowerGroup’s largest single market. Meanwhile, Italian revenue increased 25.2 percent in constant currency, and Mexican revenue jumped
Heidrick & Struggles Records Q2 Revenue Gain; Launches Heidrick Consulting
Executive search, leadership consulting and culture shaping services provider Heidrick & Struggles International / (NASDAQ:HSII) has posted revenues of $152.2 million for the second quarter, an increase of 2.3 percent from the same period last year. Executive search net revenue increased 2.9 percent year over year, or $3.8 million, to $134.5 million from $130.7 million in the 2016 second quarter. Search revenues increased two
Phillips Oppenheim Recruits Director for Obama Presidential Museum
Executive search firm Phillips Oppenheim has placed Louise Bernard as the director of the Barack Obama Presidential Museum in Chicago. Principal Sarah James and partner Becky Klein led the search. Ms. Bernard is looking to play a crucial role in helping former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama firm up and design the programming
TeamJobs Names Head of Newly Created Executive Search Division
U.K.-headquartered recruiting company TeamJobs has appointed search veteran Sally Bennett to head its new executive search division. Ms. Bennett, a former executive recruitment director with 13 years of industry experience, will spearhead the firm’s advance into executive recruitment, sourcing candidates from senior manager to board level, both nationally and internationally. “TeamJobs is fast establishing itself as a
