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Daily Newswire
EY Signals A Tech-Led M&A Surge
The most recent EY-Parthenon 2025 M&A analysis shows a market operating at full acceleration. U.S. deal value for transactions of $100 million or more hit $2.09 trillion through October – up 45 percent year-over-year – with deal volume rising just over 10 percent to 1,409 transactions. EY notes that “from January to October, a major deal was
Praeva Partners Opens to Serve Privately-Owned Businesses
A new specialist investment backed executive search firm Praeva Partners recently launched in the U.K. Spearheaded by former Drax chief executive Mark Sherman, Praeva Partners aims to work alongside rapid-growth privately owned businesses in the U.K. and Europe to strengthen their senior leadership teams. Praeva Partners operates across the U.K. and Europe and is based
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
Job Seeker Confidence Rises as Market Shows Signs of Growth
Despite ongoing challenges and frustrations in the job market, job seekers and employees remain resilient, prioritizing growth opportunities by pursuing roles or turning to nontraditional arrangements like contract and freelance work to meet their needs and career goals. The Vaco Talent Pulse Report measures employee and job seeker confidence levels in three core areas—job security,
IMSA International Adds New Member Firms in Austria and Morocco
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
5 Tips to Consider When Charting Your Career Path
It’s hard to say what makes for a successful career. Nor is there any “right path” to achieving your professional goals. Some routes may be more direct than others, but the ways to get there are innumerable. Healthcare and life sciences executive search firm Phillips DiPisa recently released a report with advice for mapping your
Allen Austin Recruits Information Security Officer for MRC Global
Executive search firm Allen Austin has placed Angelique Grado as chief information security officer of MRC Global Inc., a global industrial distributor of pipe, valves, fittings and related products and services to the energy industry. Partners Namrata Banga and Kevin Stewart led the assignment. Ms. Grado brings 20 years of information security, system architecture and project management
Korn Ferry Lands New GM for the Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic have named John Hammond as general manager. The organization tapped Korn Ferry to help replace past GM Rob Hennigan, saying that after missing the postseason for five consecutive seasons it was time for a new approach. Jed Hughes, a Korn Ferry vice chairman and global sports sector leader, led the assignment. Mr. Hammond, GM of the Milwaukee Bucks for
Bridge Partners Extends Legal Expertise
Legal recruiting generally has been booming this year. According to recruiters that specialize in the sector, lawyers employed by government agencies have been on the move as a result of changes in government administrations. Employment of lawyers is projected to grow 10 percent through 2022. Demand is expected to be robust as individuals, businesses and all levels
ALSpective Expands Leadership Consulting Practice
International consulting and search firm ALSpective has expanded in Paris with the addition of Juliane Nitsche and Michel Moutier as partners and advisors. The pair’s responsibilities will include leadership consulting with a specialization in well-being & performance as well as strategy and board services with a new offering in change management. Ms. Nitsche and Mr. Moutier are the founders of MLC Advisory, a French-German consulting
Will AI Enhance Jobs, or Destroy Them?
For all the fear that artificial intelligence will displace workers, a new report has shown that high numbers of employees believe it will actually help rather than hurt their future prospects. Forty eight percent of U.K. business leaders surveyed for the study said that AI is likely to benefit them by bringing more flexibility to
Shelli Herman and Associates Lands CHRO for San Diego Zoo
Los Angeles-headquartered executive search firm Shelli Herman and Associates has placed Rob Spooner as the new chief human resources officer (CHRO) of the internationally acclaimed San Diego Zoo. He will join the organization in June, replacing long time CHRO Tim Mulligan. Recruiting firm president Shelli Herman led the search along with her associate, Michele Lyons. The San Diego Zoo was
PFM Executive Search Taps Fire Chief for City of Vancouver
For the first time in its 131-year history, Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services (VFRS) in Canada has gone outside its own ranks to find its leader. PFM Executive Search recruited Darrell Reid as the new fire chief and general manager for the City of Vancouver. He replaces John McKearney, who is retiring after 37 years in the job. Partners Allison
Lucas Group Names Leaders In Chicago, New York
Executive search firm Lucas Group has promoted two key players to bolster its ranks. Justin Martinez was named managing partner and leader of the firm’s Chicago-based information technology practice and Aaron Silbert was tapped as branch practice manager to spearhead its HR business in New York City. In his new role, Mr. Martinez leads an IT recruitment team with extensive
Saxton Bampfylde Expands In Scotland
U.K.-based executive recruiter Saxton Bampfylde has expanded in Scotland with the addition of Mary Few as a partner. She joins the firm’s Edinburgh team. Most recently, Ms. Few set up and ran operations for West Indochina, an executive search firm serving the Myanmar market. Prior to that, she worked for the Eliot Partnership, a London search firm that specializes
Skills Gap Continues to Grow Among U.S. Companies
It’s been nearly a decade since the great recession, and with unemployment rates less than half of what they were in 2009 and 2010, everyone can breathe a little easier. But this doesn’t mean that the future of the American workforce is in the clear. As one challenge subsides, another is surfacing. Companies of all
Acertitude Lands Chief Revenue Officer for Indigo Energy
The role of chief revenue officer (CRO) has changed dramatically over the last several years. CROs are quickly becoming mission-critical innovators for companies that look to dominate a market first and fastest, according to recruiters. The demand for these financial leaders is growing and executive search firms have been busy filling these roles. The latest: Acertitude placed
Diversified Search Finds CFO for Catholic Charities USA
Diversified Search has placed Sean P. Roddy as chief financial officer for Catholic Charities USA, one of the biggest charities in the country. Nalini Perkins, managing director of the recruiter’s non-profit practice, and Mark Mulvanerty, managing director of its financial officers practice, co-led the assignment. Mr. Roddy was “strong technically,” said Ms. Perkins, but it was
Heidrick & Struggles Names Financial Services Regional Head
Heidrick & Struggles has appointed Elizabeth Simpson as head of financial services in New York. Expanding on her duties as a partner in the firm’s financial services practice, Ms. Simpson will be responsible for driving Heidrick’s regional business development, collaborating across the organization’s complementary lines of business and mentoring and developing talent internally. This is a new role for
SpenglerFox Names Practice Leaders
Executive search firm SpenglerFox has expanded with the addition of two leaders in Europe. Sylvain Gauffre takes over as practice group leader for finance services in Frankfurt and Krzysztof Chobot becomes practice group leader for industrial in Warsaw. “Having worked in the executive search and talent management sector for the past decade, in both established and emerging
7 Critical Competencies to Help HR Leaders Manage Change
For every international business, the stakes are high. Today, many global companies are embarking on their own journey forward, leaving behind the effects of the recession and setting sail for growth again. Management and HR leaders, however, know the game has changed and, if anything, uncertainty looms larger than ever. More and more, according to
PFLAG National and Bailey House Tap McCormack + Kristel to Find New Leaders
Executive search firm McCormack + Kristel has been chosen by PFLAG National and Bailey House to lead their searches for new leaders. Managing partner Joseph McCormack and partner Michelle Kristel are spearheading the assignments. Washington, D.C.-headquartered PFLAG is looking for a new executive director after Jody Huckaby stepped down this past December. Elizabeth Kohm, currently COO,
Egon Zehnder Lands New CEO for AIG
Egon Zehnder has recruited Brian Duperreault as the new CEO for American International Group (AIG). He replaces Peter D. Hancock, who recently informed the board of directors of his intention to resign, and becomes the company’s sixth CEO since 2005. AIG shares were up 1.7 percent at $62.01 upon release of the news. AIG is nearly three quarters of the way
Major, Lindsey & Africa Latest Search Firm to Launch Consulting Services
Search firms continue to break into new areas, be it through acquisition, alliance or providing new services. It’s a trend being seen at large recruiters and small boutiques alike as recruiters look to provide clients with services for finding, assessing, onboarding and retaining their senior-level talent. The latest: Major, Lindsey & Africa has launched a
True Search Adds Partners In New York, San Francisco
Executive recruiter True Search, which was recently recognized as one of the top 50 search firms in the Americas as ranked by Hunt Scanlon Media, has added Thor Bucy, Jennifer DeCastro, Ryan Hall and Barry Wahlberg to its roster of partners. “Thor, Jennifer, Ryan, and Barry are among the most talented consultants in the industry and with the brightest futures,” said Brad Stadler, founder and managing
CHROs Reveal Serious Gap In HR Talent
Executive recruiters are in hot pursuit of chief human resource officers (CHRO) and other senior level HR leaders across the nation. The best HR chiefs are seen as strategic advisors to the C-suite, and the ones most in demand are those who are sounding boards for CEOs. Why such pent-up demand for top flight HR
Goldsmith & Co. Leading Investment Officer Search for NY Public Library
Demand for executive level, “high impact” investing talent has been on the rise, and in the years ahead it is expected to soar. Recruiters say the need for chief investment officers (CIO) across the asset allocator spectrum, including endowments and foundations, and corporate, public and state plans, have significantly increased in number over the last five years
DRI Offers Money Back Guarantee On Candidates
Executive search firm Direct Recruiters, Inc. (DRI), which focuses on the talent needs of small to mid-sized companies, is backing up its executive searches with a retention guarantee of its placements for one to two years. Direct Retention, as the firm calls its new product offering, revolves around a thorough evaluation of candidates by DRI as
Janssen & Associates Seeks New Leaders for Non-Profits
The economic strength of the non-profit field has increased in recent years, making it the third largest employer in the U.S. Nearly two million not-for-profits employ 10.7 million people and produce more than $1.9 trillion in revenue. In the past decade, employment in the sector grew by 17 percent. With demand for non-profit talent at an all-time
SearchWide Names Hotel and Resort Practice Leader
Executive recruiting firm SearchWide has brought aboard John Brich, former director of sales for the Cincinnati Convention and Visitors Bureau, as a vice president. Mr. Brich takes the lead in managing the recruiter’s hotel and resort practice. He is charged with opening a new regional office in the Cincinnati area, the sixth location for the firm. Mr.
Morgan Hunt Appoints London Office Leader
London-based executive search firm Morgan Hunt Executive Search has named Maria Yankovskaya as head of its London office. Ms. Yankovskaya has over 18 years of experience in executive search, including 10 years as a consultant in the banking practice of Ward Howell International in Moscow and six years as a lead consultant and partner with a major
What Can Companies Do to Create An Inclusive Culture
Diverse organizations outperform their peers, and in the process embed inclusion strategies into almost all their management decisions, according to new research by advisory firm Bersin by Deloitte. That may be a key reason why 78 percent of those responding to the firm’s latest survey believe diversity and inclusion is a competitive advantage. Even so, only 12
DHR International Forms Partnership to Ease Clients’ Digital Struggles
DHR International, Ogilvy & Mather and International Data Corporation (IDC) have launched a partnership to help their customers in the Asia-Pacific market overcome the challenges of digital disruption. Typically, businesses view digital transformation as an IT issue. But for a company to successfully make the change, multiple functions within the organization must be brought into the fold. That’s where
AlbertHall&Associates Lands Artistic Director for Arizona Theatre Company
The Arizona Theatre Company (ATC) board of directors has named David Ivers as its new artistic director. Executive recruitment firm AlbertHall&Associates conducted the nationwide search. ATC’s current artistic director, David Ira Goldstein, will remain with the company the end of June, when his 25-year tenure officially ends. Mr. Ivers served as artistic director at the Utah Shakespeare
Acquisitions Continue to Make Headlines In Recruiting Industry
The wave of M&A activity among executive search firms continues. The latest deal: Solon, OH-headquartered Torch Group has acquired Selker Leadership, a search firm that places candidates in the technology and software fields. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Selker Leadership’s president, Gregory L. Selker, will join Torch Group as senior vice president and search operations leader,
