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Daily Newswire
BCG Says Dealmakers Are Learning to Win in Uncertainty
Global M&A activity is showing signs of recovery, but not a return to the playbook of the last cycle. According to Boston Consulting Group’s 2025 M&A Report, global deal value rose 10 percent in the first nine months of 2025 compared with the same period last year, even as geopolitical tension, regulatory shifts, and macro uncertainty continue
Funk Associates Retained by Clemson University for President Search
Funk Associates has been retained by Clemson University to lead in its search for its 16th president. The university is seeking candidates who possess extraordinary managerial skills, are adept at fund-raising, and are both innovative and visionary. James P. Clements announced his retirement, effective December 31, 2025. “We continue to make outstanding progress in our search
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.
U.S. Adds 162,000 Jobs in August as Unemployment Holds at 4.1 Percent
Employment increased by 162,000 in August as the U.S. unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.1 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. The number of unemployed people, at 7.0 million, changed little in August. Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rate for people who are Asian declined to 3.2 percent in August.
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?
WittKieffer Recruits President and CEO for the American Hospital Association
Oak Brook, IL-based WittKieffer has placed Steve Walsh as the new president and CEO of the American Hospital Association (AHA). Andrew Chastain, Paul Bohne, and Keshia Harris led the assignment. “Following a thoughtful national search, the board unanimously selected Steve Walsh to serve as the next president and CEO of the American Hospital Association,” said Marc L. Boom, chair of the AHA
Egon Zehnder Appoints Global Leader of HR Practice
Global leadership advisory firm Egon Zehnder has named Ayşe Güçlü Onur as global leader of its human resources practice. She succeeds Rafael Altavini, who helped expand the practice’s work with leaders, teams and organizations navigating transformation and change. “This appointment comes as companies and boards increasingly look to CHROs to help shape business strategy, lead transformation, build leadership
The Industry’s Profit Conversion Problem — And Why Going AI-Native is the Way Out
The recruiting industry is not short on revenue. Fee revenue at the 50 largest executive search firms in the U.S. and Americas jumped 11 percent last year, topping $6.69 billion, according to Hunt Scanlon‘s 2026 annual rankings. Across broader staffing, the picture is more muted, but revenue is still flowing. The problem is what happens
BoardWalk Consulting Leading CEO Search for the National Breast Cancer Coalition
BoardWalk Consulting was recently retained by the National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC) to lead in its search for a new CEO. The search is being led by Crystal Stephens and Terri Kohan. This is a rare opportunity: to lead one of the most respected and independent voices in breast cancer advocacy, building on three decades of momentum. Reporting
GHP Search Partners with Ascend Learning on Board Member Appointments
GHP Search, formerly known as Greenwich Harbor Partners, was recently tapped by Ascend Learning to assist in growing both the Ascend Learning board of directors and the Ascend Charter Schools board of trustees. New members of the Ascend Learning board identified by GHP include Robert Childs, retired EVP, strategic initiatives at American Express and Amy Mbagwu-Bagolini, a founding leader of Amazon’s Streaming TV advertising business. Richard Young Jr, director,
FMG Leading Adds Healthcare Strategy and Transformation Expert
Human capital advisory firm FMG Leading has expanded with the addition of healthcare strategy and transformation expert Doug Van Wie as managing director. The firm explained that the addition further aligns FMG Leading’s capabilities with the needs of investor-backed organizations looking to add value and mitigate risk as they deploy purpose-driven capital into the rapidly evolving healthcare system.
Caldwell Launches Global Financial Institutions Group Practice
Toronto-based Caldwell has launch its global financial institutions group (FIG) practice, bringing together the firm’s financial services capabilities under a single, globally coordinated practice. “This is more than a change in name,” said Chris Beck, chief executive officer of Caldwell. “It reflects the scale, connectivity, and depth of the practice we have built globally, as well as
M&A in the Search Industry: How Consolidation Is Reshaping Who Wins
M&A activity is becoming an increasingly important force across the executive search sector as investors and larger platforms look for opportunities to expand capabilities, sector expertise, and geographic reach. For independent firms, the trend is placing greater scrutiny on how effectively their businesses are structured, managed, and positioned for the future. Against this backdrop, search
Korn Ferry Completes Acquisition of AMS
Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) has completed its acquisition of U.K.-headquartered AMS from OMERS Private Equity. The combined organization brings together two highly complementary organizations across geographies and industries with a shared commitment to drive business performance. The collective firm will have more than 16,000 colleagues. In accordance with the terms of the acquisition agreement and in the
Myers McRae Helps Pensacola State College Select Finalist for President Role
Macon, GA-based Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting has assisted Pensacola State College (PSC) with the selection of J. Alex Kelly as the finalist to become it’s next president. The committee’s recommendation followed a national search led by Kenny Daugherty of Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting. The search attracted 107 qualified applicants from across the country. The committee selected
Potrero Group Recruits CEO for Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership
San Francisco-based leadership consulting and search firm Potrero Group has placed Karen Strolia as the next CEO of Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership (CVNL) in San Rafael, CA. She succeeds longtime CVNL CEO Linda Jacobs, who led the organization for 25 years. “The board is thrilled to welcome Karen as CVNL’s next chief executive officer,” said Luana Vaetoe,
Marovi Appoints Head of Engineering
Atlanta-GA-based Marovi has expanded with the addition of Ebubechukwu “Don” Enwerem as head of engineering. “Over the past few years, Don has had several engineering terms with Amazon Robotics – work estimated to save millions in operational costs. In between stints, he was building with Marovi. When the opportunity came to continue with Amazon, Don chose
As Executive Search Accelerates, Judgment Becomes the Differentiator
Executive search firms are under pressure to demonstrate value earlier than ever. Clients increasingly expect firms to understand the market, identify credible candidates, and begin calibrating on potential profiles before a search has even formally launched. AI and new data tools are helping firms meet those demands. Tasks that once took days can now be
Fractional vs. Full-Time Executives: The Real Math for Mid-Sized Growing Companies
As mid-sized companies grow, one of the more consequential leadership decisions is determining when fractional executive support is sufficient and when the business requires a full-time leader. A recent ExactSearch.AI report examined the economics behind that decision, finding that the answer often depends less on compensation than on the level of ownership, accountability, and organizational
Lindauer Recruits Chief Development Officer for C-SPAN
Following a national search, Lindauer has assisted in the recruitment of Adele Hixon-Day as the first chief development officer of C-SPAN. The search is being led by Lindauer vice president Maureen Huminik, senior vice president Bob Giannino, and senior consultant Taylor Beard. “Adele joins C-SPAN at a pivotal moment,” said C-SPAN CEO Sam Feist. “For decades, the cable and satellite, and recently
Pyramind Recruits President and CEO for The SkillSource Group
Following a national search, Falls Church, VA-based executive search firm Pyramind has placed Clifford Yee as president and CEO of The SkillSource Group, Inc. (SSG), fiscal sponsor of Virginia Career Works – Northern. He succeeds interim executive officer Seema Jain, following a leadership transition supported by SkillSource’s staff, board, and community partners. “Cliff has a strong
Buffkin / Baker Acquires Fortra Search
In an effort to strengthen its venture capital and private equity search capabilities, Buffkin / Baker has acquired Fortra Search, a boutique retained executive search firm focused exclusively on executive sales and revenue leadership. The firm has also named its founder Andy Grosso as partner. “We’re thrilled to welcome Andy to Buffkin / Baker,” said Jackson Ross, partner
The Role of the CFO in PE-Backed Businesses
The role of the CFO in private equity-backed businesses has shifted materially in recent years. Historically a function for financial stewardship, the CFO role is now defined by operational accountability, value creation and the ability to translate investment strategy into outcomes. A recent report from U.K.-based executive search firm The Barton Partnership (TBP). The study examined how
JDG Associates Seeking Executive Director for the National Coalition for Assistive and Rehab Technology
Rockville, MD-based executive search firm JDG Associates was recently selected by the National Coalition for Assistive and Rehab Technology (NCART) to lead its search for a new executive director. The position is remote and may be based anywhere in the United States, with proximity to the Washington, D.C. area considered a plus. NCART stands at a pivotal moment, with active,
Calibre One Assists Cibus with CEO Search
Calibre One has helped to recruit board member Craig Wichner as the new CEO for NASDAQ-traded Cibus, Inc. in San Diego, CA. Peter Beetham, who has served as the company’s interim CEO, will continue his role as the company’s president and chief operating officer. Concurrently, both Mr. Wichner and Dr. Beetham resigned from the Cibus board of directors as part
Shelli Herman and Associates Recruits CEO for OneOC
Los Angeles-based Shelli Herman and Associates has placed Bonni Pomush as the new president and CEO of OneOC. She will succeed Tim Strauch, who will remain president and CEO through December 31, 2026, before retiring from OneOC after 19 years of service and leadership. “Bonni’s record of organizational transformation, collaborative leadership, and community engagement makes her exceptionally
NPAworldwide Forms Alliance with Dimensional Search Associates
Member-owned recruitment network NPAworldwide has formed a strategic partnership with the Sanford Rose Associates family of companies, including Dimensional Search. “This partnership brings together two strong organizations with complementary strengths and a shared commitment to helping independent recruiting firms succeed,” NPAworldwide said. “For NPAworldwide, the agreement represents a meaningful extension of its mission to connect independent recruiting
Scaling Growth Through Transformative Talent
High-growth environments can compress time, magnify decisions, and expose leadership gaps in an instant. As companies move through periods of rapid expansion, the ability to build and evolve the right leadership team becomes increasingly critical to sustaining momentum and creating long-term value. Across private equity, venture capital, and technology-driven businesses, organizations are rethinking how they
Crist|Kolder Associates Recruits CFO for Allstate
Crist|Kolder Associates has recruited Christian Lown as executive vice president and chief financial officer of The Allstate Corporation. “Chris’s leadership and capital markets expertise will enable us to continue increasing Property-Liability market share and expand protection provided to customers,” said Tom Wilson, president and CEO of The Allstate Corporation. With more than 25 years of senior
Protis Global Appoints Co-Presidents
Consumer packaged goods-focused executive search and advisory firm Protis Global has named Skye Miller and Isabel Cosby as co-presidents in a planned generational leadership transition as the company positions itself for its next phase of growth. Bert Miller, who co-founded the firm in 1995, moves from chairman and CEO of Protis Global to chairman. He will continue as founder
The Evolution of Executive Recruiting in the Age of AI
Artificial Intelligence is revolutionizing executive search by enhancing the efficiency of research, candidate sourcing, and assessment processes. AI-powered tools analyze vast datasets to identify potential candidates, assess their qualifications, and predict how well someone might fit a role, according to article from global talent provider True’s Josh Withers. “Talent mapping, once a drawn-out process, is now
Rinalytics Advisors Names New Leader
Bangalore-headquartered executive search firm Rinalytics Advisors has appointed search veteran John Irudayaraj as managing partner. In his new role, Mr. Irudayaraj will both head the firm and steer it towards the next level of growth in analytics leadership hiring across global markets. Mr. Irudayaraj, an executive search veteran, has over two decades of market experience
Heidrick & Struggles Leads CEO Search for Avon
With retail undergoing major shifts, businesses increasingly want CEOs who can lead through change, intuitively and analytically understand the evolving consumer and are unfazed by ambiguity. Developed markets, excess retail capacity, rising prices, the shift to Omni-channel retail and the unpredictable pace of change in consumer behavior all have an influence on the changing face of
Vetted Solutions Finds New Leader for NAPHSIS
Executive search firm Vetted Solutions LLC has assisted in placing Shawna Webster as the executive director of the National Association for Public Health Statistics and Information Systems (NAPHSIS). The recruitment firm’s vice presidents Nancy Green and Evelyn Savage led the assignment. In her new role, Ms. Webster oversees governance and business operations for a $2.2 million organization representing
ZRG Expands Recently Launched London Office
ZRG Partners, the fastest growing search firm in the U.S., has expanded its recently launched London office with the additions of Tim Kemp and Christophe Mille. Mr. Kemp joins ZRG Partners with solid search experience from several global firms. Most recently, he was with Korn Ferry, where he led the professional services search practice in the
O’Rourke and Associates Names President
Search firms have seen a number of top leadership appointments since the start of the year, many focused on strategy, growth, branding efforts and operations. The latest: San-Francisco-headquartered executive search firm O’Rourke & Associates has appointed Rebecca Bower as president. Ms. Bower is widely regarded as a top leadership advisor with a career that spans nearly 25
Odgers Interim Announces Expansion
The pressure has never been greater for organizations to deliver strong business results in less time and with fewer resources while mitigating the risk of hiring the wrong leaders. To that end, a number of companies have been turning to temporary leaders to fill their C-suite needs and executive search firms are stepping up. Odgers
Employee Burnout Sabotaging Workforce Retention
The biggest threat to building an engaged workforce in 2017 is employee burnout. The newest study in the “Employee Engagement Series” conducted by Kronos Incorporated and Future Workplace found that 95 percent of human resource leaders admit employee burnout is sabotaging workforce retention. It’s now being seen as a widespread problem with no obvious solution in sight. In
Workey Secures $8 Million in Funding, Opens New York Office
Investment dollars continue to pour into new technology that is designed to change the talent management game. Workey, the next-gen AI solution for career development and recruitment, has launched in the U.S. after closing an $8 million Series “A” funding round, led by PICO Partners and Magma VC. The funding was immediately put to use, with Workey opening
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
