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Daily Newswire
RH Perry & Associates Tapped by Holyoke Community College for Provost Search
RH Perry & Associates has been selected by Holyoke Community College (HCC) to lead in its search for a new provost and vice president for academic affairs. Senior consultants Jessie Thompson and Levy Brown are leading the assignment. This is an exceptional opportunity for a visionary, compassionate, and innovative leader to advance equitable student success and academic excellence at Massachusetts’
Bryant Group Fills Senior Finance Role for HonorHealth Foundation
Dallas-based executive search and talent development firm Bryant Group has placed Christine Sullivan as senior vice president of finance for HonorHealth Foundation. The search was led by Sarah Hempen, vice president of search. “We are thrilled to welcome Christine to HonorHealth Foundation as our new senior vice president of finance,” said Jared Langkilde, president and CEO, HonorHealth Foundation. “Christine
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
Solving the Diversity Challenge in Executive Recruitment
The goal of executive recruitment is to select the most qualified candidate for the position. Leaders have a huge impact on an organization’s people, health and results. Research from Mercuri Urval (MU) has shown that a failed leader appointment costs, at least, a staggering 30 times their salary and the wrong leader may even prove fatal
For One Recruiter, Pot Industry Has High Possibilities
Legal marijuana is now a near $7 billion business in the U.S., and sooner or later some enterprising headhunter was going to stumble upon it. Enter Dan Ogden. His recruiting joint, Delta 9 Search, is devoted exclusively to finding senior level executives for the cannabis industry. In its first four months of operation, business has
E.A. Hughes & Co. Places Chief Digital Officer at Citizen Watch America
Executive search firm E.A. Hughes & Co. has placed former Ralph Lauren executive Barbara Garces as chief digital officer (CDO) of Citizen Watch America. Recruiting partner Ann MacCarthy led the assignment. In this new role, Ms. Garces will lead the development and implementation of the company’s digital strategy across all Citizen Watch brands, including Citizen, Bulova, Caravelle, Frederique Constant, and
Spencer Stuart Lands CFO for Entercom Communications
Chief financial officers continue to be in high demand and hunting them down is keeping many of the nation’s top recruitment operations busier than ever. In one recent assignment reflective of this growing appetite for finance leaders, search firm Spencer Stuart recruited Richard J. Schmaeling as executive vice president and chief financial officer of Entercom Communications Corp. He
Tatum Executive Search Names Recruiting Principal
Tatum, an interim services and executive search firm, has named Winston Chou as principal of Tatum Executive Search. Based in New York, he will be responsible for leading executive search engagements and managing client relationships in North America, focusing on financial leadership functions and partner-level roles for professional services clients. Mr. Chou has built an extensive track record in executive recruiting working
Piper Pritchard Acquires Helix Associates In the U.K.
Legal executive search firm Piper Pritchard has acquired executive recruiters Helix Associates. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Helix Associates will rebrand to PP Associates and the combined business will offer a seamless fee earner recruitment service to law firm clients. It will provide non-legal professionals across all functions, and interim legal and non-legal professionals to
Heidrick & Struggles Begins CEO Hunt for Mondelez International
Mondelez International, known for brands like Oreo cookies, Trident gum and Ritz crackers, has retained Heidrick & Struggles to lead its search for a new chief executive officer. No timetable has been set for the company’s next incoming leader to be named. Longtime CEO and chairman Irene Rosenfeld has come under fire by activist investors Bill Ackman and Nelson Peltz as
Harvard Group International Recruits Chief Development Officer for After-School All-Stars
Executive search firm Harvard Group International has placed Mandy Nelson as the first ever chief development officer (CDO) of After-School All-Stars (ASAS). Managing director and non-profit practice leader Cyndi Court led the search. Ms. Nelson is a seasoned non-profit development professional with more than 20 years of experience leading campaigns, programs, and people. She was a
Ward Howell Adds Retail & Lifestyle Practice Group Partner
Executive search firm Ward Howell International has named Sonia Prais as a partner in the firm’s retail, beauty & lifestyle practice group. Based in Orange County, she will be working out of Ward Howell’s California and New York offices. Ms. Prais brings 20 years of experience in executive search, having worked in the U.S. and across Europe and
Preston & Partners Expands South Charlotte Office
Executive search firm Preston & Partners has expanded with the addition of three new executive recruiters in its South Charlotte office. “We are very pleased to be expanding both location and services as new team members come onboard. Our clients and candidates will benefit from the depth and experience of these team additions,” said Gary
Goldbeck Recruiting Forms Alliance with Merc Saudi
Vancouver, BC-based executive search firm Goldbeck Recruiting has formed a partnership with Merc Saudi, an international recruitment firm headquartered in Guadalajara, Mexico with extensive recruiting operations throughout Latin America and the Middle East. MERC provides recruiting services to an expansive number of sectors, including accounting & finance; automotive; banking; business support; constructive & engineering; facilities management; financial services;
Board Director Outlook Remains Bullish
A strong majority of board directors (68 percent) have a ‘very definite’ optimistic look on the future, anticipating their company’s financial outlook to improve over the coming two years compared to the past two. Fifty six percent expect their businesses to perform better than their rivals in the coming two years, while a third (35 percent) expect
Residential Mortgage Services Taps WinterWyman for Chief Accounting Officer
Executive search firm WinterWyman has been retained by Residential Mortgage Services (RMS) to lead its search for a chief accounting officer (CAO). Senior vice president and partner Ken Martin is leading the assignment. The incoming CAO will provide financial insight to RMS in order to drive better strategy formulation, decision making and tactical execution. He or she will also collaborate
Chrisman & Company Finds CEO for First NBC Bank
Executive search firm Chrisman & Company has placed Carl J. Chaney as chief executive officer of New Orleans-headquartered First NBC Bank. Longtime leader and founder, Ashton Ryan Jr., recently stepped aside as CEO. The bank is using the opportunity to separate the roles of CEO and president; Mr. Ryan will continue on as president. Founding search firm partner
EMA Partners Forms Partnership With Decision Dynamics
EMA Partners International, a global partnership of executive search professionals, has formed a joint venture with Decision Dynamics AB, a global provider of solutions for leadership and talent management. EMA will get access to Decision Dynamics’ tools, which it will deploy across all of its leadership search engagements and also through its leadership consulting practice, to offer solutions
Talengo Expands Healthcare Practice
Executive search firm Talengo has named Rosa García-Tizón as director of its healthcare recruiting practice. Ms. García-Tizón began her professional career in the healthcare sector, where she occupied different positions in Abbott’s hospital and pharmaceuticals divisions. In 2005 she led the business and human resources strategy for the Hospira project, the first spin-off from Abbott. Over
Why Amazon Remains Prime Hunting Ground for Headhunters
Egon Zehnder has assisted BAMTech, the $3.5 billion live digital streaming service, in naming Michael Paull as its new chief executive officer. The company is a recent spin-off of MLB Advanced Media in which Disney acquired a $1 billion stake to launch ESPN’s multi-sport subscription streaming service. He replaces Bob Bowman, MLB’s president of business and media,
ZRG Partners Fastest Growing Search Firm In the Americas
ZRG Partners posted revenues in its Americas region of $18.6 million last year, a 67 percent rise and a large enough increase to make it the fastest growing search firm in the region, according to the latest statistics report soon to be released from Hunt Scanlon Media. ZRG currently has 42 consultants across 14 offices global offices, with global
Russell Reynolds Associates Tapped to Find Center for Human Drug Research CEO
The Center for Human Drug Research (CHDR) has retained Russell Reynolds Associates to lead its chief executive officer search. Jacques Bouwens, leader of the search firm’s global healthcare practice, is currently on the hunt for candidates with proven scientific track records. Reporting to the organization’s board of trustees, the chosen CEO will be the key member of
Focus Search Partners Names Technology Practice Partner
Focus Search Partners, the executive search division of talent solutions provider Vaco, has named Steve Finder as managing partner of its global technology and financial officers practice. Based in San Francisco, he will lead a team of consultants and add new market sectors, including additional depth in enterprise software, space/frontier technology and cybersecurity. Mr. Finder has more than 20
Johnson Executive Search Adds Former HR Executive to Its Ranks
Johnson Executive Search has expanded with the addition of former human resources executive Stephanie Owens as a recruiting advisor. Ms. Owens specializes in placing middle and senior level marketing, business development and communications talent in law firms across the U.S. She has spent the majority of her career as a human resources and people operations executive
Private Equity Firm In Talks to Acquire CareerBuilder
Private equity firm GTCR LLC is in exclusive talks to acquire CareerBuilder for more than $1 billion. The sale would allow CareerBuilder’s owners – TV station operator Tegna Inc., broadcasting company Tribune Media Company and newspaper group The McClatchy Company – to cash out from a non-core business. GTCR has prevailed in an auction for CareerBuilder,
Witt/Kieffer Tapped by University of Illinois to Lead Provost Search
Academic institutions continue to turn to executive recruiters for leadership guidance. The latest: the University of Illinois has selected Witt/Kieffer to lead its search for a new provost for its Urbana campus. The recruiting firm, one of nine under contract by the Illinois Public Higher Education Cooperative to perform administrative, academic and medical searches, will be paid $121,600
Sterling Martin Associates In Hunt for Two Association Leaders
Executive search firm Sterling Martin Associates is currently seeking new leaders for The Association of Progressive Rental Organizations and The International Safety Equipment Association. Managing partner David S. Martin, along with senior recruiters Leigh Beal and Kahti Motley, is leading both assignments. The Association of Progressive Rental Organizations The Association of Progressive Rental Organizations (APRO) has retained Sterling Martin to
Rowe Global Names Technology & Healthcare Practice Partner
Dallas-based executive search firm Rowe Global, LLC has appointed Dru George as managing partner of its technology and healthcare practice. Mr. George brings to the firm extensive experience in executive search, working primarily with Fortune 500 companies, venture capital concerns and private equity-backed portfolio companies. He has recruited executive leadership throughout North America in the software, services,
Bailey Fisher Executive Search Enters France
U.K.-headquartered Bailey Fisher Executive Search has entered the French market with a partnership with Agnes Babule, who will serve as a business partner. She is based in Paris and works in France, Belgium and Switzerland. Ms. Babule is an experienced executive search professional with a track record covering a wide range of sectors that reflect Bailey Fisher’s
U.S. Job Growth Slows As Fewer Jobs Are Added
Employers added 98,000 jobs last month as the U.S. unemployment rate fell to 4.5 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. During the month, the number of workers unemployed also dropped to 7.2 million. March marked the 76th straight month of job growth in the U.S. But economists surveyed by Bloomberg had expected
Korn Ferry Recruits CEO for Pier 1
Korn Ferry has recruited former Kmart executive Alasdair James as president and chief executive officer of home furnishings retail company Pier 1 Imports. Past CEO Alex Smith left the company at the end of the year. Mr. James was most recently with Sears Holdings Corporation, where he served since 2014 as president of Kmart. During his tenure, he transformed
Association Strategies Leading CEO Search for ASPPH
Non-profit recruiting specialist Association Strategies has been tapped by the Association of Schools & Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) to lead its search for a new president and CEO. Search firm president Pamela Kaul is leading the assignment. The chosen CEO will develop and implement ASPPH programs, policies, and practices as well as the organization’s strategic plan. The association
Patina Solutions Names Life Sciences Practice Leader
Professional services firm Patina Solutions recently expanded with the addition of Jodi Brendel as managing partner in Minnesota where she will lead the firm’s life sciences search practice. “Jodi will be an excellent addition to the Patina leadership team,” said Tom McBride, Patina chief operating officer. “Her leadership experience in life sciences is impressive and we look forward to
Russell Reynolds Associates Adds Former Egon Zehnder Consultant In Paris
Russell Reynolds Associates has added Marc de Leyritz as managing director in its global board and CEO practice. Based in Paris, Mr. de Leyritz works with multinational clients across a range of C-suite and board-related endeavors, including CEO search and succession, leadership development, organizational transformation and board effectiveness. “Marc has spent his career building businesses and advising leaders on complex leadership issues,”
How to Avoid Hiring the Wrong People
Constructing a company’s recruitment process almost always begins with the clarity, accuracy, and compelling nature of job descriptions. These documents, which formally detail the responsibilities, skills, and competencies a hiring manager seeks, lay the foundation for how efficiently the entire recruitment process will run. Hiring managers use job descriptions to help clarify the needed role,







