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Daily Newswire
How to Mitigate Rising Time-To-Hire Before You Lose Top Talent
Data indicates that time-to-hire is rising across industries. On the surface, this looks like a shift back to “normal” — returning to pre-pandemic levels from a period when the labor market was unusually volatile. However, a higher time-to-hire metric is detrimental for employers, according to a recent report from 180 Engineering. “Longer hiring cycles make it
Why “Reason for Departure” Matters on Short Tenures
A brief note explaining why you left a short role can flip a quick exit from a red flag into a credible, context-rich career move. In today’s job market, where economic shifts and unexpected challenges have led to an uptick in shorter tenures, candidates are frequently faced with the challenge of explaining rapid role changes,
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
Experience Over Potential: 69 Percent of Hired CEOs Have Already Held the Top Job
Organizations are overwhelmingly drawn to CEO candidates who have already navigated the complexities of the top job. While 40 percent of CEO candidates boast prior experience in the role, a staggering 69 percent of those hired have previously served as CEOs, according to findings of a new report by ON Partners. “This emphasis on prior
Tyler & Company Leading Chief Medical Officer Search
Executive search firm Tyler & Company has been retained by Chase Brexton Health Care to lead its search for a chief medical officer. Senior consultant Charlotte C. Tinsley is leading the assignment. Chief medical officers have become ultimate decision makers on clinical policy, and often serve as key members of an organization’s senior leadership team engaged in defining overall
Heidrick & Struggles Names Culture Shaping Leader for EMEA
Heidrick & Struggles has named Ian Johnston as managing partner, culture shaping for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. “In his new role, Ian will accelerate and expand on the culture shaping work we are doing today for clients across the region to support their strategies for profitable growth,” said Michael Marino, executive vice president and
Alexander Mann Launches Talent Collective
London-based talent acquisition and management services firm Alexander Mann Solutions has introduced its new consulting group, Talent Collective. While the leadership provider has offered a strong and comprehensive consulting segment as part of its talent solutions service platform within Alexander Mann Solutions, the differentiation of a dedicated consulting brand will formally enable it to provide greater end-to-end talent
Korn Ferry Looks At Harnessing Ambitions of High Octane Employees
Ambition is the raw material of success. We see it everyday in every outstanding organization. High performers, no matter what field they’re in, are fueled by an intense desire to succeed — ambition propels them forward and enables them to overcome obstacles and setbacks. But ambition levels differ markedly among individuals — even among high achievers. Some people
Witt/Kieffer Names Andrew Chastain As CEO
After leading one of the nation’s top 10 executive search firms — and the single largest specializing in healthcare, education and non-profit — Charles ‘Chuck’ W.B. Wardell will step down from his role as chief executive officer of Witt/Kieffer at the end of June. Andrew P. Chastain, who has been with the firm since 1997 and currently serves as managing partner and chairman
Schall Executive Search Places CEO At Hennepin Theatre Trust
Schall Executive Search has recruited Mark Nerenhausen as president and chief executive officer of the Hennepin Theatre Trust. He succeeds Tom Hoch, who stepped down as president and CEO last month after serving for more than 20 years. Mr. Nerenhausen is the founding director and professor of practice of the Janklow Arts Leadership Program at Syracuse University. He
DHR Places First Female AD at University of Pittsburgh
Search firms have been tasked to find athletic leadership for universities across the country. In one of the latest, DHR International has just placed Heather Lyke as athletic director at the University of Pittsburgh. She becomes the first woman to take on this leadership role at the school, replacing Scott Barnes. Glenn Sugiyama, DHR’s managing partner and global
Vaco Acquires Managed Services Division of Binary Semantics
Talent solutions provider Vaco has acquired the managed services division of Binary Semantics, a software development and systems integration company. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. For more than 30 years, Binary Semantics provided large-scale outsourcing services to technology and media organizations across the globe. Together, the combined companies will form a global powerhouse offering
Robots Are Coming for Your Job. Here’s How, Why and When
The potential for job losses due to advances in technology is not a new concern. But over the past few years, fears of technology-driven job losses have emerged with advances in ‘smart automation’ – the combination of artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and other digital technologies. The impact of innovation is already visible in driverless cars
BoardWalk Consulting Recruits CEO to Top Human Rights Leadership Post
The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights has just selected civil rights litigator and advocate Vanita Gupta to assume its senior leadership post. Crystal Stephens, a director at executive search firm BoardWalk Consulting, led the assignment. Ms. Gupta will hold the titles of president and CEO of both The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and
ADK Consulting In Hunt for Chief Development Officer
ADK Consulting & Executive Search has been retained by the Columbus Regional Airport Authority to lead its search for a chief development officer (CDO). This position offers a compensation package in the range of $190,000 to $220,000, with an attractive range of benefits, including a deferred compensation plan and participation in the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System. The incoming CDO
Talent Connections Expands Into Washington, D.C.
Atlanta-based executive search firm Talent Connections, LLC has opened a new metro Washington, D.C., practice. Patricia Hughes, a business development professional, will lead the practice. “We are thrilled to bring our longstanding HR and executive search offerings to the metro D.C. area and in the backyard of the headquarters of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM),”
Talent Shortages In Asia Give Rise to Unique Glass Ceiling
Talent shortages aren’t just a problem in the U.S. Candidate pipelines in Asia are being squeezed as well, and it’s leading women leaders across Asia to feel trapped in regional roles, according to a just-released report by Heidrick & Struggles. “The firm’s study reminds leaders at headquarters to take notice of Asian women leaders as an
R. William Funk & Associates Recruits New President for Auburn
As the academic year starts to wind down, a number of colleges and universities across the country are already preparing for September. For many of them, that means opening searches that, if all goes to plan, will result in new, high profile leaders to take them into the new era of fundraising, digitalization, sports and, more
Elinvar Leading CEO Search for Research Triangle Foundation
Executive search firm Elinvar has been retained by the Research Triangle Foundation (RTP) to lead its search for a new chief executive officer. Liz Rooks, a longtime Research Triangle Foundation executive, is currently serving as interim CEO. She came out of retirement to take the job shortly after Bob Geolas left for unexplained reasons last September. Elinvar’s president and
Valent Mordan Names CEO, Plans for ‘Growth Phase’
Executive search firm Valent Mordan has appointed John Valenti as its new chief executive officer. Headquartered in Dallas, Valent Mordan was founded in 2015 and provides executive search services to a wide array of sectors. Mr. Valenti previously spent 17 years as a partner with Kenexa, a talent acquisition and employee engagement cognitive HR software business
Russell Reynolds Associates Adds to Industrial, Energy & Natural Resource Practice Groups
Russell Reynolds Associates has added Lloyd Semple and Dan Hawksworth to the firm’s industrial, and energy & natural resources practices. The additions to the team, both based in Chicago, will build on Russell Reynolds’ expertise in all three sector specializations. Mr. Semple advises and recruits C-suite level executives for clients across a breadth of industrial segments, including
Dunleavy White Continues Expansion
London-based executive search firm Dunleavy White has strengthened its staff with the additions of Sarah Hanan and Danita Waterfall-Brizzi as partners. Ms. Hanan will spearhead growth within the firm’s travel and aviation sectors. She has over 20 years of experience within the travel industry starting her career as an international travel consultant with STA Travel before moving into recruitment.
Talent Leaders Struggling to Keep Up With New Work Culture
Companies are facing a radically shifting context for the workforce, the workplace, and the world of work, and these shifts have already changed the rules for nearly every organizational people practice, from learning and management to executive recruiting and the definition of work itself. Every business leader, no matter their function or industry, has experienced
Herd Freed Hartz Leading CEO Search for Northwest Harvest
Herd Freed Hartz Executive Search Partners has been selected by Northwest Harvest to lead its search for a new chief executive officer. Past CEO Shelley Rotondo is retiring at the end of June. Search firm partner Fred Pabst is leading the assignment. The incoming executive has big shoes to fill as Northwest Harvest CEO. Under Ms. Rotondo’s 16-year
Kincannon & Reed Lands Chief Commercial Officer for Calyxt
Executive search firm Kincannon & Reed has placed Manoj Sahoo as chief commercial officer of Calyxt Inc. Mr. Sahoo will work closely as part of Calyxt’s executive team to build a commercial partnership network, execute a go-to-market plan for the company’s products and ensure Calyxt’s integrated commercial success moving forward. Mr. Sahoo joins the company from Cargill, where he spent seven
Kingsley Gate Partners Continues Expansion
Executive search firm Kingsley Gate Partners has expanded with the addition of Andrew Blane as a partner. He is located in the firm’s Princeton, NJ office. Mr. Blane brings nearly two decades of experience in executive search, marketing and business development to Kingsley Gate. He has conducted numerous team lift-outs for the buy-side of the asset management sector,
HVS Executive Search Expands Asia Pacific Team
HVS Executive Search has named Florian Kittler as senior vice president, Asia Pacific. He will be based in Hong Kong. Mr. Kittler has over two decades of experience in the hospitality and executive recruitment industry across Europe, the Middle East and Asia. He gained his operational leadership know-how with several global five-star hotel chains, including Shangri-La, Mandarin Oriental
How Recruiters ‘Close the Deal’ With Job Candidates
With an economy that just keeps rolling along, many employers are faced with a difficult workplace challenge: How to attract talent in a candidate-driven market. In any business cycle, whether it’s up or down, the initial connection with a prospective hire is the easy part. Getting them on board, especially when markets are this robust,
Korn Ferry Makes Leadership Changes As Transition Continues
Korn Ferry has announced several key leadership changes in three areas which the company said further positions it for growth and expansion. The managerial adjustments come on the heels of Korn Ferry releasing 2017 fiscal Q3 revenues of $381.9 million, an 11 percent top line jump over a year ago. “Our firm is growing in both size and
Bialla Partners Land CEO for San Francisco Chamber of Commerce; Adds New Partner
Following an extensive national search, Bialla Partners has placed Tallia Hart as president and chief executive officer of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. Partner Jeff Hodge led the assignment. Ms. Hart was selected for her inspiring leadership, in-depth non-profit management experience and passion to advocate for the business community. She is the first woman, minority, and youngest to
Pi Executive Places CHRO at Ajinomoto Windsor
Talent advisory firm Pi Executive has recruited Marco A. Leal as chief human resources officer (CHRO) of Ajinomoto Windsor, a top manufacturer of Asian / Ethnic foods. The search was conducted by partner and board member Pierre Trippitelli and assisted by director Katherine MacLane. Mr. Leal brings over 20 years of experience developing world class HR organizations within fast
IRC Continues Asia Pacific Expansion
IRC Global Executive Search Partners (IRC) has expanded in Korea with the addition of McKinney Consulting Inc. an executive search and leadership consulting firm based in Seoul. Founder and president Steven B. McKinney, an American from North Carolina with extensive leadership, executive search and leadership coaching experience in Korea, established MicKinney Consulting in 2001. His six-member
Why Ambitions Fall As Women Strive to Reach the C-Suite
Young women, it seems, have a healthy sense of ambition. Nearly three quarters of them in the early stages of their professional careers aim to reach the top level of the corporate ladder, according to the recent ‘Leaders & Daughters Global Survey‘ report by Egon Zehnder. The findings, based on an exhaustive seven-country examination of working
David Barrett Partners Places Investment Chief At Dartmouth
Executive search firm David Barrett Partners has placed Alice A. Ruth as chief investment officer of Dartmouth College. After serving for more than six years as Dartmouth’s CIO, Pamela Peedin is stepping aside as the school year winds down later this spring. Ms. Ruth, who spent the last eight years as chief investment officer for Michael Bloomberg’s family office, Willett Advisors,
McAulay Smith Places General Counsel for Georgia Power
The McAulay Smith Firm has placed Meredith Lackey as senior vice president, corporate secretary and general counsel of Georgia Power. She will also serve as the company’s chief compliance officer. Search firm chairman Al McAulay led the assignment. In her new role, Ms. Lackey will be responsible for overseeing Georgia Power’s corporate compliance, risk management, security, and legal services functions.
