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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
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.
SearchWide Global Recruits President and CEO for Visit California
SearchWide Global has helped to recruit Julie Coker as the new president and CEO of Visit California. She succeeds longtime leader Caroline Beteta, who announced her retirement earlier this year. The assignment was led by Mike Gamble, chairman, CEO, and co-founder of SearchWide. The appointment is the culmination of a comprehensive global search conducted in partnership
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?
JM Search Expands Search Team
JM Search, a senior-level talent provider serving private equity investors, portfolio companies, and Fortune 1000s, has expanded with the additions of Amber Shockey as partner within its legal practice and Curtis Walker as principal within its media & telecommunications team. “Continued private equity investment across legal services, legal-adjacent businesses, and professional sports is elevating the importance of
Interim or Executive Search? Choosing the Right Leadership Solution
Interim leadership has moved well beyond being a stopgap solution for unexpected vacancies. As organizations face greater complexity, faster strategic shifts, and mounting pressure to deliver results, boards and CEOs are increasingly turning to experienced interim leaders as a flexible way to maintain momentum and address critical business needs. For executive search firms, that shift
Funk Associates Assists the University of North Florida with the Recruitment of Eighth President
Funk Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Michael P. Shannon as the eighth president of the University of North Florida (UNF). Past president Moez Limayem stepped down from his position in early 2026. “Mike Shannon is the leader who can build on UNF’s strong momentum and continue to elevate the University’s incredible impact across our
DHR Global Recruits President of Business Operations for the Pittsburgh Penguins
Talent advisory firm DHR Global has placed Marcel Braithwaite as president of business operations for the Pittsburgh Penguins. This search was led by Mike Gagliardi and Glenn Sugiyama of DHR’s sports practice. “Marcel is going to be a transformational hire for one of the NHL’s premier teams,” said Mr. Sugiyama, managing partner of DHR’s sports practice. “I had the
Mercuri Urval Expands International Public and ESG Expert Practice
Stockholm, Sweden-based executive search firm Mercuri Urval (MU) has expanded with the addition of former Danish government minister Astrid Krag to its international public and ESG expert practice. “With Astrid’s extensive experience in international public affairs, strong commitment to ESG and sustainability, and deep understanding of life sciences, she brings a valuable combination of expertise and
ZRG Partners Acquires N2Growth’s Spain Business
ZRG Partners has entered the Spanish market through the acquisition of the business formerly known as Blacksmith that had been doing business since 2023 under the umbrella of N2Growth. Through this integration, ZRG enters the Spanish market with an established local team and the goal of offering Spanish and international clients agile, high-touch advisory backed by
Family Offices Move Into Human Capital M&A
Altss’ latest ranking, The 50 Largest Family Offices in the World (2026), illustrates the scale family capital has reached. The 50 largest offices collectively manage an estimated $2.4 trillion, with the top 10 controlling more than $1.5 trillion. Twenty-eight of the top 50 are headquartered in North America, while private equity represents their largest average portfolio allocation
The Leadership Pipeline Crisis: AI’s Hidden Cost
Companies everywhere are celebrating leaner teams, faster execution, and higher productivity thanks to AI, according to HIRECLOUT. From a business perspective, the logic is easy to understand, according to Avetis Antaplyan, founder and CEO of HIRECLOUT. “Investors reward efficiency,” Mr. Antaplyan said. “Leaders are under pressure to do more with less. Automation is eliminating repetitive
Klein Hersh Recruits CFO for Sparrow Pharmaceuticals
Klein Hersh, a search firm focused on the life sciences and healthcare industries, has recruited George Eldridge as the new CFO of Sparrow Pharmaceuticals, a targeted cardiometabolic therapeutics company. “We are thrilled to welcome George to Sparrow at such an important time for our company,” said Robert Jacks, president and CEO of Sparrow Pharmaceuticals. “George
McCormack + Kristel Seeking Executive Director for NEXT Harm Reduction
McCormack + Kristel has been retained by NEXT Harm Reduction (NEXT Distro) to lead in its search for an executive director. This is a rare opportunity for a visionary leader and skilled fundraiser to take a nationally recognized organization with an urgent mandate and grow it to the scale the moment demands. Reporting to the board
Riviera Partners Expands Public Practice
San Francisco-based Riviera Partners, a recruitment provider specializing in C-level engineering, product, and design leader placements, has expanded with the addition of Archer McFall as a partner within its public practice serving large, publicly-traded companies and late-stage, pre-IPO companies. “Getting the right CTO, CIO, or chief AI officer in place, building the team structure around AI, making sure the
HelloSky Brings Its Graph of People, Investors, and Companies Into Claude and ChatGPT
Executive search firms are increasingly looking for ways to move beyond traditional databases and static candidate profiles as clients demand deeper market intelligence and faster, more precise insight into leadership talent. Advances in artificial intelligence are giving recruiters new tools to connect people, companies, investors, relationships, and career outcomes in ways that can strengthen candidate
Harris Search Associates Leading Senior Assignment for Carnegie Mellon University
Harris Search Associates has been retained by Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) to lead in its search for newly created role of associate vice president for research computing and data (AVP RCD). Jeffrey Harris and Ed Christ are leading the assignment. This role offers a unique opportunity to elevate and transform CMU’s research computing ecosystem positioning it to better support
Preng & Associates Assists SOGC, LLC with President Search
Following a comprehensive executive search, Houston-based Preng & Associates assisted in the recruitment of David French as the new president of SOGC, LLC. “Preng & Associates is proud to have supported this important leadership appointment and continues to partner with energy companies worldwide in identifying and securing transformative executive talent,” the firm said. Mr. French brings
NPAG Appoints Senior Advisor
Executive search firm NPAG has appointed André Blackman as senior advisor. In this new role, he will build and lead a practice focused on mission-driven innovation — connecting dynamic leadership talent and the development resources to keep that talent in seat, to founders and organizations solving problems that matter. “André brings a rare combination of strategic insight, storytelling
Sheffield Haworth Adds Private Equity & Growth Venture Portfolio Assets Veteran
Global leadership advisory and executive search firm Sheffield Haworth has expanded with the addition of Michael McDonnell as managing director, private equity and growth venture portfolio assets. He is based in the New York office and works within the technology sector practice. “We are thrilled to welcome Michael to the team,” said Paul Gillespie, managing director of the
Leadership Needs Shift in a Changing Federal Market
Executive search across the federal contracting, government services, defense, and technology sectors is entering a new phase as companies look for more sophisticated ways to evaluate leadership beyond résumés, references, and past performance. In markets where specialized experience, relationships, and an understanding of complex government customers can be critical, the challenge is not simply identifying
Private Equity Rollup Wave Reshapes Executive Search
What may once have looked like a series of isolated transactions is increasingly taking on the shape of a broader industry shift. As capital moves into the sector and firms rethink where they have true competitive strength, the pattern is becoming harder to ignore. “A year ago, I would have called this a prediction, today,
HARTZ Search Seeking Chief Revenue Officer for Geisinger
Charlotte, NC-based HARTZ Search was recently retained by Geisinger to lead in its search for a chief revenue officer. This executive will direct, manage, and implement programs to ensure efficient revenue management operations and sufficient cash flow to support Geisinger operations and strategic initiatives. The role is responsible for identifying, analyzing, reducing, and resolving revenue management issues
Kincannon & Reed Places Executive Director for the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association
Kincannon & Reed (K&R), which exclusively focuses on food, agribusiness, and the related life sciences, has assisted in the recruitment of Patrick Carney as the new executive director of the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association. Dave Smith stepped down from his executive role after leading the association for more than 30 years. “Patrick pairs dairy industry knowledge with
Noto Group Expands Global Consumer Practice
Portland, OR-headquartered executive search firm Noto Group has expanded with the additions of Kirsty Schofield and Cody Johns as senior partners in its global consumer practice. “Cody and Kirsty bring highly complementary experience, deep consumer sector expertise, and a genuine connection to how we work,” said Sara Spirko, managing partner of Noto Group. “Both understand that finding
millionways Brings a New Behavioral Intelligence Lever to Executive Recruiters
Hunt Scanlon Ventures this week completed its investment in millionways, a New York-headquartered company that builds a behavioral intelligence layer of AI for human agent workforces, utilizing a proprietary Large Psychology Model called Thorsten-4. The platform focuses on understanding human signals, motives, and behavior patterns, with applications used across AI governance, executive hiring, talent management,
AI Governance Jobs Platform Builds Early Momentum Through Privacy-First Model
AI-Governance-Jobs.com, operated by GRC Careers LLC and led by founder and CEO F. Jay Hall, has built its model combining specialized career content, organic search visibility, and privacy-focused architecture. The company’s latest executive summary reports 134,499 organic impressions over a recent 28-day period, achieved roughly three months after launch — without advertising. As demand grows
Blue Rock Human Capital Assists Linfield University with the Recruitment of Dean of the School of Business
Blue Rock Human Capital has helped to recruit Isaac Wanasika as the new dean of the School of Business at Linfield University. “Blue Rock Human Capital was pleased to work with Linfield University to identify their new dean of the School of Business,” said Jacquelyn Elliot, president and COO of Blue Rock Human Capital. “Today’s higher
CIO Partners Leading Cybersecurity Search for Flexsteel Industries
CIO Partners was recently retained by Flexsteel Industries in Dubuque, IA, to lead in its search for director of cybersecurity. This role partners closely with IT, executive leadership, legal, compliance, operations, and external security partners to reduce cyber risk, strengthen business resilience, and ensure the organization is prepared to prevent, detect, respond to, and recover
Why Slow Hiring Processes Cost Companies Their Best Candidates
You’ve heard it countless times: “Hire slow, fire fast.” It’s sound advice in principle. Taking the time to thoroughly evaluate candidates before making an important hiring decision simply makes good sense. However, facilitating a comprehensive selection process and moving quickly are not mutually exclusive, according to a recent report from Noto Group’s Roy Notowitz. “It is a good thing
How Leadership Success Hinges on Style and Cultural Fit
Leadership today requires more than experience and expertise—it demands self-awareness and alignment with the environment in which a leader operates. The most effective leaders understand that success depends not only on what they know but on how their approach fits the organization’s culture, pace, and expectations. This connection between leadership style and organizational context often
BroadView Talent Partners Assists Gateway Film Center with CEO Search
BroadView Talent Partners has placed Charly Bauer as the new president and CEO of Gateway Film Foundation. He will lead nationally recognized art house Gateway Film Center. Mr. Bauer, who begins on November 3, was selected following a comprehensive nationwide search led by Broadview Talent Partners. He succeeds longtime Gateway Film Foundation leader Chris Hamel, who will step down
RH Perry & Associates Leading President Search for Illinois Central College
RH Perry & Associates has been retained by Illinois Central College (ICC) to lead in its search for a new president. Senior consultants Jessie Thompson and Charlene Newkirk are leading the assignment. The Illinois Central College board of trustees seeks an accomplished, collaborative, engaging, transparent, visionary leader with a proven record of fostering student success, driving strategic initiatives, and advancing institutional
BarkerGilmore Appoints Strategic Advisor and Executive Coach
Boutique search firm BarkerGilmore, which specializes in building corporate legal and compliance teams, has appointed Mary Ann Hynes as a strategic advisor and executive coach. “Mary Ann is one of the most accomplished and respected legal leaders of her generation,” said Bob Barker, managing partner of BarkerGilmore. “Her pioneering career, breadth of industry experience, and proven ability to
True Launches Digital Infrastructure Practice
Global talent provider True has launched a dedicated digital infrastructure practice. The new practice will be led by managing director Steve Dargan, a U.K.-based industry veteran with more than 20 years of experience recruiting senior leaders across data centers, broadband, cloud, and next-generation connectivity. The practice will focus on partnering with investors, developers, and operators driving
Post-Merger Integration Leadership: Hiring the Right Executives to Capture Deal Value
Private equity firms spend billions on acquisitions each year, yet Harvard Business Review research shows that 70-90 percent of mergers fail to achieve their projected value, with the breakdown occurring primarily during post-merger integration. For lower middle market PE firms executing buy-and-build strategies, this failure rate represents millions in unrealized returns, according to a recent report
The Moran Company Seeking CEO for the American Counseling Association
The Moran Company, an executive recruitment firm that specializes in the non-profit sector, has been selected by the American Counseling Association (ACA) to lead in its search for a new CEO. Jon Rosell is leading the assignment. The organization seeks an energetic, experienced, and highly skilled chief executive officer to work collaboratively with the governing
Allen Austin Recruits CHRO for Stress Engineering Services
Houston, TX-based search firm Allen Austin has helped to recruit Michelle Howison as the new chief human resources officer at Stress Engineering Services, Inc. The search was led by Edie Bartlett and Liz Townsend. Ms. Howison brings over 20 years of HR leadership experience, with a proven track record in M&A integration, organizational development, and building high-performing
CarterBaldwin Recruits President for Augusta Tech College
CarterBaldwin Executive Search has assisted in the recruitment of Kendricks D. Hooker as the new president of Augusta Tech College. Partner Bill Peterson and associate partner Scott Tanksley led the assignment. “Dr. Hooker is an accomplished leader with a proven record of advancing student outcomes and building strong academic programs,” said Greg Dozier, commissioner of The Technical College System
Kingsley Gate Launches IGNYTE AI
Private equity-backed Kingsley Gate has launched IGNYTE AI, a solution that combines proprietary AI technology with decades of executive search expertise. “IGNYTE AI disrupts the old trade-off between quality and speed,” said JL Baker, who leads IGNYTE AI. “We’ve developed IGNYTE AI to challenge traditional recruiting by combining our proprietary native AI platform with decades of executive
How Boards Can Identify and Develop the Right CEO Successors
Few decisions carry as much weight—or long-term consequence—as choosing the next chief executive. The process demands both strategic foresight and deep insight into the evolving demands of leadership. As organizations navigate disruption, shifting stakeholder expectations, and accelerating transformation, boards must balance continuity with the vision and agility required for the future. Boards face a significant
The Most Important Career Advice You Haven’t Acted on Yet
In an environment defined by constant change and heightened expectations, leadership has become as much about clarity of purpose as it is about capability. Organizations are reassessing what effective leadership looks like—seeking individuals who not only bring expertise but can communicate their impact with precision and authenticity. As business models evolve and competition for skilled
Flatiron Search Partners Recruits CEO for Mathnasium- Fortis Franchise Group
Flatiron Search Partners (FSP) has placed Kenneth Hall as the new CEO of Mathnasium- Fortis Franchise Group in Winter Park, FL. “Congratulations to Kenneth Hall on his new role as CEO at Snapdragon Capital Partners-backed Mathnasium- Fortis Franchise Group,” Flatiron Search Partners said in a LinkedIn post. “We were grateful to partner with Snapdragon on yet another
Crist|Kolder Associates Fills Top Investor Relations Post for Agilent Technologies
Crist|Kolder Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Tejas Savant as vice president of investor relations of Agilent Technologies. The search was led by Crist|Kolder’s IR practice leader, Sanya Badr. “The art of clear storytelling has never been more impactful than in today’s climate of uncertainty,” she said. “The rise in demand we have experienced from
TalentRise Expands Global Operations with Launch of TalentRise India Private Limited
TalentRise, an Aleron Group company, has expanded into India with the establishment of TalentRise India Private Limited. “India represents one of the world’s most dynamic and fastest-growing economies, with an increasing demand for exceptional leadership talent,” said Peter Petrella, president of TalentRise. “Our expansion into India through TalentRise India Private Limited, combined with our partnership with Acara Solutions
How AI Is Rewriting the Candidate Experience — and Why Recruiters Must Catch Up
Candidate satisfaction is declining across all aspects of the recruitment process, dropping as much as 20 percent in key areas like speed and responsiveness; however, AI is emerging as the key solution. This is according to the latest Global Recruitment Insights and Data (GRID) 2025 Talent Trends report published by Bullhorn. The report, which collected data from nearly
McCormack+Kristel Seeking CEO for the Independent Film & Television Alliance
Executive search firm McCormack+Kristel has been retained by the Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA) to lead in its search for a new president and CEO. At a pivotal moment for the industry, the new CEO will shape policy, elevate the voice of independents worldwide, and drive the success of the American Film Market, one of the industry’s
Anthem Executive Tapped by Northwest Missouri State University for Provost Search
Executive recruitment firm Anthem Executive has been selected by Northwest Missouri State University to lead in its search for a new provost and vice president for academic affairs. Michael Ballew, Scott Watson, Mike “JR” Wheless, and Florene Stawowy are leading the search. The school is seeking a provost and vice president of academic affairs to serve as its next chief academic officer,
Greenhouse Launches New Tools to Streamline Chaotic Hiring Funnels
Hiring platform Greenhouse has released its fall 2025 packaged product releases, designed to restore order to today’s chaotic recruitment landscape as hiring teams face a messy and overwhelming top of funnel. The release will provide hirers with a new analytics system, fraud detection, and smarter scheduling. “Teams face surging applications, AI-driven resumes, rising fraud, and constant
SpenglerFox Expands in DACH Region
Global executive search provider SpenglerFox has expanded with the addition of Prianka Chaturvedula. Based in Frankfurt, she will play a key role as senior client partner in scaling SpenglerFox’ presence in the DACH region by supporting our cross-border leadership mandates globally. “We are delighted to welcome Prianka to the SpenglerFox family,” said Jens Friedrich, CEO of
Executive Hiring Tightens Now, Sets Stage for Selective Rebound in 2026
After a period of aggressive talent expansion fueled by post-pandemic recovery and capital liquidity, executive hiring is entering a new phase — one defined less by growth at any cost and more by targeted investment. Boards and CEOs are recalibrating leadership priorities, emphasizing profitability, transformation, and resilience over pure headcount expansion. The mindset has shifted
Leading Your Team Through Change with Confidence
Rising leaders often find it difficult to adapt to change. Just as they begin to feel comfortable in their roles and gain a sense of authority, an organizational shift or unexpected challenge emerges that disrupts their stability. But you don’t have to fumble through changes as a leader without a framework, according to a recent
Shelli Herman and Associates Seeking CEO for Children’s Discovery Museum San Jose
Los Angeles-based Shelli Herman and Associates has been selected by Children’s Discovery Museum San Jose to lead in its search for a new president and CEO. Responsible for developing and implementing plans that increase mission delivery, the CEO will play a key role in shaping and realizing the Museum’s future. Post-pandemic efforts have enabled a resilient, lean, and
The Tolan Group Recruits CFO for Nexus
The Tolan Group (TTG) recently assisted in the recruitment of Terra Holmes as the new CFO of Nexus. “Terra’s expertise in leading high-performing teams, implementing best practices, and driving innovative solutions will streamline operations and improve efficiency at Nexus,” The Tolan Group said. “Her strong background in financial planning, audits, and tax strategy will further strengthen the
TRANSEARCH International Expands in Germany
TRANSEARCH International recently expanded with the addition of four experienced leaders to its growing German team: Dennis Hartmann, Lucia Puttrich, Uwe Lemcke, and Patrick Eichstädt. “These new additions reflect TRANSEARCH’s ongoing commitment to its clients across Germany and reinforce our ability to shape leadership that transforms,” the search consortium said. In Frankfurt, Mr. Hartmann joins as client partner, bringing over
CHRO Perspectives: Looking Ahead to 2026
There is a real bullishness from senior HR leaders about the impact and value they can add to organizations going forward, according to a recently released report from Leathwaite. This is starkly juxtaposed with the prevailing sentiment in 2023 and 2024 when HR leaders felt over-stretched and burnt out. Senior HR leaders now feel personally
TurnkeyZRG Recruits CEO for the Heisman Trophy Trust
TurnkeyZRG has assisted in the recruitment of Jeff Price as the inaugural CEO of the Heisman Trophy Trust. Len Perna and Rick Alessandri led the assignment. A seasoned sports industry leader with more than 35 years of experience, Mr. Price will steward the legacy of the Heisman Trophy while spearheading a new chapter of commercial growth and philanthropic impact.
Herbert Mines Places Chief Store Operations Officer for Grocery Outlet Holding Corp.
New York-based retail and consumer focused executive search firm Herbert Mines Associates has partnered with Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. in the placement of Frank Kerr as executive vice president, chief store operations officer. “Frank’s proven leadership experience in grocery retail and the exceptional results he has achieved throughout his career, in both licensee and traditional grocery models, make him
Tower Consultants Search Group Fills Position for XL Construction
Hobe Sound, FL-headquartered executive recruiting firm Tower Consultants Search Group has assisted in the recruitment of Heather Towers as senior manager, people operations with XL Construction in Milpitas, CA. The search was led by Jason Rose. XL Construction is undergoing a post-merger transformation and elevated the senior manager, people operations role to strengthen its HR infrastructure and support its
Long Ridge Partners Names Head of Fundamental Equities
New York City-based Long Ridge Partners has named Eric Freiberg as head of fundamental equities. “Since joining us in 2020, Eric has been integral to the growth of our equities business,” the firm said in a LinkedIn post. “His deep industry knowledge, strong network, and steady leadership have made a meaningful impact across Long Ridge. We are grateful
Global Employers Take Cautious Approach to Q4 Hiring
Global employers are continuing a careful approach to hiring in the fourth quarter, with 45 percent planning to maintain current workforce levels—the highest since early 2022—as organizations balance capturing growth opportunities with mitigating economic uncertainty. This measured shift sees 38 percent of employers planning to add staff while 15 percent expect reductions, resulting in a
