DAILY NEWSWIRE - TOP STORIES
Daily Newswire
Speed vs. Certainty: How Leading Search Firms Deliver Fast Shortlists Without Increasing Risk
Executive search firms are under increasing pressure to deliver qualified leadership candidates faster without compromising diligence or decision quality. As hiring timelines compress and stakeholder scrutiny intensifies, many firms are turning to AI-driven intelligence tools to identify potential risks, validate candidate fit, and strengthen shortlists earlier in the search process. Balancing speed with certainty requires
Spencer Stuart Recruits Ninth Leader for Brunswick School
Spencer Stuart has assisted in the recruitment of Andrew T. Chappell as Brunswick’s ninth head of school, effective July 1, 2027. Mary Gorman, a partner in the firm’s education and social impact practice, and consultant Michele Haertel, led the assignment. Tom Philip has informed the Board of Trustees of his plans to retire in June 2027, at the
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.
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,
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?
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
Allen Austin Launches Evidence-Based Leadership Assessment VantagePoint
Houston, TX-based search firm Allen Austin launch of VantagePoint, an evidence-based leadership assessment that helps organizations identify and develop high-potential leaders with greater clarity and confidence. VantagePoint is grounded in three decades of leadership advisory work and original research by Allen Austin chairman and CEO Rob Andrews. Over two years, Mr. Andrews interviewed more than 100 CEOs,
The CHRO’s New Mandate
Across industries, the organizational design structure has shifted from a traditional pyramid to an hourglass model. This is not a recent development, explained Slayton Search Partners’ John Doyle in a recent report. “Organizational efficiencies, increased technology and the first wave of Baby Boomer retirements began this transition nearly two decades ago,” he said. “Experienced leaders have been retiring. Internal pipelines have
AGB Search Recruits 11th President for Lewis University
Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, has helped to recruit Christopher Sindt as the 11th president of Lewis University. The Lewis University board of trustees recently announced that president David Livingston, will retire at the conclusion of the 2025–26 academic year. Melissa K. Trotta, Matthew J. Kilcoyne, and John Cech led the assignment. “After
Kincannon & Reed Assists CCI Prime with CFO Search
Kincannon & Reed (K&R), which exclusively focuses on food, agribusiness, and the related life sciences, has assisted in the recruitment of Jamie Broad as CFO of CCI Prime, bringing on a seasoned finance leader to support the company’s next phase of growth. “Jamie’s ability to connect financial insights to operational realities makes her an exceptional
EQU Advisors Seeking Senior Leader for Sarah Lawrence College
Executive search firm EQU Advisors was recently retained by Sarah Lawrence College to lead in its search for an associate vice president of enrollment. This executive will serve as a key member of the senior enrollment leadership team and a collaborative partner across the institution. This role is designed to strengthen coordination, elevate shared strategy, and support
Egon Zehnder Forms Alliance with IMD
Global leadership advisory firm Egon Zehnder and IMD, a leading business school in global executive education, have formed a strategic partnership to facilitate board directors’ personal growth and elevate board performance. The partnership combines IMD’s academic rigor and deep connections to global boards with Egon Zehnder’s expertise in leadership and board effectiveness. Together, they will co-create tailored
Why Boards Are Betting on New CEOs and How to Set Them Up to Win
A growing number of companies are entrusting the corner office to leaders stepping into the CEO role for the first time. As succession strategies evolve and executive talent markets tighten, boards are increasingly prioritizing leadership potential, adaptability, and strategic vision over prior CEO experience. Boards now face a new question: which qualities make a first-time CEO succeed,
The Leadership Reset: What AI is Exposing About Today’s Executives
For decades, leadership success was largely measured by experience, team size, and the ability to manage complex organizations. Today, artificial intelligence is changing that equation, and it is reshaping how boards, investors, and hiring executives evaluate leadership talent. As AI transforms how work gets done, organizations are discovering that competitive advantage is no longer determined
Greenwood Asher & Associates Recruits Provost for the University of Cincinnati
Miramar Beach, FL-based executive recruitment firm Greenwood Asher & Associates has assisted the University of Cincinnati (UC) in the recruitment of Rudolph Buchheit as executive vice president for academic affairs and provost. Andriel Dees and Julie Schrodt led the assignment for the search firm. His selection follows a national search led by a dedicated search committee that was informed by
HARTZ Search Assists Geisinger with Recruitment of CIO
Charlotte, NC-based HARTZ Search has helped to recruit Bill Bellando as executive vice president and chief information officer of Geisinger. He joins Geisinger after serving as senior vice president and chief information officer at Georgia-based Wellstar Health System from 2022 to 2026. In this role, Mr. Bellando oversaw information technology and digital initiatives across the health system.
Risk Mitigation and Business Complexity is Driving Demand in Legal Recruiting
Demand for senior legal leaders is rising as companies, and law firms face mounting regulatory complexity, global uncertainty, and shifting risks. Boards and CEOs now expect legal executives to be not only technical experts but also strategic business partners who can influence decisions, manage crises, and deliver commercial impact. The bar has never been higher
Unemployment Rises To 4.2 Percent In July as Hiring Falls Sharply
Employment rose by 73,000 in July as the U.S. unemployment rate stands at 4.2 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report, while the nonfarm payrolls count for the prior two months was revised down by a massive 258,000 jobs. Employment continued to trend up in healthcare and in social assistance. Federal government continued
Rokos Group Seeking CFO for Keck Medicine of USC
Newport Beach, CA-based executive search firm Rokos Group has been retained by Keck Medicine of USC to lead its search for a new CFO. Reporting to the president and CEO of USC Health System, the CFO serves as the senior-most financial leader across the entire health system. This individual is responsible for directing a comprehensive, high-performing
PER Completes Management Buyout, Paving the Way for Strategic Growth
Private Equity Recruitment (PER) has announced that its senior leadership team has completed a management buyout of the company from founder Gail McManus. As part of this transition, day-to-day leadership has passed to CEO, Rupert Bell, and managing director, Charlie Hunt, who, alongside other senior colleagues, are now majority owners of the company. “PER has
SPMB Recruits CEO for AbsenceSoft
Bianca Moreno and Rosalie Lovy of SPMB Executive Search have assisted in the recruitment of Jess Keeney as the new CEO of AbsenceSoft in Golden, CO. “We’re thrilled to partner with AbsenceSoft once again following our placement of CFO Keith McLamb earlier this year,” SPMB said in a LinkedIn post. “Cheers to the entire team and Luminate Capital on this exciting new
EMA Partners Makes Leadership Changes Across India and Singapore
EMA Partners, a global partnership of executive search professionals, has announced leadership changes across its consumer, pharma & life sciences, retail & professional services sectors across India and Singapore. “Each of our colleagues have spent considerable time in the industry and bring with them an in-depth understanding of key markets and clients and continue to grow
2025 Hiring & Compensation at Mid-Year: What’s Evolving and What Remains the Same
What a difference six months makes. When Ascentria Search Partners released its 2025 Compensation & Hiring Guide in January, they focused on the long arc of transformation, shifting candidate expectations, the rise of hybrid models, and the push toward skills-based hiring. “But halfway through the year, one thing is clear: the market is moving faster
The Talent Studios Recruits Chief Growth Officer for Hyland’s Consumer Health
The Talent Studios has assisted in the recruitment of Lindsay Martin as chief growth officer of Hyland’s Consumer Health, a pediatric-focused consumer health company backed by Hildred Capital. Jeremy Cohen, Katlyn Maloney, and Gretchen Koch led the assignment. Ms. Martin brings more than 15 years of experience leading brand and commercial strategy for some of the most
Kestria Expands in Mexico
Kestria, formerly known as IRC Global Executive Search Partners, has added a new member firm in Mexico with the addition of Performance Talent Consulting International, a boutique consultancy specializing in executive search, talent management and organizational development. “Kestria is delighted to welcome a new member firm in Mexico, marking a key milestone in our alliance’s growth
Hunt Scanlon to Host Conferences in New York City and London on AI
Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming talent strategy by enabling faster, more precise, and scalable decision-making across the hiring lifecycle. Rather than merely automating tasks, AI is enhancing how companies identify, evaluate, and retain top talent. It allows recruiters and talent leaders to shift their focus from manual processes to higher-level strategy and relationship building. Search
Eastward Partners Appoints Managing Director
New York-based Eastward Partners has expanded with the addition of Brian Ippolito as managing director, strengthening the firm’s focus on placing go-to-market leaders across private equity and venture capital-backed portfolio companies. Mr. Ippolito joins the firm as it continues to scale its consultative model through ECHO—Eastward’s proprietary intelligence platform. “ECHO integrates market data, human capital trends,
Funk Associates Fills President Roles for Florida International University, Coastal Carolina University, and University of St. Thomas – Houston
Funk Associates has recently completed presidential searches for Florida International University (FIU), Coastal Carolina University (CCU), and University of St. Thomas – Houston (UST). “These searches reflect the continued trust institutions place in our firm to identify visionary and mission-driven leaders,” said Bill Funk, founder and CEO of Funk Associates. “We are proud to have partnered with each of these
Transforming the Recruiter’s Role From Volume to Value
According to the Wall Street Journal, U.S. public companies have reduced their white-collar workforces by a collective 3.5 percent over the past three years, all while corporate profits have surged to record highs. One in five companies in the S&P 500 now operate with fewer employees than a decade ago, despite having significantly higher revenues. Executives
PierceGray Tapped by Alliance Markets & Vending to Fill Senior Post
PierceGray has been selected by Alliance Markets & Vending to lead in its search for a new controller. With plans to accelerate the growth and profitability of the business, Alliance seeks to hire a controller to build and lead the accounting function including all technical accounting, policies and procedures, audit compliance, and reporting, and the financial
HVS Executive Search Names CEO
Global hospitality consulting firm HVS Executive Search has appointed Alice Sherman as CEO, beginning January 1, 2026. After more than 35 years in the retained executive search industry—including 12 years as CEO of HVS Executive Search—Court Williams will be retiring from his role. To ensure a seamless leadership transition and continued support for the company’s clients and team,
Private Equity Shifts Focus in Executive Hiring
In the evolving environment of private equity, the expectations placed on executive talent are undergoing a dramatic transformation. As firms adapt to shifting market dynamics, leadership teams are reassessing how executives engage, lead, and deliver value within portfolio companies. One of the most notable shifts is a renewed emphasis on in-person leadership, with cultural cohesion,
The Christopher Group Recruits Head of HR for Blistex
The Christopher Group (TCG), a boutique HR executive search and business solutions recruiting firm, has assisted in the recruitment of Nick Mariman as the new head of HR at Blistex. Nat Schiffer and Carrie Longmire led the assignment. “It is an incredible honor to partner with Blistex — a respected, multi-generational organization with a rich legacy of innovation and
The Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority Retains Shelli Herman and Associates to Find New CEO
Los Angeles-based Shelli Herman and Associates has been called in by the Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority (MECA) in Omaha, NE, to lead in its search for a new president and CEO. The authority is looking for a talented president and CEO to provide strong leadership and strategic guidance, building on its successful foundation as a
Shaping Leadership, One Search at a Time
The executive search sector draws professionals from a wide array of backgrounds, each with unique motivations for entering the field. For some, it’s the intellectual challenge and strategic nature of identifying transformative leadership that captivates them. Others are inspired by the opportunity to collaborate with a variety of organizations, ranging from nimble startups to global
Vetted Solutions Assists the American Clean Power Association with Chief Communications Officer Search
Washington, D.C.-based Vetted Solutions has placed Artealia Gilliard as the new chief communications officer of the American Clean Power Association (ACP) in Washington, D.C. “Clean energy is leading an all of the above American energy renaissance, but polarized politics remain an obstacle to achieving our economic and security interests,” said Jason Grumet, CEO of ACP. “Artealia has a strong
Long Ridge Partners Names Head of IT Recruiting
New York City-based Long Ridge Partners has appointed Lijo Thomas as managing director, head of IT recruiting. “Since joining us in 2021, Lijo has been a driving force behind our tech recruiting practice,” Long Ridge Partners said in a LinkedIn post. “Her leadership, insight, and dedication have made a real impact — and this next
Egon Zehnder Acquires The Prince Houston Group
Egon Zehnder has acquired The Prince Houston Group, a leading boutique executive search firm based in New York with a strong focus on asset and wealth management. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Hunt Scanlon Ventures, based in Greenwich, Conn., served as an advisor to Egon Zehnder on the transaction. The integration of The Prince
Russell Reynolds Associates Assists Shatterproof with CEO Search
After a rigorous, six-month national search led by global leadership advisory firm Russell Reynolds Associates, Pam Jenkins has been appointed as CEO of Shatterproof, a national non-profit dedicated to reversing the addiction crisis in the U.S. She succeeds founder and CEO Gary Mendell, who launched Shatterproof in 2012 following the loss of his son to substance
Caldwell Recruits CEO for Radius Global Market Research
Raj Das and John Heilhecker of Toronto-headquartered Caldwell recently assisted in the recruitment of Rob Wengel as CEO of Radius Global Market Research in New York City. He succeeds managing director Chip Lister, who will remain on the Radius board of directors and continue to advise the company’s strategic initiatives. Mr. Wengel will lead the next chapter of
Uncovering Hidden Leadership Potential Before Your Competitors Do
As someone who’s been on both sides of the table as a CEO and a former executive recruiter Joe Riggione, founder and co-CEO of True, knows that finding the right leaders is crucial, whether your company is in rapid growth or simply needs to execute on a solid plan. “But exceptional leaders often don’t fit
JM Search Recruits CFO for Shamrock Foods
JM Search, a senior-level talent provider serving private equity investors, portfolio companies, and Fortune 1000s, has assisted in the recruitment of Kyle Bunstein as CFO of Shamrock Foods, a family-owned and operated manufacturer and distributor of quality food and food-related products. Phil Menzel and Matt Quinn led the assignment. Mr. Bunstein brings over 20 years of
Odgers Makes Leadership Changes in India
Odgers has announced a leadership transition for its India operations. Kaushik DasGupta, who leads the consumer, retail & media practice in Asia-Pacific, has been promoted to managing partner – India. Concurrently, Prasad Medury, who has led the India business for the past eight years, will continue to serve as chairman India. “I am delighted to announce
The Secret Ingredient for Transformational Leadership in a PE backed Environment
Private equity firms are under more pressure than ever to deliver returns in an increasingly crowded and high-stakes market. Amid this intensity, leadership quality has emerged as a critical lever for driving growth, mitigating risk, and maximizing value creation. In today’s competitive private equity landscape, where achieving a return on investment is challenging and the
Myers McRae Assists Bethune-Cookman University with President Search
Macon, GA-based Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting has helped to recruit Albert Mosley as the eighth president of Bethune-Cookman University (B-CU). Jennifer Barfield, executive vice president, led the assignment. After an intensive, carefully vetted process that garnered 135 applications from across the country, Bethune-Cookman University’s presidential search committee identified a select group of top candidates. Ultimately,
BroadView Talent Partners Seeking Chief Development Officer for Community Shelter Board
BroadView Talent Partners has been tapped by Community Shelter Board to help recruit a chief development officer. The firm is looking for a bold, mission-driven executive who transforms generosity into lasting impact. As the architect of Community Shelter Board’s philanthropic strategy, the CDO leads with vision, influence, and heart, mobilizing the resources, relationships, and culture that power
How Courage Shapes the Leaders of Tomorrow
What defines a great leader? Qualities like experience, intelligence, charisma, and authenticity often top the list—and with good reason, as each plays a meaningful role. But in a climate of constant change, executive search consultants say that one trait stands out: courage. It enables tough decisions, supports calculated risks, and drives the willingness to challenge legacy
Buffkin / Baker Recruits President for Pittsburg State University
Partner-led executive search firm Buffkin / Baker has assisted in the recruitment of Thomas Newsom as the 11th president of Pittsburg State University in Kansas. Partner Pelema Ellis led the assignment. “The Regents are excited to appoint Dr. Newsom as the next president of Pittsburg State,” said Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) chair Carl Ice. “He is positioned to continue
