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Why Boards Keep Selecting Yesterday’s Leaders for Tomorrow’s Problems
Boardrooms across America keep hiring the familiar. The CEO who worked miracles at the last company, the leader with the spotless resume, the safe bet. Yet, the uncomfortable truth is that yesterday’s corporate savior often becomes tomorrow’s expensive mistake, according to a recent report from Shawn Cole, founder and president of Cowen Partners Executive Search.
SearchWide Global Places CEO for Visit Estes Park
Executive recruitment firm SearchWide Global has placed Sarah Leonard as the new CEO of Visit Estes Park (VEP) in Colorado. Senior vice president Kellie Henderson led the assignment. “After conducting an extensive nationwide search, the board was thrilled to select Sarah for this critical leadership role,” said Sean Jurgens, chair of the Visit Estes Park board of
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.
Ren Systems Appoints Head of Product
Ren Systems, an AI-powered relationship intelligence platform used by sales, business development, and professional services leaders, recently expanded with the addition of Nick Wynja as head of product. “As we’ve scaled Ren to 70+ enterprise customers and accelerated our feature release cycle, it became clear that we needed focused product leadership,” the company said in
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?
How to Kick Off an Executive Search the Right Way
As leadership demands grow more complex, organizations are increasingly recognizing that a successful executive search begins long before candidate outreach or interviews take place. Search consultants say the strongest outcomes are driven by early alignment around business strategy, organizational culture, leadership expectations, and the capabilities needed to support future growth. Rather than simply filling an
Why Structured Interviews Lead to Better Hiring
As organizations compete for leadership talent, many are reexamining how executive interviews are conducted and whether traditional hiring instincts are leading to the best decisions. Increasingly, research is showing that structured interviews built around standardized questions and evaluation criteria deliver more reliable hiring outcomes than conversational, free-flowing assessments. Talent experts say the approach not only
Rethinking Career Loyalty in the Age of Gen Z and Millennials
As leadership priorities continue to evolve, executive search firms are seeing a growing shift in how candidates evaluate long-term career opportunities. Today’s professionals are placing greater emphasis on purpose, culture, mentorship, flexibility, and personal growth alongside compensation and title. Recruiters say organizations that can clearly communicate vision, invest in employee development, and foster strong leadership
Coulter Partners Recruits Chief Scientific Officer for Laigo Bio
Life sciences recruiting specialist Coulter Partners has recruited Richard C.A. Sainson as the new chief scientific officer of Laigo Bio. “It was a privilege to partner with Matthew and the Laigo board,” said Kay Wardle, managing partner at Coulter Partners. “Targeted protein degradation is one of the most exciting frontier areas of drug discovery, and finding a chief
Blue Rock Human Capital Recruits Chief People Officer for Michelli Weighing & Measurement
Talent acquisition strategies at many large companies have become as complex as their balance sheets. And while chief human resource officers play a vital role in overseeing an organization’s broad-based workforce, the chief people officer typically goes beyond overseeing its people policies. The focus instead is on building talent as a key competitive advantage, with more
Raising the Bar for Interim and Fractional Leadership
As companies face mounting pressure to move faster and adapt to constant change, interim and fractional executives are increasingly being brought in not simply to maintain stability, but to drive transformation from day one. Organizations today are seeking experienced leaders who can step into critical roles, solve immediate business challenges, and create momentum while long-term
BoardWalk Consulting Selected by Atlanta Ballet for Executive Director Search
BoardWalk Consulting has was recently tapped by Atlanta Ballet to lead in its search for an executive director. The search is being led by Sam Pettway, Demeika Wheaton, and Patti Kish. The executive director will lead Atlanta Ballet’s administrative and business functions in alignment with the organization’s mission and values, while partnering closely with the artistic
When Search Fatigue Leads to Costly Hiring Mistakes
In executive search, the biggest hiring mistakes are not always caused by weak candidate pools or poor sourcing strategies. More often, breakdowns occur near the finish line, when prolonged interview cycles, competing stakeholder opinions, and mounting business pressures begin to wear down decision-making discipline. What starts as a rigorous evaluation process can gradually shift toward
Preng & Associates Recruits SVP of Government Services for American Bureau of Shipping
Houston-based Preng & Associates has placed Rear Admiral Ronald J. Rábago as senior vice president of government services at American Bureau of Shipping (ABS). “Admiral Rábago brings exceptional government and industry experience that will further enhance the support we provide to our government clients in the U.S. and around the world,” said John McDonald, ABS chairman and CEO. “His
McDermott + Bull Expands in Amsterdam
Irvine, CA-based McDermott + Bull has expanded in Amsterdam with the addition of Gerben van den Hout as managing director. “This strategic hire comes as McDermott + Bull continues to expand its executive search presence across Europe, further strengthening the firm’s ability to support organizations in identifying and placing high-impact leadership talent,” the firm said. “Gerben’s appointment represents an
The CHRO’s Leadership Imperative in the AI Era
As organizations accelerate their adoption of artificial intelligence, business leaders are increasingly recognizing that successful transformation depends as much on people and leadership as it does on technology itself. HR executives, in particular, are finding themselves at the center of conversations around workforce readiness, employee trust, skills development, and organizational change management. Industry observers note
Cluen Invites Executive Search Firms to Participate in Upcoming 2026 Technology Trends Survey
For more than three decades, Cluen has partnered with leading executive search firms around the world to understand how top-performing recruiters use technology to gain a competitive advantage. Each year, the company’s Top Trends in Executive Search Technology survey uncovers the strategies, priorities, and innovations shaping the future of the profession. How are executive search firms balancing the rapid adoption of AI
Lindauer Retained by C-SPAN for Chief Development Officer Search
Virtually every industry needs top-drawer chief development officers. CDOs play a key role in planning, coordinating, and administering capital campaigns, corporate giving, and galvanizing new donors while keeping previous funders content. Implementing funding strategies that “keep the lights on,” according to recruiters specializing in the function, is job No. 1. Lindauer has been retained by C-SPAN to
NPAG Seeking Executive Director for the California Youth Defender Center
Executive search firm NPAG has been selected by the California Youth Defender Center (CYDC) to lead in its search for a new executive director. This search is being led by Ellen LaPointe and Phuong Quach. This is a unique opportunity to lead a respected and influential organization at a pivotal moment, shaping the future of youth justice
Lochlin Partners Helps Fill Senior Position for Business Roundtable
Lochlin Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Stefani Jones as senior director of policy at Business Roundtable (BRT). Ms. Jones is an accomplished technology policy leader with deep expertise at the intersection of cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and national security. Her experience spans the White House, the private sector, and senior federal policy roles. She
Why Executives Should Think Carefully Before Accepting Counteroffers
Few moments in an executive’s career carry as much complexity as the decision to resign from a leadership role and pursue a new opportunity. What often begins as a strategic career move can quickly become emotionally charged once a current employer responds with incentives aimed at reversing that decision. Recruiters and leadership advisors note that
Funk Associates Tapped by the University of North Florida to Lead Search for Eighth President
Funk Associates was recently retained by the University of North Florida (UNF) to lead a national search for its eighth president. Past president Moez Limayem stepped down from his position in early 2026. The presidential search committee, chaired by UNF board of trustees member Jack Boyle, plays a critical role in this process, focusing on
Acertitude Recruits CEO for PE-Backed Zep Inc.
Acertitude has placed Tim Feast as the new CEO of Zep Inc., a Truelink Capital portfolio company. The search was led by partner, Geoff Votta and principal, Rod Vaughan with support from Matthew Marasco and Maryanne Santospirito. Mr. Feast steps into the role with a mandate to accelerate growth, sharpen execution, and lead Zep into its
SearchWide Global Seeking CEO for Visit California
SearchWide Global is currently seeking a new CEO for Visit California. The assignment is being led by Mike Gamble, chairman, CEO, and co-founder of SearchWide. Visit California is seeking a collaborative, visionary, and politically astute leader to serve as the next CEO. As the organization’s chief strategist, brand steward, and operational head, the CEO works
Intersearch Worldwide Elects Chairwoman and New Board Members
InterSearch Worldwide, a global alliance of executive search companies, has announce the newly elected board following and the appointment of Vanessa Delacourt as chairwoman, marking an exciting new chapter and reinforcing the organization’s commitment to innovation and sustainable growth. The board has welcomed: Leslie Cooper A. (Chile); Vanessa Delacourt (Benelux); Frank Schelstraete (Belgium); Henri Vidalinc
The Platform Shift Reshaping Human Capital M&A
Hunt Scanlon Ventures’ 2026 Human Capital Markets Update: Q1 M&A Report points to a market undergoing rapid institutionalization. Human capital M&A is no longer centered around standalone recruiting firms or opportunistic acquisitions. Instead, buyers are consolidating around integrated platforms that combine executive search, leadership advisory, workforce analytics, succession planning, and AI-enabled infrastructure. The shift reflects a broader
WittKieffer Recruits 22nd President for the University of Tulsa
Oak Brook, IL-based WittKieffer has placed Stacy Leeds as the 22nd president of the University of Tulsa (UTulsa). Zachary Smith, Robin Mamlet, and Julia Bradley led the assignment. Ms. Leeds was selected following a competitive and comprehensive national search. Members of the search committee and full board were drawn to her unique portfolio of executive management, philanthropic success and unimpeachable academic credibility. “Stacy
SPMB Recruits CFO for AbsenceSoft
SPMB Executive Search has recruited Megan Wood as CFO of AbsenceSoft, a Denver, CO-based employee leave management and accommodations platform. Jon Landau and Laura Ayre led the assignment. “The market opportunity in front of AbsenceSoft is significant, and Megan brings the right financial and operational depth to meet it,” said Chris Murphy, CEO of AbsenceSoft. “Her proven track record at fast-growth, innovative companies on
AGB Search Helps Recruit 20th President for the University of Montana
Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, has assisted in the recruitment of Jeremiah Shinn as the 20th president of the University of Montana. His selection follows a national search that drew more than 70 accomplished applicants from across the country. Roderick McDavis, James H. McCormick and Janice S. Fitzgerald led the assignment. “Dr. Shinn’s on-campus visit
TurnkeyZRG Appoints Vice President
TurnkeyZRG has expanded with the addition of Sean Magee as vice president. “College and professional football are being reshaped in real time — by revenue sharing, NIL, the transfer portal, and unprecedented financial and operational complexity,” said Chad Chatlos, managing partner, ZRG Turnkey. “Sean lived inside that disruption as a senior operator. He understands what it
Stepping into the Founder’s Shoes: Evaluating Your Internal Leadership Options
CEO succession is crucial because it ensures leadership continuity, aligns the organization’s vision with its future goals, and minimizes disruption during transitions, safeguarding the company’s long-term success. When it comes to founder succession, the stakes are especially high, according to a recent report from leadership advisory firm Egon Zehnder’s Anna Auerbach. So often, the founder
Passage and Associates Tapped to Find Healthcare CEO
Executive search firm Passage and Associates LLC, has been retained by Kittitas Valley Healthcare to lead its search for a president and chief executive officer. The hunt for a new CEO follows the termination of past chief Paul Nurick last June. Managing director Jennifer Robinson is leading the search along with founder Jim Passage. In the coming weeks, the
Isaacson, Miller Finds 10th President for Western Kentucky University
Executive search firm Isaacson, Miller has placed Dr. Timothy Caboni as the 10th president of Western Kentucky University (WKU). He will begin his duties July 1st following the retirement of president Gary A. Ransdell. Isaacson, Miller vice presidents Mike Baer and Dan Rodas led the assignment. “The presidential search committee and the WKU board of regents spent countless hours over the
JR Partners Appoints President
Executive search firm JR Partners has named Josh Gonnella as president and senior managing partner. He will be based primarily in Connecticut and New York with responsibility for the firm’s global activities. The firm has 20 years of experience specializing in financial services, global hospitality, and the digital media sectors. Mr. Gonnella joins founding partner and chief operating officer
How Will Trump Build His Leadership Team?
Exceptional times require exceptional leadership teams. Now that the presidential election is over, two top recruiters say the key to ‘making America great again’ is laying out a strategic series of presidential appointments. And that begs this important question: How does the new administration plan to build a massive leadership team of more than 4,000
TillmanCarlson Recruits CIO for Roadrunner Transportation Systems
Executive search firm TillmanCarlson has recruited Scott Cousins as chief information officer of Roadrunner Transportation Systems. Founder Rob Tillman and managing director Kelly Carlson led the assignment. Mr. Cousins is in charge of all information technology solutions and services at Roadrunner. He is responsible for digital transformation, working with senior leadership to deliver the digital capabilities required to better
Odgers Berndtson Launches eSports Practice
Competition is heating up in the sports recruiting space. With the global eSports market set to grow north of $500 million in 2017, executive search firm Odgers Berndtson is jumping in by combining expertise from two of its existing practices: sports and gaming. The search team, based out of the firm’s London office, will operate globally and have
McAulay Smith Lands CFO for Snyder’s-Lance
The McAulay Smith Firm has placed Alexander Pease as executive vice president and chief financial officer of Snyder’s-Lance, Inc. He replaced Rick Puckett, who left his role in November. President Steven Smith lead the assignment. Mr. Pease joins the company from McKinsey & Co., bringing significant financial expertise and cross industry experience to the Snyder’s-Lance organization.
Talengo Continues Expansion
Madrid-headquartered executive search firm Talengo has named Adriana Marfil and Sofía Said as associate directors in its subsidiaries in Mexico and Colombia. A specialist in the financial and professional service sectors, Ms. Marfil’s incorporation will be key to reinforcing the growth that the firm has experienced in Latin America, where last year its subsidiaries in Mexico and
Tribune Media Turns to Korn Ferry for Next Chief
Peter Liguori has announced he will be stepping down as chief executive officer of Tribune Media Co. as the company refocuses on TV broadcasting and searches for deals in a looser regulatory environment under President Donald Trump. The company has turned to Korn Ferry to find its next leader. The board of directors has chosen one of the
Pi Group Pushes Further Into Accessory Services
Boutique search firms continue their push into offering accessory services, from talent mapping and coaching to assessment and high performance team building. Now comes outplacement. The Pi Group, a fast growing consumer goods talent advisory group based in Darien, CT, is expanding its services to help candidates transition to new chapters in their lives. By delivering
Preston & Partners Recruits Operating Chief for Kirkland’s
Executive search firm Preston & Partners has placed Mike Cairnes as executive vice president and chief operating officer of Kirkland’s, Inc. Managing partner Elaine Erickson led the assignment. Mr. Cairnes brings 25 years of experience in home décor retailing and manufacturing to Kirkland’s and will focus on improving execution and consistency across the organization. In his role as COO, he will
ManpowerGroup Posts Two Percent Revenue Increase
ManpowerGroup / (NYSE:MAN) posted full year revenues of $19.7 billion, an increase of two percent from the prior year and an increase of four percent in constant currency. The company posted fourth quarter revenues of $5.0 billion, which was equal to the year earlier period. Financial results in the quarter were significantly impacted by the stronger U.S. dollar relative to
Americans Optimistic About Jobs As Trump Presidency Begins
More than half of U.S. adults (53 percent) say that the recent election results will have a positive effect on job creation, this according to the latest results of a new ‘American Staffing Association Workforce Monitor‘ survey conducted online by Harris Poll. More than half (55 percent) of adults polled say job creation was more important in this
Cheyenne Group Merges With SRi
There’s been yet another combination among search firm boutiques. The Cheyenne Group and SRi have merged, creating a global recruiting business dedicated to the fast growing media and sports & entertainment sectors. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. Founded in 1999, The Cheyenne Group provides search and consulting services by assisting management teams and
Next Generation In Hunt for West Virginia University CIO
Next Generation Executive Search has been retained by West Virginia University to lead its search for a new chief information officer (CIO) and associate provost for information technology. Managing partners Mary Beth Baker and Phil Goldstein are leading the assignment. The school said it is seeking an inspiring leader for the position who will provide a strong vision for
Verriez Executive Search Expands
Verriez Executive Search has expanded its staff with the addition of Brent Verriez as vice president. He brings over 11 years of experience in finance and accounting. “Having successfully run a retained search practice since 1985 specializing in CFOs and other senior level financial officer positions, it became increasingly apparent that I needed to formulate an
Kingsley Gate Taps New CEO for PrecisionHawk
Executive search firm Kingsley Gate Partners has placed Michael Chasen as chief executive officer of PrecisionHawk in Raleigh, NC. Mr. Chasen will report to the board of directors and will also hold a seat on the board. Bill Trau, senior partner at Kingsley Gate Partners, led the assignment. As a serial entrepreneur and veteran technology
Spencer Stuart Leading CEO Search for SHRM
Henry G. Jackson, who served as president and CEO of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) during a time of growth in its membership and services, has announced his retirement. The organization has retained Spencer Stuart to lead the search for his replacement. SHRM, the world’s largest HR association, has been led by Mr. Jackson since 2010.
Klein Hersh Recruits President and CEO for PCCI
Executive search firm Klein Hersh has placed Steve Miff PhD, as president and chief executive officer of PCCI. Matt Azarva, senior director of the firm’s healthcare analytic practice, led the assignment. Dr. Miff succeeds former president and CEO, Ruben Amarasingham MD, who has led the organization since its inception. Dr. Amarasingham leaves the role to dedicate his efforts on PCCI’s
Kennedy Executive Search Partners With Ikelosz In Budapest
Kennedy Executive Search & Consulting, a network of independent executive search firms, has partnered with Ikelosz in Budapest to strengthen its presence in Central Eastern Europe, an expanding region for recruiters. George Kobelrausch, Ikelosz’s founder, has been working in the search sector since 2005 after a career spanning blue chip companies, including Unilever. He has a
Morgan Samuels Acquires Human Capital Consulting Firm
L.A.-based executive search firm Morgan Samuels has acquired human capital consulting firm Delivery Point Advisors. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Delivery Point offers a spectrum of solutions designed to help clients unlock potential from their people, including executive assessment & development; high performance team building; functional assessment & roadmap design; organization design; change management; and
Robert Half Posts Flat Revenues
Robert Half International Inc. / (NYSE:RHI) posted full year revenues of $5.25 billion, down one percent from a year ago. That result failed to meet Wall Street forecasts. The Menlo Park, CA-based company posted fourth quarter revenues of $1.30 billion, an increase of three percent from the same period last year. For the year, net income was $343 million, or $2.67
How Automation Will Alter the Jobs Landscape
Rarely a day goes by without news of digitization, artificial intelligence and virtual reality impacting the workplace. Business leaders, politicians and economists want to quantify technology’s impact on employment — but no one knows for sure what the outcome will be. Plenty has been written predicting the future: more jobs, different jobs, less jobs, temp
Make-A-Wish Picks Koya Leadership Partners for Marketing Chief Search
Executive search firm Koya Leadership Partners has been retained by Make-A-Wish America to lead its search for a chief development and marketing officer (CDMO). Koya vice presidents Marissa Martin and Trisha Sutrisno are leading the assignment. Make-A-Wish America is seeking an innovative fundraising and marketing leader strategist to serve as its next chief development and marketing officer to advance the organization’s efforts
StevenDouglas Continues Expansion
Executive search firm StevenDouglas has expanded with the opening of a new office in Raleigh, NC and the addition of Jonathan Stiegler to lead its new finance and accounting practice in New York. Senior vice president Jon Bolton will be providing leadership to the new Raleigh office. He also currently heads the firm’s New York office. His expertise has been
Catalyst Advisors Completes Top Search for Gilead Sciences
Executive search firm Catalyst Advisors has placed Alessandro Riva, M.D., at Gilead Sciences, Inc. as senior vice president of hematology and oncology therapeutic area head and member of its executive committee. Catalyst recruiter Stephen J. Williams, Ph.D., led the search along with colleague Amy Bottoms. He will report to executive vice president of clinical research John McHutchison,
Amrop Expands Footprint to Norway
Norwegian executive search firm Delphi Consulting AS has joined Amrop‘s global partnership of recruiting firms. The inclusion adds significant presence for Amrop in Norway, and strengthens its capabilities across the Nordics region.The organization currently has 75 offices in 53 countries throughout Asia, EMEA, and the Americas. Led by Arne Gunnar Dokken as managing partner, Delphi Consulting is
Phillips Oppenheim Recruits CEO for Library Company of Philadelphia
Executive search firm Phillips Oppenheim has placed Dr. Michael J. Barsanti as chief executive officer of The Library Company of Philadelphia. Dr. Barsanti succeeds Dr. Richard Newman, who resigned this past summer due to family health issues. Search firm principals Susan Meade and Adelaide Jones led the assignment. Founded in 1731 by Benjamin Franklin, it is America’s oldest cultural institution and
Onstott Group Keeps It a Family Affair With New Hire
Executive search firm The Onstott Group has named Cullen Onstott as a vice president. Mr. Onstott joined the firm several months ago and will be based in Houston. Prior to joining The Onstott Group, Mr. Onstott was an energy trader at DTE Energy Trading. Previously, he spent five years at Morgan Stanley in the firm’s institutional commodities division in
Quick Leonard Kieffer Taps CIO for Brookhaven Memorial
Executive search firm Quick Leonard Kieffer has recruited Matthew Peddie as chief information officer of Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center in Suffolk County, NY. Founder and CEO Roger Quick led the search. Mr. Peddie is a customer-facing, business-savvy, strategic-minded executive that brings to the position experience leading technology operations in a large, integrated health system. Before joining Brookhaven, he served
Snodgrass Partners Names President
Executive search firm Snodgrass Partners has announced that Tom Jacobs will transition from sports recruitment partner to president. Founder Steve Snodgrass, who previously served as president and chief executive officer, will remain CEO. The firm also added Lee Dicklitch as vice president of collegiate sports and Larry Bonfante and Dr. Mark Kovacs as strategic partners. Mr.
