DAILY NEWSWIRE - TOP STORIES
Daily Newswire
Why Executive Hiring Is Shifting to Skills-First Leadership
For decades, executive hiring was guided by a familiar formula. Boards and CEOs focused largely on job titles, employer pedigrees, and years in senior roles when evaluating candidates. A polished résumé was commonly treated as a dependable signal of future performance. Today, that assumption is increasingly questioned, according to a new report from the International Executive Search
Cook Silverman Search Tapped by JVS for Chief Financial and Operating Officer
Greenbrae, CA-based Cook Silverman Search was recently selected by Jewish Vocational & Career Counseling Service (JVS) to lead in its search for a chief financial and operating officer (CFOO). This executive will be responsible for overseeing the operational strategy of the organization with a focus on scalability, efficiency, and financial leadership in support of JVS’s mission
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.
The Moran Company Recruits CEO for The Arc of New Mexico
The Moran Company, an executive recruitment firm that specializes in the non-profit sector, has placed Tracie Fletcher as the new executive director of The Arc of New Mexico. Senior search consultant Bruce Scott led the assignment. “Tracie brings a 25-year track record of leadership in non-profit, government, and community organizations,” The Arc of New Mexico said in a
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?
Solomon Page Launches Retained Executive Search Practice
New York City headquartered executive search firm Solomon Page has launched a retained executive search practice dedicated to artificial intelligence leadership. The practice is led by managing director Ryan Kellner. The practice partners with organizations in financial services, healthcare, life sciences, and venture-backed technology to place chief AI officers, heads of AI, heads of data science, and
Ema Raises $77 Million in Funding
Enterprise adoption of artificial intelligence is moving beyond experimentation as companies look for tools that can deliver measurable outcomes across core business functions. As organizations seek to automate more complex workflows in areas such as HR, IT, and finance, investors are increasingly backing platforms designed to operate at enterprise scale rather than remain stuck in
The Counteroffer Dilemma: What Candidates Need to Know Before Resigning
Landing the job offer of your dreams should be the culmination of a successful search process. But for many professionals, one of the most difficult parts comes after the offer is accepted: telling a current employer they are leaving. A recent report from The Bridger Group examines how companies respond when valued employees resign and
True Launches Boutique Search Practice for Venture-Backed Companies
Global executive talent platform True has launched True Venture Studios, a boutique executive search practice serving founders and venture-backed companies across AI infrastructure, HardTech, SpaceTech, DefenseTech, Fintech, healthcare, and life sciences, among others. “True Venture Studios is our way of reasserting our roots, giving founders a dedicated team that moves at their speed and fights for the
Vetted Solutions Recruits CEO for GO2 for Lung Cancer
Washington, D.C.-based Vetted Solutions has placed David Benson as the new CEO of GO2 for Lung Cancer. “David is an exceptional leader with a deep commitment to improving the lives of people affected by cancer,” said GO2 board president Rick Sherlock. “His collaborative leadership style, strategic vision, and ability to build meaningful partnerships make him the right
TalentRise Assists Grassroots Gardens of WNY with Executive Director Search
TalentRise has assisted in the recruitment of Megan Kelly as the new executive director of Grassroots Gardens of WNY. “We’re thrilled to announce Meg Kelly as the new executive director of Grassroots Gardens WNY,” the organization said. “Meg brings experience to our garden network from her work with the region’s business and entrepreneurship community, and enters
Private Equity Firms Rethink Executive Hiring for Future Growth
PE investors routinely underwrite businesses based on their future state. For example, an investment thesis may assume a restaurant company will double its unit count, accelerate franchising, expand geographically, complete acquisitions, improve margins, or become significantly more institutionalized during the hold period. Executive hiring, however, often remains anchored to the present, according to a new
ON Partners Recruits CFO for Fortera
Partners Josh Nathanson and Chris Clements along with principal Alexis Rohe of ON Partners have placed Albert Luu as the new CFO of cement manufacturer Fortera in San Jose, CA. “Fortera is at a stage where the work we’ve done to prove the technology now has to be matched by our ability to finance and execute at scale,”
BoardWalk Consulting Assists Downtown Atlanta with CEO Search
BoardWalk Consulting has recruited Kyle Waide as the new CEO of Downtown Atlanta Inc. (DAI) to lead in its search for a CEO. The search was led by Sam Pettway, Crystal Stephens, and Patti Kish. The search committee began its work in April of 2026 under the leadership of Egbert Perry, CEO, Integral Group; longtime member of CAP and
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
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
Ezekia Partners with Findex Interim
In today’s fast-paced and constantly shifting business environment, interim talent has become an essential strategic asset. Companies are navigating rapid growth, sudden leadership changes, mergers, digital transformations, and market uncertainty—all of which demand immediate, specialized expertise. Interim executives and consultants offer a unique solution: they can step in quickly, bring deep knowledge to critical projects,
Caldwell Recruits Cybersecurity Expert From Russell Reynolds Associates
Executive search firm Caldwell Partners International has named Matt Comyns as managing partner of its cybersecurity search practice. He will be based in the firm’s Stamford, Conn office. Mr. Comyns has a distinct and well-regarded focus on recruiting chief information security officers and next-level-down top lieutenants in information security for large global corporations and fast growing private companies,
crawfordconnect Leading Foundation CEO Search
Executive search firm crawfordconnect has been retained by The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation in Ontario to lead its search for a new president and chief executive officer. Past CEO Rosemary Smith recently stepped down from her post. Senior search consultant Liz Latimer is leading the assignment. “Based on community stakeholder feedback, The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation
Goodwin Executive Search Lands CEO for Field2Base
Raleigh, NC-headquartered Goodwin Executive Search has placed Tom Bright as chief executive officer at Field2Base. Managing partner Bill Goodwin led the assignment. In his new role, Mr. Bright will be responsible for leading an existing team and aggressively growing revenues through the building of a robust marketing and sales team. A primary task will be to ensure
AIG Selects Egon Zehnder to Find Next CEO
American International Group (AIG) has tapped executive search and leadership solutions firm Egon Zehnder to find its next chief executive officer. Peter D. Hancock, president and CEO, recently informed the board of directors of his intention to resign. Shares of the company were up 1.75 percent in trading after AIG released the news. The incoming CEO will be its sixth since 2005. As
DHR International Leading CIO Search for the State of Alaska
Recruiters specializing in the investment function continue to report that demand for executive level ‘high impact’ investing talent is on the rise. Against that backdrop, DHR International has just been retained by the State of Alaska to lead its search for a new chief investment officer (CIO). Carol Hartman, the search firm’s managing partner of financial services North America,
Executive Recruiter Joins Hunt Club
Veteran search consultant Ali Smith has joined referral recruiting service Hunt Club, where she will oversee Midwest operations, regional go-to-market initiatives, account management, and the customer service / delivery function for the firm. “We’re all really excited to have Ali join the team,” said Nick Cromydas, Hunt Club CEO. “I know she’ll add immediate value to our
Momenta Partners Expands With Three Recruiters
Executive search firm Momenta Partners has expanded with the addition of three new recruiters. Emma Valdivia, who joins the firm as a partner, has more than 12 years of experience leading high profile client searches across the industrial and technology markets. She has executed more than 40 Fortune 100 placements, while supporting critical leadership hires for
Atkinson Macleod Executive Search Opens In Scotland
Search industry veterans Ian Macleod and Paul Atkinson have joined forces to form Atkinson Macleod Executive Search. The firm will focus on board and senior executive level searches for the private and public sectors. While the firm is opening its doors during a period of economic and political uncertainty across the U.K., Mr. Macleod said
A CHRO View on Building Great Teams, From Inside and Out
Managing a large workforce at any company is no easy task. But when that workforce is 32,000 strong, it requires the steady hand of a top human resource leader who will keep everyone motivated, engaged, intact and forward thinking. And that’s across 160 countries encompassing every cultural nuance imaginable. This is the domain of Michael
Spencer Stuart Recruits CEO for Alexion Pharmaceuticals
Executive search firm Spencer Stuart has placed Ludwig N. Hantson Ph.D., as chief executive officer of Alexion Pharmaceuticals. He replaces David Hallal who recently resigned for personal reasons. Dr. Hantson brings to Alexion a strong record of developing diverse rare disease pipelines and commercializing innovative and life-transformative therapies at industry-leading companies. Most recently, he served as president and
HVS Launches Outpost to Serve African Hotel Industry
Tourism’s importance as a driver of the South African economy is increasing and that has led global hospitality consulting firm, HVS, to launch HVS Executive Search Africa, based in Cape Town. The new outpost will focus on corporate positions, general managers and department heads in the hotel industry across the continent. “One of the challenges of
Kennedy Executive Search Names Technology Practice Leader
Kennedy Executive Search & Consulting, a network of independent executive search firms, has named Wayne Redovian as leader of its technology search practice. In his new position, he will coach and guide Kennedy’s executive search operations around IT leadership roles across North America and Europe. Mr. Redovian, managing partner and vice president of operations and marketing, has been with
Neal Lucas to Find New Leader for IoD
Neal Lucas Executive Search has been retained by the Institute of Directors (IoD) in Ireland to lead its search for a new executive director. The incoming leader will develop and be accountable for the delivery of a local strategy to grow the organization’s membership in Northern Ireland. The new director will establish the IoD as
12 Reasons Why Companies Hire Executive Search Firms
Employers typically use an executive search firm when a top job opening is important enough, senior enough and when discretion is at a premium. These three factors warrant the investment of bringing in a search firm. And an investment it is. Retaining a recruiting firm will likely cost a minimum of $75,000, but that figure
Burtch Works Fills Chief Data Scientist Role for Upside Travel
Executive search firm Burtch Works has placed Adam Holmes as chief data scientist at Upside Travel, Priceline founder Jay Walker’s new startup that uses big data to optimize travel deals for business travelers. Founder and managing director, Linda Burtch, led the assignment. Mr. Holmes will spearhead the company’s use of terabytes of data delivered daily from online hotel and airline reservation
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
