DAILY NEWSWIRE - TOP STORIES
Daily Newswire
VC and PE Talent Partners Should Be Pursuing the Same Marketing Leader — Here’s Why
For much of the last decade, talent partners could draw a clean line between marketing leadership profiles in venture-backed and private-equity-backed companies. Venture portfolios hired for invention, narrative, and early demand discovery while private equity portfolios hired for discipline, efficiency, and EBITDA stewardship, according to a recent report from RevelOne’s John Levisay. “That distinction has eroded,”
Buffkin / Baker Assists Florida Atlantic University with Provost Search
Partner-led executive search firm Buffkin / Baker has assisted in the recruitment of Ken Dawson-Scully, as provost and executive vice president for academic affairs of Florida Atlantic University. “I am excited to welcome Ken back to Florida Atlantic,” said Florida Atlantic president Adam Hasner. “When I became president, I committed to conducting a national search for a
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.
Academic Search Seeking Provost for James Madison University
Education-focused executive recruitment firm Academic Search has been selected by James Madison University to lead in its search for a new provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. Senior consultant Ann Die Hasselmo, consultant Christopher Butler, and associate consultant Kate Cusimano are leading the assignment. The school seeks an innovative and responsive leader to serve as its next provost and senior
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?
ForceBrands Appoints Head of Executive Search
ForceBrands, a hiring and talent solutions partner for the consumer industry, has strengthened its executive search practice with the addition of Brian Waivada. He will lead the team and oversee the practice’s continued expansion. “This appointment builds on the strength and momentum of our executive search practice,” said Rob Ganjon, CEO of ForceBrands. “We’ve spent
Potential vs. Performance: Rethinking the Leadership Pipeline
Being a successful business leader has always been associated with a fast-paced management style, but today more than ever, leaders must constantly adapt and be prepared to navigate rapid change. Leadership roles across organizations of all types have become increasingly complex, requiring the ability to balance competing priorities at the same time. In this environment,
DHR Global Grows Sports Practice with Jobplex’s Acquisition of Ascension Sports Partners
Jobplex, the Chicago-based partner company of DHR Global, has acquired Ascension Sports Partners, an executive search and talent advisory firm specializing in sports, entertainment, and collegiate athletics. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Ascension founder and president Dan Rossetti joins Jobplex as a partner, working alongside DHR’s sports practice. “This acquisition marks an important expansion of
Russell Reynolds Associates Tapped by the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization to Lead CEO Search
Global leadership advisory firm Russell Reynolds Associates has been retained by the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) to lead in its search for a new president and chief executive officer. Andrew Kriegler, its inaugural president and CEO, has informed the board of directors that he will not be seeking a further term. The board has commenced the
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
Solomon Page Launches AI 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
How to Identify Leadership Potential in Private Equity Acquisitions
Private equity firms excel at finance and technology but too often lag in talent strategy, particularly in portfolio company management. While many private equity firms already assess leaders through interviews and track record analysis, these methods can miss critical predictors of success, according to a new report from Hogan Assessments, a global provider of personality
ManpowerGroup Acquires Ciber’s Spain Business
ManpowerGroup has signed a purchase agreement with Ciber, Inc., a global information technology consulting, services and outsourcing company, to acquire its business in Spain. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. The deal builds on ManpowerGroup’s already established business in Spain. Since 1988, ManpowerGroup Spain has offered workforce solutions across its five brands — Manpower, Experis, ManpowerGroup Solutions,
Here Are Some Talent Management Trends Transforming HR
Executives continue to say that their organizations cannot succeed without assertive HR leaders who can take a strong stance on talent issues and use relevant facts, including data analytics, to deliver an informed point of view. This makes understanding current talent management trends essential for HR leaders everywhere. Marc Effron, founder of non-profit HR networking
Ventura Partners Recruits President for Zildjian
Executive search firm Ventura Partners has recruited John Stephans as president of the Zildjian Company. He will report directly to chief executive officer Craigie Zildjian. Bob Damon, a partner at Ventura, led the assignment. Mr. Stephans is the former CEO of IdeaPaint. Earlier in his career, he held a series of senior level marketing and sales positions with Gillette,
Diversified Search Names HR Practice Co-Leader
Executive search firm Diversified Search has appointed veteran recruiter Chris Berger to co-lead its human resources practice with managing director Judy Boreham. With more than 25 years in human resources executive search, Mr. Berger most recently was co-founder of Connecticut-based search boutique RomanoBerger LLC, where he worked alongside partner Darren Romano. They collectively completed hundreds of
Credit Union Resources Recruits Richfield-Bloomington CEO
Executive search firm Credit Union Resources has placed Gregory Worthen as chief executive officer of the Richfield-Bloomington Credit Union (RBCU) in Houston. Mr. Worthen’s 20-plus years of bank and credit union experience, and over 15 years of senior management experience, is expected to be a valuable asset to the executive team at the $270 million
Toft Group Expands Leadership Team
Executive search firm Toft Group Executive Search has added Lucy Lu to its leadership team as senior vice president. She will support Toft Group’s entrepreneurial client base in northern California. Ms. Lu previously served as chief commercial officer for iNDx Lifecare Inc., a point-of-care diagnostic startup, and SVP of corporate and business development at Crescendo Bioscience. She previously
Four HR Roles That Matter Most
Chief executives increasingly recognize the positive impact that HR can have on talent attraction and retention, setting company culture, and defending the bottom line. Consequently, they are demanding more and more from their top C-suite HR leaders, particularly chief talent officers and CHROs, who are responding by elevating their functional performance to deliver more for
Search Firms Strengthen Industrial Practices By Turning to Rivals
Korn Ferry has added Patrick Walsh to its global industrial search practice. He will be based in the company’s Minneapolis office. Mr. Walsh joins Korn Ferry from Spencer Stuart, where he was a leader and significant contributor to the firm’s growth in Minneapolis and the industrial market worldwide. Focused on recruiting board directors, general management leaders and financial
Bradbury Miller Leading CEO Search for Enoch Pratt Free Library
Executive search firm Bradbury Miller Associates, formerly known as Gossage Sager Associates, has been retained by Enoch Pratt Free Library of Baltimore City to lead its search for a new chief executive officer. Dan Bradbury, Bradbury Miller managing partner, is leading the assignment. The library’s CEO is one of the most historically significant librarian positions in the country.
CPS HR Consulting Finds New Leader for the Coastal Commission
Executive search firm CPS HR Consulting has placed Jack Ainsworth as executive director of the Coastal Commission. In his new role, he will lead the agency in its continuing mission to protect and enhance the California coast. Mr. Ainsworth is the commission’s fifth executive director in four decades and will lead a current staff of 156 people
Stanton Chase Creates New Leadership Team In India
Four Stanton Chase executives have stepped up to lead the firm’s push into India: Amit Agarwal, Ashwini Prakash, Mala Chawla, and Sripad KN. They will share ownership and leadership responsibilities across the country. The four consultants will play a hands-on role in originating and executing searches. Their pan-India, multi-sector experience will connect their extensive networks on a
Employees Will be Easy to Lose and Hard to Hire in 2017
It’s become clear over the last several years that the job market has been not only recovering, but transitioning. Consequently, the latest changes wrought have given way to an entirely new type of candidate profile, report recruiters from the field. Interestingly, working professionals themselves are leading the way — and they’ve become all too aware
Young Mayden Tapped by New York State Bar to Find New Leader
Executive search firm Young Mayden was recently retained by the New York State Bar Association to lead its search for a new executive director. Pamela McDevitt is expected to be named to the post within the next few days. Search firm founder Barbara Mayden, who specializes in executive searches for the legal community, led the assignment. The executive director is
Egon Zehnder Leading CEO Search for Autodesk
Autodesk has tapped executive search and leadership solutions firm Egon Zehnder to find its next chief executive officer. Carl Bass is stepping down after serving for more than a decade as the 3D software company’s CEO. Mr. Bass’ resignation occurs less than a year after the company made a deal with two of its activist investors to change things up. As
JM Search Expands Into Seattle and Los Angeles
JM Search, a senior level talent provider serving private equity investors, portfolio companies and Fortune 1000s, continues to expand its footprint across the U.S., this time to Seattle and Los Angeles. The expansion is being led by Kevin Kernan, a former software executive and executive recruiter who joined the firm as a partner in 2016.
Frazer Jones Opens In Milan
Executive search firm Frazer Jones, part of The SR Group, has opened a new office in Milan. This will be the SR Group’s second offering in Italy following its Taylor Root subsidiary launch in early 2016. Frazer Jones will focus on the HR market in Italy and will also take on searches in Southern Europe. The team will
Noetic Search Lands CEO for Duke of Edinburgh Foundation
Noetic Search has recruited Elizabeth Higgins-Beard as chief executive officer of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation – USA. The organization promotes a prestigious U.K.-based personal development award for youth around the world. Rhyan Zweifler, president of the Chicago recruitment firm, led the assignment. Ms. Higgins-Beard will be responsible for leading and managing the award in the U.S. Based in Chicago, her main focus will be to scale and raise awareness
ZRG Partners Expands In Seattle, Calgary and Frankfurt
Executive search firm ZRG Partners continues to be in growth mode. The firm recently named Allen Brady and Peter Gremillion as managing directors its industrial practice group as well as Jill Schofield as managing director and head of its global mining practice. In addition to his industrial experience, Mr. Brady will add sector depth to ZRG’s aerospace and defense team providing West
Benchmark Executive Search Recruits Chief Security Officer for SSL MDA Holdings
Benchmark Executive Search has placed Phil Robinson as the new chief security officer of SSL MDA Holdings. Jeremy King, president of Benchmark, led the assignment. Mr. Robinson will report to the senior vice president, chief legal and compliance officer and work in partnership with the senior management team and the government security committee at SSL MDA.
Norman Broadbent Names Executive Search Head
U.K.-headquartered recruiter Norman Broadbent has appointed Tim Hammett as managing partner and head of executive search. Mr. Hammett has a 17 year track record in the field and an in-depth knowledge of the C-level market. Most recently, he was a partner with Wilton & Bain in London. He entered search in 2000 and has worked at
Caissa Global Opens In Germany
London-headquartered executive search firm Caissa Global has opened a new office in Berlin in the heart of the German capital to better serve its local clients. “Being on the ground in Berlin makes it easier to work more closely with our clients here as well as with local job candidates,” said Konstanty Sliwowski, Caissa Global founder and managing partner.
Here’s One Way to Diversify Your Boardroom
This past year, boardroom diversity in Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies increased for women and certain minority groups, according to the ‘Missing Pieces Report: The 2016 Board Diversity Census of Women and Minorities on Fortune 500 Boards,’ a multiyear study published by the Alliance for Board Diversity (ABD), collaborating with Deloitte. But minority men and women experienced
Odgers Berndtson Expands Leadership Services
Executive search firms continue their push into offering accessory services, from talent mapping and coaching to assessment and high performance team building. The latest entrant: Odgers Berndtson, which is expanding its leadership practice to include executive and team leadership assessment, coaching and onboarding. Organizational psychologist Dr. Robert Satterwhite is spearheading the new effort. “With a shortage
DHR International In Hunt for Athletic Director at University of Pittsburgh
Universities continue to turn to search firms to find athletic leadership. DHR is the latest recruiting outfit to be retained to fill an AD role: this time for the University of Pittsburgh. Glenn Sugiyama, DHR’s managing partner and global sports practice leader, is heading the assignment along with partner Pat Richter who spearheads the firm’s specialized
Chason Group Lands CEO for Athens Area Community Foundation
Executive search firm The Chason Group has placed Sarah H. McKinney as president and chief executive officer of the Athens Area Community Foundation. Past CEO Delene Porter recently announced her resignation. Tim Chason, the firm’s president, led the assignment. Candidates were chosen for interviews based on their previous positions and skills sets. Leadership, business acumen and development were identified early by
Eric Salmon & Partners Names Co-Leaders
Executive search firm Eric Salmon & Partners has announced that its long-standing president, Massimo Milletti, has handed over management of the search firm to two partners who will co-head the partnership. Sophie Wigniolle from the firm’s Paris office will lead the together with Raoul Nacke, a managing director in Frankfurt. “I am proud to announce that Sophie
Majority of Executives Would Not Take Job of U.S. President
A vast majority of corporate professionals would much rather take the helm of their own organization than become President of the United States, according to recent survey by Korn Ferry. In a survey of nearly 1,500 respondents, only 15 percent said they would choose being chief executive of the highest office in the land over being CEO
Professional Women Still Seek Equality Climbing the Corporate Ladder
It has been decades since professional women have pushed into the higher echelons of corporate management. Yet the ultimate objective of full equality eludes many of them. While corporate boards – and the recruiters who represent them in the marketplace – have implemented diversification initiatives, the C-suite nevertheless remains largely the domain of white men.
IES Consulting Leading Chief Legal Officer Search for Episcopal Church
Executive search firm IES Consulting has been retained by The Episcopal Church (TEC) in New York City to lead its search for a chief legal officer. Dr. George Conway, IES Consulting president, is leading the assignment. The position will function as the organization’s general counsel and report to its chair. The church’s chief legal officer will be responsible for
Taylor Winfield Places CEO at Softline
Executive search firm Taylor Winfield has placed Gordon Brooks as chief executive officer of Softline. The global CEO reports to the board of directors and will deal primarily with international business development, process optimization and structuring the company for rapid growth. Mr. Brooks has more than 30 years of software and services technology experience. Prior to joining Softline, he
Johnson Names Professional Services, M&A Practice Leader
Sydney-based executive search firm Johnson has appointed Warren Riddell as partner and leader of its professional services and mergers & acquisitions practices. Mr. Riddell is an advisor to professional services firms in Australia. During his corporate advisory career spanning 30 years, he has worked in private investment companies and professional services firms around the globe. In
