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Daily Newswire
Delayed September Report Shows U.S. Added 119,000 Jobs
After a delay due to the government shutdown, employment rose by 119,000 in September as the U.S. unemployment rate stands at 4.4 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. Employment continued to trend up in healthcare, food services and drinking places, and social assistance. Job losses occurred in transportation and warehousing and
Morgan Samuels Company Recruits Chief Marketing Officer for Horizon Family Brands
Nashville, TN-based executive search firm Morgan Samuels Company has assisted in the recruitment of Andrew Springate as chief marketing officer of Horizon Family Brands, part of the Platinum Equity portfolio. Bert Hensley, Ken Wilcox, Stacy Fitzgerald, Justin Kai Ossola, Dana Pontious, Heidi Simons, and Raquel De La Vega led the assignment. “Andrew is a strong fit
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.
The Importance of Emotional Intelligence in Achieving Success as a Modern Executive
In today’s fast-changing business world, leadership demands more than just technical expertise and strategic vision. Emotional intelligence (EQ) has become an essential skill for executives, empowering them to lead with empathy, navigate complex relationships, and foster a thriving organizational culture. As organizations prioritize human-centric leadership, executives with high emotional intelligence are better positioned to drive both team
Vaco Acquires Two Boutiques
Talent solutions firm Vaco has acquired Pivot Point Consulting based in Seattle and boutique executive search firm Greythorn in Bellevue, WA. Financial teams of the deal were not disclosed. The new acquisitions bring together more than 50 employees and 250 consultants across the nation. “Expanding our team to include Pivot Point and Greythorn enhances Vaco’s extensive healthcare network
BridgeStreet Partners Places CFO at Centennial Real Estate Company
Executive search firm BridgeStreet Partners has recruited Temple H. Weiss as chief financial officer of Centennial Real Estate Company. Dave Westberry, managing director of BridgeStreet Partners, led the assignment. Mr. Weiss is said to be a results oriented leader with an established record in creating value and leading growth in large and small, multi-unit organizations under public
Parker Fills Head Football Coach Post for Oregon
[Atlanta-based Parker Executive Search has recruited Willie Taggart as head football coach of the University of Oregon. The Ducks fired Mark Helfrich after four seasons at which time the search was commenced. Oregon finished the season 4-8, the first time it has finished a season with a losing record and without a bowl appearance since 2004. The move comes just two years
SRI Executive Search Names Global Sustainability Partner
[Ireland-headquartered SRI Executive Search has named Yvo de Boer as a partner and senior advisor in global sustainability. For SRI, the appointment marks a further commitment to the international development sector. With the addition of Mr. de Boer, SRI will assist organizations as they juggle the demands of ‘relevancy,’ the issue of ‘sustainability’ and an organization’s ‘fit for purpose,’
Wealth Effect: Identifying Unique Leaders to Run a Family Office
A traditional family office is a business run by, and for, a single family. Its sole function is to centralize the management of a significant family fortune. Typically, these organizations employ staff to manage investments, taxes, philanthropic activities, trusts, and legal matters. The purpose of a family office is to invest the family’s money, manage its assets, and disburse
Pi Executive Recruits Marketing Head for BIC
[Talent advisory firm Pi Executive has recruited Ross Ullman as head of marketing North America for BIC. The search was conducted by partner and board member Pierre Trippitelli and assisted by director Katherine MacLane. Mr. Ullman brings with him over 18 years of experience growing billion dollar brands and smaller brand portfolios across a variety of over-the-counter, consumer packed goods,
Ross & Company Places Chief Revenue Officer at Apixio
[Executive search firm Ross & Company has placed Tom McNamara as chief revenue officer of Apixio. Managing partner Jim O’Sullivan led the assignment. This expansion of Apixio’s leadership team comes after the close of $19.3 million in Series D funding led by SSM Partners. Mr. McNamara brings 25 years of experience building successful sales organizations for healthcare technology and analytics companies. Prior to
Ducatus Partners Expands In Houston
[Executive search firm Ducatus Partners has expanded its Houston team with two senior hires. The appointments support its diversification into the infrastructure, power and renewables sectors while further strengthening its position in the oil & gas industry. Jack Coker and Allister Graham will join the team as principals to focus on senior client relations. Driven by the ever-increasing role
AIMS International Names Energy Sector Recruiting Specialist
[AIMS International has appointed South Africa partner Leonie Pentz to lead its energy practice. As an executive search professional with 20-plus years’ experience in the recruitment industry and extensive exposure to the utilities, downstream and renewable energy segments in the SADC region, Ms. Pentz brings expertise to the firm’s current energy team and AIMS clients. Working for a high
Isaacson, Miller Seeking Juilliard's Seventh President
[Executive search firm Isaacson, Miller has been retained by The Juilliard School to lead the search for its seventh president. For the last 32 years, Joseph Polisi has served as the organization’s president. The school hopes to have a new leader in place by next summer. Isaacson, Miller chairman John Isaacson is leading the search with vice president Sheryl Ash and associate Cortney
Cejka Expands Healthcare Search Staff
[Cejka Executive Search has named Mary D’Ignazio as executive vice president and managing principal. She will lead a national practice that partners with hospitals, health systems and health-related organizations on executive search engagements for senior level healthcare executives. Ms. D’Ignazio’s focus, which is on search engagements for newly created senior roles at the health-system level, is
Waverly Partners Recruits Salina Community Development Leader
[Executive search firm Waverly Partners has placed D. Mitch Robinson as executive director of the Salina Community Economic Development Organization (SCEDO) in Kansas. In this role, Mr. Robinson will serve as the top officer of the organization, responsible for all administrative and management functions while executing the mission of the SCEDO. He comes to Salina from his most recent
Harrier Human Capital Acquires Australian Executive Search Firm
[Talent management company Harrier Human Capital (Harrier) has extended its service offerings through the acquisition of Oceans Group, an executive search firm based in Sydney and Singapore. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Established in 2010, Oceans Group provides executive search solutions across Australia, Asia and Europe. The firm has a breadth of industry and
Per Ardua Names HR / Diversity & Inclusion Practices Leader
[London-based financial services search firm Per Ardua Associates has named Sally Talbot as leader of its HR and diversity & inclusion search practices. In her new role, Ms. Talbot will be responsible for developing Per Ardua’s HR search capability, which delivers executive search services across the entire HR function. She also will be responsible for driving
Korn Ferry Posts 43 Percent Revenue Gain
[Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) has posted 2017 fiscal second quarter revenues of $401.9 million, a 43.2 percent increase compared to revenues of $279.3 million a year ago. Wall Street expected revenues of $395.4 million. The growth was primarily due to increases in fee revenue in Hay Group and the company’s Futurestep segments. Executive search revenues at Korn Ferry
Employee Engagement Must Run Deep to Thrive
Vineet Gambhir, vice president and head of talent for Yahoo! in Asia Pacific, is a true believer in employee engagement. For the concept to succeed, however, it must be deeply woven into the fabric of a company and in turn, the mindset of its workers. Engagement, Vineet explained when we spoke recently, is not something organizations can simply turn on when
DHR International Taps Head Football Coach for Purdue
[Executive search firm DHR International has recruited Jeff Brohm as head football coach for Purdue University. He becomes the 36th head coach in program history. The search was led by DHR managing partner and global sports practice leader Glenn Sugiyama. Purdue is coming off a terrible run the last four seasons under Darrell Hazell in which it won just nine
Lois L. Lindauer Tapped By Phoenix Symphony to Recruit Chief Development Officer
[Executive search firm Lois L. Lindauer Searches has been retained by The Phoenix Symphony to lead its search for a new chief development officer. Search director Zena Lum is leading the assignment. The incoming chief development officer will provide the leadership necessary to guide The Phoenix Symphony to a new level of financial strength and philanthropic support, according to the
Odgers Berndtson Names Managing Partner for Hong Kong
[Executive search firm Odgers Berndtson has appointed Justin McLennan as managing partner for its Hong Kong office. Mr. McLennan has worked in executive search for over two decades in the Asia Pacific region, focusing on financial services. He has lived and worked in Hong Kong since 1997. Prior to joining Odgers Berndtson, Mr. McLennan served as managing director of financial services recruiting boutique
Talengo Appoints Leadership Consultancy Director In Mexico
[Madrid-headquartered executive search firm Talengo named Jorge Mauricio Reynoso as director of its leadership consultancy division in Mexico. His responsibilities will include enhancing the firm’s talent and culture diagnostics and leadership development services within leading sectors in the geographical area. Talengo has been operating for over 20 years in Latin America and has had offices in Colombia
Berkhemer Clayton Recruits CEO for Tournament of Roses
[With the 103rd Rose Bowl just weeks away, executive search firm Berkhemer Clayton has recruited David Eads as executive director and chief executive officer of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association (The Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game). He will join the organization in February 2017. William Flinn, current association executive director, is retiring after more than three decades with
Coleman Lew Elects First Female CEO
[Executive search firm Coleman Lew + Associates has appointed Shana Plott as its new chief executive officer. She becomes the first female CEO in the firm’s 37-year history. The leadership transition is expected to be seamless, as Ms. Plott has been helping manage the search outfit for the past two years. Ms. Plott has been a managing
McAleer Gray In CEO Hunt for Space Foundation
[The Space Foundation has hired Denver-based executive search firm McAleer Gray to conduct a global search for its next CEO. Founding partners Terrance McAleer and Brad Gray are leading the search assignment. Past CEO Elliot Pulham resigned in October and was replaced on an acting basis by the Colorado Springs-based non-profit’s chief operating officer, Shelli Brunswick. While
Korn Ferry Appoints President Global Productized Services
[Korn Ferry has tapped Andrew Huddart to serve as president, global productized services. He will be based out of the firm’s San Francisco office. Mr. Huddart joins Korn Ferry from Deloitte Consulting’s human capital practice, where he was managing director. At Deloitte, Mr. Huddart launched a major new product, BersinOne, delivered double digit revenue growth, rebuilt the
Pedersen & Partners Names Indo-German Business Head
[Executive search firm Pedersen & Partners has named Shavikesh Goel as principal and head of its Indo-German business. Mr. Goel is an experienced management consulting and executive search professional, with a career spanning over 17 years, during which he has serviced clients on a variety of projects in attracting leadership talent and providing solutions across functions and industries.
Unemployment Rate Falls to Lowest Level In Nine Years
[Employers added a solid 178,000 jobs last month as the U.S. unemployment rate fell slightly to 4.6 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. This is the unemployment rate’s lowest standing in nine years. The number of workers unemployed also dropped to 7.4 million. The latest report follows the addition of 161,000 jobs
Parker Leading Head Football Coach Search for Oregon
[The University of Oregon has retained Atlanta-based Parker Executive Search to lead its search for a new head football coach. The Ducks fired Mark Helfrich after four seasons and the search for his replacement now begins. Oregon finished the season 4-8, the first time it has finished a season with a losing record and without a bowl appearance since 2004. The move
Coleman Lew Leading President Search for McLeod Center
[Executive search firm Coleman Lew + Associates has been tapped to lead the president search for McLeod Center, an alcohol and drug treatment services provider. The president position reports to the board of directors and oversees the McLeod Center to ensure that the mission, strategy, values, and goals of the organization are achieved. The incoming leader will carry out all
McDermott & Bull Names Life Sciences Practice Leader
[Executive search firm McDermott & Bull has named Jake Vander Zanden as principal consultant and leader of its life sciences practice. Mr. Vander Zanden brings more than 25 years of life sciences industry experience, including 15 years in a variety of senior global roles with Allergan Pharmaceuticals. He has a proven track record of driving growth and completing turnarounds
Boyden Names Head of HR and Talent Management
[Executive search firm Boyden has appointed Uma Cresswell as a partner and global head of HR and talent management in its financial services practice. She will be based in the firm’s London office. Ms. Cresswell has more than 20 years of experience in senior financial services HR roles and has worked at the C-suite level in Europe, the Middle
Yahoo! HR Leader Examines the ‘Gravitational Pull’ of Employee Engagement
Employee engagement forms the foundation of many talent acquisition leaders’ approach to human capital. Engagement binds employees to an organization’s core values and its purpose. And it is engagement that puts people first, front and center, as an integral part of corporate business strategy. Employee engagement first appeared as a concept in management theory about







