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Daily Newswire
Why Executive Hiring in 2026 Must Be More Strategic Than Ever
As the calendar turned to 2026, one question looms large: how will you ensure your next leadership team and your next leadership hire drives strategy, culture, and growth rather than simply filling a gap? With complexity, transformation, and succession pressures mounting, relying on who happens to be looking to join your team is no longer
Academic Search Retained by Henry Ford College to Find Next President
Education-focused executive recruitment firm Academic Search has been tapped by Henry Ford College (HFC) to lead in its search for a new president. Russ Kavalhuna left the school last year to become the president of Western Michigan University. Shirley Robinson Pippins and Richard Cummins are leading the assignment. Candidates will have a career that reflects the following
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.
Hunt Scanlon and HSiQ Build a New Performance Model for Executive Recruiters
As the executive search industry faces growing pressure to deliver stronger and more consistent results, firms are reassessing how recruiters are trained, developed, and prepared to meet changing client demands. A few months ago, Hunt Scanlon and its HSiQ Talent Intelligence advisory unit introduced the Recruiter Performance Training Program, a practical, execution-focused system designed to
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?
U.S. Payrolls Fall by 23,000 in July as Unemployment Rate Dips to 4.1 Percent
Employment fell by 23,000 in July as the U.S. unemployment rate stood at 4.1 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. The number of unemployed people, at 6.9 million, changed little in July. Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rates for teenagers (12.1 percent) and people who are Hispanic (4.6 percent) declined
Parker Remick Expands with New Partner
Seattle, WA-based Parker Remick has appointed Adam Szepkouski as partner of consulting excellence. The firm explained that this hire reflects a broader push to refine execution and scale delivery as demand for senior technology leaders accelerates. The appointment comes at a time of structural change in technology leadership. AI is reshaping how technology organizations are built and
The Data Migration Paralysis Problem: Why Firms Stay on Old Platforms Too Long
Technology has become a defining competitive advantage for executive search firms, yet many organizations continue to rely on aging platforms that no longer innovate. While artificial intelligence, automation, and data-driven workflows are reshaping the industry, the hesitation to replace legacy systems often leaves firms struggling with inefficiencies that quietly accumulate over time. The greatest obstacle
Recruiterflow Offers Four-Step Playbook for Building an AI-Native Search Firm
Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how executive search firms identify talent, manage information, engage candidates, and serve clients. But adopting an AI-powered platform alone does not make a recruiting organization AI-native. The larger challenge is integrating technology across the search lifecycle in ways that improve decision-making, strengthen execution, and allow consultants to devote more attention
Kirk Palmer Associates Recruits Chief Merchandising Officer for Belk
Retail-focused executive search firm Kirk Palmer Associates has helped to recruit Molly Taylor as chief merchandising officer at retailer Belk, where she will lead merchandising strategy and vision across all product categories. Melissa Sussberg and Alexa Liebman led the assignment. Ms. Taylor is a merchandising executive with over 30 years of experience connecting topline vision to bottom-line performance
The Forces Reshaping Executive Search
As organizations face accelerating business transformation, leadership succession, and rapid advances in artificial intelligence, the demands placed on executive search firms continue to evolve. Clients are looking for more than candidate identification—they increasingly expect strategic guidance, deeper market intelligence, and advisors capable of helping them navigate an increasingly complex leadership landscape. Those themes emerged consistently
Bryant Group Fills Senior Position for the University of Washington
Dallas-based executive search and talent development firm Bryant Group has assisted in the recruitment of Justin Michalka as vice president for university development at the University of Washington (UW). The search was led by firm president Chris Bingley. “I’m delighted to welcome Justin to the University of Washington,” said Mary Gresch, senior vice president for university advancement. “He is a
SPMB Expands Financial Officer and Private Equity Practices
SPMB Executive Search has appointed Christy Mihos as a partner in the firm’s financial officer and private equity practices. “Christy is one of the most accomplished CFO search practitioners in the market, and we are thrilled to welcome him to SPMB,” said Dave Mullarkey, managing partner at SPMB. “His track record of advising PE firms and technology companies on
Executive Talent Market Faces New Pressures as AI and Private Equity Reshape Leadership Demand
The executive talent market continues to tighten as private investment accelerates, experienced leaders retire, and organizations compete for executives capable of driving growth and transformation. At the same time, artificial intelligence is changing the capabilities companies expect from senior leaders, while consulting and private equity firms rethink how they build leadership teams and evaluate potential.
Carpenter Legal Search Recruits General Counsel for Park Corporation
Legal recruiting remains an active area for executive search firms as corporations, law firms, government agencies, and other organizations compete for experienced legal talent. Employment of lawyers is projected to grow four percent from 2024 to 2034, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, with approximately 31,500 openings expected each year as employers add
Signium Opens New Office in Hamburg, Germany
Executive search consortium Signium has opened a new office in Hamburg, Germany. The new office is led by Moritz Drerup, managing partner, who joined Signium with more than a decade of executive search experience and a highly focused practice in technology and AI leadership. The Hamburg office represents a natural evolution for Mr. Drerup’s established executive search practice, combining his specialist expertise with the reach,
Executive Search Strategies for Leadership Success
As organizations navigate rapid change, leadership decisions have become increasingly consequential, placing greater pressure on executive search firms to identify candidates who can deliver both immediate impact and long-term value. Success at the highest levels depends on far more than filling a vacancy—it requires a disciplined search strategy that combines market intelligence, rigorous assessment, and
Leverage AI in Your Job Search: When to Use It and When Not To
Artificial intelligence has been changing the way people search for jobs. From optimizing resumes to preparing for interviews, AI has become a valuable resource for candidates looking to streamline the process. The key is knowing how to use it effectively, according to a recent report from New York City headquartered executive search firm Solomon Page. “AI
The Christopher Group Selected by Penn Highlands Healthcare for CHRO Search
The Christopher Group (TCG), a boutique HR executive search and business solutions recruiting firm, has been retained by Penn Highlands Healthcare to lead in its search for a new chief human resources officer. Managing partner, Molly Mangan, and partner, Carrie Longmire, are leading the assignment. “The chief human resources officer will play an important role in helping Penn Highlands
Where AI Belongs in Executive Search—and Where It Doesn’t
Artificial intelligence is reshaping every aspect of the executive search profession, creating new opportunities to improve efficiency while raising important questions about where technology should—and should not—play a role in the hiring process. As firms continue to integrate AI into their workflows, the focus is increasingly shifting from whether to adopt these tools to how
Isaacson, Miller Leading President Search for Virginia Tech
Boston-based Isaacson, Miller has been selected by Virginia Tech to lead in its search for a new president. Current president Tim Sands announced his resignation in April. Greg Esposito and Julie Filizetti are leading this search with Kristen Andersen, Raul Bernal, Victoria Castillo, and Gabrielle Nayar. The school seeks a visionary and dynamic leader to serve as its
Parker Remick Appoints Partner of Firm Operations
Seattle, WA-based Parker Remick recently named Jena Gibson as partner of firm operations. This is part of the executive search firm’s expansion of operational infrastructure and AI-enabled delivery capabilities. The firm noted that all in response to rising demand for senior technology and AI leadership. Ms. Gibson joins Parker Remick with more than 15 years
Building an Employer Brand That Attracts Top Executive Talent
In today’s competitive business environment, where organizations are vying for top talent, a strong employer brand has become an essential strategic advantage. It plays a critical role in attracting and retaining high-quality candidates while also contributing to an organization’s overall success. A recent report from the International Executive Search Federation (IESF) delves into the importance of a
Krauthamer & Associates Assists the Dallas Area Rapid Transit with CEO Search
Krauthamer & Associates (K&A) has assisted in the recruitment of Nathaniel Ford as president and CEO of the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART). “Mr. Ford brings decades of executive leadership in public transportation, a proven record of organizational transformation, and a deep understanding that transit is about much more than buses and trains,” said DART board chair
Slone Partners Makes Senior Appointments
Life sciences-focused search firm Slone Partners has named Sona Stroud and Kim Wilson as senior partners. Ms. Stroud has been promoted to the position following nearly 15 years with the firm, while Ms. Wilson returns to the organization, further strengthening its leadership team with nearly 17 years of experience with the firm. “Few things are more rewarding than recognizing exceptional leaders
The Evolution of Tech Leadership in Europe: 40 Years of Transformation
As technology continues to reshape every sector of the economy, executive search firms are seeing a fundamental shift in the profile of leaders organizations need to remain competitive. Companies are no longer seeking executives with deep technical expertise alone—they are prioritizing transformational leaders who can navigate disruption, lead enterprise-wide change, and align emerging technologies with
Changing the DNA of Growth-Stage Recruiting
As growth-stage companies accelerate expansion under private equity ownership or new investment, leadership teams are placing greater emphasis on the organizational structures that support long-term value creation. While executive search has traditionally focused on identifying transformative leaders, many organizations are also rethinking where the talent acquisition function belongs within the enterprise to ensure hiring strategy
NU Advisory Partners Fills Board Position for Banesco USA
NU Advisory Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Teresa Stinson to the Banesco USA board. Nada Usina, CEO and co-founder, led the search along with Mar Hernandez, partner and co-founder. “Congratulations Teresa Stinson on joining Banesco USA as board director,” NU Advisory Partners said in a LinkedIn post. “We look forward to seeing your governance
Why Natural Language Search Is the Biggest Shift in Executive Search Since the Database
Executive search has always been a relationship business. Consultants describe talent in rich, layered terms, leaders who have scaled a commercial function through a turnaround, managed a $200 million P&L across two geographies, navigated a public board through a CEO transition. But the systems they rely on to find those leaders have never understood a
TM² Executive Search Assists Fort Valley State University with CHRO Search
TM² Executive Search (TM²) has assisted in the recruitment of Sean Lyn as the new chief human resources officer of Fort Valley State University (FVSU). President Amanda Washington Lockett and associate principals Jessica Horton and Ndeh Anyu led the assignment. Mr. Lyn brings more than a decade of progressive human resources leadership experience in higher education. Before joining Fort Valley State University,
A Look at Today’s Trends in Executive Search
As AI continues to revolutionize industries, executive search must adapt and innovate to stay effective and relevant. While advanced AI tools are streamlining processes, improving efficiency and enhancing precision in candidate sourcing, the human element remains central to success, according to a new report from Kestria. “Executive search firms are increasingly focused on aligning technology
Private Equity Concern Acquires Search Firm
Executive search firm Sonoma Consulting, Inc. has been acquired by Chicago-based private equity firm Highlands Ventures. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. With offices in Naperville, Chicago, Tyson’s Corner, and Hyderabad, India, Sonoma Consulting serves over 100 national and international companies. Its clients range from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies globally. Its business is comprised of two divisions focused
Heidrick & Struggles Recruits CEO for Lands’ End
[Heidrick & Struggles has placed Jerome Griffith as chief executive officer of Lands’ End. After only two years on the job, Federica Marchionni has stepped down. The company considered both internal and external candidates. Lands’ End, which was spun off from Sears in 2014, tapped Ms. Marchionni to help transform the retailer into a global lifestyle brand.
Influencing Workplace Culture Through Employee Recognition
As employers look for ways to deal with the challenges of low employee retention and high turnover, a new survey released from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and social recognition solutions provider Globoforce shows more organizations are tying employee recognition efforts to their core values. According to SHRM’s survey, ‘Influencing Workplace Culture Though
Neumann Executive Search In Hunt for Chief Diversity Officer
[Neumann Executive Search Partners has been retained by Ithaca College to lead in a national search for a chief inclusion and diversity officer. Vice president Tom Phillips and principal Beth Schaefer are leading the assignment for the recruitment firm. Ithaca’s search committee will be chaired by Dr. Brian Dickens, who’s currently vice president of human resources. Campus visits
Huntbridge Recruits CEO for MIBOR REALTOR Association
[Washington, D.C.-headquartered executive search firm Huntbridge, Inc. has placed Shelley Specchio as chief executive officer of the MIBOR REALTOR Association. She will succeed Steve Sullivan, who is retiring at the beginning of 2017 after 26 years. “The nationwide search for our new CEO presented us with many excellent candidates, and the decision was not easy,” said Roger Lundy,
DHR International Expands Financial Services Practice
[Executive search firm DHR International has added Janice Abert as a partner in its financial services practice group. She will be based in the firm’s New York office. Ms. Abert specializes in placing distribution professionals and brings more than 20 years of executive recruiting experience in asset management sales and marketing to the firm. In joining DHR, Ms.
Amrop Adds Five Recruiters
[Amrop, a partnership of recruiting firms operating from 76 offices in 54 countries throughout Asia, EMEA, and the Americas, has expanded its staff with the addition of five new recruiters to its global team of search consultants. Jan Derk Bauerman has been named principal and head of the firm’s real estate practice in Germany. He has
Workers Looking to Ring In New Year With New Careers
As the New Year approaches, organizations can expect their employees to be weighing options for a career change. According to the latest WorkSphere survey from Spherion, New Year’s resolutions for 62 percent of American workers includes making a professional change, and while this can include things like overall performance improvement, learning a new professional skill, negotiating a
Reffett Associates Recruits VP of HR for the Seattle Mariners
[Executive search firm Reffett Associates continues to work with the Seattle Mariners to fill executive roles. This time it has placed Lisa Winsby as the club’s new vice president of human resources. She succeeds Marianne Short, who has announced her retirement. Seattle-based managing director, Marshall Reffett, led the search with assistance from Angel Rodriguez, a managing director in Dallas. The
Hobson Leavy Leading Earthquake Commission CEO Search
[Executive search firm Hobson Leavy has been retained by the Earthquake Commission (EQC) to lead its search for a new chief executive officer. Ian Simpson announced he will be stepping down from the role at the end of the year to take on the CEO role at GNS Science. Search firm founder and partner Stephen Leavy and associate partner Jo Baxter
upLIFT HR Launches In New York
Executive search firm upLIFT HR has been launched in New York by veteran human resources executive Talia Salvati. The firm was created to partner with small and large scale companies holistically to create, structure and recruit its HR teams. It works with purpose-driven companies to find dynamic and nimble HR leaders who can drive their company’s vision and
Locum Leaders Names President
[AMN Healthcare Services, a provider of healthcare workforce solutions and staffing services, has appointed healthcare recruiting veteran Bonnie Britton as president of its interim search specialist Locum Leaders. Ms. Britton brings a background in leadership and business development, including more than 15 years related to healthcare recruiting. Her management experience across healthcare, marketing, advertising and IT
Assessment Tools to Play Bigger Role In Hiring
Managers today estimate that one-in-five employees should not have been hired, according to a new study by CEB, a best practice insight and technology company. This may be because applicants didn’t meet basic requirements (65 percent won’t), the cultural fit with the organization wasn’t there or the hiring manager lacked the evidence-based tools to make a good decision. Fortunately,
AGB Search Taps Ohio University President to Serve As Its CEO
[Outgoing Ohio University president Roderick J. McDavis has stepped down from his post to become chief executive officer of AGB Search. As the university’s first African American president and only the second alumnus to lead the Ohio University in the institution’s 212-year history, Dr. McDavis has been a tireless ambassador. His contributions to higher education include
Egon Zehnder Leading CEO Search for National Stock Exchange of India
[Egon Zehnder has been tapped by the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) to lead its search for a new managing director and chief executive officer. Current CEO Chitra Ramkrishna recently resigned due to personal reasons. NSE is looking to fill up the post by February and will not launch its planned initial public offering until the
JDG Associates Leading CEO Search for Inter-American Foundation
[Executive search firm JDG Associates has been retained by the Inter-American Foundation (IAF) to lead its search for a new president and chief executive officer. Darren DeGioia, president of JDG Associates, is leading the assignment. The top post, reporting to the board of directors, is responsible for executing on all IAF functions and activities to advance its mission, subject
ManpowerGroup Appoints Head of North America
[ManpowerGroup has named Michael Stull as senior vice president for Manpower North America. He will lead the Manpower brand within the company’s North America operation, effective immediately. Kip Wright, former SVP Manpower North America will be leaving ManpowerGroup at the end of December. Mr. Wright led the Manpower brand for two years and previously led the ManpowerGroup Solutions business after
Reshaping the World of Work In the Digital Age
Business and human resource leaders should rethink almost all of their management and HR practices as the proliferation of digital technologies transform the way organizations work, according to predictions for 2017 from Bersin by Deloitte, Deloitte Consulting LLP. This year’s report includes 11 predictions about rapid technological, structural and cultural changes that will reshape the
Insider or Outsider? Spencer Stuart In CEO Hunt for Alexion Pharmaceuticals
[Executive search firm Spencer Stuart has been retained by Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to lead in its search for a new chief executive officer. CEO David Hallal has officially resigned for personal reasons. The sudden shift at the top comes shortly after the board had previously announced it was conducting an investigation into allegations made by a former employee in regards to
Baker and Associates Leading Executive Chef Search
[Baker and Associates, LLC has been selected by the Club at Longview in Charlotte, NC, to lead its search for a new executive chef. Clint F. Wood, private club practice leader, and senior vice president Martin M. Baker are leading the assignment. The executive chef will serve as a senior member of the management team at
Cejka Executive Search Names Managing Principal
[Cejka Executive Search has named MaryBeth Nicholas Cruz as executive vice president and managing principal. The hiring underscores the firm’s continued expansion into high-demand areas of healthcare executive search, including clinical integration. For nearly two decades, Ms. Cruz served in leadership roles for Providence Health and Services, spearheading physician services and development at the system-level and designing
Boyden Opens Office In Ukraine
Executive search firm Boyden has opened a new office in Kyiv, Ukraine, in an effort to strengthen its presence in Central and Eastern Europe and the emerging markets. Boyden Ukraine will be led by managing partner Alexey Dolgikh, a talent and leadership solutions advisor in the region. The new Ukraine team of seven professionals also includes principals Alina
Massive Shift to Contract Employment Underway
By 2025, most workers (70 percent) and employers (68 percent) agree that a majority of the workforce will be employed in an ‘agile capacity’ (i.e. contractor, consultant, temp worker or freelancer), according to a study released by Randstad US, one of the largest HR services and staffing companies in the U.S. ‘The Workplace 2025‘ report peers into
An Insider’s Guide to Coaching & Leadership Development
For Hilary Pearl, founding partner of Greenwich, Conn-based Pearl Associates, improving performance through executive coaching and organizational consulting resides at the center of her work. Executive coaching is now a $1 billion business sector, centered around the notion that all employees can improve their performance quickly if coached properly. The result is more highly effective and
AlbertHall&Associates Recruits Director for Theatre Under the Stars
[Executive search firm AlbertHall&Associates has placed Hillary Hart as executive director of the Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS) in Houston. The placement concludes an extensive 10-month national search. Ms. Hart comes to TUTS having served as general manager of the esteemed Guthrie Theatre, a $28 million non-profit regional theater in Minneapolis. At the Guthrie, she helped steward the institution through a
Kaplan Partners Taps CFO for Bar Harbor Bank & Trust
[Executive search firm Kaplan Partners has placed Josephine Iannelli as executive vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer of Bar Harbor Bankshares and Bar Harbor Bank & Trust and its subsidiary Bar Harbor Trust Services. Ms. Iannelli most recently served as senior executive vice president, CFO and treasurer of Berkshire Hills Bancorp in Pittsfield, MA, having earlier joined
Cameron Stuart Associates Expands
[London-based executive search firm Cameron Stuart Associates (CSA) has added Tony Williams as a partner. “Tony’s change leadership experience working with high-performing boards and executive teams globally broadens and strengthens CSA’s offering,” said James Stuart, CSA managing director. “Tony adds depth to our core executive search offering to consumer goods and services boards and executive teams as
Women Gain Ground In Boardroom, But Not Minorities
Female representation among new directors rose to 32 percent in 2016, from 31 percent in 2015 and 21 percent in 2011, according to the latest Spencer Stuart Board Index. This is the highest rate of female representation since 1998 when the search firm began tracking S&P 500 data. According to the analysis, new female independent directors
Eastman & Beaudine Recruits Head Football Coach for Baylor
[Executive search firm Eastman & Beaudine has placed Matt Rhule as the 27th head football coach at Baylor University. Coach Art Briles was fired by Baylor in May in the wake of a sexual assault scandal that also cost school president Ken Starr and athletic director Ian McCaw their jobs. Mr. Rhule comes to Waco after four seasons as head coach at Temple
Challis & Company Leading Executive Producer Search for ABC
[The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has retained executive search firm Challis & Company to lead its hunt for an executive producer for its flagship television show Catalyst. Helen Johnson, a principal in the Sydney office, is leading the search. The position is based at ABC’s head office in Sydney where it will be co-located with other science program
IIC Partners Forms Alliance With CoolBrands
IIC Partners Executive Search Worldwide has formed a marketing and brand management partnership with CoolBrands. CoolBrands is a multinational branding company with over 10 years of experience in creating and packaging profiles for companies and for C-suite executives who are seeking broader market exposure. “CoolBrands’ international experience is a perfect fit for our global organization.
