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SPMB Recruits Chief Data Officer for Finastra
SPMB Executive Search has recruited Ali Khan as chief data officer for London-based financial services company Finastra. Managing partner Mike Doonan led the assignment. “Congratulations to Finastra on welcoming Ali Khan as its new chief data officer,” SPMB said in a LinkedIn post. “A multi-industry data & AI veteran, Ali has held senior leadership roles at
Jobplex Strengthens Midwest Healthcare Practice with Acquisition
Jobplex, the Chicago-based partner company of DHR Global, has acquired Healthcare Management Group and appointed Brooke Wedding as managing partner. This strategic partnership strengthens Jobplex’s healthcare services and solutions practice and expands its reach in the Midwest. Based in Columbus, OH, Ms. Wedding has more than 25 years of experience in healthcare recruitment, leadership development, and talent
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.
Coulter Partners Recruits Chief Scientific Officer for Laigo Bio
Life sciences recruiting specialist Coulter Partners has recruited Richard C.A. Sainson as the new chief scientific officer of Laigo Bio. “It was a privilege to partner with Matthew and the Laigo board,” said Kay Wardle, managing partner at Coulter Partners. “Targeted protein degradation is one of the most exciting frontier areas of drug discovery, and finding a chief
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?
Blue Rock Human Capital Recruits Chief People Officer for Michelli Weighing & Measurement
Talent acquisition strategies at many large companies have become as complex as their balance sheets. And while chief human resource officers play a vital role in overseeing an organization’s broad-based workforce, the chief people officer typically goes beyond overseeing its people policies. The focus instead is on building talent as a key competitive advantage, with more
Raising the Bar for Interim and Fractional Leadership
As companies face mounting pressure to move faster and adapt to constant change, interim and fractional executives are increasingly being brought in not simply to maintain stability, but to drive transformation from day one. Organizations today are seeking experienced leaders who can step into critical roles, solve immediate business challenges, and create momentum while long-term
BoardWalk Consulting Selected by Atlanta Ballet for Executive Director Search
BoardWalk Consulting has was recently tapped by Atlanta Ballet to lead in its search for an executive director. The search is being led by Sam Pettway, Demeika Wheaton, and Patti Kish. The executive director will lead Atlanta Ballet’s administrative and business functions in alignment with the organization’s mission and values, while partnering closely with the artistic
When Search Fatigue Leads to Costly Hiring Mistakes
In executive search, the biggest hiring mistakes are not always caused by weak candidate pools or poor sourcing strategies. More often, breakdowns occur near the finish line, when prolonged interview cycles, competing stakeholder opinions, and mounting business pressures begin to wear down decision-making discipline. What starts as a rigorous evaluation process can gradually shift toward
Preng & Associates Recruits SVP of Government Services for American Bureau of Shipping
Houston-based Preng & Associates has placed Rear Admiral Ronald J. Rábago as senior vice president of government services at American Bureau of Shipping (ABS). “Admiral Rábago brings exceptional government and industry experience that will further enhance the support we provide to our government clients in the U.S. and around the world,” said John McDonald, ABS chairman and CEO. “His
McDermott + Bull Expands in Amsterdam
Irvine, CA-based McDermott + Bull has expanded in Amsterdam with the addition of Gerben van den Hout as managing director. “This strategic hire comes as McDermott + Bull continues to expand its executive search presence across Europe, further strengthening the firm’s ability to support organizations in identifying and placing high-impact leadership talent,” the firm said. “Gerben’s appointment represents an
The CHRO’s Leadership Imperative in the AI Era
As organizations accelerate their adoption of artificial intelligence, business leaders are increasingly recognizing that successful transformation depends as much on people and leadership as it does on technology itself. HR executives, in particular, are finding themselves at the center of conversations around workforce readiness, employee trust, skills development, and organizational change management. Industry observers note
Cluen Invites Executive Search Firms to Participate in Upcoming 2026 Technology Trends Survey
For more than three decades, Cluen has partnered with leading executive search firms around the world to understand how top-performing recruiters use technology to gain a competitive advantage. Each year, the company’s Top Trends in Executive Search Technology survey uncovers the strategies, priorities, and innovations shaping the future of the profession. How are executive search firms balancing the rapid adoption of AI
Lindauer Retained by C-SPAN for Chief Development Officer Search
Virtually every industry needs top-drawer chief development officers. CDOs play a key role in planning, coordinating, and administering capital campaigns, corporate giving, and galvanizing new donors while keeping previous funders content. Implementing funding strategies that “keep the lights on,” according to recruiters specializing in the function, is job No. 1. Lindauer has been retained by C-SPAN to
NPAG Seeking Executive Director for the California Youth Defender Center
Executive search firm NPAG has been selected by the California Youth Defender Center (CYDC) to lead in its search for a new executive director. This search is being led by Ellen LaPointe and Phuong Quach. This is a unique opportunity to lead a respected and influential organization at a pivotal moment, shaping the future of youth justice
Lochlin Partners Helps Fill Senior Position for Business Roundtable
Lochlin Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Stefani Jones as senior director of policy at Business Roundtable (BRT). Ms. Jones is an accomplished technology policy leader with deep expertise at the intersection of cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and national security. Her experience spans the White House, the private sector, and senior federal policy roles. She
Why Executives Should Think Carefully Before Accepting Counteroffers
Few moments in an executive’s career carry as much complexity as the decision to resign from a leadership role and pursue a new opportunity. What often begins as a strategic career move can quickly become emotionally charged once a current employer responds with incentives aimed at reversing that decision. Recruiters and leadership advisors note that
Funk Associates Tapped by the University of North Florida to Lead Search for Eighth President
Funk Associates was recently retained by the University of North Florida (UNF) to lead a national search for its eighth president. Past president Moez Limayem stepped down from his position in early 2026. The presidential search committee, chaired by UNF board of trustees member Jack Boyle, plays a critical role in this process, focusing on
Acertitude Recruits CEO for PE-Backed Zep Inc.
Acertitude has placed Tim Feast as the new CEO of Zep Inc., a Truelink Capital portfolio company. The search was led by partner, Geoff Votta and principal, Rod Vaughan with support from Matthew Marasco and Maryanne Santospirito. Mr. Feast steps into the role with a mandate to accelerate growth, sharpen execution, and lead Zep into its
SearchWide Global Seeking CEO for Visit California
SearchWide Global is currently seeking a new CEO for Visit California. The assignment is being led by Mike Gamble, chairman, CEO, and co-founder of SearchWide. Visit California is seeking a collaborative, visionary, and politically astute leader to serve as the next CEO. As the organization’s chief strategist, brand steward, and operational head, the CEO works
Intersearch Worldwide Elects Chairwoman and New Board Members
InterSearch Worldwide, a global alliance of executive search companies, has announce the newly elected board following and the appointment of Vanessa Delacourt as chairwoman, marking an exciting new chapter and reinforcing the organization’s commitment to innovation and sustainable growth. The board has welcomed: Leslie Cooper A. (Chile); Vanessa Delacourt (Benelux); Frank Schelstraete (Belgium); Henri Vidalinc
The Platform Shift Reshaping Human Capital M&A
Hunt Scanlon Ventures’ 2026 Human Capital Markets Update: Q1 M&A Report points to a market undergoing rapid institutionalization. Human capital M&A is no longer centered around standalone recruiting firms or opportunistic acquisitions. Instead, buyers are consolidating around integrated platforms that combine executive search, leadership advisory, workforce analytics, succession planning, and AI-enabled infrastructure. The shift reflects a broader
WittKieffer Recruits 22nd President for the University of Tulsa
Oak Brook, IL-based WittKieffer has placed Stacy Leeds as the 22nd president of the University of Tulsa (UTulsa). Zachary Smith, Robin Mamlet, and Julia Bradley led the assignment. Ms. Leeds was selected following a competitive and comprehensive national search. Members of the search committee and full board were drawn to her unique portfolio of executive management, philanthropic success and unimpeachable academic credibility. “Stacy
SPMB Recruits CFO for AbsenceSoft
SPMB Executive Search has recruited Megan Wood as CFO of AbsenceSoft, a Denver, CO-based employee leave management and accommodations platform. Jon Landau and Laura Ayre led the assignment. “The market opportunity in front of AbsenceSoft is significant, and Megan brings the right financial and operational depth to meet it,” said Chris Murphy, CEO of AbsenceSoft. “Her proven track record at fast-growth, innovative companies on
AGB Search Helps Recruit 20th President for the University of Montana
Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, has assisted in the recruitment of Jeremiah Shinn as the 20th president of the University of Montana. His selection follows a national search that drew more than 70 accomplished applicants from across the country. Roderick McDavis, James H. McCormick and Janice S. Fitzgerald led the assignment. “Dr. Shinn’s on-campus visit
TurnkeyZRG Appoints Vice President
TurnkeyZRG has expanded with the addition of Sean Magee as vice president. “College and professional football are being reshaped in real time — by revenue sharing, NIL, the transfer portal, and unprecedented financial and operational complexity,” said Chad Chatlos, managing partner, ZRG Turnkey. “Sean lived inside that disruption as a senior operator. He understands what it
Rethinking the Factors Behind Employee Loyalty and Retention
Two widely repeated assumptions continue to shape discussions around today’s workforce, despite oversimplifying a far more nuanced reality. Claims that employee loyalty has disappeared, or that departures are driven almost entirely by poor management, often overlook the broader mix of organizational, economic, leadership, and career factors influencing retention. While such narratives persist because they are
Anthem Executive Assists the University of West Alabama with Provost Search
Anthem Executive has assisted in the recruitment of Amy H. Jones as provost of the University of West Alabama, the role that oversees all aspects of academics at the institution. “Dr. Jones has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a deep commitment to the mission of UWA,” said Todd G. Fritch, president of the University of West Alabama.
ON Partners Recruits Chief Supply Chain Officer for Atmus Filtration Technologies
ON Partners has helped to recruited Kevin Carpenter as senior vice president and chief supply chain officer of NYSE-traded Atmus Filtration Technologies Inc. in Nashville, TN. Partner Heidi Hoffman led the assignment. “Kevin is a proven operations leader with a strong track record of building resilient, customer focused supply chains at scale,” said Steph Disher, president and
ZRG Partners Acquires Sterling Martin Associates
ZRG Partners has acquired Sterling Martin Associates, a Washington, D.C.–based executive search firm specializing in professional associations, trade organizations, and mission‑driven non-profit organizations. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Larry Hartmann, CEO of ZRG, said the acquisition reflects ZRG’s disciplined approach to growth. “This is not about scale for scale’s sake,” he explained.
Leadership in Action: How CEOs and Directors Navigate Change
Geopolitical upheaval, artificial intelligence, economic uncertainty. These external forces are only adding to the challenges CEOs and boards face, according to a recent report from Spencer Stuart. The firm knows from its work with these leaders how running an organization is only becoming more relentless and complex. But what if leaders could better understand what
Catalyst Advisors Recruits CEO for Acceleron Pharma
Executive search firm Catalyst Advisors has placed Habib Dable as president and chief executive officer of Acceleron Pharma Inc. He succeeds John Knopf who has announced his retirement. Catalyst John Archer and Sara Hagar led the search. Mr. Dable joins Acceleron from Bayer AG, where he most recently served as president of pharmaceuticals for Bayer in the U.S. In this role, he was
Gilman Partners Launches Real Estate & Economic Development Practice
Executive search firm Gilman Partners has formed a new commercial real estate / economic development recruiting practice led by partner Karen Finan. Ms. Finan joined Gilman Partners after a career with Duke Realty Corporation and Northern Kentucky Tri-County Economic Development Corporation (Tri-ED). After years of conducting local and regional searches in the sector, the firm decided to formalize the practice, and
Egon Zehnder and Korn Ferry Tap Insider as Pharma Giant CEO
In one of the biggest search assignments in British business this year, Egon Zehnder and Korn Ferry have engaged to support the CEO succession and recruitment process at GlaxoSmithKline by tapping company insider Emma Walmsley as its new chief executive officer. She becomes the first woman to lead the pharmaceutical giant and GSK will be the first top-tier
Cornerstone International Group Continues Asia Pacific Expansion
Cornerstone International Group, a global executive search and leadership development firm, has named Sonia Vaswani as a managing director in its Hong Kong office. She has more than 15 years in human resource management and is particularly adept at executive search & selection in Hong Kong, China and Asia Pacific. A seasoned business executive and
Job Market In Full Swing As Economy Improves at Modest Pace
Employers added a modest 156,000 jobs last month as the U.S. unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.0 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. The number of workers unemployed was essentially unchanged at 7.9 million. This report follows the addition of 151,000 jobs added in August. Job growth has averaged 178,000
JDG Taps CEO for Academy of Integrative Health & Medicine
Executive search firm JDG Associates has recruited Tracy Petrillo as chief executive officer of the Academy of Integrative Health & Medicine (AIHM). Principal Paul Belford led the assignment. Following a national executive search process, Dr. Petrillo was unanimously selected for the position by the Academy board of directors and search committee. Dr. Petrillo is a 15-year veteran of non-profit
Spencer Stuart Seeking New Board Members for New York REIT
New York REIT has retained executive search firm Spencer Stuart as it seeks to identify potential new independent members for its board. In connection with this search, the committee has confirmed that it has engaged in discussions with Michael L. Ashner, Steven Witkoff, and their jointly owned entity, WW Investors LLC. The committee will consider candidates proposed by
Amrop Continues Global Growth
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. Lanre Fisher becomes the managing partner for Amrop West Africa. He also serves as head of the firm’s private equity
Private Equity Recruiting: Finding Leaders Who Make Impact
There is no other sector that demands such top end service from its search partners than private equity. Portfolio companies represent some of the most innovative, well-funded and high-growth concerns in all of business. As a result, much of the talent that private equity firms seek are highly-charged change agents — a professional breed getting more
Game Changing Assessment Tools Coming to a Recruiter Near You
Organizations everywhere are looking for better ways to recruit and retain good quality people to drive effectiveness, and performance, in their business. Executive search firms are stepping up with an array of leadership assessment services that are starting to make massive strides in the field of predictive analytics. But not all of them have candidate
Benchmark Executive Search Recruits Cybersecurity Leader for Accenture
Benchmark Executive Search has recruited Ira “Gus” Hunt to lead the cybersecurity practice at Accenture Federal Services (AFS). Benchmark president Jeremy King led the search. Mr. Hunt formerly served as chief technology officer for the CIA from which he retired in 2013 after a 28-year career. As CTO, he set the CIA’s information technology strategic direction, accelerated adoption of new technology and led
ZRG Partners Names Country Manager for Germany
Executive search firm ZRG Partners has added Philipp Sturm as a managing director and country head of Germany. He will work out of the firm’s office in Frankfurt and will also serve as a member of the firm’s global industrial practice. Mr. Sturm brings a decade plus of solid and relevant executive search experience to ZRG. Prior
Turnkey Search Recruits New AD for Georgia Tech
Sports and entertainment-focused executive recruiter Turnkey Search has placed Todd Stansbury as the new athletic director for Georgia Tech. He replaces Mike Bobinski who left the position to take on the same role at Purdue University. DHR managing partner and global sports practice leader, Glenn Sugiyama, led that assignment. The search was led by senior executive director Gene
Horton International Expands Global Life Sciences Practice
Horton International – North America, a principal partner of Horton International, has appointed Molly A. Robb as a managing director for its global life sciences practice. She will be based in the U.S. and be responsible for expanding the firm’s life science practice sectors, including: biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, medical diagnostics/tools and web-enabled healthcare technology. Throughout her 20
Carrington & Carrington Recruits Chief Diversity Officer for McDonald’s
In arguably the most important global chief diversity officer search to come along in years, executive search firm Carrington & Carrington has snared Major League Baseball‘s diversity head, Wendy Lewis, to serve as vice president and global chief diversity officer for McDonald’s. She replaces Patricia Harris who is retiring at the end of the year after 40 years
Nobilis Health Taps Tyler & Company for Chief Nursing Officers
Executive search firm Tyler & Company has been retained by the Nobilis Health Corporation to lead its search for chief nursing officers (CNOs). Assistant vice president Kyle Wiederhold is leading the searches. The Positions Nobilis Health is seeking CNOs for the First Surgical and Hermann Drive Surgical Hospitals. The CNOs will report to the CEO for each hospital,
Diversified Search Names Healthcare Practice Leader
Executive search firm Diversified Search, one of the top 10 executive search firms in the U.S., has appointed Martha Hauser as the new leader of its healthcare practice. She will based in the firm’s Atlanta office. Ms. Hauser is a well-known thought leader with more than two decades of experience recruiting leaders in healthcare and higher
RSR Partners Expands Financial Officers and Investment Banking Practices
Executive search firm RSR Partners has named Wyatt Uhlein as a senior member of the firm’s financial officers and investment banking practices. He will be based in RSR’s Greenwich, CT and New York offices. In his new role, Mr. Unlein will take a lead role in executing searches throughout the financial services spectrum, while advising the firm’s senior leadership
Per Ardua Associates Names Financial Services Real Estate Practice Leader
London-based executive search firm Per Ardua Associates has appointed Kate Hammar as leader of its financial services real estate practice. She will be responsible for developing the firm’s real estate search capability. Prior to joining Per Ardua, Ms. Hammar was managing director at Sousou Partners, the international real estate search firm, where she spent the last seven
Hiring Confidence Dips Among HR Executives
Confidence in the job market has fallen among HR professionals compared with a year ago, even though many human resource professionals reported that their organizations’ financial health was strong and few expected job cuts in the latter half of 2016, according to the newest ‘Jobs Outlook Survey’ (JOS) by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).
Nolan Partners Places Operating Chief at International Tennis Federation
Executive search firm Nolan Partners has tapped Kelly Fairweather as chief operating officer of the International Tennis Federation. Longtime ITF COO Juan Margets announced in March that he would be leaving the organization at the end of 2016. The international search, led by managing director Paul Nolan and partner Andy Taylor, assessed an extensive range
Wheless Partners and Chandler Group Join Forces
Executive search firms Wheless Partners and Chandler Group have officially merged. The combined organization brings industry experience to the 25 different industry sectors that both recruiting outfits serve. With offices in New York, Atlanta, Birmingham, Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver and San Francisco, Wheless Partners has professionals in strategy, assessment, executive selection, leadership development, and executive coaching. Since its founding in
Korn Ferry Recruits Chief Baseball Officer for the Minnesota Twins
As the 2016 baseball season draws to a close, Korn Ferry has placed Derek Falvey as executive vice president and chief baseball officer for the Minnesota Twins. In his new role, Mr. Falvey essentially acts as the Twins’ general manager. Past GM Terry Ryan was fired in July, ending a three-decade stretch with the organization. According to the
Heidrick & Struggles Names Head of Chemicals Practice – Europe and Africa
Heidrick & Struggles has appointed Louis Besland as a partner in its industrial practice and as head of chemicals for Europe and Africa. Based in London with a remit across Europe, he will focus on building the firm’s search and leadership consulting activities in the oil and gas, chemical and energy sectors. With more than 30 years
Lack of Skilled Candidates Plaguing In-House Recruiters
Nearly all respondents — a full 95 percent — expect recruiting to be as or more challenging in 2017 as this year, according to the latest ‘Recruiter Nation Survey’ conducted by Jobvite. Corporate recruiters cited a lack of skilled candidates (65 percent) and dealing with hiring managers moving candidates through the hiring process (48 percent) as their biggest challenges. The report
Lochlin Partners Places Chief Communications Officer for American Psychiatric Association
Search boutique Lochlin Partners has recruited former Defense Health Agency executive Tanya Bradsher as chief communications officer at the American Psychiatric Association (APA). Managing partners Patrick Friel and Liza Wright led the assignment. In her new role, Ms. Bradsher will conceptualize, develop and implement an integrated strategic communications plan to advance APA’s mission and goals. She will oversee all communications,
Kensington International Recruits Chief for Cornerstone Fund
Executive search firm Kensington International has placed Maria C. Coyne as president and chief executive officer of the Cornerstone Fund. Gordon Gilles is retiring as president and CEO, concluding 21 years of service to the ministry of the United Church of Christ. Kensington International partner Brian Clarke led the assignment. The Cornerstone Fund’s search committee settled on a short list
Odgers Berndtson Appoints National Diversity Practice Leader for Canada
Executive search firm Odgers Berndtson has named Jane Griffith as national diversity leader for the firm’s Canadian operations. With a focus on the recruitment of senior leaders in the academic sector, Ms. Griffith has worked with universities, colleges and not-for-profit organizations in Canada. Prior to joining Odgers, she was partner and practice leader for the academic and non-profit practice at
PRAXI Alliance Adds GattiHR and Academic Search As Member Firms
Global search consortium PRAXI Alliance Worldwide Executive Search has added GattiHR and Academic Search International as its newest member firms. The PRAXI Alliance global network now spans four continents, 21 countries and 57 offices worldwide. With offices in Boston, Chicago and Philadelphia, GattiHR specializes in executive search, workforce analytics and HR technology services. The firm’s workforce analytical services are offered in key
Here Are Five Types of Millennials You Need to Know
Millennials have surpassed baby boomers in the United States as the largest living generation, according to population estimates released by the U.S. Census Bureau. Defined as those born roughly between 1983 and 2000, they are a generation worldwide that is changing everything — from work and spending patterns to the adoption of new technology, innovation, and regulation.
Lands’ End CEO Search Goes to Heidrick & Struggles
Lands’ End, Inc. has retained the services of Heidrick & Struggles to lead its search for a new chief executive officer. After only two years on the job, Federica Marchionni has stepped down, leaving the company without a permanent CEO as the holiday season approaches. Lands’ End, which was spun off from Sears in 2014, tapped Ms. Marchionni to help transform
