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Daily Newswire
How Private Equity Firms Are Modernizing Talent Strategy Through Technology
As private equity firms place greater emphasis on leadership as a driver of investment performance, talent functions are becoming increasingly embedded in the dealmaking process. What was once viewed primarily as a recruiting and portfolio support function is evolving into a strategic capability that informs executive assessment, succession planning, and value creation across the investment
Crist|Kolder Associates Recruits CFO for Booz Allen
Crist|Kolder Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Troy Lahr as executive vice president and CFO of Booz Allen Hamilton in McLean, VA. “Troy’s deep and differentiated experience helps position Booz Allen for accelerated growth and bold transformation,” said Horacio Rozanski, chairman and CEO. “His success driving performance across large portfolios and leading through change will be 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.
The Talent Studios Recruits Chief Marketing Officer for Pura Vida Miami
The Talent Studios has recruited Bruno Cardinali as chief marketing officer of Pura Vida Miami, the premium all-day café and lifestyle brand focused on health, wellness and community. The search was led by Katlyn Maloney and Jeremy Cohen. Mr. Cardinali brings more than two decades of marketing leadership across fast casual, foodservice, beverage, and global consumer brands. Most recently, as
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?
JM Search Expands Technology and Financial Services Practices
JM Search, a senior-level talent provider serving private equity investors, portfolio companies, and Fortune 1000s, has expanded with the additions of Wes Chisholm as partner and Laura Bennstrom and Charles Telep as principals within its technology and financial services practices. Mr. Chisholm and Mr. Telep join the firm’s technology practice while Ms. Bennstrom joins both the financial
How The Tolan Group Navigated the Downturn and Remained Focused
For many executive search firms, 2024 and 2025 tested resilience in ways few could have predicted. At The Tolan Group (TTG), they experienced the same pressures felt across the industry. Slower decision cycles, delayed starts, and a noticeable dip in portfolio company hiring activity. Yet through that uncertainty, one thing remained constant: our commitment to
Korn Ferry Reports Seven Percent Q4 and Full-Year Revenue Growth, Led by Double-Digit Gains in Professional Search & Interim
Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) has posted Q4 fiscal-year revenues of $759.8 million, a year-over-year increase of seven percent and five percent at constant currency. This was led by Professional Search & Interim up 14 percent, followed by Executive Search and Consulting, both up seven percent and RPO up five percent. During the fourth quarter, revenues rose by
Lock Search Group Leading CEO Search for Atlas Sign & Awning
Toronto-headquartered executive recruitment firm Lock Search Group is currently seeking a new CEO for Atlas Sign & Awning. For over 30 years, Atlas Sign & Awning has helped businesses across Canada and the United States stand out through custom commercial signage, awnings, and branded architectural elements. Based in Langley, BC, they’ve built a strong reputation for quality
Anthem Executive Assists the University of Montevallo With President Search
Anthem Executive has assisted in the recruitment of Michelle R. Johnston as the first female president of the University of Montevallo (UM). Michael Ballew, Scott Watson, Mike “JR” Wheless, and Florene Stawowy led the assignment. Dr. Johnston has served as the president of Georgia Southwestern State University since 2024. Prior to her current presidency, she served as president of three other higher education
Mercuri Urval Appoints Non-Executive Director
Stockholm, Sweden-based executive search firm Mercuri Urval (MU) has announced that Jan Sasse, partner at AlterInvest, was named as non-executive director to the MU group board. He will join the current board members Cecilia Strand, Mieke Weijenberg, Cecilia Beer, Richard Moore, and chairman Roger Hagafors. “We are pleased to welcome Jan Sasse as non-executive director of the MU
M&A Becomes a Capability-Driven Acquisition Strategy
EY-Parthenon is forecasting an eight percent increase in U.S. deal volume for transactions exceeding $100 million in 2026, underscoring how central M&A remains to corporate strategy. Yet beneath the headline numbers sits a more important story. The role of acquisitions is evolving. Companies are no longer pursuing deals primarily for scale or market share. Increasingly,
The Hidden Challenges Every First-Time CEO Faces
The corner office has never been more accessible—or more demanding. As boards increasingly turn to a new generation of leaders to navigate disruption, growth, and transformation, first-time CEOs are stepping into roles that require a fundamentally different set of skills than those that propelled them to the top. While many arrive with impressive track records,
Myers McRae Assists Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology with Provost Search
Following a nationwide search, Macon, GA-based Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting has assisted in the recruitment of Richie Roberts as provost of Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology. Kenny Daugherty and Brianna Douglas led the assignment. Dr. Roberts’ selection was guided by a search committee of OSUIT administrators, faculty, staff and students, which was assisted by national search firm Myers McRae. “The entire
Lancer Group Recruits Chief Technology Officer for Minitab
La Jolla, CA-headquartered search firm Lancer Group has recruited Kevin Gordon as chief technology officer of Minitab. “We’re excited to welcome Kevin Gordon as chief technology officer at Minitab,” the company said. “This is an exciting step forward in the evolution of our technology strategy and will help accelerate innovation across our organization and solutions platform.” “Kevin brings
Friisberg & Partners International Names Managing Partner of its Copenhagen Office
Fribourg, Switzerland-headquartered Friisberg & Partners International has expanded with the addition of Birgitte Olrik as managing partner of its Copenhagen office, strengthening the firm’s presence in the Nordic region and supporting the continued execution of our international growth strategy. “The future of executive search belongs to firms that combine exceptional local expertise with international reach,” said Zoltán Pethő,
Attracting the Right CHRO Starts with the Right Job Description
Hiring a head of HR is one of the most consequential leadership decisions an organization can make, yet many companies struggle to define the role in a way that reflects their actual needs. The most effective job descriptions go beyond qualifications and responsibilities, offering candidates a clear picture of the challenges, priorities, and business objectives
Coulter Partners Recruits Chief Medical Officer for Neumirna Therapeutics
Life sciences recruiting specialist Coulter Partners has placed Ferenc Tracik as chief medical officer of Neumirna Therapeutics. “Neumirna has reached an inflection point: the question is no longer whether the science works, but how quickly we can translate it into an option for patients with urgent unmet need. Ferenc has the experience to get us there,” said Ellen
McCormack + Kristel Seeking CEO for Central New York ON RAMP
McCormack + Kristel is currently seeking a CEO for Central New York ON RAMP. New York State Empire State Development (ESD) recently engaged CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity (CenterState CEO), an business leadership and economic development organization, to lead, incubate, and launch the Central New York One Network for Regional Advanced Manufacturing Projects (ON RAMP). The
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,
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,
Why Your Digital Presence is the New Executive Resume
In an increasingly competitive executive search environment, visibility has become a critical factor in how senior talent is identified, assessed, and ultimately hired. Recruiters and hiring leaders are no longer relying solely on traditional resumes, but instead are leveraging digital platforms to build a more complete and real-time view of candidates. As a result, professionals
Why Talent Strategy Is the Ultimate Lever for Private Equity Value Creation
Private equity (PE) firms face more pressure than ever to create value. They’re holding companies longer and paying premium prices in an uncertain market with weak liquidity, according to a new report from DHR Global’s Keith Giarman. The study explained that intensifying trend means PE firms must work harder than ever to create tangible and sustainable value
TalentRise Assists SWBR with Chief People Officer Search
TalentRise recently assisted in the recruitment of Shannon Struzik as the new chief people officer of SWBR in Rochester, NY. “Wishing Shannon Struzik greater responsibilities and exciting challenges in this impressive new chapter,” the organization said. “SWBR has warmly welcomed Shannon Struzik as new chief people officer, marking a significant step in the firm’s ongoing commitment
DSG Global (Diversified Search Group) Tapped by the American Cancer Society to Recruit Chief Development Officer
The field of advancement is an extension of development/fundraising. Over the past two decades, educational institutions and charitable groups have shifted toward more integrated models of collaboration between communications, marketing, branding and development. Advancement represents the full integration of these functions under a single leader, the chief advancement officer. According to recruiters who specialize in
Bryant Group Recruits CHRO for Boise State University
Following a nationwide search, Dallas-based executive search and talent development firm Bryant Group has assisted in the recruitment of Katie Thomas as the new chief human resources officer of Boise State University. Sarah Hempen, vice president of search, led the assignment. “We are thrilled to welcome Katie Thomas as Boise State University’s next chief human resources officer,” said Lauren Griswold,
The Barton Partnership Appoints Leader of Independent Consulting Practice
The Barton Partnership, a U.K.-based executive search firm, has appointed BJ Clinton as North America director and senior vice president to lead its independent consulting practice. “I couldn’t be more excited to welcome BJ to our team,” said Mike Doud, EVP, North America. “I’ve had the pleasure of working with him in a previous chapter
Power Shift: How Employer Control and Employee Expectations Are Shaping the Future of Work
Employees’ needs can feel like a moving target, changing with new trends, technologies, and values. But in the past year, companies have made tough decisions—mandating office returns, flattening management layers, tightening salary increases—all in the name of stability and growth. The push and pull of power between employer control and employee expectations is rewriting common
The Wilderness Land Trust Taps BoardWalk Consulting to Find New Leader
The Wilderness Land Trust has retained executive recruitment firm BoardWalk Consulting to lead in its search for a new executive director. Senior director Crystal Stephens and senior associate Terri Kohan are leading the assignment. The ideal candidate will join a mission-driven organization with deep roots and proven impact, leading strategic initiatives that balance conservation urgency with practical partnership development. The role
Slayton Search Partners Appoints Senior Vice President
Slayton Search Partners has expanded with the addition of Dan Plourde as senior vice president and principal. He will focus on supporting the firm’s industrial and consumer practices, bringing nearly two decades of executive search and recruitment experience to the team. “Dan’s extensive experience in executive search, combined with his proven track record of building
Accelerate Growth in Private Equity with Smarter Talent Strategies
The private equity (PE) landscape has significantly transformed, marked by longer hold periods and more roll-up deals due to rising borrowing costs and fewer mid-sized companies available for acquisition. The traditional approach of quick three to five year exits through financial engineering and C-suite changes is no longer viable. Through this transformation, leadership and talent
Unemployment Rate Falls Slightly to 4.1 Percent
Employment rose by 147,000 in June as the U.S. unemployment dropped to 4.1 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. Job gains occurred in state government and healthcare. Federal government continued to lose jobs. The number of unemployed people, at 7.0 million, changed little over the month. Both the unemployment rate, at
Resource Management Group Assists Belk with CFO Search
Resource Management Group (RMG), an executive search firm specializing in CFO placements, has assisted in the recruitment of Vince Phelan as executive vice president and CFO of Belk. Kevin Cooke, Jonathan Gould, and Lauren LaPolice led the assignment. “We’re incredibly grateful to the Belk leadership team Shaina Hall CHRO and Don Hendricks CEO for the
Seizing The Shift – Bain’s Midyear Take On Private Equity
2025 opened with promise. The first quarter brought strong deal activity and favorable credit markets. But by April, new tariff announcements upended sentiment. The policy shock sent ripples through global markets, and deal momentum quickly faltered. According to Bain & Company’s Midyear Private Equity Report, “tariff turmoil has held back deals and exits while investors digest
The Christopher Group Recruits HR Leader for Adapt Community Network
The Christopher Group (TCG), a boutique HR executive search and business solutions recruiting firm, has assisted in the recruitment of Louie Shapiro as the new senior vice president of HR for Adapt Community Network in New York City. Pam Noble led the assignment along with Carrie Longmire. “Louie Shapiro’s extensive experience in human capital management and passion for fostering inclusive,
HARTZ Search Helps Arizona Center for Cancer Care Recruits Chief Administrative Officer
After an extensive national search, Charlotte, NC-based HARTZ Search has helped to recruit Tara Lock as the chief administrative officer of the Arizona Center for Cancer Care (AZCCC) in Scottsdale, AZ. Reporting directly to the chief managing officer, Ms. Lock will work in dyad leadership to oversee all aspects of operations, finance, legal, strategy, and business development. She will
WittKieffer Names Leader of Board Advisory Solution
Oak Brook-IL-based WittKieffer has appointed Laura Orr to expand and lead the firm’s board advisory solution. “Boards that are engaged, effective, and strategically aligned have a significant impact on organizational success,” said Susan M. Snyder, executive partner for leadership advisory at WittKieffer. “We’re thrilled to welcome Laura to our team to develop these high-impact boards. Laura’s background, expertise,
DHR Global Appoints Leader for Houston Office
Talent advisory firm DHR Global has named Tony Hazen as managing partner, leading the Houston office. “Throughout my career, I’ve worked closely with private equity sponsors and operating teams to help them find the right leaders for moments that matter – turnarounds, integrations, and aggressive growth strategies,” said Mr. Hazen. “DHR brings the right platform, network, and culture to continue
Bridging Talent Gaps Across HR, Private Equity, Higher Education
In today’s complex talent environment, organizations across industries are facing a growing (and increasingly urgent) challenge: navigating critical talent gaps. Whether you’re scaling a portfolio company in private equity, rebuilding your human resources function, or filling a leadership void in higher education, the stakes are high, according to a new report from Blue Rock Search’s Ruben
How Recruitment Researchers Help Access Top Candidates
Hiring top-tier talent is one of the most critical—and challenging—tasks for any growing business. While job boards and traditional recruiting methods often yield familiar candidates, the true advantage comes from partnering with an executive search firm that leverages dedicated recruitment researchers to uncover exceptional, often untapped talent. These specialists go beyond the surface, uncovering high-caliber
Cowen Partners Assists United American Indian Involvement with CEO Search
Vancouver, WA-based Cowen Partners Executive Search has assisted in the recruitment of John R. Reeves as the new CEO of United American Indian Involvement, Inc. (UAII). This follows a national executive search led by Cowen Partners in partnership with UAII’s executive search committee, which included board members, staff, and community stakeholders. Sam Torres, managing director, led the
Isaacson, Miller Recruits Provost for Dartmouth
Boston-based Isaacson, Miller has recruited Santiago Schnell as the new provost of Dartmouth College. John Muckle, Becky Piper, Stephen Kalogeras, and Ethan Thomas led the search. “Santiago Schnell is a brilliant, multidisciplinary scientist, a humanistic and humane thinker, and a talented administrator with deep experience of what it takes to lead a world-class research university,” said Sian Beilock, president of
Russell Reynolds Associates Launches Strategy Decode and Activation to Bridge Leadership Gaps in Business Transformation
Russell Reynolds Associates has launched Strategy Decode and Activation, a distinctive advisory capability that positions CEO and C-suite leadership as the central driver of successful business transformation. “Russell Reynolds Associates has been at the forefront of helping the world’s largest organizations solve their most pressing leadership issues for decades,” said Constantine Alexandrakis, CEO. “Today, transformation is at the
Creating a Positive Culture in a Remote and Digital Age
As the workplace continues to evolve into hybrid and fully remote environments, the concept of company culture is being redefined. In the absence of traditional office settings, leaders must rely on intentional and nuanced approaches to foster engagement, trust, and a sense of community among dispersed teams. This shift demands more than just logistical adjustments—it
The New Era of Executive Search: Blending Intuition with Innovation
Executive search is at an inflection point. According to Aileen K. Alexander, CEO of DSG Global (Diversified Search Group), “The industry has long been built on trust, relationships, and intuition – and that’s not going away, but today, it must also be agile, inclusive, and increasingly driven by automation and data,” she said. “Parts of the search
Flatiron Search Partners Assists Big Blue Swim School with CEO Search
Flatiron Search Partners (FSP) has recruited Brandon Bean as the new CEO of Big Blue Swim School. Chris DeJong, founder and president of Big Blue Swim School, will continue to lead Big Blue’s brand and curriculum strategy, working closely alongside Mr. Bean to drive national expansion and elevate franchise support. “Brandon brings deep expertise in scaling high-growth franchise
Massey Henry Seeking Chief Legal Officer for Peoples Group
Toronto-based executive search firm Massey Henry was recently retained once again by Peoples Group to lead its search for a chief legal officer (CLO). Reporting to the president CEO, the chief legal officer is a core member of the executive leadership team, responsible for developing and executing the company’s legal strategy, ensuring alignment with business objectives
Atlantic Group Opens Office in Charlotte, NC
Executive search firm Atlantic Group recently opened a new office in Charlotte, NC. Lauren Sawyer, director, is leading the new location. “We are thrilled to announce the opening of our newest office in Charlotte, North Carolina,” Atlantic Group said in a LinkedIn post. “This location will allow us to continue our expansion into the greater Charlotte market and
Skills-Based Hiring: Where We Stand Today
In recent years, much attention has been given to the concept of skills-based hiring. At first glance, the premise seems almost self-evident: employers should focus on whether a candidate possesses the skills needed to perform a job. It sounds so straightforward that it might feel unnecessary to scrutinize further. Yet, taking skills seriously requires deprioritizing
Bespoke Partners Launches AI-Powered Talent Mapping Platform
San Diego, CA-headquartered Bespoke Partners has launched Calibrator, a scorecarding application accelerating executive search with an AI-powered talent market mapping platform for software and SaaS. Calibrator lets Bespoke’s clients to instantly see the complete talent pool for a given position based on adjustable scorecard parameters. “An executive hiring decision can impact billions of dollars in value
Reffett Associates Fills Finance Position for Fremont Brewing
Seattle, WA-based Reffett Associates has placed Ken Ossinger as vice president of finance for Fremont Brewing. He will report directly to Matt Lincecum CEO and co-founder of Fremont Brewing. “Ken’s deep experience with finance and accounting, history of working for many small and medium sized companies, and energetic and positive attitude make him an excellent selection to
CIO Partners Tapped by Reworld Waste to Lead Search for Chief Information Officer
Chief information officers (CIOs) are increasingly in demand today due to the accelerating pace of digital transformation across industries. As organizations strive to harness emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, cybersecurity frameworks, and data analytics, the CIO has become a critical figure in driving this change. Modern CIOs are no longer just IT
Bullhorn Appoints Chief Customer Officer
Recruiting software provider Bullhorn has named Mitesh Ashar as chief customer officer. In this strategic position, Mr. Ashar will lead Bullhorn’s global customer experience organization, driving innovation and service across all customer touchpoints. “Mitesh pushed us to make the product better, because he cared deeply about how technology supports real business goals,” said Art Papas, founder and
