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Daily Newswire
Executive Search in 2026: Why Human Judgment Still Matters
As AI “agentification” pushes more work into software, the executive search industry is being forced to justify its value beyond simply filling roles. The case for its future rests on something algorithms and internal networks often struggle to protect: independent judgment in high-stakes hiring—especially when speed, alignment, and culture become so dominant that they quietly
WittKieffer Acquires Assets of Ross & Company
Oak Brook, IL-based WittKieffer has acquired the assets of Ross & Company. Financial terms of deal were not disclosed. Founder Larry Ross will join WittKieffer as senior partner and lead partner for private equity. “This combination accelerates WittKieffer’s leadership in building boards and executive teams for healthcare and life sciences investors and their portfolio companies,” the firm said.
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.
AI Is Rewriting the Executive Hiring Playbook
Insight Partners’ latest research suggests the AI era is creating a new executive hiring playbook. Based on more than 400 executive searches and interviews with over 1,400 leadership candidates, the firm’s talent team argues that many of the characteristics defining today’s strongest product and engineering leaders would have been viewed as weaknesses only a few years
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?
FMG Leading Acquires Market Intelligence And Strategic Advisory Firm BroadBranch Advisors
Human capital advisory firm FMG Leading has acquired market intelligence and strategic advisory firm BroadBranch Advisors. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “In today’s high-pressure landscape, translating forward-looking intelligence into action faster and more effectively is critical for our clients, especially in the investor-backed healthcare space,” said Matt Brubaker, chairman and CEO of FMG Leading. “By
PARC Street Group Places Chief Operating Officer for Mission Valley Bank
PARC Street Group has assisted in the recruitment Amanda Connell as chief operating officer at Mission Valley Bank. This search was completed by PARC Street Group senior executive search consultant Michelle Davis, executive recruiter Tabassum Nagpurwala, and executive search associate Priscilla Chacon. Ms. Connell brings more than 15 years of progressive leadership experience across community
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
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
Job Seeker Confidence Rises as Market Shows Signs of Growth
Despite ongoing challenges and frustrations in the job market, job seekers and employees remain resilient, prioritizing growth opportunities by pursuing roles or turning to nontraditional arrangements like contract and freelance work to meet their needs and career goals. The Vaco Talent Pulse Report measures employee and job seeker confidence levels in three core areas—job security,
Hiring to Hold Steady In Fourth Quarter, Paychecks to Increase
Seasonal and permanent workers are expected to take home bigger paychecks in the fourth quarter as the push for better wages and the increased competition for skilled labor remain hot issues for employers. According to CareerBuilder’s Q4 2016 ‘U.S. Job Forecast,’ 47 percent of employers expect to increase pay for seasonal workers in Q4. Of those hiring
Character is One Key In Cross-Border Leadership Hires
Character, chemistry and cultural sensitivity are key criteria that C-suite leaders look for when identifying and onboarding leaders at their global operations. This is the conclusion of CEOs and international search executives who met recently in Cleveland at the annual meeting of the International Executive Search Federation (IESF), hosted recently by ASLON Group. Formed in 2002, the
Witt/Kieffer In Search for Law Dean At University of Oregon
Executive search firm Witt/Kieffer has been retained by the University of Oregon to lead its search for a new dean of the School of Law. Principal Werner Boel and consultant Suzanne Teer are leading the assignment. The dean post reports to the provost and senior vice president and is the academic leader, fundraiser, and chief executive of
BSG Team Ventures Recruits Marketing Chief for Human Capital Institute
Executive search firm BSG Team Ventures has placed Robert Birdsong as chief marketing officer at Human Capital Institute (HCI). In this role, Mr. Birdsong will lead the strategy and execution of all marketing functions, positioning the HCI brand as a source of thought leadership for talent management leaders. His team will oversee all aspects of
Signium Opens New Office In Argentina
Executive search firm Signium has opened a new office in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Lead by Rubén Heinemann, SIGNIUM Argentina will provide focused executive search services across a number of industries, including industrial, financial, business & professional services, as well as oil & gas throughout Argentina. Mr. Heinemann has over 30 years of cumulative C-suite and executive recruiting experience
Odgers Berndtson Adds Sector Specialists, Doubles In Size
Executive search firm Odgers Berndtson has launched a new higher education practice in the U.S. and strengthened its life sciences and healthcare practices. In the process, the firm has added four executive search industry specialists – Nick Brill, Allen Reed, Jennifer McDonough and Ora Smith. Mr. Brill joins Odgers as a partner and will head its U.S. higher
Futurestep Launches Dedicated Credit Union and Community Banking Recruiting Practice
Futurestep, a Korn Ferry company that provides talent acquisition solutions, has established a dedicated credit union and community banking recruiting practice area and has named Mike Juratovac as sector leader. The practice falls within Futurestep’s North America financial services practice. Mr. Juratovac brings with him more than 20 years of executive search and consulting experience, with a specific focus
Heidrick & Struggles Opens In Calgary
Heidrick & Struggles has strengthened its presence in Canada, particularly among clients in the financial services, mining and metals, and oil & gas sectors. “Heidrick & Struggles is building new momentum in Canada to serve clients across many sectors with the leadership solutions they need in uncertain and often challenging operating environments,” said Andrea Waines, managing partner of the firm’s Toronto office.
Russell Reynolds Associates Recruits Save The Children U.K. Leader
Russell Reynolds Associates has placed Kevin Watkins as the new chief executive officer of Save the Children UK. Justin Forsyth, chief executive of Save the Children UK since 2010, announced he was leaving the charity earlier this year. Tanya Steele, executive director of marketing, fundraising and communications, had been serving as interim CEO. Mr. Watkins assumed his new duties two weeks ago. The
Major, Lindsey & Africa Places Chief Legal Officer at Union Pacific
Major, Lindsey & Africa (MLA) has recruited Rhonda S. Ferguson as executive vice president and chief legal officer of Union Pacific. The search was led by partners Paul Williams and Michael Sachs. Ms. Ferguson joins Union Pacific from FirstEnergy Corp., where she was vice president, corporate secretary and chief ethics officer since 2007. In addition to leading FirstEnergy’s corporate,
Caldwell Partners Latest Recruiter to Offer Assessment Services
The list of executive search firms offering leadership assessment services is expanding — rapidly. Caldwell Partners International is now the latest to enter the fray, forming a partnership with Caliper, a research-based talent management consulting firm focused on assessment and leadership development. The agreement will integrate Caliper’s assessment and onboarding services into Caldwell Partners’ research-based executive search process
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).
