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Daily Newswire
Beyond the Hire: How Private Equity Firms Are Rethinking the Executive Search Mandate
In private equity, leadership isn’t just about filling seats—it’s about fueling transformation. Every executive decision carries the weight of accelerated timelines, evolving strategies, and investor expectations. The difference between success and stagnation often comes down to whether a firm can identify leaders who don’t just fit the current moment, but can also architect the next
Funk Associates Recruits Provost for Clemson University
Funk Associates has recruited J. Cole Smith as executive vice president for academic affairs and provost of Clemson University. This follows approval from the board of trustees compensation committee. He will replace Robert H. Jones, who announced he was stepping down following 11 years serving as the university’s provost. “I am thrilled to announce that Dr. Cole Smith has
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.
A Midyear Opportunity to Reinforce Leadership and Talent
With June now underway, the midpoint of the year offers a natural opportunity for leaders to evaluate progress and prepare for the months ahead. As priorities shift and organizations look toward second-half objectives, now is an ideal time to focus on the people, structure, and leadership capabilities that will drive future performance. A deliberate investment
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?
Buffkin / Baker Expands Consumer Practice
Partner-led executive search firm Buffkin / Baker has expanded with the addition of Kevin Duffy as a partner in its consumer practice area. “We are delighted that Kevin has joined Buffkin / Baker and our consumer practice,” said David Alexander, partner, and consumer practice leader. “He brings a wealth of executive recruiting experience to our firm and
Speed vs. Certainty: How Leading Search Firms Deliver Fast Shortlists Without Increasing Risk
Executive search firms are under increasing pressure to deliver qualified leadership candidates faster without compromising diligence or decision quality. As hiring timelines compress and stakeholder scrutiny intensifies, many firms are turning to AI-driven intelligence tools to identify potential risks, validate candidate fit, and strengthen shortlists earlier in the search process. Balancing speed with certainty requires
Spencer Stuart Recruits Ninth Leader for Brunswick School
Spencer Stuart has assisted in the recruitment of Andrew T. Chappell as Brunswick’s ninth head of school, effective July 1, 2027. Mary Gorman, a partner in the firm’s education and social impact practice, and consultant Michele Haertel, led the assignment. Tom Philip has informed the Board of Trustees of his plans to retire in June 2027, at the
How PE-Backed Businesses are Redefining the Interim CFO Role
Interim CFOs are increasingly central to the performance and stability of private equity-backed businesses. As deal cycles extend and operating conditions tighten, they are deployed not only for financial stewardship but also as value creation partners across the investment lifecycle. “Today’s interim CFOs are increasingly deployed as execution-focused operators responsible for stabilizing performance, improving financial
The Talent Studios Places CEO at GIBBON North America
The Talent Studios has placed Luke Droulez as the new CEO of GIBBON North America. The search was led by Katlyn Maloney and Jeremy Cohen. Mr. Droulez is an executive leader with a proven track record of scaling consumer brands from early stage to nine figures. He was an early executive leader and chief marketing officer of native digital
Pacific International Executive Search Expands Advisory Board
London-headquartered executive search firm Pacific International Executive Search has appointed Beth Albright to its advisory board. “Beth Albright is an exceptional addition to our advisory board,” said David Howells, CEO of Pacific International. “Her deep governance expertise, her track record of guiding organizations through IPOs, M&A integrations, and large-scale transformations, and her recognized leadership in human capital management
Asset Management’s Next Edge Is Organizational, Not Financial
Citrin Cooperman’s 2026 Asset Management Survey Report highlights an industry undergoing meaningful transition. Their survey of 300 senior leaders across private equity, venture capital, hedge funds, private credit, and funds of funds points to a market increasingly shaped by institutional capital, operational pressure, and changing investor expectations. What stands out most is not simply the economic uncertainty facing
TurnkeyZRG Seeking Men’s Lacrosse Head Coach for Fairfield University
TurnkeyZRG has been retained by Fairfield University to lead in a nationwide search for a new men’s lacrosse head coach. Katy Young Staudt, vice president, college & coaching practice, is leading the assignment. The head coach will be responsible for directing all phases of a championship-caliber Division I Men’s Lacrosse program within the NCAA and Coastal Athletic Association, with an
BroadView Talent Partners Recruits CEO for the Freestore Foodbank
BroadView Talent Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Kreg Keesee as the new president and CEO of the Freestore Foodbank. Christie Angel, Melania DaSilva Deaver, Donna Young, and Robyn Quinn led the assignment. “Kreg brings a proven track record of building high-performing teams and turning strategy into action,” board chair Dwinelva Zackery said. “We are confident he is the right leader to
Streamlining the Hiring Process to Secure Top Talent
In a competitive hiring market, speed and preparation can often make the difference between securing a top candidate and losing them to another opportunity. With many professionals exploring new roles while remaining fully employed, organizations must balance thorough evaluation with an efficient and well-coordinated recruitment process. The most successful employers are those that approach hiring
DHR Global Adds New Partner in Singapore
Talent advisory firm DHR Global has expanded with the addition of Veronique Denis-Pelliet as a partner in its technology and retail & consumer practices in Singapore. A seasoned executive with over 10 years of experience in executive search, ESG leadership, sales, and international business development, Ms. Denis-Pelliet has led multicultural teams and driven growth in Southeast Asia, China, Europe,
Assessing Business Development Talent Without Slowing the Hiring Process
Companies are placing greater emphasis on improving hiring accuracy as competition for high-performing talent intensifies across the market. Yet many organizations continue to rely on inconsistent interview practices, subjective evaluations, and selection processes that create unnecessary friction for both candidates and internal stakeholders. Most hiring failures do not happen because companies move too fast. They
Academic Search Recruits President for Henry Ford College
Academic Search has placed David M. Knezek as the seventh president of Henry Ford College. Shirley Robinson Pippins and Richard Cummins led the assignment. Mr. Knezek, currently serving as chief operating officer of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and as an elected Wayne County commissioner, will assume the presidency later this year, succeeding interim president Dr. Lori
Fabric.AI Taps Egon Zehnder for Critical Search
Global leadership advisory firm Egon Zehnder has been retained by NASDAQ-traded AI infrastructure company Fabric.AI to lead the search for a senior project management executive. “Egon Zehnder’s reputation, global reach, and deep expertise across AI, advanced technologies, and organizational leadership make them an ideal partner for Fabric.AI at this stage of our growth,” said Josh Silverman, CEO of
Caldwell Expands in London and Madrid
Toronto-based Caldwell has expanded with the addition of Alex Langridge as a partner in the firm’s financial services practice. Based in London, Mr. Langridge advises clients across financial services and fintech on senior executive and board appointments, succession planning, organizational design, and transformational leadership hiring. “Alex’s appointment reflects our continued investment in expanding Caldwell’s financial
Fama Technologies Granted U.S. Patent on Foundational AI-Powered Social Media Screening Technology
Fama Technologies, providers of AI-powered online screening, has announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has allowed all claims in its patent application covering the foundational technology behind social media background screening. The patent, titled “System for Searching and Correlating Online Activity with Individual Classification Factors,” has a priority date of November
Updating How You Work So AI Can Actually Deliver
AI adoption is no longer a technology challenge, it is an operational one. Companies that generate lasting value from AI will be the ones willing to redesign workflows, redefine leadership responsibilities, and embed AI directly into how work gets done every day. Most companies will not fail at AI because they chose the wrong model,
Vetted Solutions Assists CoreNet Global with CEO Search
Following an extensive search process, Washington, D.C.-based Vetted Solutions has assisted in the recruitment of Vicki Worden as the new CEO of CoreNet Global. “Vicki Worden demonstrates exemplary leadership through her collaborative approach,” said Jamie Leary-Erickson, CoreNet Global board chair. “Vicki’s extensive experience in the architecture, engineering, and commercial real estate sectors, combined with her global perspective
BarkerGilmore Places Head of Legal at Vantage Elevator Solutions
Boutique search firm BarkerGilmore, which specializes in building corporate legal and compliance teams, has placed Keinan Meginniss as VP, head of legal at Vantage Elevator Solutions. The search was led by Stephen Bell and Alison Waters. “Keinan joins the organization at an exciting time as the company continues to expand its operations and strengthen its leadership team
NGS Global Adds TalentXera
Wilmington, DE-headquartered executive search firm NGS Global has added Saúl Almendárez and his team at TalentXera. This expands the firm’s capabilities across Mexico and the broader Latin America region. Mr. Almendárez is based in Mexico City, where he has spent more than 20 years building an exceptional team and a highly regarded brand in the executive search industry. Along
IMD International Search Group Elects New Board Members
Global executive search consortium IMD International Search Group recently had delegates from member firms meet in Helsinki, Finland, and announced the election of several board members. Ben Tucker (Minerva, IMD U.K.) transitions from director to VP finance and legal. Eva Nielsen (Lisberg, IMD Sweden) is reelected for a second mandate as director while Terhi Heikkinen (IMS Talent,
Hunt Scanlon and HSiQ Launch Recruiter Performance Training Program
The executive search industry has a training challenge. For years, recruiting firms have depended on apprenticeship-style development, learning through observation, informal mentoring, and varying management approaches. That model works for some, but it does not scale effectively. In a market increasingly shaped by AI, speed, precision, and commercial demands, inconsistent recruiter performance is no longer
Executive Search Firms Confront the AI Transformation
As AI rapidly reshapes the executive search landscape, recruiting firms are facing growing pressure to modernize how they identify, assess, and engage leadership talent. Industry experts say AI-driven sourcing, predictive analytics, and automation tools are helping firms accelerate search timelines and expand candidate reach, while also forcing recruiters to rethink where their true value lies.
Cooper Coleman Recruits CFO the Center for Child Protection
Cooper Coleman LLC has placed William Wade as chief financial officer of the Center for Child Protection (CCP) in Austin, TX. The national search was led by Johnny Cooper, founder and CEO of Cooper Coleman. “Dion brings the kind of strategic thinking and mission alignment CCP needs in its CFO,” said Mr. Cooper. “They are doing remarkable work,
Boyden Assists Kerry’s Place Autism Services with CEO Search
Boyden has recruited Normandie Wragg as the new president and CEO of Kerry’s Place Autism Services in Ontario. The appointment follows the previously announced retirement of CEO Susan VanDeVelde-Coke at the end of June. The search was led by partners Jim Stonehouse and Pamela Colquhoun, and Kathy Luu, senior associate. “Normandie is a highly accomplished, values-driven
Achieving True Diversity: The Power of Inclusion and Evidence-Based Recruitment Strategies
Mercuri Urval is a global executive search and talent advisory firm headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. The firm was founded in 1967. Today, Mercuri Urval works with more than 3,000 clients – across all sectors – in over 70 countries every year. It is the only global executive search and leadership advisory firm based in the
Search Firm Paid $105,000 for UW Athletic Director Search
Atlanta-based Parker Executive Search has assisted the University of Washington (UW) in the hiring of Jennifer Cohen as its new athletic director. She replaces Scott Woodward who left the school to take on the same position with Texas A&M. Ms. Cohen becomes the only female athletic director in the Pac-12 Conference and one of three in the 65 Power Five
Diversified Search to Recruit Chinese-American Planning Council CEO
Diversified Search has been retained by the Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC) to lead its search for a new president and chief executive officer. Janice Won has been serving as interim president and CEO since 2015. Managing director Gerard F. Cattie is heading the assignment. “We are pleased to begin the formal stage of process to identify the executive responsible for
Ducatus Partners Launched By Former Maxwell Drummond Recruiters
Workforce solutions provider Airswift has formed a new executive search firm: Ducatus Partners. It will operate independently of Airswift, delivering executive search, market intelligence and related consulting services to clients across the energy, process and infrastructure sectors. Ducatus will be led by a team consisting of Kevin Davidson, Sean Buchan and Jamie Ferguson. Together, they have
Top Gun Ventures Names New York Practice Leader
Top Gun Ventures has appointed Tom Silver as partner and executive in charge of the firm’s New York area practice. Mr. Silver most recently served as senior vice president of sales and marketing for Leadership Directories. Prior to that, he spent 12 years with Dice Holdings, where he was on the executive team when the company recovered
Recruiters Leveraging More Tools to Engage Candidates
Ninety-seven percent of corporate recruiters use LinkedIn to find, attract and engage talent, according to the 2016 ‘Global Recruiting Survey’ just released by Alexander Mann Solutions and Social Talent. The report examines how talent acquisition professionals around the world are utilizing online and social resources to find, and engage with, candidates. It is sobering news in
Koller Search Partners Recruits President for The Nation
Koller Search Partners (formerly the Howard-Sloan-Koller Group) has recruited Erin O’Mara as president of The Nation Co., LLC. The Nation’s former president, Teresa Stack, is stepping down to serve in a business advisory role for the next 16 months. As president, Ms. O’Mara will be responsible for managing both the revenue and operating functions of the
Curran Partners Adds Former CHRO As Partner
Executive search firm Curran Partners has added Robert F. Obst as a new partner. Mr. Obst brings more than 40 years of corporate experience in talent acquisition and organizational development. His “inside experience and perspective will be most helpful in recruiting, as well as providing HR consulting services,” said the firm in a statement. Most recently, he
Korn Ferry to Lead CEO Search for Australian Securities Exchange
Australian Securities Exchange, or ASX Limited, has selected Korn Ferry to find its next chief executive officer. The search is expected to be global and to take between three to nine months to complete. The successful candidate is “highly likely” to be Australian, according to ASX spokesman Matthew Gibbs. “Someone’s got to understand the nuances and
Spencer Ogden Opens Three New U.S. Offices
London-headquartered search firm Spencer Ogden has launched three new offices in Fort Lauderdale, Alabama, and New York. The new Fort Lauderdale and Alabama offices will primarily support Spencer Ogden’s Gulf Coast presence, mirroring the locations of many of its clients within both the marine and drilling industries. The New York office will look to develop partnership opportunities within
Why is There No Room for Hispanics On Corporate Boards?
For the seventh consecutive year, the percent of directors of Hispanic origin elected to Fortune 500 boards was sharply lower than the overall representation of Hispanics in the U.S. population, according to the Heidrick & Struggles 2016 board monitor. Of 399 new directors appointed by Fortune 500 companies in 2015, only 16 were Hispanic — a measly four percent.
BSG Team Ventures Retained By GEMS Education for CFO Search
Boston-headquartered executive search firm BSG Team Ventures has been selected by GEMS Education to lead its search for a new chief financial officer. Based in New York City, the incumbent CFO will help drive all financial management decisions for the company. The ideal candidate will oversee all company accounting practices, including accounting, budgeting, financial reports, taxes
Fox Rodney Search Appoints Internal Finance Chief
As we have seen, finance chiefs are in hot demand in corporate America, but they’re also a much-needed intellectual boost at executive search firms that are either undergoing unprecedented growth or considering outside financing to augment coming expansion plans. Fox Rodney Search (FRS) is the latest recruiting concern to name such a leader, bringing in Jerry Harris as
Spencer Stuart Lands Boston Public Library President
Spencer Stuart has landed Jill Bourne to fill the president position at the Boston Public Library (BPL). Interim library president David Leonard had also been a final candidate along with Andrea Sáenz, first deputy commissioner for the Chicago Public Library, who withdrew from the interview process for personal reasons. Spencer Stuart contacted and reviewed approximately 215 individuals for the
Steven Douglas Associates Names Managing Director
Fort Lauderdale-based executive search firm Steven Douglas Associates has named Vivian Gonzalez-Padilla as managing director, search division, for central Florida. Ms. Gonzalez-Padilla brings over 13 years of experience in executive search with a specialty in accounting and finance recruiting. She focuses on providing search services for mid-market to Fortune 500 companies in the areas of accounting, financial reporting, treasury, and
How Predicting CEO Success Can Impact the Corporate Bottom Line
Companies relying on more advanced forms of CEO assessment may see significant gains as high as 80 percent in market cap alone, according to new research from Korn Ferry. The results are just the latest example of companies around the globe turning to more innovative, sophisticated methods for hiring their most valued — and typically highest paid
Koya Lands Leader for Field Foundation of Illinois
Executive search firm Koya Leadership Partners has recruited Angelique Power as president of The Field Foundation of Illinois. She replaces Aurie Pennick who recently announced her retirement. Managing director Alison P. Ranney, senior manager of executive search Anne B. McCarthy, and senior associate Anny K. Chou led the assignment. The position called for a leader with a true passion for the
Coulter Partners Recruits Apollo Therapeutics Chief
Global life sciences search specialist Coulter Partners has placed Dr. Richard Butt as chief executive officer for Apollo Therapeutics, an investment fund focused on driving therapeutic innovation through university collaboration. “We are delighted to appoint a CEO of Richard’s caliber and industry experience to drive Apollo’s program forward,” said Dr. Ian Tomlinson, chairman of the Apollo Therapeutics investment
Harvey Nash Names South East Asia Leader
Global search firm Harvey Nash has named Audrey Moreau as associate director and leader of the firm’s industry practice in South East Asia. She is based in the firm’s Singapore office. Ms. Moreau has worked in Malaysia, Vietnam and Singapore, and is a search specialist focused on the industrial and pharmaceutical sectors across the South East Asia region. With almost a
Centerstone Opens In Washington, D.C.
Centerstone Executive Search & Consulting has opened a new Washington, D.C. office serving Fortune 500 and mid-market companies in the consumer products and services sector. “As we continue to grow our national footprint, Washington, D.C. is an area of focus for us with its fertile landscape of businesses that operate in the consumer sector,” said Centerstone
Duke University Picks Isaacson, Miller to Find Next President
In what is turning into a rapid wave of transition at top universities around the country, Isaacson, Miller has been chosen by Duke University to find its 10th president. Current president Richard H. Brodhead is stepping down in 2017 after 13 years. The search firm’s president, John Isaacson, is personally spearheading the assignment along with vice president Jane
Greek Bail Out Fund Taps Spencer Stuart for Bank Board Review
The Hellenic Financial Stability Fund (HFSF), Greece’s bank bailout fund, has picked Stuart Spencer to undertake a review of the boards of the country’s four big banks, part of a drive to crack down on how members are chosen. The HFSF currently owns stakes in National Bank, Piraeus Bank, Eurobank and Alpha Bank, after taking part in their
Stanton Chase Opens New Office in Detroit
Stanton Chase International has opened a new office in Detroit to serve its corporate clients in the manufacturing, automotive, commercial vehicle, and defense industries. Rich Kolpasky, a veteran search consultant and former senior executive in the automotive sector, will head up the office as managing director. Metro Detroit has propelled Michigan’s national ranking in emerging technology fields, including life
Lucas Group Names IT Practice Leader
Executive search firm Lucas Group has appointed Laura Kesler as managing partner for its information technology offices in San Diego, Las Vegas and Phoenix. As managing partner, Ms. Kesler will manage a team of five tenured recruiters between San Diego and Las Vegas with team growth projected to reach 10 in the immediate future. Previously, Ms. Kesler was a
Leadership DNA: What Is It and How Can I Find It?
Identifying the best candidate for a senior level position is only half the battle when choosing professionals to lead an organization. Understanding their personal leadership DNA is now seen as a critical assessment step in separating out an average-to-good candidate from a star performer whose game changing talents can drive a company to new heights.
Why Finding Effective Leaders Remains a Challenge
Existing methods of identifying and developing leaders are failing, creating a gap between traditional ideas of leadership effectiveness and what it actually takes to drive sustained business performance, according to ManpowerGroup‘s Right Management just released ‘Most Likely to Lead’ report. Astoundingly, 87 percent of employers surveyed said they do not believe they have the future
ON Partners Records 32 Percent Revenue Increase
Executive search firm ON Partners has posted U.S. revenues of $14 million, an increase of 31.8 percent, for 2015. The firm now ranks as the 19th largest search firm in the Americas region, according to the latest statistics report released from Hunt Scanlon Media. ON Partners currently has 16 consultants working from offices in Atlanta, Baltimore / Washington, D.C., Boston, Cleveland, Dallas, Minneapolis,
Russell Reynolds Associates Heading CFO Search for VAALCO Energy
Russell Reynolds Associates has been retained by VAALCO Energy, Inc. to lead its search for a chief financial officer. Don McCormack, the company’s current CFO, has resigned to spend more time with his family and pursue other opportunities. According to recent reports, about one fifth of companies change their CFOs annually, and the market for financial officers talent has become
Webber Kerr Associates Providing Services to City of Spartanburg
Executive search firm Webber Kerr Associates has been retained by the City of Spartanburg, SC to attract corporate organizations through the firm’s talent and market research services. Spartanburg is looking to draw global attention to businesses to its growing downtown and nearby surroundings. The area has a history in manufacturing and as a cost friendly
TRANSEARCH Strengthens Melbourne Office
TRANSEARCH International has added Michael Catlow as a senior consultant in Melbourne, Australia. He has 30 years of experience in operational and strategic management. Prior to joining TRANSEARCH, Mr. Catlow was managing director of Boyden in Australia, where he completed and led executive searches across the APAC region, focusing mainly on board positions. He chaired both the firm’s global compliance committee
Why Korn Ferry’s CEO Thinks We All Need to Adapt to Change
In a Harvard Business Review article, Korn Ferry‘s chief executive Gary D. Burnison (pictured) once compared a search firm to a hospital emergency room, writing that people only go to the ER – and an executive recruitment firm – in an emergency. “In medicine, big businesses are built around wellness and prevention,” he wrote. “I wanted to
The Up Group Receives Private Equity Funding
U.K.-headquartered executive search firm The Up Group has secured investment from mid-market private equity firm Livingbridge as the recruiting firm targets further domestic and international growth. Exact terms of the funding were not disclosed. Founded in 2007 by Clare Johnston, Up Group has become one of a growing number of search firms focused on finding digital leaders for their
