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Bain & Co. Says Building A Value Creation Plan Starts With Building An A-Team
In a recent report, Bain & Company highlights a number that immediately changes the temperature in the room: private equity owners replace 50 percent to 70 percent of portfolio company CEOs during the hold period. It is a stark reminder of how demanding the PE ownership model can be for leaders unfamiliar with the speed and discipline
AI Won’t Replace Retained Search; It Will Reveal Who’s Doing It Well
In executive search, the real AI question is no longer if it belongs in the process, but how it can sharpen human judgment instead of diluting it. “Everyone is piloting AI somewhere in the talent stack,” said Mike Caggiano, co-founder and CEO of ExactSearch.AI. He explained that the executive tier is where the question shifts
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.
Why Succession Planning Is Critical to Reducing Leadership Risk
Most organizations have something they refer to as a succession plan — a spreadsheet, a nine-box grid updated once a year and then put away, or an annual HR review. But very few can answer the question that truly matters: if a critical leader left tomorrow, would the organization be able to keep executing? That’s
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?
Rokos Group Seeking Chief Medical Officer for Center for Elders’ Independence
Newport Beach, CA-based executive search firm Rokos Group has been selected by Center for Elders’ Independence (CEI) to lead in its search for a chief medical officer. Reporting to the president and CEO, the chief medical officer will serve as CEI’s senior physician executive and a full member of the executive leadership team. This is a strategic
ADK Consulting & Executive Search Assists the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority with CEO Search
ADK Consulting & Executive Search recently assisted in the recruitment of Cris Jensen as the new president and CEO of the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority (RTAA). Rod Dinger led the assignment. “It is my honor to announce the board has chosen Cris Jensen to serve as the next president and CEO, and his contract negotiations are currently underway,” said Shaun Carey, chair of
How CEOs Can Overcome Setbacks and Emerge Stronger
Executive search firms are increasingly being called upon to assess more than a candidate’s track record of growth, transformation, and financial performance. As boards search for CEOs capable of leading through persistent uncertainty, resilience has become a critical component of the leadership profile. Search consultants are placing greater emphasis on how executives have responded to
Occam Global Recruits CFO for eGenesis
New York City-based executive search firm Occam Global has placed Glenn Vraniak as CFO of eGenesis, a biotechnology company developing human-compatible engineered organs for transplantation. “eGenesis is entering a pivotal stage in our evolution as we prepare to advance our programs through clinical development and lay the foundation for future commercialization,” said Mike Curtis, CEO of eGenesis.
Maven Partnership Names Partner and Consultants
Global talent advisory firm Maven Partnership has recently promoted Tom Chambers to partner, Seb Coughlin as consultant, and George Roberts to consultant. “We are delighted to announce the well-deserved promotions of several exceptional individuals here at Maven Partnership, Will Hannaford, chief executive officer. “We’re committed to the growth and development of our people, and it’s fantastic to
The Execution Era: How Transformation Is Reshaping Private Equity
Most PE value creation plans don’t fail on strategy. They fail between the plan and the doing. With longer holds and less forgiving exit windows, delivery discipline is carrying more of the return, according to a new report from Wilton & Bain’s Jack Syred and James Royall. The report reflects patterns Wilton & Bain has
JDG Associates Retained by the Institute for Defense Analyses to Lead VP of Corporate Operations Search
Rockville, MD-based executive search firm JDG Associates has been tapped by the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) to lead its search for their vice president of corporate operations, based in Alexandria, VA. IDA seeks a seasoned operational and business transformation leader to modernize systems, processes, and service delivery across the organization. Serving as a corporate officer and
Modern Executive Solutions adds Partner to Lead Growth of M1 Talent Community
Atlanta-based talent consultancy Modern Executive Solutions has appointed Bria Bass as as partner, where she will lead the continued growth and expansion of the M1 Talent Community across North America and Europe. “Bria brings a rare combination of executive advisory, deep community-building experience, and an exceptional ability to connect leaders in meaningful ways,” said Mark Oppenheimer, CEO
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
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
Burnout in the Workplace: What the Latest Research Tells Us
Imagine a workplace where 80 percent of employees are experiencing burnout, with younger generations feeling the strain the most. How would this affect productivity, morale, and the overall success of the organization? New research reveals that this scenario is not far-fetched, serving as a wake-up call for executives. Employee burnout has become a widespread challenge,
What It Takes to Make the Right Match
Although 76 percent of full time, employed workers are either actively looking for a job or open to new opportunities, nearly half (48 percent) of employers can’t seem to find the workers they need to fill their job vacancies, according to CareerBuilder‘s just released ‘2016 Candidate Behavior’ study. “Job seekers may have more of an edge
Choice Hotels Taps Spencer Stuart for CFO Hunt
Spencer Stuart has been retained by Choice Hotels International to lead its search for a new chief financial officer. David L. White is leaving the company to pursue other professional opportunities. The company has selected controller Scott Oaksmith to oversee the finance team while Spencer Stuart conducts the search. Choice Hotels is one of the world’s largest lodging companies. With more
Alexander Hughes Opens In Dubai; Names Managing Partner
Global executive search firm Alexander Hughes has reinforced its presence in the Gulf countries by adding a new office in the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.). Based in Dubai, Thomas Duret has been appointed managing partner for Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the U.A.E. One of the world’s fastest growing economies, Dubai’s current gross domestic
Kincannon & Reed Lands CEO for Calyxt
Executive search firm Kincannon & Reed has recruited Federico A. Tripodi as chief executive officer of Calyxt, Inc., a Minnesota-based company developing healthier food products to benefit both consumers and growers. He takes over from Luc Mathis, who will continue his role as an advisor to the company. Mr. Tripodi will work closely with Calyxt’s executive
Egon Zehnder Strengthens New York Office
Egon Zehnder has added Lee Wrubel M.D., to its New York office as a consultant and strategic talent advisor. Dr. Wrubel has more than 20 years of experience working across healthcare delivery, management consulting and venture capital. As a member of Egon Zehnder’s global health and private equity practices, he will provide strategic counsel on executive
As U.K. Vote Nears, Uncertainty Looms Over Recruiting Sector
With a referendum on British membership in the European Union now just three weeks away, the rate of job growth in the U.K. is easing amid reports of increased hiring uncertainty, according to a report released by The Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC). “The U.K. labor market is going through an unsettled patch,” said REC chief
ON Partners Recruits Rent-A-Center CIO
Executive search firm ON Partners has placed Angela Yochem as senior vice president of information technology and chief information officer (CIO) of Rent-A-Center, Inc. Partner Andy Hickman led the search assignment. Ms. Yochem is charged with developing and executing a transformative technology strategy that will support Rent-A-Center’s growth. Her responsibilities include developing Rent-A-Center’s IT talent; expanding recently developed technologies;
Chasm Partners Taps CEO for Remedy Partners
Executive search firm Chasm Partners has recruited Carolyn Magill as chief executive officer of Remedy Partners. Ms. Magill joins Remedy from Evolent Health, where she served as executive vice president of payer strategy and operations. Prior to that, she held various leadership positions at UnitedHealth Group’s Medicare and Medicaid businesses. “Carolyn is the perfect fit for Remedy,”
Recruiters Acquire Equity Stake In Stanton Chase Los Angeles
Stanton Chase International’s managing director Edward Savage has announced that Sadovnick Partners’ CEO Mark Sadovnick along with Stanton Chase director Peter Deragon have acquired an equity interest in the Los Angeles office of the firm. Both will form a significant part of its new leadership team. In a joint statement, Messers Sadovnick and Deragon said: “Ed provides the leadership of
AltoPartners Adds Member Firms In Korea and Switzerland
AltoPartners, an international alliance of independent executive search firms and leadership consultants, has added Seoul-based Korean search firm Pathfinder and Swiss executive recruiters MPB Recruitment Group AG, as its newest member firms. The organization now has a presence across 53 offices in 33 countries. AltoPartners said the business development opportunities that exist in both Korea and
Establish a Diversity Baseline and the Money Will Follow
The new ‘Women Count’ report by The Pipeline and executive search firm Ridgeway Partners has established a baseline for the number of women who hold executive positions at FTSE 350 companies in the UK. The study also looks at whether there is any financial benefit for companies from having women on executive committees. Short answer: there is, and
Russell Reynolds Recruits President for Stratford Hall
Russell Reynolds Associates has recruited John S. Bacon as president of Stratford Hall. In this capacity, Mr. Bacon will be responsible for raising the profile of Stratford Hall’s mission, directing operations on site, representing the institution in the community and, more broadly, leveraging its property and programming to increase visitation and financial support. Stratford Hall, a historic house museum in Westmoreland
Southerland Partners Taps CEO for Intermountain Healthcare
Dallas-based executive search firm Southerland Partners has placed Dr. A. Marc Harrison as president and chief executive officer of Intermountain Healthcare. Dr. Charles W. Sorenson is retiring from the CEO post in October. Dr. Harrison has had a distinguished career in pediatric critical care, and most recently held positions as chief of international business development for Cleveland
Invenias Appoints Head of Americas
Invenias, a U.K.-headquartered global cloud-based platform for executive and strategic hiring, has appointed Jim Duddy to head up its operations in the Americas. As vice president of the Americas, he will be responsible for ensuring that the company continues its growth trajectory in the U.S., Canada, and Latin America, and growing the Invenias team located on
Sapeare Executive Search Names HR Practice Head
Atlanta-headquartered Sapeare Executive Search has added Jim Thorsten to its team to lead the firm’s human resources practice division. Mr. Thorsten has over 25 years of experience in the search, sales and management industries. He was previously with recruiting firm firstPRO where he focused on attracting talent within the supply chain and engineering sectors. Before that,
Diversity Hiring Is Lagging At CEO and CFO Levels
Across the executive ranks, five times more men than women were appointed to new positions, according to a just released report issued by TRANSEARCH International. The landmark study, which looked at more than 3,000 C-level appointments representing 10 industry groups across North America, found that only one fourth of newly appointed senior level executives were diverse
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







