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Daily Newswire
Five Questions with MJ Scott, Incoming CEO of Kirk Palmer Associates
Kirk Palmer Associates (KPA) an independent executive search firm dedicated exclusively to retail and consumer brands, this past July appointed search industry veteran MaryJeanne (MJ) Scott as its new CEO. A seasoned leader with more than 25 years in retail and executive search, Ms. Scott brings expanded capabilities to KPA’s global operations with a focus
Unemployment Rises to Four-Year High
Employment rose by 64,000 in November as the U.S. unemployment rate stands at 4.6 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. Employment rose in healthcare and construction in November, while federal government continued to lose jobs. The delayed employment report for November and a partial update for October published by the Labor Department’s Bureau
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.
U.S. Adds 162,000 Jobs in August as Unemployment Holds at 4.1 Percent
Employment increased by 162,000 in August as the U.S. unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.1 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. The number of unemployed people, at 7.0 million, changed little in August. Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rate for people who are Asian declined to 3.2 percent in August.
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?
WittKieffer Recruits President and CEO for the American Hospital Association
Oak Brook, IL-based WittKieffer has placed Steve Walsh as the new president and CEO of the American Hospital Association (AHA). Andrew Chastain, Paul Bohne, and Keshia Harris led the assignment. “Following a thoughtful national search, the board unanimously selected Steve Walsh to serve as the next president and CEO of the American Hospital Association,” said Marc L. Boom, chair of the AHA
Egon Zehnder Appoints Global Leader of HR Practice
Global leadership advisory firm Egon Zehnder has named Ayşe Güçlü Onur as global leader of its human resources practice. She succeeds Rafael Altavini, who helped expand the practice’s work with leaders, teams and organizations navigating transformation and change. “This appointment comes as companies and boards increasingly look to CHROs to help shape business strategy, lead transformation, build leadership
The Industry’s Profit Conversion Problem — And Why Going AI-Native is the Way Out
The recruiting industry is not short on revenue. Fee revenue at the 50 largest executive search firms in the U.S. and Americas jumped 11 percent last year, topping $6.69 billion, according to Hunt Scanlon‘s 2026 annual rankings. Across broader staffing, the picture is more muted, but revenue is still flowing. The problem is what happens
BoardWalk Consulting Leading CEO Search for the National Breast Cancer Coalition
BoardWalk Consulting was recently retained by the National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC) to lead in its search for a new CEO. The search is being led by Crystal Stephens and Terri Kohan. This is a rare opportunity: to lead one of the most respected and independent voices in breast cancer advocacy, building on three decades of momentum. Reporting
GHP Search Partners with Ascend Learning on Board Member Appointments
GHP Search, formerly known as Greenwich Harbor Partners, was recently tapped by Ascend Learning to assist in growing both the Ascend Learning board of directors and the Ascend Charter Schools board of trustees. New members of the Ascend Learning board identified by GHP include Robert Childs, retired EVP, strategic initiatives at American Express and Amy Mbagwu-Bagolini, a founding leader of Amazon’s Streaming TV advertising business. Richard Young Jr, director,
FMG Leading Adds Healthcare Strategy and Transformation Expert
Human capital advisory firm FMG Leading has expanded with the addition of healthcare strategy and transformation expert Doug Van Wie as managing director. The firm explained that the addition further aligns FMG Leading’s capabilities with the needs of investor-backed organizations looking to add value and mitigate risk as they deploy purpose-driven capital into the rapidly evolving healthcare system.
Caldwell Launches Global Financial Institutions Group Practice
Toronto-based Caldwell has launch its global financial institutions group (FIG) practice, bringing together the firm’s financial services capabilities under a single, globally coordinated practice. “This is more than a change in name,” said Chris Beck, chief executive officer of Caldwell. “It reflects the scale, connectivity, and depth of the practice we have built globally, as well as
M&A in the Search Industry: How Consolidation Is Reshaping Who Wins
M&A activity is becoming an increasingly important force across the executive search sector as investors and larger platforms look for opportunities to expand capabilities, sector expertise, and geographic reach. For independent firms, the trend is placing greater scrutiny on how effectively their businesses are structured, managed, and positioned for the future. Against this backdrop, search
Korn Ferry Completes Acquisition of AMS
Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) has completed its acquisition of U.K.-headquartered AMS from OMERS Private Equity. The combined organization brings together two highly complementary organizations across geographies and industries with a shared commitment to drive business performance. The collective firm will have more than 16,000 colleagues. In accordance with the terms of the acquisition agreement and in the
Myers McRae Helps Pensacola State College Select Finalist for President Role
Macon, GA-based Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting has assisted Pensacola State College (PSC) with the selection of J. Alex Kelly as the finalist to become it’s next president. The committee’s recommendation followed a national search led by Kenny Daugherty of Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting. The search attracted 107 qualified applicants from across the country. The committee selected
Potrero Group Recruits CEO for Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership
San Francisco-based leadership consulting and search firm Potrero Group has placed Karen Strolia as the next CEO of Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership (CVNL) in San Rafael, CA. She succeeds longtime CVNL CEO Linda Jacobs, who led the organization for 25 years. “The board is thrilled to welcome Karen as CVNL’s next chief executive officer,” said Luana Vaetoe,
Marovi Appoints Head of Engineering
Atlanta-GA-based Marovi has expanded with the addition of Ebubechukwu “Don” Enwerem as head of engineering. “Over the past few years, Don has had several engineering terms with Amazon Robotics – work estimated to save millions in operational costs. In between stints, he was building with Marovi. When the opportunity came to continue with Amazon, Don chose
As Executive Search Accelerates, Judgment Becomes the Differentiator
Executive search firms are under pressure to demonstrate value earlier than ever. Clients increasingly expect firms to understand the market, identify credible candidates, and begin calibrating on potential profiles before a search has even formally launched. AI and new data tools are helping firms meet those demands. Tasks that once took days can now be
Fractional vs. Full-Time Executives: The Real Math for Mid-Sized Growing Companies
As mid-sized companies grow, one of the more consequential leadership decisions is determining when fractional executive support is sufficient and when the business requires a full-time leader. A recent ExactSearch.AI report examined the economics behind that decision, finding that the answer often depends less on compensation than on the level of ownership, accountability, and organizational
Lindauer Recruits Chief Development Officer for C-SPAN
Following a national search, Lindauer has assisted in the recruitment of Adele Hixon-Day as the first chief development officer of C-SPAN. The search is being led by Lindauer vice president Maureen Huminik, senior vice president Bob Giannino, and senior consultant Taylor Beard. “Adele joins C-SPAN at a pivotal moment,” said C-SPAN CEO Sam Feist. “For decades, the cable and satellite, and recently
Pyramind Recruits President and CEO for The SkillSource Group
Following a national search, Falls Church, VA-based executive search firm Pyramind has placed Clifford Yee as president and CEO of The SkillSource Group, Inc. (SSG), fiscal sponsor of Virginia Career Works – Northern. He succeeds interim executive officer Seema Jain, following a leadership transition supported by SkillSource’s staff, board, and community partners. “Cliff has a strong
Buffkin / Baker Acquires Fortra Search
In an effort to strengthen its venture capital and private equity search capabilities, Buffkin / Baker has acquired Fortra Search, a boutique retained executive search firm focused exclusively on executive sales and revenue leadership. The firm has also named its founder Andy Grosso as partner. “We’re thrilled to welcome Andy to Buffkin / Baker,” said Jackson Ross, partner
The Role of the CFO in PE-Backed Businesses
The role of the CFO in private equity-backed businesses has shifted materially in recent years. Historically a function for financial stewardship, the CFO role is now defined by operational accountability, value creation and the ability to translate investment strategy into outcomes. A recent report from U.K.-based executive search firm The Barton Partnership (TBP). The study examined how
JDG Associates Seeking Executive Director for the National Coalition for Assistive and Rehab Technology
Rockville, MD-based executive search firm JDG Associates was recently selected by the National Coalition for Assistive and Rehab Technology (NCART) to lead its search for a new executive director. The position is remote and may be based anywhere in the United States, with proximity to the Washington, D.C. area considered a plus. NCART stands at a pivotal moment, with active,
Calibre One Assists Cibus with CEO Search
Calibre One has helped to recruit board member Craig Wichner as the new CEO for NASDAQ-traded Cibus, Inc. in San Diego, CA. Peter Beetham, who has served as the company’s interim CEO, will continue his role as the company’s president and chief operating officer. Concurrently, both Mr. Wichner and Dr. Beetham resigned from the Cibus board of directors as part
Shelli Herman and Associates Recruits CEO for OneOC
Los Angeles-based Shelli Herman and Associates has placed Bonni Pomush as the new president and CEO of OneOC. She will succeed Tim Strauch, who will remain president and CEO through December 31, 2026, before retiring from OneOC after 19 years of service and leadership. “Bonni’s record of organizational transformation, collaborative leadership, and community engagement makes her exceptionally
NPAworldwide Forms Alliance with Dimensional Search Associates
Member-owned recruitment network NPAworldwide has formed a strategic partnership with the Sanford Rose Associates family of companies, including Dimensional Search. “This partnership brings together two strong organizations with complementary strengths and a shared commitment to helping independent recruiting firms succeed,” NPAworldwide said. “For NPAworldwide, the agreement represents a meaningful extension of its mission to connect independent recruiting
Scaling Growth Through Transformative Talent
High-growth environments can compress time, magnify decisions, and expose leadership gaps in an instant. As companies move through periods of rapid expansion, the ability to build and evolve the right leadership team becomes increasingly critical to sustaining momentum and creating long-term value. Across private equity, venture capital, and technology-driven businesses, organizations are rethinking how they
Crist|Kolder Associates Recruits CFO for Allstate
Crist|Kolder Associates has recruited Christian Lown as executive vice president and chief financial officer of The Allstate Corporation. “Chris’s leadership and capital markets expertise will enable us to continue increasing Property-Liability market share and expand protection provided to customers,” said Tom Wilson, president and CEO of The Allstate Corporation. With more than 25 years of senior
Protis Global Appoints Co-Presidents
Consumer packaged goods-focused executive search and advisory firm Protis Global has named Skye Miller and Isabel Cosby as co-presidents in a planned generational leadership transition as the company positions itself for its next phase of growth. Bert Miller, who co-founded the firm in 1995, moves from chairman and CEO of Protis Global to chairman. He will continue as founder
Why Do So Many M&As Fail? The Talent Factor Could Be Key
Why do 70 percent of all mergers and acquisitions fail? Is it because our due diligence fails to adequately address the all-important issue of human talent? Sumeet Salwan, co-founder of CEO.works argues in a recent article on IMD that the success of any merger hinges on connecting the right talent to future value hotspots. The
The Miles Partnership Expands Media and Insurance Practices
U.K.-based boutique executive search firm The Miles Partnership has added three new search consultants to its media and insurance practices. George Williams joins the firm as a principal in its media practice. He brings a track record of recruiting board, C-suite and executive talent in the sports and media industries. Previously, Mr. Williams was business development manager for Nielsen on
Talent Shortage Leads to Growing Contingent Workforce
Seventy-six percent of companies use contingent labor to enhance their workforce and close talent gaps, according to the ‘Definitive Guide to Building a Better Workforce’ report released by Adecco Staffing USA. The study surveyed 536 C-suite executives across the U.S. regarding the types of talent they need, the skills that are most difficult to find, how
Herbert Mines Recruits Tuesday Morning CEO
Herbert Mines Associates has placed Steven R. Becker as chief executive officer of Tuesday Morning Corp. Past CEO Michael Rouleau retired from his position in September. The change in leadership comes shortly after the company reported fourth quarter and fiscal year 2015 results that fell well short of analysts’ expectations. When Mr. Rouleau assumed the interim CEO post in 2013 he
Lucas Group Names Legal Search Practice Leader
Executive Search firm Lucas Group has appointed Amdie Mengistu to lead its legal search practice in New York City. He will manage a team of executive recruiters and continue to grow the practice. In addition, he will recruit talent for a variety of clients from small, boutique firms to Fortune 500 corporations. Mr. Mengistu transitioned into legal recruiting in 2012 and rose
Milwaukee Bar Taps Spano Pratt for Next Leader
Spano Pratt Executive Search has been selected by the Milwaukee Bar Association to lead its search for a new executive director. James Temmer has recently left the organization to become CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Wisconsin. Managing partner Jamie Pratt is leading the search assignment. Ms. Pratt is a co-founder of the firm and has cultivated and overseen the
Marshall Consultants Celebrates 50 Years In Recruiting
Marshall Consultants, a public relations-focused search firm, is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Founded in New York City in 1966 by CEO Larry Marshall, the firm was the first national retainer-based executive search to specialize in the public relations, corporate & marketing communications and investor relations functions. Marshall Consultants has represented over half of the Fortune 500,
Transitioning CFOs Seen Fast Tracking to CEO
La Quinta’s naming of Keith Cline as company president and chief executive officer is the latest in a running catalog of completed CEO searches that have resulted in the winning candidate coming from the CFO slot. Korn Ferry took on the search last fall after Wayne Goldberg stepped down from the post in September. “After a broad and
Academic Search Places General Counsel at Rutgers
Washington, D.C.-headquartered Academic Search has recruited John J. Hoffman as general counsel of Rutgers University. Academic Search vice president and senior consultant, William F. Howard, led the search. Mr. Hoffman is currently acting attorney general for the state of New Jersey. He has an extensive legal and regulatory background and has served almost 20 years in state
Macdonald Lewis Opens Doors to Serve Life Sciences Sector
Macdonald Lewis Associates Limited has been launched in the U.K. to provide executive search services to the life sciences industry. The firm is led by life sciences talent management veteran Susan Macdonald. With 27 years’ experience in life sciences, Ms. MacDonald started out as a nursing graduate from Glasgow where she transitioned to the pharmaceutical industry. There,
Koya Leadership Heading CEO Search for Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago
Executive search firm Koya Leadership Partners has been retained by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago to lead its search for a chief executive officer. Managing director Alison P. Ranney and Marissa Martin, vice president of executive search, are leading the assignment for Koya. The incoming CEO is expected to be a visionary leader able to work effectively with
Odgers Berndtson Expands in Canada
Odgers Berndtson has expanded its public sector search expertise in Canada with the addition of Jane Griffith as a new partner in its academic practice as well as John King and Gino Picciano in the firm’s healthcare practice. With a focus on the recruitment of senior leaders in the academic sector, Ms. Griffith has worked with universities,
Why Women Matter In the Talent Game
According to data collected by Hunt Scanlon Media, women in the executive search industry have made considerable progress over the last quarter century, and they continue to do so on a global basis. A massive restructuring has been underway in the executive recruiting business for much of the last decade, from the products and services being
CalPERS Turns to Heidrick for Next CEO
Heidrick & Struggles has been selected by the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) to lead its search for a new chief executive officer. Current CEO Anne Stausboll announced at the end of last month that she would step down in June. Renee Neri, a partner in Heidrick’s New York office and a member of the firm’s asset management &
Jorgenson Consulting Recruits CEO for Corpus Christi Chamber
Greensboro, North Carolina-based Jorgenson Consulting has recruited Annette Medlin as president and chief executive officer of the Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce. She succeeds Foster Edwards who has been the Chamber’s president and CEO for the past decade. Ms. Medlin was selected from a large pool of qualified individuals with strong professional backgrounds in leadership roles
Toft Group Launches Digital Health Practice; Partners with IESF
Toft Group, an executive search firm focusing exclusively on the life sciences and healthcare sectors, has launched a dedicated executive recruiting practice for digital health & healthcare IT. The firm specializes in searches for organizations in biotech, pharmaceutical, medical device, and diagnostics. Due to rapid industry growth and increasing client demand, the firm said it
Mediatum Names Industrial Practice Leader
Executive recruiter Mediatum International has added Johannes Suciu to its new office in Frankfurt, Germany as senior client partner. He becomes head of the firm’s chemical & industrial practice group and will assist clients in senior level recruitment. Mr. Suciu joins Marijana Pavlovic, who joined the firm in November, to make up the office’s industrial executive
Workers Set Sights On New Jobs In 2016
Twenty-one percent of workers plan to look for new jobs in 2016, according to a new study released by Penna. The report found the majority of them have been considering a change for as a long as 11 months. “We all know that the end of the year sees a spike in the number of individuals
Allen Austin Launches Global Technology Practice
Global leadership advisory firm Allen Austin has launched a new global technology practice. It will be led by Rod Keller and co-led by Clement J. Wigger from the firm’s Austin office and will focus on helping organizations identify, attract, develop, and retain tech talent. The practice will be focused on critical growth areas in the sector including hardware systems
Museum Search & Reference Lands Museum Director
Executive search firm Museum Search & Reference has placed Min Jung Kim as director at the New Britain Museum of American Art. She will be the sixth director of the 112 year old museum and succeeds Douglas Hyland who served the organization for the past 15 years. Ms. Kim brings more than 20 years of experience in
AGB Search In Hunt for North Dakota University President
Executive search firm AGB Search has been selected by the University of North Dakota (UND) to lead the search for its 12th president. Dr. Robert Kelley, who has served as president since 2008, resigned the post. James H. McCormick, AGB Search senior consultant, is leading the assignment. According to the position specification, the university president will work
Dice Posts 9.8 Percent Revenue Decline
Dice Holdings, Inc. / (NYSE:DHX) posted 2015 revenues of $259.7 million, a decrease of 9.8 percent from $262.6 million the previous year. “2015 was a year in which we set the stage for the company’s next iteration. We brought new products to market, organized ourselves to gain efficiencies, and today, offer new services and have deeper relationships with our
Nordic Countries Outpace Global Regions for Female Directors
In the Nordic countries, the percentage of female directors on boards is 32.5 percent, outpacing most other European countries, according to Spencer Stuart’s recently released Nordic Board Index. First published 29 years ago in the U.S., the firm now monitors board composition via indices in 18 countries. The Nordic Board Index analyzes 125 of the largest
DHR Lands CEO for Turtle Wax
DHR International has recruited Gary Walrath as chief executive officer of Chicago-based Turtle Wax. Managing partner Carlos F. Cata led the search along with partner Christine DeYoung. Mr. Walrath brings over 25 years of finance, operations and general management experience across the technology space within public and private companies. Most recently, as CEO of STATS for 12 years,
Fahrenheit Group Acquires Boutique to Expand Services
The Fahrenheit Group, a Richmond-based business advisory and professional services firm, has acquired Bencks & Co., a boutique recruiting firm headquartered in Richmond, VA. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Fahrenheit, founded in 2010, provides advisory, accounting & finance, and human resource services from offices in Richmond, VA, Metro Washington, DC, Raleigh, NC
Phillips Oppenheim Leading President Search for Saratoga Performing Arts Center
Phillips Oppenheim, an executive search firm dedicated to the non-profit sector, has been retained by the Saratoga Performing Arts Center to lead its search for a president and executive director. Marcia White, who rescued the Arts Center from the worst budget crisis in the organization’s history, plans to retire at the end of 2016 after serving for a dozen
Cejka Expands Physician Search Division
Cejka Search, a physician, advanced practice and healthcare focused executive search firm, has expanded its management team with the addition of four industry executives who will serve as regional vice presidents for its physician search division. The expansion is in response to growing demand from a broad-based coalition of clients, including academic medicine concerns, hospitals and
Heidrick Posts 7.5 Percent Global Revenue Gain for 2015
Chicago-based Heidrick & Struggles International / (NASDAQ:HSII) has posted 2015 global revenues of $531.1 million, a 7.5 percent increase from revenues of $494.3 million in 2014. Revenue grew in the Americas by 15.2 percent (approximately 16.6 percent on a constant currency basis) and in Asia Pacific of 4.5 percent (approximately 12.7 percent on a constant currency basis), but saw
Harvard Group In Hunt for United Way Chief Culture Officer
Executive search firm Harvard Group International (HGI) has been selected by global non-profit United Way Worldwide to attract a chief culture officer to their organization. Chad Biagini, a co-leader of Harvard Group’s non-profit practice, is heading the search. “We are happy that United Way Worldwide has placed its trust in Harvard Group’s ability to handle this critical search project,”
ZRG Partners Expands Into Brazil With Former Fesa CEO
ZRG Partners has established a footprint in Brazil with the addition of Denys Monteiro as chief executive officer. While ZRG has completed searches in the region, this becomes the firm’s first on-the-ground venture in the Brazilian market. Mr. Monteiro was most recently CEO of Fesa, Brazil’s largest independent executive search firm where he has worked for 18
Hanold Associates Heading CHRO Search for REI
Once again, executive search firm Hanold Associates has been retained to search for an organization’s chief human resources officer (CHRO), this time by Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI). Founder and ex-Russell Reynolds Associates recruiter Jason Hanold will lead the search. Reporting to the company’s chief executive officer, Jerry Stritzke, the incoming CHRO will be a member of REI’s executive
NPAworldwide Adds 10 Member Firms
Member-owned recruitment network NPAworldwide has added 10 new member firms. Membership in the network allows independent recruiters to serve their clients and candidates by partnering with other member firms on a split-fee basis. Uruguay-headquartered Advice provides recruitment services in the areas of telecommunications, pharmaceutical, health, financial services, power, logistics and transport, information technology, forestry, food & agriculture, public sector,
