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The Hidden Driver of Great Teams Isn’t Strategy—It’s Responsiveness
When people think about what makes a strong team, they often focus on strategy, talent, or experience. But one of the most effective ways to create a reliable, connected team is by focusing on something much smaller: response time, according to a recent report from The Bridger Group, a 57-year-old executive search firm working exclusively in
Heidrick & Struggles to Go Private in Advent- and Corvex-Led All Cash Deal
Executive search, leadership consulting and culture shaping services provider Heidrick & Struggles International / (NASDAQ:HSII) has entered into a definitive agreement whereby a consortium of investors led by Advent International and Corvex Private Equity, and including several leading family offices, will acquire all of the firm’s outstanding public shares. This new investor consortium will include significant investment from
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.
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
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?
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
Modern Executive Solutions Expands Technology Practice
Atlanta-based talent consultancy Modern Executive Solutions has expanded with the addition of Moises Velilla as managing director in its technology practice. He brings deep experience advising organizations on senior leadership hiring and talent strategy across technology and transformation. Mr. Velilla specializes in advising clients on executive talent strategy and recruiting transformative technology and professional services leaders. He
AI’s Next Test: Can It Actually Drive Growth?
A massive opportunity, and a critical trust gap, is emerging among corporate leaders. According to EY-Parthenon’s Growth Survey of 271 U.S. executives, 78 percent believe AI will accelerate growth, even as nearly 80 percent say the growth environment has become more challenging over the past year. Yet only about a third trust AI inputs for high-stakes decisions such
Retained vs. Contingent Search: Choosing the Right Executive Search Model
As companies navigate increasingly complex leadership challenges, the pressure to make the right executive hiring decision has never been greater. Boards and leadership teams are looking beyond resumes and credentials, placing greater emphasis on cultural alignment, long-term business impact, and a candidate’s ability to guide organizations through growth, transformation, and uncertainty. At the same time,
Brettschneider Executive Search Completes Search for Western Colorado University
New York City-based Brettschneider Executive Search recently assisted in the recruitment of Sharoni Little as dean of Western Colorado University’s School of Business. “Dr. Little’s forward-thinking approach will help shape the future of business education at Western, creating opportunities for students to thrive in today’s competitive economy,” said Brad Baca, president. With a career spanning academia, corporate leadership,
Ren Systems Appoints Head of Product
Ren Systems, an AI-powered relationship intelligence platform used by sales, business development, and professional services leaders, recently expanded with the addition of Nick Wynja as head of product. “As we’ve scaled Ren to 70+ enterprise customers and accelerated our feature release cycle, it became clear that we needed focused product leadership,” the company said in
How to Kick Off an Executive Search the Right Way
As leadership demands grow more complex, organizations are increasingly recognizing that a successful executive search begins long before candidate outreach or interviews take place. Search consultants say the strongest outcomes are driven by early alignment around business strategy, organizational culture, leadership expectations, and the capabilities needed to support future growth. Rather than simply filling an
Why Structured Interviews Lead to Better Hiring
As organizations compete for leadership talent, many are reexamining how executive interviews are conducted and whether traditional hiring instincts are leading to the best decisions. Increasingly, research is showing that structured interviews built around standardized questions and evaluation criteria deliver more reliable hiring outcomes than conversational, free-flowing assessments. Talent experts say the approach not only
Rethinking Career Loyalty in the Age of Gen Z and Millennials
As leadership priorities continue to evolve, executive search firms are seeing a growing shift in how candidates evaluate long-term career opportunities. Today’s professionals are placing greater emphasis on purpose, culture, mentorship, flexibility, and personal growth alongside compensation and title. Recruiters say organizations that can clearly communicate vision, invest in employee development, and foster strong leadership
Coulter Partners Recruits Chief Scientific Officer for Laigo Bio
Life sciences recruiting specialist Coulter Partners has recruited Richard C.A. Sainson as the new chief scientific officer of Laigo Bio. “It was a privilege to partner with Matthew and the Laigo board,” said Kay Wardle, managing partner at Coulter Partners. “Targeted protein degradation is one of the most exciting frontier areas of drug discovery, and finding a chief
Blue Rock Human Capital Recruits Chief People Officer for Michelli Weighing & Measurement
Talent acquisition strategies at many large companies have become as complex as their balance sheets. And while chief human resource officers play a vital role in overseeing an organization’s broad-based workforce, the chief people officer typically goes beyond overseeing its people policies. The focus instead is on building talent as a key competitive advantage, with more
Raising the Bar for Interim and Fractional Leadership
As companies face mounting pressure to move faster and adapt to constant change, interim and fractional executives are increasingly being brought in not simply to maintain stability, but to drive transformation from day one. Organizations today are seeking experienced leaders who can step into critical roles, solve immediate business challenges, and create momentum while long-term
BoardWalk Consulting Selected by Atlanta Ballet for Executive Director Search
BoardWalk Consulting has was recently tapped by Atlanta Ballet to lead in its search for an executive director. The search is being led by Sam Pettway, Demeika Wheaton, and Patti Kish. The executive director will lead Atlanta Ballet’s administrative and business functions in alignment with the organization’s mission and values, while partnering closely with the artistic
When Search Fatigue Leads to Costly Hiring Mistakes
In executive search, the biggest hiring mistakes are not always caused by weak candidate pools or poor sourcing strategies. More often, breakdowns occur near the finish line, when prolonged interview cycles, competing stakeholder opinions, and mounting business pressures begin to wear down decision-making discipline. What starts as a rigorous evaluation process can gradually shift toward
Preng & Associates Recruits SVP of Government Services for American Bureau of Shipping
Houston-based Preng & Associates has placed Rear Admiral Ronald J. Rábago as senior vice president of government services at American Bureau of Shipping (ABS). “Admiral Rábago brings exceptional government and industry experience that will further enhance the support we provide to our government clients in the U.S. and around the world,” said John McDonald, ABS chairman and CEO. “His
McDermott + Bull Expands in Amsterdam
Irvine, CA-based McDermott + Bull has expanded in Amsterdam with the addition of Gerben van den Hout as managing director. “This strategic hire comes as McDermott + Bull continues to expand its executive search presence across Europe, further strengthening the firm’s ability to support organizations in identifying and placing high-impact leadership talent,” the firm said. “Gerben’s appointment represents an
The CHRO’s Leadership Imperative in the AI Era
As organizations accelerate their adoption of artificial intelligence, business leaders are increasingly recognizing that successful transformation depends as much on people and leadership as it does on technology itself. HR executives, in particular, are finding themselves at the center of conversations around workforce readiness, employee trust, skills development, and organizational change management. Industry observers note
Cluen Invites Executive Search Firms to Participate in Upcoming 2026 Technology Trends Survey
For more than three decades, Cluen has partnered with leading executive search firms around the world to understand how top-performing recruiters use technology to gain a competitive advantage. Each year, the company’s Top Trends in Executive Search Technology survey uncovers the strategies, priorities, and innovations shaping the future of the profession. How are executive search firms balancing the rapid adoption of AI
Lindauer Retained by C-SPAN for Chief Development Officer Search
Virtually every industry needs top-drawer chief development officers. CDOs play a key role in planning, coordinating, and administering capital campaigns, corporate giving, and galvanizing new donors while keeping previous funders content. Implementing funding strategies that “keep the lights on,” according to recruiters specializing in the function, is job No. 1. Lindauer has been retained by C-SPAN to
NPAG Seeking Executive Director for the California Youth Defender Center
Executive search firm NPAG has been selected by the California Youth Defender Center (CYDC) to lead in its search for a new executive director. This search is being led by Ellen LaPointe and Phuong Quach. This is a unique opportunity to lead a respected and influential organization at a pivotal moment, shaping the future of youth justice
Lochlin Partners Helps Fill Senior Position for Business Roundtable
Lochlin Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Stefani Jones as senior director of policy at Business Roundtable (BRT). Ms. Jones is an accomplished technology policy leader with deep expertise at the intersection of cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and national security. Her experience spans the White House, the private sector, and senior federal policy roles. She
The Critical Role of Executive Leadership in Navigating Change
Executive leadership has long played a critical role in navigating organizational change, but the question remains, how do executives effectively lead people, and an organization, through change? A new report from Paul Frankenberg, founder and managing partner of Focus Search Partners, points to Warren Buffet, co-founder, chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. “He is admired
Amrop Expands With Hires in Denmark, India and Poland
Amrop, a partnership of recruiting firms operating from 83 offices in 57 countries throughout Asia, EMEA, and the Americas, has added Rita Garg as a principal in India, Lukasz Kiniewicz as a principal in Warsaw, Nicole Egeda Paustian as a partner in Copenhagen and Chandrasekar R. as a partner in India. Dr. Garg leads the healthcare
Stanton Chase Recruits Board Directors to Wolters Kluwer NV
Stanton Chase International has placed Jeanette Horan and Fidelma Russo as members of the board of directors of Wolters Kluwer NV, a major global professional information services and technology company. Mary Matthews, managing director, led the search. Ms. Horan retired from IBM in August after a distinguished career that saw her hold many key leadership roles, including that of
McKinley Marketing Partners Opens Office in New York
McKinley Marketing Partners, an executive recruiting firm focused on marketing professionals, has opened a new office in New York City. This is the second office location McKinley has opened in the last four months with its Houston office opening this past summer. Leading the New York metropolitan region is the firm’s new director of business
Talent Shortages Expected by Recruiters
Reports continue to point to talent shortages and the latest ‘Recruiter Nation Survey’ released by Jobvite is not different, with 56 percent of recruiters citing the lack of available skilled talent as a key stumbling block in hiring. The report, which polled over 1,400 executive recruiting and human resources professionals, also found that 95 percent of recruiters
Winnebago Turns to Spencer Stuart to Recruit CEO
Motor home manufacturer Winnebago Industries has retained Spencer Stuart to lead its search for a new chief executive officer. The company started searching for a CEO after former chief executive Randy Potts retired in August. Following Mr. Potts leaving the company, Robert Olson took over for about a month. Lawrence A. Erickson, the chairman of the board, is now serving
Centennial Inc. Recruits Cincinnati Non-Profit CEO
Cincinnati-based executive search firm Centennial Inc. has recruited John Banchy as president and chief executive officer of the Children’s Home of Cincinnati. Mr. Banchy has more than 14 years of experience in leadership roles and most recently held leadership positions with the March of Dimes at the local, state and regional level. In his new role, he will oversee the advancement of the organization through strategic relationships
Heidrick & Struggles Names Americas Real Estate Sector Head
Heidrick & Struggles has appointed Graham Beatty as head of its Americas real estate sector within the firm’s financial services practice. He will be based in Heidrick’s New York office. Mr. Beatty has over 15 years of experience that includes leading C-suite executive searches for organizations ranging from investment management platforms to real estate owners, operators and developers. He has also
Major, Lindsey & Africa Launches EMEA Solutions Practice Group
Search firm Major, Lindsey & Africa (MLA) has launched a solutions practice group across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) to assist companies and law firms manage variations to complex legal workloads without adding to permanent headcount resources. Based in MLA’s London office, Laura Fellows now leads the group for this region. In EMEA, the solutions practice
Why Is Hiring Taking Longer?
Hiring times in the U.S., Canada, and in many major European markets and Australia are mushrooming, according to several new research reports. Adding time to the hiring clock is putting hiring plans in disarray, setting talent acquisition professionals off to conduct more of their own search work in an effort to reduce hiring cycle times.
Odgers Berndtson Adds Former Norman Broadbent President
Former Norman Broadbent president Sally Drexler has joined Odgers Berndtson in Los Angeles as a partner, establishing a new presence for the firm in the consumer and media industries. Ms. Drexler has over 15 years of international search experience specializing in digital, retail, media, and the travel industries. Previously, she was president of Norman Broadbent USA, where she
Egon Zehnder Lands CEO for Participant Media
Egon Zehnder has placed David Linde as chief executive officer of U.S. cable channel owner Participant Media. The move comes six months after Jim Berk resigned from his post following a strategic review of the business. Mr. Linde joins Participant Media from Lava Bear Films, a company he launched after years of executive stewardship of Universal Pictures, Focus
Korn Ferry Recruits Center for Innovative Technology CEO
Korn Ferry has recruited Ed Albrigo as president and chief executive officer for Richmond, VA-based Center for Innovative Technology (CIT). He succeeds Peter Jobse, the current CEO, who announced his intention to return to the private sector at the end of this year. Mr. Albrigo was previously chief operating officer for The Hilltop Companies, a consulting
ZRG Partners Adds Retail Banking Recruiting Specialist
ZRG Partners has added Rahul Kapur as managing director to support growth in the payments and retail banking sector. He will join the firm’s global financial services practice. Mr. Kapur brings 23 years of senior level experience to the space. He has worked as a practice leader with several top consultancies including Cognizant, CapGemni, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Capco, and Mastercard Advisors. He
One Recruiter’s Journey From Industry to Executive Search
Managing director Jeff Ashpitz has spent the last 17 years with Strawn Arnold & Associates, a leading life sciences recruiting specialist based in Austin. But it was his earlier corporate experience in life sciences, which lasted nearly 30 years, that set the groundwork for a storied career in executive search. In this interview, Jeff reveals
Filling CFO Pipelines Growing In Complexity As Demand Soars
Executive search firm Hulce Associates has recruited Greg Andrews as executive vice president and chief financial officer of CyrusOne. Colleen Hulce, the firm’s founder and CEO, led the assignment. Mr. Andrews brings over 20 years of real estate experience and has previously held CFO and executive management positions with other publicly traded REITs and an investment advisory firm. Most
David Barrett Partners Launches Hong Kong Office
David Barrett Partners has opened a new office in Hong Kong and appointed Philip Williams to head the firm’s new location. Mr. Williams has focused on investment and wealth management executive search for 13 years, initially in London and since 2009 in Hong Kong. He has completed searches for senior investment, distribution, and business leadership roles in
680 Partners Recruits CEO for Remote Systems Metrics
New York City-based executive recruiter 680 Partners has placed Richard Chmiel as chief executive officer for Remote Systems Metrics. As CEO, Mr. Chmiel’s first priority will be to drive and scale sales and product development, and continue to extend its product and market leadership position. Ross Freeman, 680 Partners CEO, led the search. Mr. Freeman works in partnership with
Koya Leadership Partners Adds Non-Profit Recruiting Expert
Executive search firm Koya Leadership Partners has added Michelle Bonoan as managing director, executive search. In her new role, she will lead the firm’s expansion in Los Angeles and help support its growing number of West Coast non-profit clients. With nearly 20 years of experience as a search consultant, Ms. Bonoan has led executive searches across a wide range of industries and functions. As
Seeking Leadership Diversity, More Companies Choose Female CFOs
Egon Zehnder has placed Kathryn Mikells as chief financial officer of consumer goods company Diageo PLC. She replaces CFO Deirdre Mahlan who is leaving her position to return to the U.S. as Diageo’s head of North America. “Ms. Mikells’ career trajectory over the last five years is nothing short of extraordinary,” said Scott A. Scanlon, founding chairman and CEO of
Eastman & Beaudine Recruits Sales Chief for Texas Rangers Affiliate
Executive recruiter Eastman & Beaudine has recruited Sam Torres as chief sales officer of the Frisco RoughRiders, the Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers. Mr. Torres, who will oversee the team’s corporate partnership development, joins the Riders’ executive team after more than three years as a general manager for IMG College. He previously served as general manager
Wilton & Bain Adds HR Recruiting Veterans
Global search firm Wilton & Bain has appointed Tim Kemp and Chloe Watts as partners. Mr. Kemp, who joins the firm to lead HR search mandates, is an experienced HR and search professional who specializes in human resource searches across industries and covering HR disciplines from generalist roles to reward to talent management and beyond. Previously, he spent more
K. Russo Consulting Joins the Sanford Rose Network
Greenwich, CT-based boutique executive search firm K. Russo Consulting, Inc. has joined the Sanford Rose Associates Executive Search Network. Led by Karen Russo, K. Russo Consulting specializes in executive search and talent consulting throughout North, Latin and Central America. Their sister company, IIPE, based in Mexico, customizes research solutions through a team of multilingual search professionals. “Karen Russo is a world
ManpowerGroup Names American Express Global Talent Specialist As Director of Talent
Recruitment giant ManpowerGroup has named former American Express HR executive Jo Pursaill as its director of talent. With over 15 years’ experience, Ms. Pursaill is a proven leader in global talent development. She has an exceptional track record of developing and delivering global learning strategies within a large, complex matrix environment. Her areas of expertise include learning and development,
HR Executives Forecast Optimistic Hiring Plans
Confidence in the U.S. labor market continued to climb among HR professionals this year, with 69 percent reporting a confidence level not reported for six years. According to the just released ‘Jobs Outlook Survey’ from the Society for Human Resource Management, the forecast represents the highest level of optimism among HR professionals since the survey was launched in 2009.
Lloyd Executive Search Lands Crowdster CEO
Lloyd Executive Search has recruited Joe Ferraro as chief executive officer of Crowdster. Mr. Ferraro brings to the Crowdster team a long history of sales and marketing success, including 20 years in the telecommunications industry and over a decade working in business process outsourcing where he managed Fortune 50 companies. He has worked alongside non-profits in addition to
Heidrick & Struggles Snags Americas Leader From Rival
Heidrick & Struggles has added Ron Lumbra as region leader for its Americas region. In this role, he will lead a team of more than 350 partners, principals and associates serving clients across all service sectors. Following a brief period of transition, Torrey Foster, who has led the region since 2013, will assume full-time market responsibilities as a partner in
TWC Adds Former Spencer Stuart Recruiter As Canadian Search Hub Expands
TWC International Executive Search Limited, the Canadian-based affiliate of global executive search firm SpenglerFox, has named former Spencer Stuart recruiter Lisa Newey as senior director. In her new role at TWC, she will be responsible for developing and managing client relationships and assignments as well as candidate sourcing, recruitment and assessment, with a focus on financial services. Ms. Newey has
Newport Group Opens Office in Laguna Hills
Executive search and consulting firm The Newport Group has opened a new office in Laguna Hills, California. Managing the office is Newport’s executive vice president, Tom Chaparro, who joined the company as an executive search professional with 20 years’ experience in recruiting for the real estate and oil and gas industries, among others. Prior to joining
Struggling to Hire Millennials? Here’s How To Get Them Onboard
More than one-in-three American workers today are Millennials (adults ages 18 to 34 in 2015) and this year they surpassed Generation X to become the largest share of the American workforce, according to Pew Research Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data. This milestone occurred in the first quarter of this year, as the 53.5 million-strong Millennial
CDI Corp. Closes Two Acquisitions
CDI Corp. has said that its U.K. subsidiary, CDI AndersElite, has acquired the recruitment business of London-based Ship Shape Resources, a privately held company that provides payroll solutions to the recruitment industry. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The acquisition is expected to be immediately accretive to earnings but not material to the company’s financial performance. Founded in 2004, Ship Shape
Heidrick & Struggles to Recruit CEO for Centuri
Southwest Gas Corporation has selected Heidrick & Struggles to lead its search for the new president and chief executive officer of its construction services subsidiary Centuri Construction Group, Inc. James P. Kane has announced his plans to retire as president and CEO after a 43-year career in the utility and construction industries, including the last 31 years serving Southwest Gas Corporation. Centuri Construction
