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Daily Newswire
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
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.
Anthem Executive Assists the University of Montevallo With President Search
Anthem Executive has assisted in the recruitment of Michelle R. Johnston as the first female president of the University of Montevallo (UM). Michael Ballew, Scott Watson, Mike “JR” Wheless, and Florene Stawowy led the assignment. Dr. Johnston has served as the president of Georgia Southwestern State University since 2024. Prior to her current presidency, she served as president of three other higher education
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?
Mercuri Urval Appoints Non-Executive Director
Stockholm, Sweden-based executive search firm Mercuri Urval (MU) has announced that Jan Sasse, partner at AlterInvest, was named as non-executive director to the MU group board. He will join the current board members Cecilia Strand, Mieke Weijenberg, Cecilia Beer, Richard Moore, and chairman Roger Hagafors. “We are pleased to welcome Jan Sasse as non-executive director of the MU
M&A Becomes a Capability-Driven Acquisition Strategy
EY-Parthenon is forecasting an eight percent increase in U.S. deal volume for transactions exceeding $100 million in 2026, underscoring how central M&A remains to corporate strategy. Yet beneath the headline numbers sits a more important story. The role of acquisitions is evolving. Companies are no longer pursuing deals primarily for scale or market share. Increasingly,
The Hidden Challenges Every First-Time CEO Faces
The corner office has never been more accessible—or more demanding. As boards increasingly turn to a new generation of leaders to navigate disruption, growth, and transformation, first-time CEOs are stepping into roles that require a fundamentally different set of skills than those that propelled them to the top. While many arrive with impressive track records,
Myers McRae Assists Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology with Provost Search
Following a nationwide search, Macon, GA-based Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting has assisted in the recruitment of Richie Roberts as provost of Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology. Kenny Daugherty and Brianna Douglas led the assignment. Dr. Roberts’ selection was guided by a search committee of OSUIT administrators, faculty, staff and students, which was assisted by national search firm Myers McRae. “The entire
Lancer Group Recruits Chief Technology Officer for Minitab
La Jolla, CA-headquartered search firm Lancer Group has recruited Kevin Gordon as chief technology officer of Minitab. “We’re excited to welcome Kevin Gordon as chief technology officer at Minitab,” the company said. “This is an exciting step forward in the evolution of our technology strategy and will help accelerate innovation across our organization and solutions platform.” “Kevin brings
Friisberg & Partners International Names Managing Partner of its Copenhagen Office
Fribourg, Switzerland-headquartered Friisberg & Partners International has expanded with the addition of Birgitte Olrik as managing partner of its Copenhagen office, strengthening the firm’s presence in the Nordic region and supporting the continued execution of our international growth strategy. “The future of executive search belongs to firms that combine exceptional local expertise with international reach,” said Zoltán Pethő,
Attracting the Right CHRO Starts with the Right Job Description
Hiring a head of HR is one of the most consequential leadership decisions an organization can make, yet many companies struggle to define the role in a way that reflects their actual needs. The most effective job descriptions go beyond qualifications and responsibilities, offering candidates a clear picture of the challenges, priorities, and business objectives
Coulter Partners Recruits Chief Medical Officer for Neumirna Therapeutics
Life sciences recruiting specialist Coulter Partners has placed Ferenc Tracik as chief medical officer of Neumirna Therapeutics. “Neumirna has reached an inflection point: the question is no longer whether the science works, but how quickly we can translate it into an option for patients with urgent unmet need. Ferenc has the experience to get us there,” said Ellen
McCormack + Kristel Seeking CEO for Central New York ON RAMP
McCormack + Kristel is currently seeking a CEO for Central New York ON RAMP. New York State Empire State Development (ESD) recently engaged CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity (CenterState CEO), an business leadership and economic development organization, to lead, incubate, and launch the Central New York One Network for Regional Advanced Manufacturing Projects (ON RAMP). The
Bespoke Partners Appoints Leader of People and HR Practice
San Diego, CA-headquartered Bespoke Partners recently named Dani Pfeiffer as a partner leading the people and human resources leader recruiting practice serving both software and industrials sector companies. She will lead dedicated recruiting teams on searches for talent executives for private equity portfolio companies for the software and SaaS clients served by Bespoke Partners and industrial clients served by Industra Talent Partners,
Wilson Forms New Alliance with Poetry to Advance AI capabilities
Global talent solutions provider Wilson has formed a new partnership with Poetry to strengthen its AI-enabled recruitment capabilities. The collaboration supports Wilson’s continued focus on embedding technology into its RPO delivery model through Wilson Workspace, its technology ecosystem. “We’re excited to announce our new partnership with Poetry,” said Charles Faigle, chief delivery officer at Wilson. This
What Executive Candidates Want From Employers Today
The executive talent market today has fundamentally shifted and senior leaders are evaluating employers through a far more demanding lens. They no longer weigh opportunities primarily on compensation or title; they assess the total leadership experience: governance, culture, organizational stability, purpose, autonomy, flexibility and long-term growth, according to a report from Kestria. “To attract and retain
WittKieffer Retained by Roosevelt University for President Search
Oak Brook, IL-based WittKieffer has been retained by Roosevelt University in Chicago to lead in its search for its seventh president. Ali Malekzadeh is retiring after being with the school since 2015. Senior partner Christine Pendleton, consultant Sandra Chu, senior associate Maya Holt-Brockenbrough, and senior advisor Ray Crossman. Roosevelt University seeks a student-centered president who is committed
Buffkin / Baker Acquires HR-Focused Benson Executive Search
Partner-led executive search firm Buffkin / Baker has acquired Boston, MA-based Benson Executive Search, a boutique firm focused on the human resources sector. Financial terms of deal were not disclosed. The acquisition strengthens Buffkin / Baker’s HR functional capabilities and gives the firm a stronger presence in the Northeast. “We’re thrilled to welcome Benson Executive Search to
SPMB Recruits Fills Senior Finance Position for Uber
Steven Popper of SPMB Executive Search has placed Wendy Drummond Craig as senior director, technical accounting, reporting, and M&A at Uber. In her new role, she will oversee teams responsible for technical accounting matters, SEC reporting, and accounting for mergers and acquisitions. “Wendy brings an extraordinary combination of technical accounting expertise, SEC reporting experience, and strategic advisory leadership
True Launches AI Capability Index for Executive Assessment
Global executive talent platform True has launched the True AI Capability Index, a proprietary framework that predicts executive performance in the AI-transformation age. “We are entering a phase where relationship depth and judgment matter more than ever,” said Brad Stadler, co-founder and CEO of True Platform. “The cost of finding names is decreasing. True’s advantage lies in our ability
AI-Native Talent Won’t Fix AI-Foreign Organizations
As artificial intelligence moves from experimentation to enterprise-wide adoption, organizations are grappling with a fundamental question: what does it actually mean to become AI-native? While the term has quickly entered the business lexicon, many leaders are still struggling to define the capabilities, operating models, and cultural shifts required to make that vision a reality. “Some
ZRG Partners Acquires Fortium
ZRG Partners has acquired Fortium, a Dallas-based search firm that provides fractional, interim, and project-based CIO, CTO, and CISO leadership. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “Companies are making more nuanced decisions about leadership than they did even a few years ago, particularly in technology,” said Mark Viner, leader of interim solutions & project
Lochlin Partners Recruits SVP of HR for the National Association of Corporate Directors
Lochlin Partners has placed Marian Stevens as senior vice president, human resources of the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) in Washington, D.C. “Marian’s deep experience in talent development, organizational effectiveness, and culture will help NACD to continue building the internal capabilities needed to support our growth and deliver on our mission,” said Peter Gleason, president and CEO of
JDG Associates Tapped by Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute to Find New Leader
Rockville, MD-based executive search firm JDG Associates has been retained by the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) to lead its search for a new president and CEO. The Chicago-based institute, the leading technical institute and trade association for the precast, prestressed concrete industry in North America, seeks a visionary and collaborative executive to succeed its long-serving chief executive,
IIC Partners Adds New Member Firm in New Zealand
IIC Partners Executive Search Worldwide has added Auckland, New Zealand-based Infinitas as its newest member firm expanding its capabilities across the Asia-Pacific region. “I am thrilled to welcome Infinitas to IIC Partners,” said Christine Hayward, executive director of IIC Partners. Their people-first philosophy, tech-enabled search processes, and talent advisory capabilities deeply align with our mission to transform
Hiring for the Culture You Don’t Yet Have
For much of the past decade, organizations have invested heavily in strategy, technology and operational efficiency to navigate an increasingly complex business environment. Yet despite these investments, many transformation initiatives continue to fall short of expectations. The differentiator is rarely the strategy itself. More often, success depends on whether leadership teams have the right people
BoardWalk Consulting Leading CEO Search for Downtown Atlanta Inc.
BoardWalk Consulting has been tapped by Downtown Atlanta Inc. (DAI) to lead in its search for a CEO. The search is being led by Sam Pettway, Crystal Stephens, and Patti Kish. The organization is seeking a leader who can help define what the next generation of Downtown Atlanta will become. This is a leadership opportunity of unusual scale and
Peña Search Assists To Be Like Me with the Recruitment of Executive Director
Peña Search recently assisted in the recruitment of Lauren Rowe as the new executive for To Be Like Me (TBLM) in Dallas, TX. Travis Hillier, Carlos González Peña, and Thaise Pereira led the assignment. She replaces To Be Like Me founder Hollis Owens, who has served as executive director since 2018 and initiated the search for her replacement last
BroadView Talent Partners Tapped by Baltimore Community Lending for President/CEO Search
BroadView Talent Partners was recently retained by Baltimore Community Lending, Inc. (BCL) to lead in its search for a new president and CEO. Tracy McMillan, Robyn Quinn, and Donna Young are leading the assignment. The CEO is the strategic, operational, and external leader of Baltimore Community Lending, responsible for driving the organization’s next era of growth and
Companies Don’t Have a Talent Problem—They Have a Judgment Problem
As organizations scale, the difference between success and failure often comes down to the quality of decisions made around people, not just strategy. Leaders who consistently outperform tend to approach hiring, team development, and execution with greater discipline, clarity, and adaptability. After 15 years as a founder and CEO of venture-backed companies, John Levisay of
New 2025 Report Highlights Tech Executive Pay Trends
Executive compensation goes beyond negotiation—it’s a strategic tool for driving growth, retaining talent, and maintaining a competitive edge. Understanding your executives’ value can be the key to securing top talent instead of losing them to rivals. Riviera Partners’ 2025 Executive Compensation Report, exclusively available to Riviera’s client and partner network, offers valuable insights into the
Why Your Work Won’t Speak for Itself in a Hybrid World
A hybrid or remote-first work environment prioritizes flexibility by allowing employees to work from various locations, often combining home and office settings. This model supports better work-life balance and can lead to increased productivity and employee satisfaction. It also enables companies to access a broader talent pool unconstrained by geographic limitations. However, in a hybrid
ExecSearches Assists PKD-Free Alliance with Chief Implementation and Operations Officer Search
ExecSearches has assisted in the recruitment of Kevin Schnurr as the first chief implementation and operations officer (CIOO) of PKD-Free Alliance, a non-profit dedicated to generational health and a PKD-free future. F. Jay Hall, managing director, and Karen Alphonse, senior search solutions leader, led the executive recruitment process. “May 2025 marks 11 years since I donated a
Preng & Associates Assists Jadestone Energy with CEO Search
Houston-based Preng & Associates has helped to recruit Mitchell Little as the new CEO of Jadestone Energy in Singapore. “We are very pleased that Mitch is joining Jadestone as CEO,” said Adel Chaouch, executive chairman of Jadestone. “He brings significant upstream operational and management experience from over three decades in the oil and gas industry with Marathon. His
True Expands Non-Profit & Social Impact Practice
Global talent provider True has expanded its non-profit & social impact practice with the strategic addition of Gautam Raghavan. An accomplished public servant and talent strategist, Mr. Raghavan most recently served as director of the White House Office of presidential personnel under the Biden-Harris administration. “Gautam is intimately familiar with public service, which gives him a unique understanding of the challenges
Rethinking Talent For Every Phase Of The PE Lifecycle
Private equity is entering a phase where ‘one-size-fits-all’ leadership is no longer viable. As deal timelines stretch and growth becomes harder to manufacture, firms are looking to build executive teams that can evolve alongside the business. “Talent strategies must be adaptable to a changing economic climate and the ever-evolving business needs,” said Ellie O’Brien Coleman,
Academic Career & Executive Search Recruits CEO for CHESS (Collaborative for Higher Education Shared Services)
Following a national search, Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) has placed Shaun McAlmont as CEO of CHESS (Collaborative for Higher Education Shared Services). He will succeed founding CEO Kathy Ulibarri, who will retire after guiding CHESS from its formation in 2021 to its emergence as a national model for shared services in higher education. Jennifer
Coulter Partners Places Biotech Entrepreneur as CEO of Nuage Therapeutics
Life sciences recruiting specialist Coulter Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Stuart Hughes as CEO of Nuage Therapeutics. “Coulter Partners has been an invaluable partner in this crucial appointment for Nuage Therapeutics,” said Vanessa Malier, chair of the board of directors of Nuage Therapeutics. “Their team demonstrated exceptional dedication and a truly collaborative spirit, working closely
Diversified Search Group (DSG Global) | Koya Partners Leading Executive Director Search for the John Paul Stevens Foundation
Diversified Search Group (DSG Global) | Koya Partners was recently retained by the John Paul Stevens Foundation to lead in its search for a new executive director. Molly Brennan, global managing partner and non-profit and social impact practice leader, and Gina Wrolstad Kueber, senior associate, are leading the assignment. This is an exciting opportunity help guide the foundation
AltoPartners Elects New Global Chair
AltoPartners, an international alliance of boutique executive search and leadership consulting firms, has appointed Santiago Solis Arias as new global chair. He becomes the first global chair from the Americas, marking a new chapter for the global executive search partnership. Mr. Solis Arias succeeds Sonal Agrawal, who has served with distinction and led the partnership through
The Future of Healthcare Leadership: AI, Innovation & Talent
The healthcare and life sciences industries are undergoing a major transformation, driven by advancements in AI, machine learning, and digital innovation. These technologies are reshaping drug discovery, patient care, and operational efficiency, requiring leaders who can harness innovation while optimizing complex systems. As competition for top talent intensifies, organizations are prioritizing executives with strong business
How Good is Your Company at Hiring?
Most companies recognize that talent is essential to success, and that being highly effective at hiring is one of the most vital skills for any organization and its leaders. Yet, hiring remains one of the weakest areas within many companies. A breakdown occurs in the interface between the people who are tasked with recruiting and
Peña Search Recruits CFO for Visit Dallas
Peña Search has assisted in the recruitment of Kathie Parsons as the new CFO of Visit Dallas. Travis Hillier and Cindy Maloney led the assignment. “Kathie brings to our organization a superb financial track record of transparency, accountability and collaboration,” said Craig Davis, president and CEO of Visit Dallas. “Her experience and strategic vision will be invaluable as we continue
Pender & Howe Tapped by Covenant Health for COO Search
Toronto-based Pender & Howe Executive Search has been retained to lead the search for a chief operating officer, acute & primary care for Covenant Health. The search is being spearheaded by managing principal Glenn Lesko. The COO at Covenant Health will play a pivotal role in shaping the delivery of acute and primary health services within
IIC Partners Adds New Member Firm in Greece
IIC Partners Executive Search Worldwide has added Athens, Greece-based Searchlight Partners as its newest member firm. “We are delighted to welcome Searchlight Partners into membership,” said Christine Hayward, executive director of IIC Partners. “They bring deep expertise in executive search and people strategy, and a solid track record in the technology, professional services, and life sciences
Hudson Global and Star Equity Holdings Join Forces
Star Equity Holdings (Star) and Hudson Global, a global total talent solutions provider operating under the brand name Hudson RPO, have inked a definitive merger agreement. Pursuant to the merger, Star will merge with and into a wholly owned subsidiary of Hudson to form “NewCo”. “We are pleased to announce the signing of this merger
Newland Associates Recruits CEO for Hope & Help
Lake Mary, FL-based executive search firm Newland Associates has assisted with the recruitment of Thresa Giles as the new CEO of Hope & Help in Winter Park, FL. Vanessa Abreu, director of recruiting, led the assignment. “We’re honored to share these kind words from Thresa Giles, CEO of Hope & Help, about her experience working with
Vetted Solutions Assists the Architects Foundation with Executive Director Search
Washington, D.C.- based Vetted Solutions has placed Jennifer Calvert Hall as the new executive director with the Architects Foundation, the philanthropic partner of the American Institute of Architects AIA. She was identified following a highly competitive national search and brings extensive experience in fundraising and nonprofit management. “I believe that the appointment of Jennifer Calvert Hall as our new
Bryant Group Retained by HonorHealth Foundation for Two Assignments
Dallas-based executive search and talent development firm Bryant Group has been retained by HonorHealth Foundation to lead in its searches for a senior vice president of finance and senior vice president of communications and donor relations. Both searches are led by Sarah Hempen, vice president of search. Reporting directly to the president and CEO, the SVP
Jamesbeck Names Managing Director in New York
Jamesbeck, a New York City-based recruitment firm specializing in senior-level talent for the broad investment management community across private market and traditional firms, has expanded with the addition of Vince Talamo as a managing director based in its New York City office. Mr. Talamo has spent his entire career in executive search and brings over 25
Why People, Not Just Technology, Will Determine the Success of AI in Healthcare
Introducing new technologies—especially those driven by AI—can disrupt established workflows, challenge existing roles, and strain organizational relationships in unforeseen ways. As a result, the most successful healthcare organizations will be those that look beyond the promise of the tools themselves and focus on how people interact with them, according to a recent report from human
How To Build Employee Engagement
The latest data indicates a global decline in employee engagement, according to recent report from IMSA Search Global Partners’ president Thierry Goder. Figures from Statista found that the global employee engagement rate, which reached its highest point in 2020 at 69 percent, has decreased annually to 67 percent last year. All regions experienced drops, but Sub-Saharan Africa
AC Lion Acquires Ampersand Talent Advisory
AC Lion, an executive recruitment firm focused on the digital and technology sectors, has acquired boutique search firm Ampersand Talent Advisory. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. This acquisition marks a significant step in AC Lion’s growth, bolstering its ability to recruit top creative and AI talent while expanding its capacity to place
Funk Associates at Closing Stages of President Search for Florida International University
Funk Associates is currently at the end stages of recruiting the seventh president for Florida International University (FIU). “Over the past several weeks, the presidential search committee has identified and interviewed candidates interested in becoming FIU’s seventh president,” Carlos A. Duart, chair, FIU presidential search committee; vice chair, FIU board of trustees, wrote in a letter
Krauthamer & Associates Assists AC Transit with CEO Search
Krauthamer & Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Salvador Llamas as the new general manager and CEO of the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) in Oakland, CA. He succeeds interim general manager Kathleen Kelly. Gregg A. Moser led the assignment. “Each finalist for the GM-CEO position demonstrated strong strategic leadership and vision,” said board president Diane
Developing a Strong Employer Brand to Attract Executive Leaders
In today’s highly competitive job market, having a strong employer brand is essential for drawing in and keeping top-tier talent. It boosts an organization’s attractiveness, lowers hiring expenses, and increases both employee retention and satisfaction. A new report from the International Executive Search Federation (IESF) explores building a powerful employer brand to secure high-quality executive talent, supported
Hiring Managers: A Unique Chance to Secure Top Insurance & Wealth Talent
As salary premiums decline, this is the ideal moment to build a stronger, future-ready team. The best talent in insurance and wealth management is more affordable than it has been in years—but not for long, according to a recent report from Lyneer Search Group, an executive talent acquisition firm specializing in finance and executive roles.
Rudish Health Assists Novant Health with the Recruitment of Chief Revenue Officer
Boca Raton, FL-headquartered healthcare advisory and talent leadership firm Rudish Health recently assisted in the recruitment of Heather Dunn as senior vice president and chief revenue officer of Novant Health in Winston-Salem, NC. In this role, she will lead Novant Health’s billing department, including financial assistance programs, interface with payors, and identify integration and strategic opportunities. “Heather
BoardWalk Consulting Seeking COO for Deep South Today
Executive recruitment firm BoardWalk Consulting has been retained to lead the chief operating officer search for Deep South Today, a networked hub of non-profit newsrooms. Founder Sam Pettway, director Cynthia Moreland, and senior research associate Lysondra Somerville are leading the assignment. The inaugural COO will be a future-forward leader who can focus on the organization’s strategic priorities of geographic expansion,
Mercuri Urval Expands Search Staff
Stockholm, Sweden-based executive search firm Mercuri Urval (MU) has expanded with the addition of Anne Zhang as partner and director. “We’re thrilled to welcome Anne back to the MU family,” said Julia Larsen-Disney, director and team leader MU China. “Her extensive expertise in leadership and talent management, combined with her deep knowledge of the Greater China region, will
PitchBook Data Shows PE Outlook Is Shifting Fast
According to PitchBook’s Q1 2025 U.S. PE Breakdown Report, private equity entered the year with positive momentum. Deal activity totaled 2,263 transactions worth $259.7 billion, representing an 11.8 percent increase in volume and 36.1 percent increase in value year over year. Much of the quarter’s value was driven by large take-privates, notably Sycamore Partners’ $23.7 billion
