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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.
Streamlining the Hiring Process to Secure Top Talent
In a competitive hiring market, speed and preparation can often make the difference between securing a top candidate and losing them to another opportunity. With many professionals exploring new roles while remaining fully employed, organizations must balance thorough evaluation with an efficient and well-coordinated recruitment process. The most successful employers are those that approach hiring
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?
DHR Global Adds New Partner in Singapore
Talent advisory firm DHR Global has expanded with the addition of Veronique Denis-Pelliet as a partner in its technology and retail & consumer practices in Singapore. A seasoned executive with over 10 years of experience in executive search, ESG leadership, sales, and international business development, Ms. Denis-Pelliet has led multicultural teams and driven growth in Southeast Asia, China, Europe,
Assessing Business Development Talent Without Slowing the Hiring Process
Companies are placing greater emphasis on improving hiring accuracy as competition for high-performing talent intensifies across the market. Yet many organizations continue to rely on inconsistent interview practices, subjective evaluations, and selection processes that create unnecessary friction for both candidates and internal stakeholders. Most hiring failures do not happen because companies move too fast. They
Academic Search Recruits President for Henry Ford College
Academic Search has placed David M. Knezek as the seventh president of Henry Ford College. Shirley Robinson Pippins and Richard Cummins led the assignment. Mr. Knezek, currently serving as chief operating officer of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and as an elected Wayne County commissioner, will assume the presidency later this year, succeeding interim president Dr. Lori
Fabric.AI Taps Egon Zehnder for Critical Search
Global leadership advisory firm Egon Zehnder has been retained by NASDAQ-traded AI infrastructure company Fabric.AI to lead the search for a senior project management executive. “Egon Zehnder’s reputation, global reach, and deep expertise across AI, advanced technologies, and organizational leadership make them an ideal partner for Fabric.AI at this stage of our growth,” said Josh Silverman, CEO of
Caldwell Expands in London and Madrid
Toronto-based Caldwell has expanded with the addition of Alex Langridge as a partner in the firm’s financial services practice. Based in London, Mr. Langridge advises clients across financial services and fintech on senior executive and board appointments, succession planning, organizational design, and transformational leadership hiring. “Alex’s appointment reflects our continued investment in expanding Caldwell’s financial
Fama Technologies Granted U.S. Patent on Foundational AI-Powered Social Media Screening Technology
Fama Technologies, providers of AI-powered online screening, has announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has allowed all claims in its patent application covering the foundational technology behind social media background screening. The patent, titled “System for Searching and Correlating Online Activity with Individual Classification Factors,” has a priority date of November
Updating How You Work So AI Can Actually Deliver
AI adoption is no longer a technology challenge, it is an operational one. Companies that generate lasting value from AI will be the ones willing to redesign workflows, redefine leadership responsibilities, and embed AI directly into how work gets done every day. Most companies will not fail at AI because they chose the wrong model,
Vetted Solutions Assists CoreNet Global with CEO Search
Following an extensive search process, Washington, D.C.-based Vetted Solutions has assisted in the recruitment of Vicki Worden as the new CEO of CoreNet Global. “Vicki Worden demonstrates exemplary leadership through her collaborative approach,” said Jamie Leary-Erickson, CoreNet Global board chair. “Vicki’s extensive experience in the architecture, engineering, and commercial real estate sectors, combined with her global perspective
BarkerGilmore Places Head of Legal at Vantage Elevator Solutions
Boutique search firm BarkerGilmore, which specializes in building corporate legal and compliance teams, has placed Keinan Meginniss as VP, head of legal at Vantage Elevator Solutions. The search was led by Stephen Bell and Alison Waters. “Keinan joins the organization at an exciting time as the company continues to expand its operations and strengthen its leadership team
NGS Global Adds TalentXera
Wilmington, DE-headquartered executive search firm NGS Global has added Saúl Almendárez and his team at TalentXera. This expands the firm’s capabilities across Mexico and the broader Latin America region. Mr. Almendárez is based in Mexico City, where he has spent more than 20 years building an exceptional team and a highly regarded brand in the executive search industry. Along
IMD International Search Group Elects New Board Members
Global executive search consortium IMD International Search Group recently had delegates from member firms meet in Helsinki, Finland, and announced the election of several board members. Ben Tucker (Minerva, IMD U.K.) transitions from director to VP finance and legal. Eva Nielsen (Lisberg, IMD Sweden) is reelected for a second mandate as director while Terhi Heikkinen (IMS Talent,
Hunt Scanlon and HSiQ Launch Recruiter Performance Training Program
The executive search industry has a training challenge. For years, recruiting firms have depended on apprenticeship-style development, learning through observation, informal mentoring, and varying management approaches. That model works for some, but it does not scale effectively. In a market increasingly shaped by AI, speed, precision, and commercial demands, inconsistent recruiter performance is no longer
Executive Search Firms Confront the AI Transformation
As AI rapidly reshapes the executive search landscape, recruiting firms are facing growing pressure to modernize how they identify, assess, and engage leadership talent. Industry experts say AI-driven sourcing, predictive analytics, and automation tools are helping firms accelerate search timelines and expand candidate reach, while also forcing recruiters to rethink where their true value lies.
Cooper Coleman Recruits CFO the Center for Child Protection
Cooper Coleman LLC has placed William Wade as chief financial officer of the Center for Child Protection (CCP) in Austin, TX. The national search was led by Johnny Cooper, founder and CEO of Cooper Coleman. “Dion brings the kind of strategic thinking and mission alignment CCP needs in its CFO,” said Mr. Cooper. “They are doing remarkable work,
Boyden Assists Kerry’s Place Autism Services with CEO Search
Boyden has recruited Normandie Wragg as the new president and CEO of Kerry’s Place Autism Services in Ontario. The appointment follows the previously announced retirement of CEO Susan VanDeVelde-Coke at the end of June. The search was led by partners Jim Stonehouse and Pamela Colquhoun, and Kathy Luu, senior associate. “Normandie is a highly accomplished, values-driven
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
General Counsel Compensation Jumps 25 Percent Since 2019, Reflecting Rising Demand for Legal Expertise
According to Equilar‘s 2024 General Counsel Pay Trends report, compensation for general counsel has skyrocketed nearly 25 percent since 2019, reaching a median total of $3.3 million in 2023. The report, based on an analysis of the Equilar 500 — the 500 largest U.S. companies by revenue — reveals that the median total compensation for general counsel
Russell Reynolds Associates Leads UT Dallas President Search
The University of Texas System has retained Russell Reynolds Associates to lead its search for a new president for UT Dallas. The UT Dallas presidential search advisory committee will make recommendations on possible successors to David E. Daniel, who assumed a new leadership position as the UT System’s deputy chancellor and chief operating officer this summer. The search advisory committee
Pedersen & Partners Opens First U.S. Office; Names Head of North America
Executive search firm Pedersen & Partners has opened its first office in the U.S., establishing a presence in Houston. This becomes the firm’s sixth office in the Americas joining Pedersen & Partners’ offices in Canada, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Peru. COO and partner of Pedersen & Partners, Darcie Murray, will be based in Houston and serve as
Coulter Partners Expands Nordics Team
Global life sciences search specialist Coulter Partners has added Nicolaj Moerk Thomsen as senior consultant and Lisbeth Holm as research associate in the firm’s new Copenhagen offices. Mr. Thomsen has 14 years’ experience in global executive search within life sciences. From highly scientific to strictly commercial roles, he has developed a broad expertise across a range of early start-up
Increased Board Turnover Likely to Drive Board Diversity
The National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD), the advocate for the profession of directorship and advancing board leadership, anticipates that a likely outcome of increased board turnover will be an increase in diversity in the boardroom. NACD released new findings from its forthcoming 2015–2016 Public Company Governance Survey which show that board turnover continues to increase. Two thirds (72
Spencer Stuart Recruits Colgate University President
Spencer Stuart has placed Brian W. Casey as the 17th president of Colgate University. Mr. Casey currently serves as the president of DePauw University. He will take office on July 1, 2016. Former president Jeffrey Herbst announced that he would conclude his tenure at Colgate at the end of June 2015. In the meantime, Colgate is being led
Heidrick & Struggles Opens in Perth With Former CTPartners Recruiters
Heidrick & Struggles has opened a new office in Perth, Australia with the addition of three former CTPartners recruiters. The new office will cover Australia’s industrial sector, with a special focus on energy, natural resources, mining and infrastructure. Debbie Cozart will lead the Perth office as partner-in-charge. She is joined by partner Colin Simpson and principal Beau Yorke. Ms. Cozart
Rosenzweig & Co. Completes Search for The Institute for New Economic Thinking
Rosenzweig & Co. has placed Rick McGahey as head of programs at The Institute for New Economic Thinking (INET). Mr. McGahey will coordinate grant making, educational programs, and evaluation at INET. Mr. McGahey was previously professor, economics and public policy chair, environmental policy and sustainability management, at Milano School of International Affairs, Management, and Urban Policy. Prior to that,
ZRG Partners Names Industrial Practice Managing Director
Richard Morford has joined West Orange, NJ-based ZRG Partners as managing director to further build out the firm’s global industrial recruiting practice and augment its efforts in the life science sector. He will work out of the firm’s corporate offices in New Jersey and support his clients globally. Mr. Morford works primarily in the chemicals and life sciences
U.K. Companies Struggle to Fill Management Positions
There has been a significant drop in applications for management jobs, resulting in a growing challenge for U.K. businesses looking to fill managerial roles, according to data released by CV-Library, a U.K. independent job board. The job site’s statistics indicate that June saw the biggest drop in applications for management roles since July 2014, suggesting that
Heidrick & Struggles Names Head of Automotive Practice in the Americas
Former Russell Reynolds Associates recruiter Gregg McDonald has joined Heidrick & Struggles’ Atlanta office where he will serve as a partner in the firm’s industrial search practice and head its automotive sector in the Americas. Mr. McDonald brings recruiting experience serving a wide variety of clients including Fortune 500, mid-cap public companies, and private equity & venture-backed
Major, Lindsey & Africa Recruits General Counsel for Panasonic North America
Search firm Major, Lindsey & Africa (MLA) has recruited Damien Atkins as general counsel and corporate secretary at Panasonic North America. He becomes the company’s chief legal advisor and will be responsible for providing Panasonic and its North American affiliates with legal and regulatory compliance services. Mr. Atkins has held numerous roles in his 10 years with AOL,
McCormack & Farrow Opens Office In Idaho
Executive search firm McCormack & Farrow has opened a Mountain West office in Pocatello, Idaho. Brad Yates, a senior partner with the firm, will manage the new office, which will be integrated closely with the firm’s Arizona and California offices and serve the executive search needs of both publicly traded and privately held businesses operating in the
Boomerang Partners Recruits CEO for Spotless Group
Sydney-headquartered executive search firm Boomerang Partners has placed former KPMG executive Martin Sheppard as chief executive officer of Spotless Group. He will replace Bruce Dixon, who will step down before the end of the year. The placement was the result of a six-month search process which culminated in a shortlist of 10 candidates. Mr. Sheppard
HELP WANTED: Large Companies Seek HR Generalists
Despite job opportunities in the human resources field remaining flat since the start of the year, there is increased confidence among HR professionals that they can land new jobs in their field, according to a just released survey from the Society for Human Resource Management. SHRM’s survey examines hiring trends in the HR profession as well
Isaacson, Miller Leading Chancellor Search for University of Nebraska – Lincoln
The University of Nebraska – Lincoln has retained Isaacson, Miller to lead its search for a new chancellor. David Bellshaw, vice president and managing partner in Isaacson, Miller’s California office, will head the assignment. Mr. Bellshaw previously assisted the university in the presidential search for the University of Nebraska Medical Center chancellor. “This is a critical search for the university,
Korn Ferry Names Managing Director / Energy Practice Partner In Houston
Korn Ferry has added Chad Hesters as managing director of the firm’s Houston office and a senior client partner in its energy search practice. Mr. Hesters has placed multiple senior level executives across the C-suite at publicly-traded, private equity-operated and family-owned companies. He joins Korn Ferry after spending seven years in the Houston office of Heidrick & Struggles,
Myers McRae Heading President Search for Lake-Sumter State College
Georgia-based executive search firm Myers McRae has been selected by Lake-Sumter State College to lead its search for a new president. Myers McRae president and CEO, Emily Parker Myers, along with vice presidents Robb Myers and Bobby Pope, are heading the assignment. Ms. Parker Myers conducts a wide range of searches; her areas of specialty are presidential, provost, vice
Penna Joins Senior Management Worldwide
Penna Plc has become the U.K. member firm of Senior Management Worldwide (SMW), an international executive interim network. Taking over from a previous U.K. member firm, Penna will represent the U.K. in the SMW network. Joining the network of 15 partners will enable Penna’s executive recruitment and interim division to expand its international reach and support other interim businesses
Global Business CEOs Anticipate Hiring Uptick Over Next Three Years
Chief executives of global businesses say they are confident about the ability of their companies to grow over the next three years and are expressing confidence about the prospects for the global economy, according to the 2015 KPMG ‘CEO Outlook Study’ of 1,278 chief executives. Sixty-nine percent of CEOs in Europe, 66 percent in Asia Pacific and
Allen Austin Launches Healthcare Recruiting Practice
Global leadership advisory firm Allen Austin has opened its new healthcare practice with the addition of Brian A. Johnston as senior partner and healthcare practice leader. Mr. Johnston brings over 25 years of broad-based healthcare executive search management experience to the firm. From Allen Austin’s Nashville offices, Mr. Johnston will partner with board members and senior leadership within the healthcare
Storbeck / Pimentel Heading President Search for University of Wyoming
Storbeck/Pimentel & Associates has been selected by the University of Wyoming to lead its search for a new president. Current UW president Dick McGinity is stepping down after a year and a half on the job. He replaced Bob Sternberg, who resigned in November 2013 after less than five months as president. Trustee Jeff Marsh, who is chair
McDermott & Bull Recruits HR Head for Agility Fuel Systems
Irvine, CA-based McDermott & Bull has placed Nicole Arvizu as head of human resources with Agility Fuel Systems, a market leader in the design, engineering, manufacturing and installation of natural gas fuel systems for heavy duty trucks, buses and specialty vehicles. McDermott & Bull’s search process identified 123 candidates throughout Southern California, presenting six strong HR practitioners
Sanford Rose Associates Adds Smith Consulting Group to Network
The Sanford Rose Associates Executive Search Network has added The Smith Consulting Group, LLC, as the newest member of the Sanford Rose Associates (SRA) network of offices. Smith Consulting Group is an executive search firm specializing in mid- to senior-level positions in the civil engineering industry. The firm focuses on searches within the engineering, architecture, and IT industries and
Global Talent Shortages Expected to Continue Into 2016
Thirty-two percent of U.S. employers report difficulties filling job vacancies due to talent shortages, according to the new Talent Shortage Survey by ManpowerGroup. This marks an eight percent decline from 2014. Globally, the percentage of employers experiencing difficulties continued to rise, increasing from 36 percent in 2014 to 38 percent in 2015. The survey polled 41,748 employers in 42
Spencer Stuart Heading CEO Search for Numerex
Numerex Corporation has retained Spencer Stuart to lead its search for a chief executive officer. Current chairman and CEO, Stratton Nicolaides, will be assisting with the search process and will continue as CEO until a successor has been selected. He will then continue as executive chairman and help develop overall corporate strategy and provide leadership, and build consensus
AGB Search to Recruit Widener University President
Executive search firm AGB Search Inc. has been selected by Widener University to lead the search for its 10th president. The next president will succeed Dr. James T. Harris, who has led the University for the past 13 years. Dr. Stephen C. Wilhite, Widener’s provost, is serving as interim president through 2016. Consultants Dr. Thomas B. Courtice,
Former NFL Player Joins Alder Koten as Senior Advisor
Executive search firm Alder Koten has added former NFL kicker Raul Allegre as a consultant and senior advisor to the firm’s sports practice. He will collaborate in executive search work focused on CEOs, executives, and senior-level coaching talent. In addition, he will also participate in consulting engagements related to leadership and organizational effectiveness helping clients in the professional
Kingsley Gate Partners Adds Another CTPartners Recruiter
Former CTPartners recruiter Tom Koch has joined executive search firm Kingsley Gate Partners as a senior partner. He joins fellow former CTPartners veterans Buster Houchins, Umesh Ramakrishnan, Raj Kapoor, and Adam P. Kohn, whot joined Kingsley Gate Partners over the past month. Mr. Koch’s clients include for-profit and not-for-profit healthcare and healthcare services, as well as Fortune 500 companies in life sciences, consumer/retail
Major League Baseball Taps Korn Ferry to Advance Senior-Level Minority and Female Hiring
In an effort to give minority and female candidates a better chance to land higher visibility positions, Major League Baseball has tapped Korn Ferry to provide league-wide talent support services, which includes assisting candidates who reach the interview process for baseball operations positions. MLB has instructed Korn Ferry to provide special emphasis to help some
Harvey Nash Opens in Singapore
Global executive search firm Harvey Nash has expanded its Asia Pacific business with the opening of a new office in Singapore. The firm has appointed Richard Goddard as managing director of South-East Asia operations. With over two decades of international search experience across the global technology marketplace, Mr. Goddard will lead the development of Harvey Nash’s South-East
Weatherbee Talent Group Launches to Serve PR Firms
Executive search firm Weatherbee Talent Group has been launched in Los Angeles by recruiting veteran Alan Weatherbee. The firm will specialize in placing senior level marketing, digital and PR professionals throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia. With 12 years in executive search, Mr. Weatherbee previously served as senior vice president – talent search at global PR and strategic







