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June Hiring Cools While Unemployment Holds at 4.2 Percent
Employment increased by 57,000 in June as the U.S. unemployment rate stood at 4.2 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. The number of unemployed people, at 7.1 million, changed little in June. Employment continued to trend up in professional and business services, social assistance, and healthcare. Leisure and hospitality lost jobs. The
Bell Oaks Executive Search Seeking Chief Finance and Administrative Officer for the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation
Atlanta-based Bell Oaks Executive Search is currently seeking a chief finance and administrative officer (CFAO) for the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation (WRF). The assignment is being led by partner Cynthia J. Moreland and senior search consultant Abi Gamino. The CFAO will serve as a strategic partner to the CEO and a key member of the executive
Executive Recruiters Pull Off Another Remarkable Year, Remain Bullish for 2023
Hunt Scanlon Media has released its annual rankings of leading executive recruiters. In the U.S. and globally, billions of dollars poured into the high-end recruiting sector in 2022, a result of continued pentup demand for senior-level leaders and their key reports.
Why Succession Planning Is Critical to Reducing Leadership Risk
Most organizations have something they refer to as a succession plan — a spreadsheet, a nine-box grid updated once a year and then put away, or an annual HR review. But very few can answer the question that truly matters: if a critical leader left tomorrow, would the organization be able to keep executing? That’s
GDPR – The Perfect Time to Refresh Your Database
As executive search firms grapple with the complexities of GDPR, many are concerned that the new regulation will mean deleting thousands of records built up over many years. Surely there must be an alternative?
Rokos Group Seeking Chief Medical Officer for Center for Elders’ Independence
Newport Beach, CA-based executive search firm Rokos Group has been selected by Center for Elders’ Independence (CEI) to lead in its search for a chief medical officer. Reporting to the president and CEO, the chief medical officer will serve as CEI’s senior physician executive and a full member of the executive leadership team. This is a strategic
ADK Consulting & Executive Search Assists the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority with CEO Search
ADK Consulting & Executive Search recently assisted in the recruitment of Cris Jensen as the new president and CEO of the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority (RTAA). Rod Dinger led the assignment. “It is my honor to announce the board has chosen Cris Jensen to serve as the next president and CEO, and his contract negotiations are currently underway,” said Shaun Carey, chair of
How CEOs Can Overcome Setbacks and Emerge Stronger
Executive search firms are increasingly being called upon to assess more than a candidate’s track record of growth, transformation, and financial performance. As boards search for CEOs capable of leading through persistent uncertainty, resilience has become a critical component of the leadership profile. Search consultants are placing greater emphasis on how executives have responded to
Occam Global Recruits CFO for eGenesis
New York City-based executive search firm Occam Global has placed Glenn Vraniak as CFO of eGenesis, a biotechnology company developing human-compatible engineered organs for transplantation. “eGenesis is entering a pivotal stage in our evolution as we prepare to advance our programs through clinical development and lay the foundation for future commercialization,” said Mike Curtis, CEO of eGenesis.
Maven Partnership Names Partner and Consultants
Global talent advisory firm Maven Partnership has recently promoted Tom Chambers to partner, Seb Coughlin as consultant, and George Roberts to consultant. “We are delighted to announce the well-deserved promotions of several exceptional individuals here at Maven Partnership, Will Hannaford, chief executive officer. “We’re committed to the growth and development of our people, and it’s fantastic to
The Execution Era: How Transformation Is Reshaping Private Equity
Most PE value creation plans don’t fail on strategy. They fail between the plan and the doing. With longer holds and less forgiving exit windows, delivery discipline is carrying more of the return, according to a new report from Wilton & Bain’s Jack Syred and James Royall. The report reflects patterns Wilton & Bain has
JDG Associates Retained by the Institute for Defense Analyses to Lead VP of Corporate Operations Search
Rockville, MD-based executive search firm JDG Associates has been tapped by the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) to lead its search for their vice president of corporate operations, based in Alexandria, VA. IDA seeks a seasoned operational and business transformation leader to modernize systems, processes, and service delivery across the organization. Serving as a corporate officer and
Modern Executive Solutions adds Partner to Lead Growth of M1 Talent Community
Atlanta-based talent consultancy Modern Executive Solutions has appointed Bria Bass as as partner, where she will lead the continued growth and expansion of the M1 Talent Community across North America and Europe. “Bria brings a rare combination of executive advisory, deep community-building experience, and an exceptional ability to connect leaders in meaningful ways,” said Mark Oppenheimer, CEO
AI Is Rewriting the Executive Hiring Playbook
Insight Partners’ latest research suggests the AI era is creating a new executive hiring playbook. Based on more than 400 executive searches and interviews with over 1,400 leadership candidates, the firm’s talent team argues that many of the characteristics defining today’s strongest product and engineering leaders would have been viewed as weaknesses only a few years
FMG Leading Acquires Market Intelligence And Strategic Advisory Firm BroadBranch Advisors
Human capital advisory firm FMG Leading has acquired market intelligence and strategic advisory firm BroadBranch Advisors. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “In today’s high-pressure landscape, translating forward-looking intelligence into action faster and more effectively is critical for our clients, especially in the investor-backed healthcare space,” said Matt Brubaker, chairman and CEO of FMG Leading. “By
PARC Street Group Places Chief Operating Officer for Mission Valley Bank
PARC Street Group has assisted in the recruitment Amanda Connell as chief operating officer at Mission Valley Bank. This search was completed by PARC Street Group senior executive search consultant Michelle Davis, executive recruiter Tabassum Nagpurwala, and executive search associate Priscilla Chacon. Ms. Connell brings more than 15 years of progressive leadership experience across community
Hunt Scanlon and HSiQ Build a New Performance Model for Executive Recruiters
As the executive search industry faces growing pressure to deliver stronger and more consistent results, firms are reassessing how recruiters are trained, developed, and prepared to meet changing client demands. A few months ago, Hunt Scanlon and its HSiQ Talent Intelligence advisory unit introduced the Recruiter Performance Training Program, a practical, execution-focused system designed to
U.S. Payrolls Fall by 23,000 in July as Unemployment Rate Dips to 4.1 Percent
Employment fell by 23,000 in July as the U.S. unemployment rate stood at 4.1 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. The number of unemployed people, at 6.9 million, changed little in July. Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rates for teenagers (12.1 percent) and people who are Hispanic (4.6 percent) declined
Parker Remick Expands with New Partner
Seattle, WA-based Parker Remick has appointed Adam Szepkouski as partner of consulting excellence. The firm explained that this hire reflects a broader push to refine execution and scale delivery as demand for senior technology leaders accelerates. The appointment comes at a time of structural change in technology leadership. AI is reshaping how technology organizations are built and
The Data Migration Paralysis Problem: Why Firms Stay on Old Platforms Too Long
Technology has become a defining competitive advantage for executive search firms, yet many organizations continue to rely on aging platforms that no longer innovate. While artificial intelligence, automation, and data-driven workflows are reshaping the industry, the hesitation to replace legacy systems often leaves firms struggling with inefficiencies that quietly accumulate over time. The greatest obstacle
Recruiterflow Offers Four-Step Playbook for Building an AI-Native Search Firm
Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how executive search firms identify talent, manage information, engage candidates, and serve clients. But adopting an AI-powered platform alone does not make a recruiting organization AI-native. The larger challenge is integrating technology across the search lifecycle in ways that improve decision-making, strengthen execution, and allow consultants to devote more attention
Kirk Palmer Associates Recruits Chief Merchandising Officer for Belk
Retail-focused executive search firm Kirk Palmer Associates has helped to recruit Molly Taylor as chief merchandising officer at retailer Belk, where she will lead merchandising strategy and vision across all product categories. Melissa Sussberg and Alexa Liebman led the assignment. Ms. Taylor is a merchandising executive with over 30 years of experience connecting topline vision to bottom-line performance
The Forces Reshaping Executive Search
As organizations face accelerating business transformation, leadership succession, and rapid advances in artificial intelligence, the demands placed on executive search firms continue to evolve. Clients are looking for more than candidate identification—they increasingly expect strategic guidance, deeper market intelligence, and advisors capable of helping them navigate an increasingly complex leadership landscape. Those themes emerged consistently
Bryant Group Fills Senior Position for the University of Washington
Dallas-based executive search and talent development firm Bryant Group has assisted in the recruitment of Justin Michalka as vice president for university development at the University of Washington (UW). The search was led by firm president Chris Bingley. “I’m delighted to welcome Justin to the University of Washington,” said Mary Gresch, senior vice president for university advancement. “He is a
SPMB Expands Financial Officer and Private Equity Practices
SPMB Executive Search has appointed Christy Mihos as a partner in the firm’s financial officer and private equity practices. “Christy is one of the most accomplished CFO search practitioners in the market, and we are thrilled to welcome him to SPMB,” said Dave Mullarkey, managing partner at SPMB. “His track record of advising PE firms and technology companies on
Executive Talent Market Faces New Pressures as AI and Private Equity Reshape Leadership Demand
The executive talent market continues to tighten as private investment accelerates, experienced leaders retire, and organizations compete for executives capable of driving growth and transformation. At the same time, artificial intelligence is changing the capabilities companies expect from senior leaders, while consulting and private equity firms rethink how they build leadership teams and evaluate potential.
Carpenter Legal Search Recruits General Counsel for Park Corporation
Legal recruiting remains an active area for executive search firms as corporations, law firms, government agencies, and other organizations compete for experienced legal talent. Employment of lawyers is projected to grow four percent from 2024 to 2034, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, with approximately 31,500 openings expected each year as employers add
Signium Opens New Office in Hamburg, Germany
Executive search consortium Signium has opened a new office in Hamburg, Germany. The new office is led by Moritz Drerup, managing partner, who joined Signium with more than a decade of executive search experience and a highly focused practice in technology and AI leadership. The Hamburg office represents a natural evolution for Mr. Drerup’s established executive search practice, combining his specialist expertise with the reach,
Executive Search Strategies for Leadership Success
As organizations navigate rapid change, leadership decisions have become increasingly consequential, placing greater pressure on executive search firms to identify candidates who can deliver both immediate impact and long-term value. Success at the highest levels depends on far more than filling a vacancy—it requires a disciplined search strategy that combines market intelligence, rigorous assessment, and
Leverage AI in Your Job Search: When to Use It and When Not To
Artificial intelligence has been changing the way people search for jobs. From optimizing resumes to preparing for interviews, AI has become a valuable resource for candidates looking to streamline the process. The key is knowing how to use it effectively, according to a recent report from New York City headquartered executive search firm Solomon Page. “AI
The CHRO’s New Mandate
Across industries, the organizational design structure has shifted from a traditional pyramid to an hourglass model. This is not a recent development, explained Slayton Search Partners’ John Doyle in a recent report. “Organizational efficiencies, increased technology and the first wave of Baby Boomer retirements began this transition nearly two decades ago,” he said. “Experienced leaders have been retiring. Internal pipelines have
Russell Reynolds Associates Launches Strategy Decode and Activation to Bridge Leadership Gaps in Business Transformation
Russell Reynolds Associates has launched Strategy Decode and Activation, a distinctive advisory capability that positions CEO and C-suite leadership as the central driver of successful business transformation. “Russell Reynolds Associates has been at the forefront of helping the world’s largest organizations solve their most pressing leadership issues for decades,” said Constantine Alexandrakis, CEO. “Today, transformation is at the
Creating a Positive Culture in a Remote and Digital Age
As the workplace continues to evolve into hybrid and fully remote environments, the concept of company culture is being redefined. In the absence of traditional office settings, leaders must rely on intentional and nuanced approaches to foster engagement, trust, and a sense of community among dispersed teams. This shift demands more than just logistical adjustments—it
The New Era of Executive Search: Blending Intuition with Innovation
Executive search is at an inflection point. According to Aileen K. Alexander, CEO of DSG Global (Diversified Search Group), “The industry has long been built on trust, relationships, and intuition – and that’s not going away, but today, it must also be agile, inclusive, and increasingly driven by automation and data,” she said. “Parts of the search
Flatiron Search Partners Assists Big Blue Swim School with CEO Search
Flatiron Search Partners (FSP) has recruited Brandon Bean as the new CEO of Big Blue Swim School. Chris DeJong, founder and president of Big Blue Swim School, will continue to lead Big Blue’s brand and curriculum strategy, working closely alongside Mr. Bean to drive national expansion and elevate franchise support. “Brandon brings deep expertise in scaling high-growth franchise
Massey Henry Seeking Chief Legal Officer for Peoples Group
Toronto-based executive search firm Massey Henry was recently retained once again by Peoples Group to lead its search for a chief legal officer (CLO). Reporting to the president CEO, the chief legal officer is a core member of the executive leadership team, responsible for developing and executing the company’s legal strategy, ensuring alignment with business objectives
Atlantic Group Opens Office in Charlotte, NC
Executive search firm Atlantic Group recently opened a new office in Charlotte, NC. Lauren Sawyer, director, is leading the new location. “We are thrilled to announce the opening of our newest office in Charlotte, North Carolina,” Atlantic Group said in a LinkedIn post. “This location will allow us to continue our expansion into the greater Charlotte market and
Skills-Based Hiring: Where We Stand Today
In recent years, much attention has been given to the concept of skills-based hiring. At first glance, the premise seems almost self-evident: employers should focus on whether a candidate possesses the skills needed to perform a job. It sounds so straightforward that it might feel unnecessary to scrutinize further. Yet, taking skills seriously requires deprioritizing
Bespoke Partners Launches AI-Powered Talent Mapping Platform
San Diego, CA-headquartered Bespoke Partners has launched Calibrator, a scorecarding application accelerating executive search with an AI-powered talent market mapping platform for software and SaaS. Calibrator lets Bespoke’s clients to instantly see the complete talent pool for a given position based on adjustable scorecard parameters. “An executive hiring decision can impact billions of dollars in value
Reffett Associates Fills Finance Position for Fremont Brewing
Seattle, WA-based Reffett Associates has placed Ken Ossinger as vice president of finance for Fremont Brewing. He will report directly to Matt Lincecum CEO and co-founder of Fremont Brewing. “Ken’s deep experience with finance and accounting, history of working for many small and medium sized companies, and energetic and positive attitude make him an excellent selection to
CIO Partners Tapped by Reworld Waste to Lead Search for Chief Information Officer
Chief information officers (CIOs) are increasingly in demand today due to the accelerating pace of digital transformation across industries. As organizations strive to harness emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, cybersecurity frameworks, and data analytics, the CIO has become a critical figure in driving this change. Modern CIOs are no longer just IT
Bullhorn Appoints Chief Customer Officer
Recruiting software provider Bullhorn has named Mitesh Ashar as chief customer officer. In this strategic position, Mr. Ashar will lead Bullhorn’s global customer experience organization, driving innovation and service across all customer touchpoints. “Mitesh pushed us to make the product better, because he cared deeply about how technology supports real business goals,” said Art Papas, founder and
A Closer Look at Private Equity’s Evolving Playbook for Executive Talent
Private equity firms are raising the bar for executive talent, driven by a post-pandemic return to in-office expectations and an intensified focus on leadership performance. As firms prioritize in-person leadership to rebuild culture and drive alignment, a disconnect is emerging between employer demands and candidate preferences for flexibility. At the same time, a slowdown in
AI in Executive Search: Evolving the Practice
The integration of AI in executive search has moved from a stage of tentative experimentation to a more mature phase where workflows are actively being reimagined. However, executive search firms tell Hunt Scanlon Media that many firms still find themselves navigating challenges on the maturity curve—ranging from concerns over data quality to cultural resistance from
RH Perry & Associates Recruits President for Hudson Valley Community College
RH Perry & Associates has helped to recruit Michael S. Brophy as the 8th president of Hudson Valley Community College. He will begin this new role on August 1. Senior consultants Gena Glickman and Kevin Cavanagh led the assignment. Dr. Brophy was selected as president of Hudson Valley following a national search that began in fall 2024 with the appointment of
DRiWaterstone Human Capital Tapped by MOST Policy Initiative to Find New Leader
VA-based DRiWaterstone Human Capital has been called in by MOST Policy Initiative to lead in its search for a new executive director. MOST strives to ensure outstanding academic services and products. The executive director demonstrates a continual commitment to accurate, high-quality content and stakeholder satisfaction through in-depth research results provided by the MOST team. The executive director at MOST
ZRG Names President of Consulting Solutions
ZRG has appointed Susan Gallagher as president of consulting solutions. She will lead the continued expansion and integration of ZRG’s global consulting platform, further enhancing the firm’s ability to help clients align leadership, culture, and strategy for long-term success. “Susie is exactly the kind of leader we look for at ZRG: forward-thinking, results-driven, and ready to
Build or Buy? Executive Insights into Strategic Talent Planning
As organizations strive to maintain competitive advantage and agility, how they source and develop talent has become a critical differentiator. In today’s dynamic business environment, the debate between “buying” versus “building” talent remains central to strategic workforce planning, according to a recent report from global executive search provider SpenglerFox’s Malgorzata Kosior. “For executives, particularly those leading within
IANS And Artico Map The Rise Of The Million-Dollar CISO
A highly readable and insightful report that’s just come out, the 2025 State of the CISO Report by IANS and Artico Search, presents a comprehensive analysis of how the CISO role is evolving in today’s enterprise landscape. Based on survey responses from over 800 CISOs, the report tracks shifts in organizational structure, compensation, boardroom engagement, and
CAA Executive Search Recruits CEO for Vanderbilt Enterprises
CAA Executive Search has placed Markus Schreyer as CEO of the newly created Vanderbilt Enterprises, a strategic initiative designed to advance mission-aligned ventures that generate sustainable new revenue streams and support strategic priorities. CAA Executive Search’s Dany Berghoff, Joe Becher and Jason Hanold led the search for this role based in Nashville, TN. “Vanderbilt is committed to
JDG Associates Fills Senior Position for the International Bottled Water Association
Rockville, MD-based executive search firm JDG Associates recently assisted in the recruitment of Jeremy Pollack as vice president of government relations for the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA). “Jeremy’s deep understanding of the regulatory landscape, successful track record with legislative fly-ins, and experience working with companies that are members of both IBWA and Water Quality Association
Cornerstone International Group Opens Office in Seoul
Cornerstone International Group, a global executive search and leadership development firm, has opened a new office in Seoul. “The launch of our Seoul office is a strategic milestone in Cornerstone’s global journey,” said Simon Wan, chairman and CEO at Cornerstone. “South Korea is a thriving hub of innovation and global business. We are here to
Academic Search Assists the University of Alabama with the Recruitment of 30th President
Education-focused executive recruiter Academic Search has assisted in the recruitment of Peter J. Mohler as the 30th president of the University of Alabama. He will assume the role on July 21. Stuart R. Bell, the 29th president of the University of Alabama, is stepping down from the presidency mid-summer, completing a decade in the school’s top leadership
Acertitude Recruits CFO for Ascend Healthcare
Acertitude has recruited Nicole Byers as the new CFO of Ascend Healthcare, an Abry Partners portfolio company. The search was led by partner Heather Johnson and principal JJ Houldin. “Ascend is actively expanding access to high-quality, compassionate behavioral healthcare services via telehealth and our community health partners,” Ms. Byers said in a LinkedIn post. I’m
Campbell & Company Recruits CEO for Community Foundation of Bartholomew County
Sarah Beraki and Angèle Bubna of Campbell & Company have helped to recruit Edie Blakeslee as president and CEO of the Heritage Fund – The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County. She succeeds Tracy Souza, who is retiring July 15 after 14 years. Following a national CEO search led by Campbell & Company, with participation by Heritage Fund board members
Options Group Appoints Vice Presidents
Options Group has expanded with the additions of Louis Couronne and Macaire Chue as vice presidents. Mr. Couronne will join the firm in London and will specialize in electronic trading. His areas of focus include systematic strategy development, AI/ML labs, high-performance computing, infrastructure optimization, and senior trading technology appointments. Mr. Couronne has experience in global search
How to Create an Organizational Culture That Attracts Talent
In today’s competitive hiring environment, organizations must go beyond the basics to stand out. While competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits are essential for recruiting talent, another aspect that is often overlooked is organizational culture, according to a recent report from Kinsley|Sarn Executive Search. “A positive and engaging workplace environment can be a key differentiator in attracting and
Korn Ferry Posts Flat Fiscal Year-End Revenues
Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) has posted 2025 fiscal year-end revenues of $2.7 billion, a slight rise from the prior year. The increase was primarily driven by an increase in the number of engagements billed and an increase in weighted-average fee billed per engagement. The firm experienced fee revenue growth in North America, EMEA and APAC regions. Korn
The Tolan Group Fills Senior Positions for Holding Hands, Duly Health and Care, and Anodyne
The Tolan Group (TTG) recently assisted in the recruitment of Matt Niebuhr as the new CFO of Holding Hands, Inc., Monu Kalsi as SVP of marketing for Duly Health and Care, and Sean Inglis as VP of sales at Anodyne. With over 25 years of experience, Mr. Niebuhr previously served as CFO at Frontline Dental, where he
Kincannon & Reed Recruits CEO for the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
Following a year-long, nationwide search Kincannon & Reed, which exclusively focuses on food, agribusiness, and the related life sciences, has placed Duane Simpson as president and CEO of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC). He succeeds Chuck Conner, who has led the organization since 2009. Mr. Simpson will formally assume the role on July 14, 2025, coinciding with the
Eastward Partners Expands Search Team
New York-based Eastward Partners has expanded with the additions of Jessica Ern as a director and Kristi Kamesch as an associate. “With nearly a decade of recruiting experience, Jessica brings exceptional leadership, expertise, and a passion for building world-class professional services teams,” Eastward Partners said in a LinkedIn post. “We’re confident she’ll play a pivotal role in driving our
EMA Partners Adds New Member Firm in Athens
EMA Partners, a global partnership of executive search professionals, has opened a new office in Athens, Greece with the addition of CS Compass Executive Consultants into its global network. The integration marks the launch of EMA Partners’ new office in Athens, Greece, led by Spyros Christodoulatos, who joins as managing partner. “With over 30 countries and over 35
