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Daily Newswire
The Talent Studios Places CEO at GIBBON North America
The Talent Studios has placed Luke Droulez as the new CEO of GIBBON North America. The search was led by Katlyn Maloney and Jeremy Cohen. Mr. Droulez is an executive leader with a proven track record of scaling consumer brands from early stage to nine figures. He was an early executive leader and chief marketing officer of native digital
Pacific International Executive Search Expands Advisory Board
London-headquartered executive search firm Pacific International Executive Search has appointed Beth Albright to its advisory board. “Beth Albright is an exceptional addition to our advisory board,” said David Howells, CEO of Pacific International. “Her deep governance expertise, her track record of guiding organizations through IPOs, M&A integrations, and large-scale transformations, and her recognized leadership in human capital management
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
Human Capital Moves to the Center of Private Equity Value Creation
Private equity firms are placing increasing emphasis on leadership as a primary driver of value creation, reshaping how talent is evaluated and deployed across portfolio companies. The role of human capital has moved beyond support function status to become a central component of investment strategy and execution. As a result, firms are adopting more structured,
McCormack+Kristel Retained by Equality Illinois to Lead CEO Search
Executive search firm McCormack+Kristel has been selected by Equality Illinois to lead in its search for a new CEO. Reporting to the Equality Illinois, Equality Illinois Institute, and the Equality Illinois PAC boards of directors, the CEO will develop, refine, and execute the organization’s long-term strategic vision, goals, and direction, ensuring alignment with Equality Illinois’ mission and
Lochlin Partners Assists the Entertainment Software Association with General Counsel Search
Lochlin Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Stan McCoy as senior vice president and general counsel of the Entertainment Software Association (ESA). “In an industry that depends on the protection of intellectual property to fuel future creativity and innovation, Stan’s extensive experience in government and industry is an immense asset to ESA,” said Stanley Pierre-Louis, president
SPMB Recruits Chief Commercial Officer for Salsify
Bianca Moreno and Rosalie Lovy of SPMB Executive Search recently placed Lisa Schrumpf as chief commercial officer of Salsify in Boston. “Lisa is a powerhouse commercial leader with deep expertise in scaling teams and driving revenue growth across both emerging and global-scale organizations,” SPMB said in a LinkedIn post. “We’re thrilled to have partnered on this exciting
Miramar Global Opens New Office in Dubai
U.K.-based Miramar Global Executive Search, which specializes in technology, science, engineering, automotive and natural resources, has opened a new office in Dubai. Ross Bailey, managing partner at Miramar Global will lead the development across the MENA region from the Dubai office. The Dubai office will serve as a strategic hub for Miramar across the Middle East
Bullhorn Extends Partnership with ManpowerGroup
Recruiting software provider Bullhorn has created an expanded partnership with global workforce solutions company ManpowerGroup to implement automation across 40 new markets over the next six years. This strategic move supports ManpowerGroup’s Diversification, Digitization, and Innovation (DDI) plan, enhancing the company’s ability to connect more people to meaningful work while improving service to its 100,000 clients worldwide.
Interim Executives in Demand for PE and VC Firms
In today’s high-velocity private equity and venture capital landscape, the pressure to deliver rapid, measurable results has elevated the role of executive interim leaders. Firms are increasingly prioritizing not just experience, but personality fit, as a decisive factor in navigating complex, fast-paced transformations. In the fast-paced world of PE and VC, timing is everything. The
Envision Consulting Retained by TreePeople for CEO Search
Pasadena, CA-based search firm Envision Consulting has been retained by TreePeople to lead in its search for a new CEO. The incoming CEO will strive to advance environmental resilience while upholding principles of environmental equity. With a robust annual budget of $22 million and a dedicated team of 180 staff members, this leadership role is pivotal in steering TreePeople’s transformative
BarkerGilmore Appoints Strategic Advisor and Leadership Development Coach
Boutique search firm BarkerGilmore, which specializes in building corporate legal and compliance teams, has named Edward Nekritz as a strategic advisor and leadership development coach. “Ed is one of the most respected legal minds in the REIT and real estate investment communities,” said Bob Barker, managing partner of BarkerGilmore. “His strategic acumen, global experience, and proven leadership in
Redefining CEO Selection in 2025: Navigating High-Stakes Transitions with Strategic Precision
CEO transitions are high-stakes moments that can shape a company’s future as the outcome can drastically affect financial performance, investor trust, employee engagement, and customer relationships. Several forces complicate CEO transitions, according to a new report from True Search’s Evan Grossman, Tim McDonald, and Caroline Lo. The study noted that continuing market volatility creates unease, forcing
WittKieffer Helps Recruit 22nd President for Rutgers University
Oak Brook-IL-based WittKieffer has assisted in the recruitment of renowned social scientist William F. Tate as the 22nd president of Rutgers University. Jonathan Holloway announced that he would step down on June 30, 2025. Zachary Smith, Robin Mamlet, and Christine Pendleton led the assignment. Mr. Tate’s selection as president follows the efforts of a 20-member presidential search committee, which
TurnkeyZRG Recruits Director of Athletics for the University of Maryland
TurnkeyZRG has assisted in the recruitment of James Smith as its new Barry P. Gossett director of athletics for the University of Maryland. “We are proud of the athletics tradition here at the University of Maryland and of the accomplishments of our coaches and student-athletes who represent the red, black, white and gold,” said Darryll J.
The Energists Fills Senior Position with Al-Rashed Group
Houston-based The Energists has helped Al-Rashed Group to recruit Andy Hendry to the role of managing director of the Oil & Gas Business, a cornerstone division within one of Kuwait’s most well-established diversified private enterprises. The search team comprised Jonathan Hill, Jerry D. Kurinsky, and Dipika Patel, who leaned on The Energists’ intrinsic global energy solutions network
Kingsley Gate Expands International Presence
Private equity-backed Kingsley Gate has expanded its international presence with the additions of five new partners across key regions. Dan O’Donovan joins the firm’s Chicago office, Spencer Knibbe joins the New York office, Tatyana Freitas and Loreto Montoya strengthen the Latin American presence in São Paulo and Santiago respectively, while Alejandro Salazar-Simpson enhances the firm’s European
Human Capital as a Strategic Asset: Unlocking High-Performance Leadership in the C-Suite
In today’s rapidly evolving business environment, human capital has become a true strategic asset. Organizations are realizing that successful leadership requires more than technical expertise — it demands a blend of measurable competencies and intangible qualities like emotional intelligence, adaptability, and cultural alignment. High-performance leadership is now defined by the ability to drive innovation, inspire
HARTZ Search Recruits Chief Strategy & Business Development Officer for JPS Health Network
After an extensive national search, Charlotte, NC-based HARTZ Search has assisted in the recruitment of TJ Grassetti as the vice president, chief strategy & business development officer of JPS Health Network. Mr. Grassetti joins JPS Health Network from Intermountain Healthcare, where he was most recently the region vice president of strategic partnerships. Prior to this, he was the
Academic Career & Executive Search Recruits Inaugural Chief Marketing Officer for Central New Mexico Community College
Following a national search, Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) has recruited Chris Pendleton as the inaugural chief marketing officer of Central New Mexico Community College (CNM). Jennifer Muller, managing partner, led the search. “I’m thrilled to have Chris joining our CNM leadership team,” said Tracy Hartzler, president. “He has proven experience at leveraging modern marketing
Blair Search Partners Recruits President and CEO for the Pasadena Community Foundation
San Diego-based Blair Search Partners has placed Khanh Russo as the new president and CEO of the Pasadena Community Foundation (PCF). He will succeed longtime leader Jennifer DeVoll starting on June 5. Following a nationwide search conducted by PCF’s executive search committee with support from Blair Search Partners, Mr. Russo was selected for his extensive background
Solomon Page Launches Clinical Physician Search
New York City headquartered executive search firm Solomon Page has strengthened its service offerings within the healthcare & life sciences division with the addition of clinical physician search, a new specialty area for the firm. Solomon Page has also appointed Todd Martin as vice president of clinical physician search. “Todd’s arrival is a significant milestone in the evolution of
Rising to the Challenge: How HR Is Evolving to Meet a Complex World
This is arguably the most dynamic and transformative era in the history of human resources. Recruiters tell Hunt Scanlon Media that human resources is experiencing an unprecedented period of innovation and opportunity. There has never been a more exciting time in history to work in HR than now, according to Egon Zehnder’s Rafael Altavini. “The
Heidrick & Struggles Assists the MacArthur Foundation with Chief Investment Officer Search
According to recruiters specializing in the function, demand for executive level, “high impact” investing talent has been on the rise, and that demand is expected to soar in coming years. But recruiters say these roles can be generally difficult to develop and ultimately recruit for clients, given their multi-disciplinary and evolving nature. In fact, impact investing roles are new to
Cowen Partners Seeking CEO for United American Indian Involvement
Vancouver, WA-based Cowen Partners Executive Search was recently called in by United American Indian Involvement, Inc. (UAII) to lead in its search for a new CEO. Sam Torres, managing director, is leading the assignment. “In a period of evolving community needs and dynamic partnerships with tribal, city, county, state, and federal stakeholders, it is essential for UAII to
Rippling Secures $450 Million in Funding
Rippling, a provider of HR information system software, employer-of-record and other talent-related services, has secured $450 million in a series G funding round. The round values the company at $16.8 billion. The series G round includes financing from Elad Gil, Sands Capital, GIC, Goldman Sachs Alternatives, Baillie Gifford and Y Combinator. The company also announced
Pacific International Forms Advisory Board
London-headquartered executive search firm Pacific International has announced the formation of its new advisory board. The initial members, Bjarne Sandager Nielsen and Sameer Pagnis, with deep industry expertise and years of C-suite experience, will enhance Pacific’s executive search capabilities by helping clients identify and attract transformative C-suite leaders while minimizing the risks associated with executive hiring.
Women Leaders Poised to Redefine the Future of Banking and Financial Services
Women continue to gain ground in banking and financial services, making measurable impact across teams with innovative solutions and notable wins for their institutions. Yet despite filling most entry and mid-level positions at banks and financial firms, women remain significantly underrepresented in upper management, a recent report from Slayton Search Partners’ Stuart Smith. According to McKinsey,
20/20 Foresight Acquires Winter Street Search
20/20 Foresight Executive Talent Solutions has acquired Winter Street Search, a boutique retained executive search firm focused on the financial services sector. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. As part of the integration, Lisa DeConto and Scott Vierra, managing partners of Winter Street, have joined 20/20 Foresight as co-presidents of asset & wealth management. They bring decades of
DHR Global Recruits CIO for Academy Sports + Outdoors
Talent advisory firm DHR Global has recruited Sumit Anand as the new executive vice president and chief information officer at Academy Sports + Outdoors. The search was completed by global managing partners Marcey Rubin Stamas and Sal DiFranco. “Mr. Anand, a lifelong customer of Academy Sports + Outdoors, brings extensive experience in cybersecurity, IT infrastructure, digital, and operational
Nexus Search Partners Fills President Role for Mobile Communications America
Nexus Search Partners, an executive search and advisory firm in Charlotte, NC, has placed John Navarro as president of the security division at Mobile Communications America (MCA) in Spartanburg, SC. “John’s deep industry expertise and proven leadership in scaling security businesses make him an outstanding addition to MCA’s executive team,” said Thaddeus V. Jones, founder and managing partner
ADK Consulting & Executive Search Recruits Chief Strategy Officer for the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority
ADK Consulting & Executive Search has recruited Yovannie Rodriguez as senior vice president and chief strategy officer of the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority. Linda Frankl, director, senior practice leader, led the assignment. Ms. Rodriguez brings a strong background in aviation administration and strategy, most recently holding the title of executive vice president and chief administrative officer for
Shifting The Talent Paradigm In PE: A Q&A With Jessica Fiesta George At Atlantic Street Capital Advisors
Private equity firms are growing, and so are the demands placed on their portfolio companies. As the traditional playbook of financial engineering and cost-cutting shows signs of fatigue, PE firms are looking to talent strategy to unlock growth and create long-term value. That shift is at the core of the agenda at Hunt Scanlon’s upcoming
TurningPoint Executive Search and Collabrie Unite to Create Ascentria Search Partners
TurningPoint Executive Search and Collabrie have recently joined forces to establish Ascentria Search Partners. “The merger was a natural fit because both firms share the same philosophy: recruiting is about relationships, not just resumes,” said Seann Richardson, former president of Collabrie and now a partner at Ascentria Search Partners. “By bringing our expertise together, we’re amplifying
McDermott + Bull Assists Technology Credit Union with Chief Marketing Officer Search
Irvine, CA-based McDermott + Bull has assisted in the recruitment of Terri Giannetti as chief marketing officer of Technology Credit Union (Tech CU) in San Jose, CA. The search was led by McDermott + Bull president Brandon Biegenzahn, managing director Courtney Dorrel, vice president Hilary Raska, and senior and executive recruiter Rachel Camonayan. “Terri’s extensive background in marketing, customer segmentation, data analytics and
