DAILY NEWSWIRE - TOP STORIES
Daily Newswire
The Emergence of the Chief AI Officer: What Leaders Need to Understand
Boards and CEOs are quickly realizing that AI isn’t just another tool—it’s becoming a foundational operating layer. That acceleration is forcing companies to rethink who sets priorities, manages risk, and turns experimentation into measurable value. Out of that pressure, a dedicated C-suite leader for enterprise AI strategy is starting to take shape. Not long ago,
Lindauer Acquires Pearl Street Collective
Lindauer has acquired Boston-based Pearl Street Collective. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The acquisition forms an executive search partnership that will build on both firms’ strong commitment to the non-profit sector and create new possibilities for organizations in search of the mission-driven talent essential to their success. “Pearl Street understands that executive search
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.
U.S. Adds 162,000 Jobs in August as Unemployment Holds at 4.1 Percent
Employment increased by 162,000 in August as the U.S. unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.1 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. The number of unemployed people, at 7.0 million, changed little in August. Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rate for people who are Asian declined to 3.2 percent in August.
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?
WittKieffer Recruits President and CEO for the American Hospital Association
Oak Brook, IL-based WittKieffer has placed Steve Walsh as the new president and CEO of the American Hospital Association (AHA). Andrew Chastain, Paul Bohne, and Keshia Harris led the assignment. “Following a thoughtful national search, the board unanimously selected Steve Walsh to serve as the next president and CEO of the American Hospital Association,” said Marc L. Boom, chair of the AHA
Egon Zehnder Appoints Global Leader of HR Practice
Global leadership advisory firm Egon Zehnder has named Ayşe Güçlü Onur as global leader of its human resources practice. She succeeds Rafael Altavini, who helped expand the practice’s work with leaders, teams and organizations navigating transformation and change. “This appointment comes as companies and boards increasingly look to CHROs to help shape business strategy, lead transformation, build leadership
The Industry’s Profit Conversion Problem — And Why Going AI-Native is the Way Out
The recruiting industry is not short on revenue. Fee revenue at the 50 largest executive search firms in the U.S. and Americas jumped 11 percent last year, topping $6.69 billion, according to Hunt Scanlon‘s 2026 annual rankings. Across broader staffing, the picture is more muted, but revenue is still flowing. The problem is what happens
BoardWalk Consulting Leading CEO Search for the National Breast Cancer Coalition
BoardWalk Consulting was recently retained by the National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC) to lead in its search for a new CEO. The search is being led by Crystal Stephens and Terri Kohan. This is a rare opportunity: to lead one of the most respected and independent voices in breast cancer advocacy, building on three decades of momentum. Reporting
GHP Search Partners with Ascend Learning on Board Member Appointments
GHP Search, formerly known as Greenwich Harbor Partners, was recently tapped by Ascend Learning to assist in growing both the Ascend Learning board of directors and the Ascend Charter Schools board of trustees. New members of the Ascend Learning board identified by GHP include Robert Childs, retired EVP, strategic initiatives at American Express and Amy Mbagwu-Bagolini, a founding leader of Amazon’s Streaming TV advertising business. Richard Young Jr, director,
FMG Leading Adds Healthcare Strategy and Transformation Expert
Human capital advisory firm FMG Leading has expanded with the addition of healthcare strategy and transformation expert Doug Van Wie as managing director. The firm explained that the addition further aligns FMG Leading’s capabilities with the needs of investor-backed organizations looking to add value and mitigate risk as they deploy purpose-driven capital into the rapidly evolving healthcare system.
Caldwell Launches Global Financial Institutions Group Practice
Toronto-based Caldwell has launch its global financial institutions group (FIG) practice, bringing together the firm’s financial services capabilities under a single, globally coordinated practice. “This is more than a change in name,” said Chris Beck, chief executive officer of Caldwell. “It reflects the scale, connectivity, and depth of the practice we have built globally, as well as
M&A in the Search Industry: How Consolidation Is Reshaping Who Wins
M&A activity is becoming an increasingly important force across the executive search sector as investors and larger platforms look for opportunities to expand capabilities, sector expertise, and geographic reach. For independent firms, the trend is placing greater scrutiny on how effectively their businesses are structured, managed, and positioned for the future. Against this backdrop, search
Korn Ferry Completes Acquisition of AMS
Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) has completed its acquisition of U.K.-headquartered AMS from OMERS Private Equity. The combined organization brings together two highly complementary organizations across geographies and industries with a shared commitment to drive business performance. The collective firm will have more than 16,000 colleagues. In accordance with the terms of the acquisition agreement and in the
Myers McRae Helps Pensacola State College Select Finalist for President Role
Macon, GA-based Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting has assisted Pensacola State College (PSC) with the selection of J. Alex Kelly as the finalist to become it’s next president. The committee’s recommendation followed a national search led by Kenny Daugherty of Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting. The search attracted 107 qualified applicants from across the country. The committee selected
Potrero Group Recruits CEO for Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership
San Francisco-based leadership consulting and search firm Potrero Group has placed Karen Strolia as the next CEO of Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership (CVNL) in San Rafael, CA. She succeeds longtime CVNL CEO Linda Jacobs, who led the organization for 25 years. “The board is thrilled to welcome Karen as CVNL’s next chief executive officer,” said Luana Vaetoe,
Marovi Appoints Head of Engineering
Atlanta-GA-based Marovi has expanded with the addition of Ebubechukwu “Don” Enwerem as head of engineering. “Over the past few years, Don has had several engineering terms with Amazon Robotics – work estimated to save millions in operational costs. In between stints, he was building with Marovi. When the opportunity came to continue with Amazon, Don chose
As Executive Search Accelerates, Judgment Becomes the Differentiator
Executive search firms are under pressure to demonstrate value earlier than ever. Clients increasingly expect firms to understand the market, identify credible candidates, and begin calibrating on potential profiles before a search has even formally launched. AI and new data tools are helping firms meet those demands. Tasks that once took days can now be
Fractional vs. Full-Time Executives: The Real Math for Mid-Sized Growing Companies
As mid-sized companies grow, one of the more consequential leadership decisions is determining when fractional executive support is sufficient and when the business requires a full-time leader. A recent ExactSearch.AI report examined the economics behind that decision, finding that the answer often depends less on compensation than on the level of ownership, accountability, and organizational
Lindauer Recruits Chief Development Officer for C-SPAN
Following a national search, Lindauer has assisted in the recruitment of Adele Hixon-Day as the first chief development officer of C-SPAN. The search is being led by Lindauer vice president Maureen Huminik, senior vice president Bob Giannino, and senior consultant Taylor Beard. “Adele joins C-SPAN at a pivotal moment,” said C-SPAN CEO Sam Feist. “For decades, the cable and satellite, and recently
Pyramind Recruits President and CEO for The SkillSource Group
Following a national search, Falls Church, VA-based executive search firm Pyramind has placed Clifford Yee as president and CEO of The SkillSource Group, Inc. (SSG), fiscal sponsor of Virginia Career Works – Northern. He succeeds interim executive officer Seema Jain, following a leadership transition supported by SkillSource’s staff, board, and community partners. “Cliff has a strong
Buffkin / Baker Acquires Fortra Search
In an effort to strengthen its venture capital and private equity search capabilities, Buffkin / Baker has acquired Fortra Search, a boutique retained executive search firm focused exclusively on executive sales and revenue leadership. The firm has also named its founder Andy Grosso as partner. “We’re thrilled to welcome Andy to Buffkin / Baker,” said Jackson Ross, partner
The Role of the CFO in PE-Backed Businesses
The role of the CFO in private equity-backed businesses has shifted materially in recent years. Historically a function for financial stewardship, the CFO role is now defined by operational accountability, value creation and the ability to translate investment strategy into outcomes. A recent report from U.K.-based executive search firm The Barton Partnership (TBP). The study examined how
JDG Associates Seeking Executive Director for the National Coalition for Assistive and Rehab Technology
Rockville, MD-based executive search firm JDG Associates was recently selected by the National Coalition for Assistive and Rehab Technology (NCART) to lead its search for a new executive director. The position is remote and may be based anywhere in the United States, with proximity to the Washington, D.C. area considered a plus. NCART stands at a pivotal moment, with active,
Calibre One Assists Cibus with CEO Search
Calibre One has helped to recruit board member Craig Wichner as the new CEO for NASDAQ-traded Cibus, Inc. in San Diego, CA. Peter Beetham, who has served as the company’s interim CEO, will continue his role as the company’s president and chief operating officer. Concurrently, both Mr. Wichner and Dr. Beetham resigned from the Cibus board of directors as part
Shelli Herman and Associates Recruits CEO for OneOC
Los Angeles-based Shelli Herman and Associates has placed Bonni Pomush as the new president and CEO of OneOC. She will succeed Tim Strauch, who will remain president and CEO through December 31, 2026, before retiring from OneOC after 19 years of service and leadership. “Bonni’s record of organizational transformation, collaborative leadership, and community engagement makes her exceptionally
NPAworldwide Forms Alliance with Dimensional Search Associates
Member-owned recruitment network NPAworldwide has formed a strategic partnership with the Sanford Rose Associates family of companies, including Dimensional Search. “This partnership brings together two strong organizations with complementary strengths and a shared commitment to helping independent recruiting firms succeed,” NPAworldwide said. “For NPAworldwide, the agreement represents a meaningful extension of its mission to connect independent recruiting
Scaling Growth Through Transformative Talent
High-growth environments can compress time, magnify decisions, and expose leadership gaps in an instant. As companies move through periods of rapid expansion, the ability to build and evolve the right leadership team becomes increasingly critical to sustaining momentum and creating long-term value. Across private equity, venture capital, and technology-driven businesses, organizations are rethinking how they
Crist|Kolder Associates Recruits CFO for Allstate
Crist|Kolder Associates has recruited Christian Lown as executive vice president and chief financial officer of The Allstate Corporation. “Chris’s leadership and capital markets expertise will enable us to continue increasing Property-Liability market share and expand protection provided to customers,” said Tom Wilson, president and CEO of The Allstate Corporation. With more than 25 years of senior
Protis Global Appoints Co-Presidents
Consumer packaged goods-focused executive search and advisory firm Protis Global has named Skye Miller and Isabel Cosby as co-presidents in a planned generational leadership transition as the company positions itself for its next phase of growth. Bert Miller, who co-founded the firm in 1995, moves from chairman and CEO of Protis Global to chairman. He will continue as founder
The Registry: Transforming Higher Education with Deeply Experienced Interim HR Leaders
The need for HR transformations, a new report finds, is driving a dramatic rise in the number of interim CHROs being asked to provide strategic leadership in times of change. In just the first half of 2024, demand for interim CHROs matched the entire year of 2023, according to Heidrick & Struggles’ latest Fortune 1000 CHRO Trends data.
Waverly Partners to Recruit Midland Area Chamber CEO
The Midland Area Chamber of Commerce and Midland Tomorrow has retained executive search firm Waverly Partners to lead its search for a new president and chief executive officer to lead both organizations. Eric Peterson, a managing director and principal in Waverly Partners’ Cleveland office, will spearhead the search. Mr. Peterson has served Fortune 1000 corporations,
DHR and Caldwell Partners Cease Acquisition Talks
David H. Hoffmann, chairman of Chicago-based DHR International, and his Canadian rival, G. Edmund King, chairman of Caldwell Partners International, spoke by phone yesterday — in what has been described as an “amicable conference call” — and agreed to cease further contact regarding an acquisition transaction by DHR. A temporary trading halt in Caldwell shares was
Virtual Reality: Workplace Shifts Into Millennial Overdrive
Eighty-eight percent of Millennials seek a consistent work/life balance and 57 percent said they will leave a job if they aren’t getting it, according to research released by Pinpoint Market Research and Anderson Jones PR. Respondents, who were born between 1980 and 2000, were also seen to “puddle-jump” jobs to increase their income opportunities. The survey found 39
RSR Partners Adds to Financial Services and Legal/Regulatory Practices
RSR Partners, a corporate governance and executive search firm based in Greenwich, Conn., has added Michael Fahey as principal in its financial services and legal & regulatory search practices. With more than 15 years of international experience leading legal, M&A, and business development strategy and execution, Mr. Fahey will serve as a senior advisor to the firm’s
Coleman Lew Heading Spartanburg Methodist President Search
Executive search firm Coleman Lew + Associates has been selected by Spartanburg Methodist College (SMS) to lead its search for a new president. Ken Carrick, Coleman Lew president, and consultant Janet DeLoache are leading the assignment. Mr. Carrick has managed over 200 search engagements throughout his 28 years in education, retail, manufacturing, the non-profit sector and government. Sitting
Phillips Oppenheim to Conduct AIA Executive Director Search
Phillips Oppenheim, an executive search firm dedicated to the non-profit sector, has been retained by the American Institute of Architects New York Chapter (AIANY) and the Center for Architecture to lead its search for a new executive director to lead both organizations. AIANY has formed a seven-person search committee along with Phillips Oppenheim to conduct a national search. Following
Progress Accelerating for Women In the Boardroom
Research released by Heidrick & Struggles found accelerating progress for women in boardrooms within the Fortune 500. Of the 339 new directors appointed in Fortune 500 boardrooms in 2014, 99 were women, representing 29.2 percent of the total. That compares with 25.9 percent in 2013 and 22.8 percent in 2012. The Heidrick & Struggles Board Monitor projects that women
Witt/Kieffer Heading CEO Search for International Assn. of Fairs
Executive search firm Witt/Kieffer has been selected by the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) to lead its search for a new chief executive officer. Heading the assignment are Jennifer Biehn, a consultant in Witt/Kieffer’s not-for-profit practice, and Gregory R. Santore, principal and sports leadership practice leader. IAFE CEO Jim Tucker announced his retirement after 15 years at the helm. In
Three Former CTPartners Recruiters Join Kingsley Gate Partners
Three top recruiters from New York-based CTPartners have joined executive search firm Kingsley Gate Partners. Buster Houchins, Umesh Ramakrishnan, and Raj Kapoor join fellow former CTPartners veteran Adam P. Kohn, who joined Kingsley Gate Partners in recent weeks. Mr. Houchins was vice chairman and a member of the executive committee of CTPartners and he brings an executive operating background from General Electric, ADAC Laboratories, Acuson
Bridge Partners Recruits Chattanooga Foundation President
New York headquartered executive search firm Bridge Partners, LLC has placed Maeghan Jones as president of the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga (CFGC). Ms. Jones, who has been serving as president of the Chattanooga Area Food Bank, will succeed retiring President Pete Cooper. She previously served in numerous non-profit management positions, including director of a statewide program for homeless and runaway
NPAworldwide Adds Member Firms in the U.S.
Member-owned recruitment NPAworldwide has added nine new members across the East Coast, Midwest and West Coast. Membership in the network allows independent recruiters to serve their clients and candidates by partnering with other member firms on a split-fee basis. Among the new members: 7th Avenue Partners is a New York-based search firm focusing on the financial
Looking for Job Security? Hiring Trends Point to Expanding Workforce
Solid hiring prospects coupled with minimal risk of job loss will extend into the third quarter, according to the Bloomberg BNA survey on hiring projections and job security trends. Reductions in workforces are expected to be rare in the third quarter with almost none of the surveyed HR executives expecting to eliminate positions. Job opportunities for technical
Korn Ferry Names Co-Head of Global Insurance Practice
Former CTPartners executive recruiter Laurie O’Shea has joined Korn Ferry as co-head of its global insurance practice. She will be based in the firm’s Chicago office. Ms. O’Shea joins a number of ex-CTPartners vice chairman colleagues now calling Korn Ferry home, including Barry Bregman, Ron Porter, Joe McCabe and Michael DeSimone. They join former CTPartners recruiters Paul
Spencer Stuart Leading CEO Search for Penn Virginia Corporation
Energy producer Penn Virginia Corporation has retained Spencer Stuart to lead its search for a new chief executive officer. H. Baird Whitehead has informed the board of directors of his plan to retire as president and CEO after more than 14 years of service, including four years in his current position. Spencer Stuart will work with and advise the board’s newly formed
DHR to Recruit CEO for Myers Industries
DHR International has been selected by Akron, OH-based Myers Industries Inc. to lead its search for a new president and chief executive officer. Current president and CEO, John C. Orr, has announced that he will retire at the end of the year. He will remain on the company’s board until the 2016 annual meeting. “The announcement today guarantees
Robert Half Posts Nine Percent Revenue Gain
Robert Half International Inc./(NYSE:RHI) has posted second quarter 2015 revenues of $1.27 billion, an increase of nine percent from revenues of $1.16 billion in the second quarter of 2014. Growth rates remained the strongest in the U.S. and also improved internationally on a currency-adjusted basis. Second quarter results were primarily driven by broad-based revenue gains and higher service
Heidrick Posts 23% Decline in Europe; Culture Shaping Business Weakens
Chicago-based Heidrick & Struggles/(NASDAQ:HSII) has posted net revenue of $133 million in the second quarter, down 2.2 percent from $136.1 million in the 2014 second quarter. Excluding the impact of exchange rate fluctuations which negatively impacted results by $6.9 million, or five percent, consolidated net revenue increased $3.8 million or 2.8 percent. The decline was driven by a 22.8 percent
Howard Fischer Associates Recruits CFO for Comcast
Executive search firm Howard Fischer Associates (HFA) has assisted Comcast Corporation in the recruitment of Michael J. Cavanagh as the company’s senior executive vice president and chief financial officer. He will be based in the company’s headquarters in Philadelphia. Mr. Cavanagh joins Comcast from The Carlyle Group, a global alternative asset manager, where he served as its
CarterBaldwin Recruits CEO for Marketplace Ministries
CarterBaldwin Executive Search has placed Dr. Douglas L. Fagerstrom as executive president and chief executive officer of workplace chaplaincy provider Marketplace Ministries. He will work closely with board chairman Will Thomas, who has been serving as Marketplace Ministries interim CEO, and with Ministry founder, Gil A. Stricklin, who oversees the Marketplace Ministries Foundation as its chairman and
Cornerstone International Adds Member in Colombia
Cornerstone International Group’s Miami-based affiliate ECS Partners International has opened a new office in Bogota, Colombia. This marks the sixth Cornerstone member to be based in Latin America. Managing director Lina Sintes de Tellez and president Gustavo Sintes will oversee the new Colombian hub via search outfit S.A.S.-Colombia. Ms. Sintes is has an extensive background in executive search
Coulter Partners Adds Global Life Sciences Search Specialists
Global Life Sciences search specialist Coulter Partners has added Emma Hiom as principal and Zubair Yusuf as senior associate in the U.K. “We are delighted to attract such versatile talent to consolidate the research team in this strong growth phase at Coulter Partners,” said Sharon Shields, managing director. Ms. Hiom joins the firm after having been director of her
Performance Metrics Lacking Among Recruitment Outsource Providers
Just more than half (52 percent) of organizational leaders are satisfied with the data they currently receive from their recruitment process outsource provider, according to the ‘Measuring Up’ report released by Korn Ferry subsidiary, Futurestep, in conjunction with HRO Today. Low volume of data, accuracy of metrics, and alignment with business outcomes were specifically highlighted as problem areas by businesses
Two More Recruiters From CTPartners Join Rivals
Two top producing recruiters from New York-based CTPartners have left the embattled search company for local tri-state rivals. Rebecca Glasman has joined Russell Reynolds Associates‘ financial services practice while Andy Talkingon has gone to ZRG Partners. Ms. Glasman joins Russell Reynolds as a member of the firm’s asset and wealth management, alternatives, global banking and private equity
Egon Zehnder to Recruit Warren Resources Next CEO
Warren Resources, Inc. has retained Egon Zehnder to lead its search for a new chief executive officer. Lance Peterson currently serves as the company’s interim CEO. Past CEO Philip A. Epstein resigned from his position this past December to pursue other opportunities. “We are now ready to dedicate the necessary time and resources to conducting a search for a
TD Madison & Associates Recruits VP Learning for SCTE
Executive search firm TD Madison & Associates has recruited Reni Gorman as the first vice president of learning and development at the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE). Through extensive research into the learning and development communities of technology industries throughout the U.S., TD Madison identified Ms. Gorman, an award-winning expert in performance improvement and learning strategies. Previous
Allen Austin Adds Partner in Nevada
Global leadership advisory firm Allen Austin has added Steve Leatherman as a partner in its Nevada office. Mr. Leatherman has more than 30 years of broad-based life science & healthcare business management experience. He focuses on all aspects of the life science and healthcare industry as well as general management searches for medium and Fortune 500 class enterprises.His areas of
New War for Talent Descends Upon Executive Search Industry
The war for talent has taken an unusual twist this summer, pitting a well-financed American search firm against its publicly-traded Canadian rival. It is a cross-border takeover attempt, reports Hunt Scanlon Media, the likes of which the executive recruiting industry has not seen before. A testy exchange of letters between the chairmen of both recruiting
Hiring Times Rise As Recruitment Screening Methods Multiply
The time required for a candidate to progress through the hiring process has increased dramatically in recent years, according to a new talent report from Glassdoor Economic Research titled “Why Is Hiring Taking Longer?” Glassdoor’s research reveals that hiring times in the U.S., Canada, and in many major European markets and Australia are growing as employer screening methods — including background
ZRG Partners Adds Industrial Practice Managing Director
Jim Aslaksen has joined West Orange, NJ-based ZRG Partners as managing director to further build out the firm’s global industrial practice. He will work from the firm’s Chicago office and continue to support his global clients with their search and talent management needs. Mr. Aslaksen has over 20 years of experience in leading assignments for CEOs, board directors and other
Russell Reynolds Associates Retained by Vanderbilt University
Nashville-based Vanderbilt University has retained the services of Russell Reynolds Associates to lead its search for a new vice provost of research. Dennis Hall stepped down at the end of 2014 and vice provost Timothy R. McNamara took over the vice provost post to take on research responsibilities for one year. Mr. McNamara will assist the committee as it refines the
Vetted Solutions Selected by SOCAP to Identify Next CEO
SOCAP International has retained Washington, D.C.-based executive search firm Vetted Solutions LLC to conduct its search for a new president and chief executive officer. Matthew D’uva, SOCAP’s veteran CEO, has spent nearly a decade with the organization, but announced his decision to move on in June.The search is being led by Vetted Solutions president James Zaniello and
