DAILY NEWSWIRE - TOP STORIES
Daily Newswire
Peña Search Seeking Major Gifts Officer for Cristo Rey Dallas College Prep
Peña Search was recently selected by Cristo Rey Dallas College Prep (Cristo Rey Dallas) to lead in its search for a major gifts officer. Cristo Rey Dallas seeks a major gifts officer to join its advancement team at a pivotal moment in the school’s history. As Cristo Rey Dallas enters its second decade of impact,
International Executive Search Federation Adds Four New Partners to Network
International Executive Search Federation (IESF) has added four new exclusive partners to its international executive search network. “This expansion strengthens IESF’s presence in Latin America, the Nordics, and Central Eastern Europe, and brings fresh expertise and local insight to our global community. We are proud to welcome Alec Allan & Associés, Human Garden, Key Executives, and
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.
The Talent Studios Recruits Chief Marketing Officer for Pura Vida Miami
The Talent Studios has recruited Bruno Cardinali as chief marketing officer of Pura Vida Miami, the premium all-day café and lifestyle brand focused on health, wellness and community. The search was led by Katlyn Maloney and Jeremy Cohen. Mr. Cardinali brings more than two decades of marketing leadership across fast casual, foodservice, beverage, and global consumer brands. Most recently, as
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?
JM Search Expands Technology and Financial Services Practices
JM Search, a senior-level talent provider serving private equity investors, portfolio companies, and Fortune 1000s, has expanded with the additions of Wes Chisholm as partner and Laura Bennstrom and Charles Telep as principals within its technology and financial services practices. Mr. Chisholm and Mr. Telep join the firm’s technology practice while Ms. Bennstrom joins both the financial
How The Tolan Group Navigated the Downturn and Remained Focused
For many executive search firms, 2024 and 2025 tested resilience in ways few could have predicted. At The Tolan Group (TTG), they experienced the same pressures felt across the industry. Slower decision cycles, delayed starts, and a noticeable dip in portfolio company hiring activity. Yet through that uncertainty, one thing remained constant: our commitment to
Korn Ferry Reports Seven Percent Q4 and Full-Year Revenue Growth, Led by Double-Digit Gains in Professional Search & Interim
Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) has posted Q4 fiscal-year revenues of $759.8 million, a year-over-year increase of seven percent and five percent at constant currency. This was led by Professional Search & Interim up 14 percent, followed by Executive Search and Consulting, both up seven percent and RPO up five percent. During the fourth quarter, revenues rose by
Lock Search Group Leading CEO Search for Atlas Sign & Awning
Toronto-headquartered executive recruitment firm Lock Search Group is currently seeking a new CEO for Atlas Sign & Awning. For over 30 years, Atlas Sign & Awning has helped businesses across Canada and the United States stand out through custom commercial signage, awnings, and branded architectural elements. Based in Langley, BC, they’ve built a strong reputation for quality
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
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,
Spencer Stuart’s U.S. Board Index: Shift to Specialized Leadership and Diversity Milestone in S&P 500 Boards
Spencer Stuart’s 39th annual U.S. Board Index reveals that 59 percent of the 406 new independent directors appointed to S&P boards in 2024 possess chief executive or financial expertise, highlighting a shift towards specialized leadership amid low boardroom turnover. Despite this, the report emphasizes the need for boards to embrace proactive refreshment strategies to stay
Heidrick Taps CEO for Business-Industry Political Action Committee
Heidrick & Struggles has placed former Pennsylvania U.S. Rep. James Gerlach as president and chief executive officer of the Business-Industry Political Action Committee (BIPAC). The search was led by Heidrick’s education & social enterprise practice group based in Washington, D.C. Former U.S. Congressman Gerlach joins BIPAC with an extensive career in public service and the private sector.
Baker and Assoc. to Lead President Search for U. of Mary Washington
Baker and Associates, LLC has been chosen by the University of Mary Washington in Virginia to lead in the search for its 10th president. Rick Hurley, who has served as the University’s president since 2010, said he will retire, effective next June. The search will be led by senior vice president Martin Baker. Baker and Associates has conducted more than
Employers Focused on Growth See Hiring Momentum Accelerating
U.S. employers’ hiring intentions are among the strongest globally for the third quarter of 2015, according to the latest Manpower Employment Outlook Survey released by ManpowerGroup. Taking into account seasonal variations, the Net Employment Outlook is up 16 percent, which is on par with Q2 2015 and up from Q3 2014 when the Outlook was +14 percent. Only
Culture and Brand Seen As Top Advantages When Recruiting Talent
Futurestep, a Korn Ferry company specializing in talent solutions, revealed results of an executive survey on what gives companies a competitive advantage when recruiting top talent. Organizational culture and employment brand were seen as ranking highest among more than 1,000 responses to the global survey. Nearly two-thirds (61 percent) of respondents said that organizational culture was the most important
ZRG Partners Rebrands With New Logo and Website
West Orange, NJ-based ZRG Partners, a firm focused on providing human capital services to key markets in the financial services, healthcare & life sciences, non-profit, industrial, technology, energy, private equity, board services, and education sectors, has rebranded itself and unveiled a newly redesigned website. The identity makeover comes on the heels of the firm’s capital raise with Northcreek Mezzanine
Vetted Solutions Heading Marketing Society CEO Search
Washington, D.C.-based executive search firm Vetted Solutions LLC has been selected by the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) to lead its search for a new chief executive officer. James Zaniello, Vetted Solutions president, is heading the search assignment. SMPS seeks a CEO capable of providing the strategic vision and operational leadership needed to build on the society’s foundation for
Calibre One Recruits Chief Marketing Officer Post for SOASTA
Executive search firm Calibre One has recruited Ann Sung Ruckstuhl as chief marketing officer of Mountain View, California-based SOASTA. As CMO, Ms. Ruckstuhl will oversee global marketing and communications at SOASTA, including demand generation and lead-to-revenue pipeline management. Ms. Ruckstuhl has held senior global executive positions at industry leaders Symantec, Sybase (acquired by SAP), eBay, HP and most recently as
Coleman Lew + Associates Names Consultant
Executive search firm Coleman Lew + Associates has expanded its search staff with the addition of Chuck Price as a consultant. Mr. Price first began his career in search as an associate with Sockwell & Associates and later with Heidrick & Struggles. He recruited senior level executives across the finance, marketing, real estate, and technology sectors. Additionally, Mr. Price spent
Smaller Search Firms Praised for Expertise and Better Results
Smaller, boutique search firms have a higher level of expertise and yield greater results, according to research findings published by Hunt Scanlon Media and reported by Wilmington Biz and London-based Executive Grapevine. More than 1,000 human resource professionals and executive search consultants took part in Hunt Scanlon Media’s Executive Search State of the Industry report examining how the
The Curzon Partnership and Trinitas Search Partners Merge
U.K. search firms, The Curzon Partnership and Trinitas Search Partners, have merged to form CurzonTrinitas Ltd. The new entity will bring together two executive search businesses with expertise in the energy, infrastructure and finance sectors. “The combination of our two businesses will create one of the largest London-based executive search firms focusing on the infrastructure & energy sectors
CTPartners Stock Drops 21 Percent to New Low
Shares in executive search firm CTPartners dropped 21 percent in heavier than normal trading yesterday, dropping to a new low of $1.71. Trading volume reached 1.191 million shares; trading volume over the last 90 days averaged 260,000. CTPartners has 8,750,000 shares outstanding; some 39 percent of the company’s stock is held by insiders, while just
Kaplan Partners Recruits President of the Delaware Bankers Association
Philadelphia-based executive recruiter Kaplan Partners has placed Sarah A. Long as president of the Delaware Bankers Association (DBA). She replaces outgoing president David A. Bakerian who has retired. “The Delaware Bankers Association will be well served under Sarah Long’s leadership,” said Alan Kaplan, founder and CEO. “Her blend of industry knowledge, relationship skills and managerial talent will augment an
Isaacson, Miller Adds Principal in Boston Office
Isaacson, Miller has expanded its staff with the addition of Rebecca Kennedy to its Boston office as principal. Ms. Kennedy brings to Isaacson, Miller more than 10 years of executive search experience. Her practice has focused on diversity and inclusion, compliance, research administration, and finance & administration in institutions of higher education ranging from large public research institutions
Recruiting Boom Expected As Saudi Markets Open Today
Silicon Valley-backed mihnati.com, Saudi Arabia’s largest indigenous recruiting solutions provider, is anticipating a rush of business as the kingdom opens its $530 billion stock market to foreign investments today. Saudi Arabia’s keenly anticipated move will give international investors direct access to the Middle East’s biggest economy. “The talent sector here could be the big winner,” said Scott
Recruiting Association Names President
The International Association for Corporate & Professional Recruitment (IACPR) has selected Caroline McClure to serve as its new president. Ms. McClure brings more than 20 years of first hand work experience on both the buy and sell sides of the executive talent equation. Her background draws from work as a senior search consultant at Korn Ferry and boutique
Spencer Stuart to Lead LSB Industries President Search
LSB Industries has retained Spencer Stuart to lead its search for a president of its Chemical Business. The newly created position will be responsible for maximizing the operational performance of the company’s chemical business by driving process, maintenance, safety and marketing best practices throughout the company. “Hiring an experienced senior level executive to lead our chemical business is an important next
Bespoke Partners Recruits CFO for Abila
Executive search firm Bespoke Partners has recruited Jeff Cross as chief financial officer of Austin-based Abila. He will head up the finance, accounting, and legal departments at the company and will be primarily responsible for revenue recognition, forecasting, and merger and acquisition activities. Mr. Cross brings more than 30 years of financial leadership experience, with a highly
Lucas Group Names IT Technology Practice Leader
Search firm Lucas Group has named Joseph Schott as managing partner. He will lead and expand the information technology team for the firm’s Tampa office. Mr. Schott previously spent four years as director of IT recruiting with The Execu|Search Group, a recruitment and workforce management solutions firm serving the New York City tristate area and greater Boston. “We are confident
Recruiting Industry Under Pressure to Find New Services to Sell
The Economist reports this morning that in the aftermath of the financial crisis seven years ago, companies were too busy trying to survive to do much recruiting, so they cut back sharply on their use of executive search firms. “When Korn Ferry, the biggest ‘headhunter,’ announced its results for the year to April 2009, it seemed to be in
CTPartners Recruiters Head to Rival Odgers Berndtson
John Hawkins, a vice chairman of CTPartners and a 16-year search industry veteran, has joined competitor Odgers Berndtson. He will be based in Columbia, MD and will be joined by his assistant Tina Veen. Mr. Hawkins was a partner in the company’s life sciences and healthcare recruiting practice, where he combined over 25 years of leadership
DHR International Recruits Chief Operating Officer for LLamasoft
DHR International has recruited Dale Erker as chief operating officer for LLamasoft, Inc., a software supplier dedicated to advancing technology focused on the continuous improvement of enterprise supply chain network operations. The company’s design and analysis applications enable companies to model, optimize and simulate their supply chain operations, leading to major improvements in cost, service, sustainability and
Matteson Partners Adds Recruiting Veteran In Atlanta
Atlanta-based executive search firm Matteson Partners has added Trevor Brown to its executive team as a parnter. Mr. Brown has over 30 years of experience in the information technology, outsourcing and human capital management industries. His expertise is in identifying talent needs and establishing cultural fit between organizations and senior-level leaders. Prior to joining Matteson Partners,
Russell Reynolds Associates to Lead CEO Search for NFIB
Russell Reynolds Associates has been selected by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) to lead the search for its next chief executive officer. NFIB is the nation’s leading small business association. It currently counts about 350,000 members, primarily small businesses with an average number of 10 employees. Dan Danner, the lobby group’s current president and CEO, has announced his plans to
Rosenzweig & Co. Recruits CCSO for Cole Engineering
Rosenzweig & Co. has recruited Allan Kamerman as chief corporate services officer (CCSO) for Cole Engineering Group Ltd., a specialized consulting and engineering solutions company which addresses population growth and related environmental impacts. Mr. Kamerman’s placement comes on the heels of Rosenzweig’s recruitment of the company’s new president and CEO, Mohsen Mortada. Cole Engineering currently comprises
Shares In CTPartners Drop to New Low of $2
Shares in executive search firm CTPartners dipped 31 percent in the last five days and dropped 58 percent in the last four weeks, according to a new analysis conducted by Hunt Scanlon Media. Shares this week in the beleaguered recruiting outfit have fallen to a new low of $2 per share. On November 17, 2014 the shares
Work Culture Seen as Leading Motivator Among Senior Executives
Thirty percent of senior executives are currently thinking of seeking other employment options, while another 28 percent of them said they might do so within the next two years, according to a recent Heidrick & Struggles‘ Asia Pacific Consumer Markets Report. Of the 30 percent that are currently considering switching jobs, 18 percent are already actively looking
Witt/Kieffer Heading Chief Foundation Officer Search for AQHA
Executive search firm Witt/Kieffer has been selected by the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) to find its chief foundation officer. Senior partner Gregory Santore and consultant Jennifer Biehn will head the assignment for Witt/Kieffer. The chief foundation officer will direct the American Quarter Horse Foundation, the philanthropic branch of AQHA in achievement of its mission, which seeks to advance the
Pedersen & Partners Names Country Manager for Azerbaijan
Executive search firm Pedersen & Partners has named Azad Jafarli as the country manager for Azerbaijan. He has almost 20 years of experience in business development, trading, sales, and customer service operations within the telecom, IT, procurement, logistics, supply chain and oil & gas industries. Prior to joining Pedersen & Partners, Mr. Jafarli was founder and managing director
Sucherman Group Rebrands; Expands Into Technology Sector
Sucherman Group, an executive search firm dedicated to finding leaders in the media and entertainment space, has just completed a major rebranding effort. And to meet rising demand among its growing client base, the firm has opened a third office, in San Francisco, to take advantage of the boom in talent leadership mandates in one
Parker Executive Search Recruits Head Coach for Iowa State
Parker Executive Search has placed Murray State coach Steve Prohm as head basketball coach for Iowa State University. He replaces Fred Hoiberg, who recently accepted the position of head coach for the Chicago Bulls. Mr. Prohm has four years of head coaching experience, all of which came at Murray State. In those four years, he was 104-29 and 54-10 in Ohio
Coulter Partners Names Managing Director for Morristown Office
Search firm Coulter Partners has named Shawn O’Connor as managing director of its U.S. business and head of the firm’s newly opened office in Morristown, NJ. With 25 years of experience in the life sciences industry, he brings a unique perspective, focusing on senior executive and direct report-level assignments within the life sciences sector. With extensive experience in leading and driving business







